From cows to strawberry picking, and even flower fields you can find kid friendly farms around Los Angeles and the South Bay that provide some incredible family experiences. Farm visits give kids a chance to hike and engage in nature and learn about the importance of sustainability. California has nearly 25 million acres of land devoted to farming and among all that acreage you’ll find small family farms growing fruits and vegetables and even specialty farms providing safe spaces for rehabilitated animals. Check out our list of the best kid friendly farms near Los Angeles.
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Want more farm-related things to do with kids in Los Angeles? Check out our guides to the best farmers market for families:
South Bay Farmers Markets for Families
The Best Farmers Markets in Los Angeles for Families
The Best Kid Friendly Farms Near Los Angeles
Underwood Family Farms
Moorpark
You may know Underwood Family Farms because of their super fresh, locally grown, California produce, but did you know that they do much more than just grow fresh fruits and vegetables on this beautiful farm? They have two locations for you to visit, one in Somis and one in Moorpark where you can pick your own produce, meet some farm animals in the petting zoo, enjoy farm-themed attractions like tractor rides and pony rides, and even throw a birthday party in the private picnic area. They also offer an educational experience for schools with a guided tour of the fields, as well as seasonal events like the extremely popular annual Harvest Festival.
The Gentle Barn
Santa Clarita
Have you ever hugged a cow? Gentle Barn is a special place where you can experience this one-of-a-kind memory. This is a very special kid friendly farm – The Gentle Barn rescues, rehabilitates and gives sanctuary to severely abused animals. Through interaction with the rescued animals, kids have a great opportunity to learn reverence for all life.
Carlsbad Flower Fields
Carlsbad
Situated on 50 acres of farm land, the vast fields of colorful ranculous, sunflower, and poppy blooms are a magnificent sight to see in spring. Tour the colorful fields aboard a tractor-drawn wagon ride and explore the different gardens and play areas. The farm also features a small blueberry patch offering a limited u-pick berry season. The Carlsbad Ranch Flower Fields is open daily from the beginning of March to mid-May.
Centennial Farm at OC Fair
Costa Mesa
Chickens, pigs, oxen, kale and cabbage – it’s all good here on the farm. Created to educate youth about agriculture and its importance to our daily lives, Centennial Farm, a three-acre working farm, is home to fruit and vegetable gardens and an array of livestock. Animal educators and their human counterparts are here all year long to teach visitors about nutrition and our agricultural roots.
Carlsbad Strawberry Company
Carlsbad
Carlsbad Strawberry Company has been growing strawberries for four generations and the experience shows. Their strawberries are some of the tastiest around. Spend the day trek through the strawberry fields and picking your own to take home, explore the Sunflower Maze, get a taste of fresh-made honey, and enjoy games and activities for kids. During the fall season come for the pumpkins.
Danny’s Farm
Altadena
Danny’s Farm was founded by former MLB player and coach, Jim Gott, and his wife, Cathy, in 2007, in honor of their loving son, Danny, who was diagnosed with Autism. As a child, Danny was drawn to farm animals and out of his continued affinity to them, Danny’s Farm was formed. Danny’s Farm offers a safe and nurturing farm experience and social environment for children and adults with learning differences.
Forneris Farms
Mission Hills
Forneris Farms grows and sells garden vegetables and fruit directly to visitors at the Farm Stand in the San Fernando Valley. They provide locally and sustainably grown produce that is vine ripened and fresh picked daily! Each October, Forneris host a Fall Harvest Festival with Pumpkins, Fall décor and a giant Corn Maze.
Gilchrist Farm
Santa Clarita
Head out to Gilchrist Farm in Santa Clarita where you can learn how to milk the goats, gather the eggs, or even take a horseback riding lesson.
Tip: If you plan to let your kids mount up for a riding lesson or pony ride during your farm visit, pack appropriately. Dressing for horseback riding safety requires long pants and close toed shoes.
The farm also hosts specialty events like a Spring Fling Egg Hunt, Farm Camps, birthday parties, field trips and more!
McGrath Family Farm
Camarillo
Located in Camarillo, McGrath Family Farm is a sustainable farm that grows a high diversity of year-round organic fruits and vegetables. Pay a visit and enjoy farm tours, history lessons, U-Pick activities and special events throughout the year.
Tanaka Farm
Irvine
Tanaka Farms is located in Orange County and best known for their long-running interactive farm with a market stand, U-pick fruit, seasonal pumpkin patch & animals, and various farm tour experiences depending on the season! Bring the whole family along for an entertaining and instructive tour of a real functioning farm! An informed and amiable tour guide conducts each and every farm trip. This kid friendly fun farm is well known for their Strawberry Tours (February-June) • Watermelon Tours (late summer – July-August) • U-Pick Tours (All Year Long) • U-Pick Pumpkin Patch (October) • Hikari – Festival of Lights & Christmas Trees (December).
The majority of their trips include a wagon ride around their picturesque thirty-acre farm with a guide, stopping frequently to pick fruits and vegetables from the fields along the way. Your kids might even recognize this popular spot from Blippi’s farm tour!
Tapia Brothers Farm
Encino
Family-owned and operated for generations in the San Fernando Valley, Tapia Brothers is a small farm stand selling fresh seasonal produce. A small animal section is perfect for younger visitors to explore. During the fall, the stand transforms into a pumpkin patch with a massive corn maze. They also sell Christmas trees during the winter season.
Valmonte Farm and Garden
Palos Verdes
This local farm is located in Palos Verdes, the farm and garden is where the adult special needs students of PVPUSD get job skills. The second Saturday of the month from 10-2pm is open garden day. The farm also hosts a young kids co-op playgroup for kids 18 months to 6 years-old designed to give kids the opportunity to engaging in messy, sensory play.
Amy’s Farm
Ontario
Visitors of all ages can take part in interactive, guided tours at Amy’s Farm, a real working polyculture farm. volunteer possibilities as well as a public produce stand on-site.
Monday through Saturday, guided educational farm tours are available upon request. Visitors can participate in practical farming chores during tours, such as milking a cow! Open from Tuesday to Saturday, our produce stand is “beyond organic” and self-serve. On Saturdays, a parking placard is needed.
Wild Willow Farm & Education Center
San Diego
A non-profit educational farm run by the Resource Conservation District of Greater San Diego County is called Wild Willow Farm. They provide experiences that nurture self-empowerment and inspire people to connect to food, land, and each other. They are a loving sanctuary that encourages biocultural variety.
They offer something for everyone and cater to a wide range of ages and skill levels. Bring your organization or school to the farm for a field trip or group activity, enroll in the farm school program to learn how to grow food, or attend one of the workshops or public events to obtain a deeper understanding of health and wellbeing. The public is welcome to volunteer, tour the farm, and interact with their welcoming staff on Saturdays.
Love Always Sanctuary – Farm Animal Sanctuary California
Sun Valley
A 501(c)(3) non-profit organization and farm animal sanctuary, Love Always Sanctuary is situated in San Fernando, California. Their goal is to give severely abused, unwanted, or neglected animals a safe and loving home. The Sanctuary welcomes visitors who want to learn more about these frequently misunderstood beings.
Visitors are welcome at Love Always Sanctuary! Spend the day with their animals! They welcome both large and small groups, and they are accessible to the public by appointment.
Looking for more kid friendly farms to visit throughout the year? Check out our guides to u-pick farms, apple picking farms, and pumpkin patches.
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