Where to See Farm Animals
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Where can we go to see live pigs?
April 2008
Hi. I'm looking for a farm or another place that would have live pigs, as close as possible to the east bay. My son, now 5, is obsessed with pigs. He's asking me everyday if we can buy three pigs as pets. Of course we can't. So I told him I would try to find a place where we could go see live pigs upclose. Any recommendations will be appreciated. Thanks, Mom of pig lover
Tilden Park-the Little Farm . Has pigs, chickens, goats, cows, etc. Bring celery/lettuce/greens to feed the goats. Also has a wonderful Environmental Education center with a cave with taxidermy animals. Also take a short hike to Jewel Lake and see the turtles sunning by the bridge, and then end up at the Little Playground by the Parking Lot. A wonderful outing and all free thanks to our wonderful local park system. Farm Fan
I think the pigs at Tilden Park's Little Farm are on hiatus (but you might want to check -- they used to have pigs), but I'm pretty sure Ardenwood Farm (http://www.ebparks.org/parks/ardenwood) in Fremont has pigs. And lots of fun activities. Some days kids can even help out with farm chores. Again, you might to call to confirm their pig availability -- different websites say different things and I can't remember if we actually saw pigs there. Farmer's Daughter
Loma Vista Farm in Vallejo. I checked the website, and looks like they have pigs! I have not been to the farm (yet) although I live in Vallejo, but I hear it is great. Unfortunately, I did not pay attention to the link, but I think it was www.lomavistafarm.org (or ''google'' it like I did at www.goodsearch.com ) I can't remember if the San Francisco zoo has pigs in their children's farm section, but you might research that also. Farm Lover
Little Farm in Tilden Park has pigs (and other animals). Info here: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/vc/tna
You will get a flood mentioning this, but Little Farm in Tilden Park has pigs. It is next to the nature center. We were there the other day and the sow was out for breeding so they hope to have piglets in about 4 months. They have a beautiful pink and brown older piglet right now. Jeanne
Last year I was facing the same issue, though my son just wanted to milk a goat and feed sheep. Little Farm in Tilden was fine, but we found Plantation Farm Camp and went for their Family Camp. It was like I had found heaven for my son (and they do have pigs, cows, horses, and others I'm forgetting, too). We all had a great time, the food was truly gourmet, I enjoyed the hike to the ocean, and my son got his fill of really spending time with the animals -- he now loves chickens too.
Each day before breakfast and dinner he got a chance to milk the goat and the counselors didn't rush him through it or try to keep a ''petting zoo'' atmosphere. The animals had kids around them all summer at the kids camp and were really used to having people around them. When he is old enough, he's already decided that he's going there for summer camp. If you want a real experience with animals on a real farm, I can't think of a better place. Fellow parent of an animal-obsessed child
Have you been to Tilden Park Little Farm? Free...and they usually have a pig or two. I haven't been in awhile, but last time I was there they had lots of piglets. Oink Oink
The Little Farm in the north side of Tilden Park (near the merry-go-round). They have pigs and there will be piglets sometime in mid to late June. My daughter is also obsessed with pigs and she loves going there to feed them. Only bring lettuce or celery though to feed the animals - no carrots or anything else allowed. mom of pig lover
definitely check out the little farm in tilden park. they have three pigs in residence along with many other animals (cows, sheep, goats, ducks, geese, etc.). you can feed the animals lettuce and celery which is fun for the kids. our son is two and has been going since he was nine months old and just loves it. it's our go-to place for weekend entertainment whenever we have leftover celery in the house! also, earlier in the year, we were treated to the sight of one of the sows and her litter of little piglets. how she got them to nap all at the same time, i will never know but boy do i wish i could learn. and as they get older, i think they have programs where you can help out on the farm. anyway, check it out at www.ebparks.org/parks/vc/tna. hope that that helps! tilden farm family
The Little Farm in Tilden Park currently has three young pigs. They are very cute! Anon
Little Farm up in Tilden Park (http://www.ebparks.org/parks/vc/tna) has pigs on and off. Last time I was there (a few weeks ago) they had two pigs. Chelsea
Tilden Regional Park in Berkeley has pigs--www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden. Tilden's Little Farm usually has a sow with a litter. Seems like a new litter of piglets every time we visit. Tilden's FREE, & the farm is pretty little but the piglets are great (9 or 10 of them). we love pigs too.. oink oink
Try the Little Farm in Tilden Park. They have pigs, geese, ducks, rabbits, goats, sheep and cows. Take celery and lettuce (only, no other food) to feed the pigs/goats/sheep/cows. If you're lucky you may even seen piglets! I don't know if they have a litter this year - we haven't been out there yet this spring - but last year we were lucky enough to see piglets. Web link at http://www.ebparks.org/parks/vc/tna Little Farm fan
Little Farm in Tilden-- check out the EB Regional Parks Webpage for directions--- they have 3 pigs (plus cows, sheep, rabbits, chickens, geese etc) open every day
Maybe Ardenwood Farm -- in Freemont --Its an historic farm-- have lots of animals, but I can't remember if they have pigs in particular-- also on the EB Regional Park website. Oink!!
Little Farm in Tilden! It's part of the nature area; here's the link: http://www.ebparks.org/parks/vc/tna. Haven't been in a few years as my kids have outgrown the Little Farm, but last time we went there was a whole litter of newborn piglets. anon
Where to see real baby chicks
March 2003
my sons really would like to pet baby chicks. Since it's almost Easter I was hoping to find a farm that had a petting area. Does anyone know one either in Eas Bay or north in Sonoma County. Thanks! marissa
Tilden Park in Berkeley has the ''Little Farm''. They often have baby chicks, goats, sheep, ducks, etc. I have personally been a few times it is really nice. Check out the link for hours, phone numbers and directions. http://www.ebparks.org/parks/tilden.htm Carla
Try the Tilden Park Little Farm. It had tons of baby animals last year, including chicks and turkey chicks. LC
My husband just decided to raise chickens. He built a coop and ordered a batch--they came in the US Mail if you can believe it. As of March 26 they were a little over a week old--still very cute. We live in North Berkeley. If you want to call right away they will still be chicks and your son is welcome to pet them--but they are growing rapidly. Janet
I just got an email from Slide Ranch. It is spring fling time and they have chicks and lambs.
Oakland Garden School has goats, i believe!
Hi! Likely not ideal location-wise but Connolly ranch in Napa is exactly what you’ve described.
Oakland Garden School in Redwood Heights has goats! And Daisy Children’s Development Center (also Redwood Heights/Laurel) has goats and chickens.
Ducks Nest on 41st had bunnies and chickens (and a tortoise) when we were there a few years back - you could call and check. Ducks Nest Berkeley had lots of chickens as well.