If you have an animal-loving kid at home, you’ll appreciate this list we’ve put together of places you can visit animals and creatures large and small in the East Bay and beyond. Little kids like little animals. We love having a membership to the zoo, but what about all the places where a toddler can get really up close and personal to animals for FREE or cheap?
11 Free & Free-ish Local Outings For Kids Who Love Animals
We have a number of favorite destinations for visiting animals that cost zero dollars plus snacks:
Crab Cove (Alameda) FREE
Check out the Visitor Center for the fish feeding on Wednesdays and Saturdays/Sundays at 3 pm. There’s also a storytime on Friday at 10:30 am. Or just walk around the beach to find animals in the wild, especially many local birds. Check it out >
East Bay Vivarium (Berkeley) FREE
Creepy crawling things abound at this reptile lovers’ nirvana. It’s best to come and browse on a weekday morning (open at 11 am). They have oodles of snakes and turtles, frogs and lizards, and so much more. Don’t miss Lemondrop, the 15-foot snake in the back right corner of the store! Pro tip: Make sure your little one knows what will or will not be coming home with you before you enter. Why we love the Vivarium for kids >>
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Tilden Park Little Farm (Berkeley) FREE
Berkeley’s Little Farm is a well-known admission-free place to feed goats, watch piggies, and chase your sibling. Clean bathrooms and a small playground reward guests. All about Tilden Little Farm >>
Reinhardt Redwood Regional Park (Oakland) FREE
Follow our directions to find clusters and mounds of ladybugs in the fall/winter. Super fun for an easy hike and getting outside. Read about it here >
Knowland Park (Behind The Oakland Zoo) FREE
A secret little hike behind the Oakland Zoo where you might see a bear, wolf, or vulture. You will almost definitely see doggies (on and off-leash). This little hike also offers spectacular Bay views and a tree swing. Read more details about how to spot the animals behind the Oakland Zoo >>
Marine Mammal Center (Sausalito) FREE
Reserve your ticket (for free) before heading out to this beautiful spot. You’re likely to see northern elephant seal pups and California sea lion pups in February to May, summer is sea lion season, and November through January is a quieter season on the animal front, but the weather is typically mild, so go for a tour and get some early holiday shopping done in their eco-minded gift store. Check it out>
Ardenwood Farm (Fremont) Almost FREE
Ardenwood is a working farm with many classes and seasonal activities for a small fee (like $2). Something new is always happening. Reservations required. Learn about Ardenwood Historic Farm >>
Sulphur Creek (Hayward) FREE
Tucked away in a beautiful 10-acre canyon, Sulphur Creek Nature Center in Hayward is an animal welfare oasis perfect for little kids to get up close with animals. Read more about it here >
Kennedy Park (Hayward) FREE
A petting zoo is open on the weekends at this beautiful newly renovated playground and park. They also have cute little rides for $3, so be ready for that if you go. Read more here>
Hidden Villa Farm (Los Altos) Super Cheap
For only $10 per vehicle, kids can visit with chickens, giant sheep, and other farm animals. Reservations required. See why we loved our visit to Hidden Villa >>
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Fitzgerald Marine Reserve tide pools (Moss Beach) FREE
A bit of a drive, but super worth it if you can time the tides right. These super cool tide pools are pretty close (only a 45-minute drive from Berkeley with normal traffic), parking is free and access to the beach is relatively easy for all ages. Plenty of sea life to see. Read more >
10 More Bay Area Outings For Kids Who Love Animals ($-$$$)
The good news is that if you have an Oakland Zoo membership, it will give you discounted admission to some of these places and it works the other way, too. Always check for membership discounts! The rest are affordable options worth a visit.
East Bay SPCA (Oakland and Dublin)
Shelter Scouts is a volunteer program open to youth ages 8-17. Sessions are held for 1.5-2 hours once per week, for three weeks. The fee for Shelter Scouts is $100/student/3-week session. East Bay SPCA also offers animal camps for younger children (not free!). If you really want to be a hero, animal fostering opportunities are available. Become a volunteer with animals >
Cat Town and RAWR Cafe ($)
Visit the nation’s first Cat Cafe! Your $12 admission charge goes right to supporting Oakland’s most vulnerable cats. Children ages 12 and under must be accompanied by an adult (no more than two children per adult). Coffee and vegan treats are available.
Make reservations >
Oakland Zoo (Oakland) $$
A local gem that’ll thrill your little animal lover with lions, tigers, and bears (and a lot more!). The large gondola and California Trail section at the top are fabulous and come with a playground. It’s not cheap, but if you become a member you’ll likely make it worth your while within a few visits. Read about the Oakland Zoo membership here >>
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Lindsay Wildlife Experience (Walnut Creek) $
What’s great about this East Bay animal experience is the programming geared towards young children. Cool animals include porcupines, owls, and rats. Rumor has it that the vulture and owl parties are always a hoot.
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San Francisco Zoo (San Francisco) $$
While we love the Oakland Zoo, the San Francisco Zoo offers a few other animals worth the drive (and with traffic, boy is it a drive!). The penguins are so adorable, and the Komodo dragon, snakes, giant rhinoceros, and anteater offer some wow moments. If you have bug-loving kids, the Insect Zoo is a must-see. San Francisco Zoo is open >>
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Horses & 9 Bay Area horseback riding parties >>
Cal Academy of Sciences (San Francisco) $$
More a science museum than a zoo, Cal Academy in Golden Gate Park has thousands of animals including amusing penguins, an albino alligator, and butterflies. Cal Academy of Sciences >>
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Happy Hollow Park & Zoo (San Jose) $
Part amusement park and part Zoo, San Jose’s Happy Hollow Park & Zoo is a fun-filled destination for a family with young children, just under an hour’s drive from Oakland. Reservations required. Animals include capybara, peccary, monkeys, and interesting birds. Everybody loves a meerkat.
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Safari West (Santa Rosa) $$$
Like an African safari you can drive to, some kids will really enjoy riding on top of a jeep and scouting for zebra, wildebeest, and giraffes. You might get chased by an ostrich or guinea fowl for good measure. We had lots of fun at Safari West but it is a splurge.
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Bay Area Farms to Visit with Kids >>
Monterey Bay Aquarium (Monterey) $$
The famed Monterey Bay Aquarium is wonderful whether you do it as a day trip or weekend getaway. Children will be entertained by sea otters, penguins, and sharks.
Website >
CuriOdyssey (San Mateo) $$
Half zoo, half science playground, you’ll find plenty of cute little critters to entertain your little ones, as well as some fun play areas. The otters are certainly a favorite. Read about our Half-day Trip to CuriOdyssey.
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Where do you take your kiddos to get up close and personal with animals in the East Bay?
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