19 Places in the Bay Area Where Kids Can See Animals

If you have an animal-loving kid at home, you’ll appreciate this list of places where you can visit animals and creatures, large and small, in the East Bay and beyond.

Thanks to CuriOdyssey Science Playground and Zoo for sponsoring this list. We even have a discount code for you to visit them. Read on!

Bay Area Outings For Kids Who Love Animals

CuriOdyssey (San Mateo)

Half zoo, half interactive science museum, CuriOdyssey is also home to plenty of interesting animals, plus two spectacular outdoor play areas. The naturalist-led animal encounters are a favorite, so when you arrive at CuriOdyssey, make sure to check the schedule so you can plan your visit accordingly.
1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo
Website >

Ardenwood Farm (Fremont)

Ardenwood is a working farm with many classes and themed activities for a small fee (like $4). There are pigs and goats and you can get up close to them. Reservations required. Read about our experiences at Ardenwood Historic Farm >
34600 Ardenwood Blvd., Fremont
Website >

Cal Academy of Sciences (San Francisco)

More a science museum than a zoo, Cal Academy in Golden Gate Park has thousands of animals, including adorable penguins. Our three-year-old’s favorites at Cal Academy >
55 Music Concourse Drive, San Francisco
Website >

Cat Town (Oakland)

Visit the nation’s first cat cafe! Your $14 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 ice cream are available at an attached outpost of Souvenir Coffee.
2869 Broadway, Oakland
Reserve a 50-minute visit >

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 adjacent beach to spot animals in the wild, especially many local birds. See why we are fans of Crab Cove >
1252 McKay Ave., Alameda
Website >

East Bay SPCA (Oakland)

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.
8323 Baldwin Street, Oakland
Become a youth volunteer >

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. Why we love the Vivarium for kids >
1827 5th Street, Suite C, Berkeley
Website >

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 about these tidepools >
200 Nevada Ave, Moss Beach
Website >

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. Purchase online tickets in advance. Animals include capybara, peccary, monkeys, and interesting birds.
748 Story Road, San Jose
Website >

Hidden Villa Farm (Los Altos)

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 >>
26870 Moody Road, Los Altos Hills
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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.
1931 First Avenue, Walnut Creek
Website >

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. Some animals are seasonal, so do a little research before you head out.
2000 Bunker Road, Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito
Website >

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 ride and California Trail section at the top are fabulous and come with a playground.
9777 Golf Links Road, Oakland
Website >

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 the ladybug hike here >
7867 Redwood Road, Oakland
Website >

Safari West (Santa Rosa)

This is a fantastic splurge for real animal lovers. As if on an African safari, guests will 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.
Franz Valley Road, Santa Rosa
Website >

San Francisco Zoo (San Francisco)

The San Francisco Zoo offers large animals (and playgrounds!) worth the drive. The Komodo dragon, snakes, giant rhinoceros, and anteater offer some true wow moments. If you have bug-loving kids, the Insect Zoo is a must-see. Here’s our review >
Sloat Blvd. at the Great Highway, San Francisco
Website >

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 learn about the animals. Read more about it here >
1801 D Street, Hayward
Website >

Tilden Park Little Farm (Berkeley) FREE

Berkeley’s Little Farm is a well-known admission-free place to meet goats and cows, watch piggies and chickens, and chase your sibling. Clean bathrooms and a small playground reward guests. All about Tilden Little Farm >>
1500 Central Park Drive, Berkeley
Website >

Your Basic Bird (Berkeley) FREE

If you can tolerate the squawking, stop into this Elmwood shop to see the small pets for sale – colorful birds, dwarf hamsters, and sometimes adoptable kitties.
2940 College Avenue, Berkeley
See more >

Thanks to CuriOdyssey for supporting our curiosity about animals. Get 10% off admission with code 510famNPG at their website >