This is by far our favorite zoo ever! We've been to a lot of zoos, and this one is such a hidden…read moregem. It's always clean, peaceful, and never overly crowded, which makes the experience so much more enjoyable especially with kids. One of the absolute best parts is getting to feed the giraffes for only $10, which was such a fun and unforgettable experience for our family! Being able to get that close to the animals was amazing, and the staff made it feel so safe and interactive. You can really take your time walking around and enjoying everything without feeling rushed or overwhelmed by huge crowds. Such a fun, relaxing, and memorable place for families. We already can't wait to come back!

We love going to The Living Desert when we are in Palm Springs. We go right when it opens so it's…read morecooler and typically there is more animal activity. We used to get a discount with our local (Oregon) zoo membership, but I guess that partnership has changed. We also bring reusable water bottles, snacks and sunscreen with us. All the staff are friendly and there are so many passionate volunteers onsite as well. We had several great conversations with staff and volunteers throughout our last visit. You can tell how much they genuinely care about the animals, They also are well versed in facts and fun tidbits about the animals as well. We love going to the wallabies enclosure- it's our kids's favorite. We go there first since it tends to be less busy and the wallabies are not chilling in the shade yet. It's so special to walk through and have the wallabies just hang out near you and jump around. We loved seeing so many wonderful animals- wolves, giraffes, zebra, rhinos, monkeys, just to name a few. You could easily spend at least half a day here. There is also a splash pad area for the kids to cool off. If in the area I highly recommend you check out The Living Desert.

Yes--as other reviews have stated, the cost may seem like a lot of the visit. If you love animals…read morethough or you want your kids to remember an experience, I would recommend the place. I enjoyed petting them and feeding the animals and being able to spend that time with the animals unlike in a crowded carnival style place that has a petting zoo. The staff who greeted us at the front were super sweet and friendly and playful too which makes the place feel just like another alternate world full of good, happy people. They have a little shop full of chocolates and when you enter, a staff member offers you a sample. She asked what we would like to try while kids received a milk chocolate with sprinkles on it. Because they're probably made with a lot of love and labor, the chocolates aren't cheap but not ridiculously overpriced either. I'm for sure the type though who would have spent a lot more on the chocolates if the tickets were cheaper but that's just me. I'm sure the ticket sales are better. A lot of people do walk out with purchasing any chocolate when I was there. I had fun looking at all of them though and deciding what I wanted. I will be back again when my children are a little older and it's a good excuse to stop by a winery while you're in the area.

Sugarplum Zoo is adorable, slightly muddy magic--and we are *obsessed*…read more If your kid loves chasing pigs like it's their full-time job and happily feeding goats like a tiny farmer, this is absolutely your place. Mine was living her best life the entire time. Meanwhile, I was just trying to keep up and not get outsmarted by a goat Pro tips: the gelato is SO good (like, treat yourself good ) and definitely do *not* wear your nice shoes... unless you're okay with them becoming part of the farm experience 10/10 for laughs, memories, and a little bit of dirt

Our special needs son, age 6, loves animals. We found this sanctuary online when looking for places…read moreto take him to. It quickly became our favorite place, we visit once a week. Every time we drive through those gates, it feels like stepping into a different rhythm -- slower, softer, and full of heart. There's a calm that settles over me the moment I arrive, like all the noise of everyday life fades into the background. For a few precious hours, time seems to stand still. We spend our visits surrounded by the most amazing animals, each with their own story and personality. The people who care for them are just as special -- kind, genuine, and truly devoted to every creature on the farm. They always greet us by name, take time to chat, and make our son feel like part of their family. He loves to feed the sheep, who are so patient and gentle with him. I love learning each animal's name and backstory -- it makes every visit feel personal and deeply grounding. If you ever feel weighed down by the world, this is the place to go. It's impossible to leave without feeling lighter, calmer, and a little more connected to what really matters. And as a bonus -- they grow the most delicious fruits and vegetables right there on the farm, fresh from the earth that gives this place so much life. If you are looking for a special place to take your family, I highly recommend it!

This is the most special place I have ever been to, I've never been more happy. If you love animals…read moreyou have to check this place out! First off it's huge and you are allowed to feed and pet ALL of the animals! They have so much to see! Cows, pigs, camels, and even a zebra!! I never thought in my life I'd pet a zebra, this experience is just incredible! They even have turkeys and peacocks that roam and even came up to us for some food! All of the animals were super friendly and adorable. We even saw the smallest mini horse ever that was so cute. There are also cats that roam the property and one of them followed us throughout the whole place. Can you ask for a cuter tour guide?! They also grow their own produce and sell eggs. We picked and cut our own pumpkins and left with some duck eggs as well! Overall this was just the most fun experience I've ever had. I regret not purchasing the membership because ever since I left I keep thinking about how bad I want to come back! This is definitely a hidden gem and a fantastic experience.

The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is absolutely massive. This place is extremely huge, and honestly you…read morecould spend an entire day here and still not see everything. We showed up pretty late, so we were only able to do the Safari tour, which is one of the main attractions, but it was completely worth it. The way the Safari is laid out is unbelievable. Traveling through the park and seeing all the animals spread out across these huge open areas really makes you feel like you're on an actual safari. There's so much room and space for the animals to graze and move around naturally, and it was amazing seeing how different animals interacted with each other or how the sections were designed to feel natural and immersive. They also have a zip line that runs across the safari area and a hot air balloon that goes up and down over the park, plus plenty of other attractions and exhibits that we didn't even get a chance to see. Definitely worth checking out, especially the guided Safari tour portion. One important thing to note -- if you're searching for it online or using GPS, make sure you search for the "Safari Park" and not just the San Diego Zoo. The Safari Park is located up in the hills and is a completely different location from the actual zoo in downtown San Diego.

I'm not one for zoos but I decided to make an exception for this zoo with a twist: San Diego Zoo…read moreSafari Park. The San Diego Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the U.S. Perhaps the best. The Safari Park is in a different location entirely, to the north of San Diego in Escondido. I stopped by on a Wednesday afternoon. Parking is easy in the large parking lot they have. Here's what's awesome about the Safari Park. If you pay for general admission, you'll have your typical zoo experience pretty much. If you shell out some extra cash for the safari, this is where it's a much cooler experience. I've been on a real safari many years ago in South Africa in Kruger National Park. Obviously this isn't as great but it's still memorable. Our safari consisted of a group of 12 people or so. Our tour guide was awesome. One of the best I've ever had. He was knowledgable, funny, and a lot of fun. For an hour, you'll cruise in the safari jeep checking out various animals like antelope, giraffes, and more up close. Unlike a safari in Africa, you're not going to pull up on any predators, but it's still enjoyable. It's a huge park. If you explore every nook and cranny there, you can spend the whole day there. We were there for about 3.5 hours (including the hour for the safari). Out of all of the areas we checked out, our favorites were the elephant area, platypus area, okapi area, the tiger area, and the kangaroo area. The platypus and okapi were awesome for the novelty. These are unique animals that you don't see every day. And the kangaroo area is especially epic because you're actually walking around in their habitat. Next thing you know, a kangaroo is hopping around a few feet away from you. Other popular areas include the lion area, the cheetah area, and the gorillas area. Part of the experience is going to be luck of the draw. A lot of animals are nocturnal so they sleep or rest (hidden away from the sun) during the day. Which means you might not even see them out there. For example, we didn't see any lions. If you show up right when they open, your chances are higher. Another issue I have with the park is it's quite expensive. California prices are a real thing but this was a little obscene. General admission is expensive. The add-ons are expensive. And the food and drinks there are expensive. Case in point: a soda for $15. A random guy even commented to me about how ridiculous the food and beverage prices are. Part of the proceeds go toward animal conservation, which is great and all, but the prices are just too high. All that being said, I did enjoy visiting.

We celebrated our daughters 9th birthday with family and friends at Wild Wonders and it was such an…read moreenjoyable experience. The animals were well cared for, the staff were kind, knowledgeable and professional, and the interaction with their animals was a memorable experience. It was a lot of fun too. We ended our party with a picnic at Wild Wonders and the area provided was clean, spacious, shaded and overlooking a nice view. Couldn't have asked for a better birthday for our daughter.

A beautiful wildlife preservation site where you can enjoy animal encounters with exotic animals!…read more - PARKING - We parked on the hill past the entrance of the business, and walked down. Pretty steep but it's a short walk. - SERVICE/ENVIRONMENT - Book your visit online! There are group rates and additional attendee rates, so just make sure you have the right count of people! Staff was very friendly from start to finish, and I loved seeing the enthusiasm shine through their work. It's not a huge site, so not a ton of walking involved, but there are some steps if you're worried about accessibility. Make sure to wear closed toed shoes! - EXPERIENCE - We booked a Wallaby encounter, and initially I thought it was only going to be a single animal experience but I was pleasantly surprised we were taken on a tour around the area! We did get to feed and pet the Wallaby, but we also walked to see all the different animals in captivity. They also brought out some animals for us to pet and see up close! - OVERALL - A wonderful wildlife preservation site, and amazing staff to take care of them all!

AMAZING afternoon spent at the farm with our family! Educational AND fun! The owners are…read morepassionate and entertaining!

This is such a wonderful experience! It's a very unique farm to visit. there are parrots,…read morecockatiels, and parakeets, turkeys and sheep in addition to the stars of the show, the Camels. The public events start with a show where you learn about Camels and the stuff the owners did before opening the dairy, which includes a traveling bird show. After the show, it's time to go give the sheep and camels some treats! The camels are super sweet, and love to be fed and petted. For anyone worried about the treatment of their animals, there's nothing to worry about. These animals are well, well cared for (I grew up on a farm so I would know). Nice gift shop, friendly staff. 11/10 will go again.

Wow what an amazing zoo. We went for a fulll day and could not fit in all there was to see…read more Invasions disclaimer, coming here ain't cheap, lol. The zoo is amazing. The way most of the animal habitats are set up, make it very easy to see all of the animals. We must of went on the right day as all the animals were out for full display. I would definitely suggest the double decker bus, ride on top and choose the inside (right side as looking forward). It goes around the edges of the zoo and we got to see a lot of animals from the comfort of our seat and without the walking haha. The driver and host was very informative with a bunch of funny dad type jokes to keep us entertained. If you are hungry, I would definitely have a good breakfast before you come. Haha as can be expected food prices are not kind to the wallet. Next time we are in SD, we'll definitely be stopping by again to check in on our wild life friends.

The San Diego Zoo is hands down the best zoo I have ever visited…read more We started our day with the 40-minute guided bus tour, and it was a great overview of the zoo. We got to see some really cool angles of the elephants, zebras, lions, bears, and cheetahs! Your zoo ticket also includes the Skyfari, which was really cool because you get to see the zoo in all its majesty from above. It was also a super convenient way to get across the zoo without having to make the long walk. I was especially excited to see the pandas, and they were so cute eating their bamboo! The only bummer was that we couldn't see the polar bears. We tried going back 3 times with no luck. Oh well, next time! Overall, an amazing zoo and a must-visit if you are in San Diego.

Absolutely amazing experience for adults and kids alike! Went with my little one and husband for a…read morest. Patrick day event! It was above and beyond what I expected and we enjoyed every minute of it! St. Patrick was a highlight for my son and husband who enjoyed his spot on Irish accent very much! The scavenger hunt was sweet and well thought out with very fun prizes at the end! Everyone made new friends, the petting zoo was great too! I made friends with one of the brand new goat babies they're very sweet and tiny! My husband held a couple snakes and my little guy had fun watching the tortoises eat! If your family want to have a great time I highly recommend visiting fort cross! Incredible Photo ops everywhere! Did I mention paint ball slingshot , tomahawk throwing and archery ? Well done and family fun great for bonding! We loved the very welcoming and compassionate owners! We are already planning our next visit back!

If you are looking around Julian for an activity outside of shopping, eating and apple picking; I…read morewould recommend Fort Cross Adventures. This family owned and built setup gives an old timey backyard feel with games ranging from treasure hunt, archery, ax throwing to a large garden/nursery. Like a large backyard it is all dirt paths with over grown trees & bushes so i would not come in high heels or nice shoes. The garden area is an "instagram" worthy spot for influencer photos as it is decorated with vintage photo frames, art, pottery giving it a rustic yet artsy feel. Pictures on yelp do the venue more justice than the companies website or TripAdvisor. Dates and hours are limited, as the family runs all aspects of Fort Cross. Highly recommend confirming they are open before just heading out. My one reservation or word of caution is with the archery. There are no forearm guards or finger protection offered. The bowstring with repetitive can possibly hurt your skin and cause of injuries.

Camping nearby and ventured into town and had this on my list of places to check out. I was so sad…read moreto learn that the blackberries bushes were all picked for the year, with the possibility of a couple vines but not yet ready. Flowers were in bloom and they did offer raspberries, but also said that was slim as well. Sure enjoy, with 3 people and 6 eyes, we were able to fill up. You pre-pay and then they give you your container. Walk around and you can come here to pick different fruits during different seasons. Guess what, they have a petting zoo inside as well! How cool! If there is food available and they haven't been fed too much, you can grab a scoop and feed away! Staff was friendly and very helpful in navigating, especially when you forget where you are supposed to walk to in order to pick your fruit. I would say it is about farmer's market pricing, definitely not on the cheaper scale but you are paying for quality here. Can't wait to come back! We came here in August 2025, and then my Husband brought his mother and siblings here in October 2025. They loved it as well. Plenty of parking, although dirt parking, easy to get in and out. Highly recommend if coming to Julian. This is a landmark/staple of Julian to visit.

We visited the Julian farm and orchard for the first time in November and we had a great time! We…read morearrived at around 10:30 am , we had heard that it gets pretty crazy with parking but the staff was very organized and guided us to our parking . Pricing is great and affordable we did the Barnyard experience ! I didn't know they did online reservations which is something we will do in the future as the line to purchase tickets was a little long . The animals are very cute , but some of them are a little more aggressive for food so watch out ! Overall we loved the experience we had! So many places to walk and take pictures! I knew it was busy due to the parking but it didn't feel as overcrowded since the space is so large ! Highly recommend everyone to bring their families !

I really enjoyed visiting and learning. It was a quick tour but I was glad I got to have any…read moreinteraction with these amazing animals

My girlfriend and I did the complete farm tour which includes the alpaca ranch/fiber mill and the…read morenew petting zoo. It was an extremely fun experience; Barbara's an amazing guide who was very friendly and made us feel comfortable experiencing something that was out of our normal and learning about these animals. Would totally recommend this to anyone of any age!