Berkeley’s Little Farm is a fantastic and free working farm in the beautiful Tilden Nature Area and it’s open daily. For the price of a stalk of celery, you can get up-close-and-personal with cows, pigs, chickens, bunnies, and more.
Why we love this farm for families!
Do you (or your small child) have an attention span too short for the zoo? Would you prefer not to pay an arm and a leg for admission to find yourself leaving after 20 minutes? The Little Farm is here for you, and yes, it’s FREE. No pressure, no fuss, easy-peasy. Stay for a while, or leave when the celery runs out.
Follow the signs for the Nature Center on the Marin end of the sprawling Tilden Park (not the Steam Trains end of the park). Park in the large lot. Enjoy running around the big field or playing on the playground structure before or after your farm experience.
Find more fun and free things to do in Tilden Park while you’re there >
We’ve arrived right around the opening and one of the farmers treated us to some fresh (still warm!) eggs to bring home. Another time there were baby pigs! You never know what surprises await you at this special little farm.
The Little Farm is usually open daily, year-round, from about 10 am to 4 pm (longer in the summer). Double-check here before you go >>
Other tips to enjoy Little Farm with little kids:
- Clean bathrooms and paths are available.
- The Environmental Education Center (EEC) is open Tuesday – Sunday 10 am – 4:30 pm
- The playground near the parking lot is great for toddlers and preschoolers (though it is rated for 5 and up) and is fully fenced
- No food is available, so bring your own snacks/lunch.
- It can get muddy, so consider boots.
- You likely won’t have cell service, so make sure to pre-arrange a meet-up place/time with anyone that’s joining you there.
The playground by the parking lot is pretty fun for little kids. It was renovated a few years back and is happily fully fenced in now, so no more worries about little runners jetting into the parking lot.
Still have energy after your visit to the farm? There is a brief hike around Jewel Lake that preschoolers love. Be warned: It’s a bit much for toddlers and not stroller-friendly.
15 Toddler-Friendly Hikes in the East Bay >>
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