My toddler squeals with delight any time she meets a puppy at the park and bursts into hysterical giggles when she receives a wet lick across her face. If we lived on a farm, we’d have a few floppy-eared dogs, a herd of cats, maybe even a gentle goat to feed her animal-loving soul—but the reality is that we live in San Francisco with a tiny backyard and own only a fussy cat who hides under the couch. So, I’ve learned to take my city slicker to spots around the Bay where she can see, meet and pet furry friends. Here are 8 of our favorite spots—don’t forget to bring along some lettuce!
Where: 199 Museum Way, San Francisco, CA
This always-free museum got a pretty hefty renovation last year, but families can still expect to see over 100 animals at the new space. The rodents, amphibians and birds are all local animals that can no longer survive in the wild due to various injuries. Head to the museum every Saturday for the Meet the Animal Keeper sessions to learn all about the museum’s wildlife residents. Kids can meet some of the animals up-close, too! Past sessions have featured snakes, a barn owl and a tortoise.
Cost: Free
2. California Academy of Sciences
Where: 55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco, CA
Budding marine biologists will enjoy sticking their hands in the popular Discovery Tidepool at the California Academy of Sciences and examining the creatures—from prickly purple sea urchins to brilliantly colored sea stars. Docents are on-hand and will test kids’ species identification skills and will also answer your child’s questions.
Cost: Admission varies by day—check here for updated prices!
Where: 250 Florida St, SF, CA
Got an aspiring Dr. Dolittle? The city’s adoption center welcomes the gentle hands of young animals lovers who want to pet cats and dogs. Visitors should check in with staff who can offer tips on how to approach the animals and give you toys for keeping them entertained. Then you’re free to step inside the cat and dog quarters—just be prepared for your kids to beg you to take a kitty or puppy home!
Cost: Free
4. Goat and Sheep Barn, Oakland Zoo
Where: 9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland, CA
Is there anything cuter than a Nigerian dwarf goat? You’ll undoubtedly be wooed by these adorable creatures at the zoo’s farm along with the Barbados sheep and nubian and boer goats. Visitors are invited to brush and pet the sweet-natured animals who roam the area freely.
Cost: Adults $24, children (ages 2 to 14) $20, children under 2 free
5. Little Farm, Tilden Regional Park
Where: 2501 Grizzly Peak Boulevard, Orinda, CA
Tucked away amid the trees of this gorgeous Berkeley Hills park, you’ll find a real working farm with black Welsh sheep, French alpine goats and milking shorthorn cattle living in a big red barn built by local high school students back in 1955. This is more of a feeding than a petting zoo and you’re welcome to bring a bag of lettuce and celery (other foods are not permitted) to give to all the animals except the rabbits. A few times a year a pregnant sow visits the farm and if you’re lucky you’ll get to see a litter of piglets!
Cost: Free
Where: The Embarcadero, San Francisco, CA
Sharks get a bad wrap, but at this Pier 39 aquarium, kids will learn to appreciate their magnificence at a touch tank where you can pet baby leopard sharks. At the Invertebrates Touch Pool, kids can pick up colorful sea stars and slippery sea cucumbers and touch the anemones’ sticky tentacles.
Cost: Adults $27.95, children (ages 4-12) $17.95, children under 4 free
7. Lindsay Wildlife Experience
Where: 1931 First Avenue, Walnut Creek, CA
The Walnut Creek-based center teaches families about the importance of saving animals’ lives through up-close and personal experiences with more than 50 species of native California animals. (Think a North American Porcupine, a Red-Tailed Hawk, a Desert Tortoise and a Gopher Snake!) There are camps, private experiences and awesome workshops all of which offer hangouts with animals!
Cost: General admission—adults $10, children (ages 2-17) $8, children under 2 free.
8. CuriOdyssey
Where: 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo, CA
This family destination and science playground is dedicated to building children’s critical thinking skills through hands-on experiments, backyard science and quality time with animals (your kids will love the daily bobcat and otter feedings). This spot cares for more than 100 mostly native animals from opossums and raccoons to spiders. At First Friday Family Nights, local families are invited to dance to live music, participate in interactive science exhibits, and get up close and personal with CuriOdyssey’s Animal Ambassadors.
Cost: Adults $13.50, children $9.50, children under 2 free
