Get up close and personal with farm animals at these local spots that offer interactive experiences for families. Get your cuddle fix (or a cute selfie) while enjoying one-on-one time with adorable horses, mini pigs, goats, ducks, cows, alpacas and more.
A Simpler Time Alpaca Tours
El Cajon
www.asimplertimestore.com
Take a private tour of this alpaca ranch that packs a lot of fun! Spend time with gentle alpacas and learn how to care for them, tour a fiber mill where alpaca yarn is made, and do some Christmas shopping any time of year in their boutique that features clothing, accessories and one-of-a-kind alpaca products (they even have cute alpaca ornaments) made from soft alpaca fiber. Tours are by appointment, Mon.-Sat.
Photo credit: Barbara Davies.
Happy Heart Haven
Valley Center
www.thehappyhearthaven.com
Get up close and personal with over 50 farm animals through private or group tours (up to 10 people) or a cow or animal cuddling experience. Animals love cuddles! Open Friday–Sunday by appointment.
Photo courtesy of Happy Heart Haven.
SoCal Mini Pigs
Valley Center
www.socalminipigs.com
Get ready for an overdose of cuteness courtesy of the Mini Pig & Farm Friends Experience where you can spend an hour with mini pigs, sheep, chickens, mini goats, a mini horse and ducks. Learn all about these animals, feed them and give the piggies a few belly rubs!
Photo courtesy of @PlayDateWConnor.
Alpine Acres Sanctuary Farm
Alpine
www.alpineacressanctuaryfarm.org
Explore this 20-acre haven that is home to more than 200 animals. Choose your favorite animal for an up-close interaction or take a 90-minute guided tour with an experienced animal keeper.
Photo courtesy of Jen Kessler.
Oasis Camel Dairy
Ramona
www.cameldairy.com
Have a hump-mazing time at this family farm for camel lovers, young and old. Open farm tours (select dates) include a live show where you can meet captivating parrots and the farm’s biggest camel, plus an opportunity to feed the camels and mini sheep. Then, enjoy the Wild West Turkey Stampede and browse their shop filled with unique finds (from camel milk chocolate to camel milk bath bombs). Camel rides (ages 4+) are available with private tours only.
Photo credit: Nancy Riegler.
Julian Farm & Orchard
Santa Ysabel
www.julianfarmandorchard.com
Lots of cool seasonal activities are in store including an animal sanctuary where visitors can meet Percy the Cow, donkeys, 20+ pot belly pigs, goats, lambs and chickens.
Sugar Sweet Farm
Encinitas
www.sugarsweetfarm.com
Treat the kids to interactive, educational farm camps or take the family on a private farm & garden tour. Participants come face to face with llamas, chickens, miniature horses and goats, a potbellied pig and more.
Happy Hens
Ramona
www.happy-hens.com
Visit the farm store, petting zoo and playground (free) Monday through Saturday, where you can say hello to goats, sheep, a cow, turkeys, and get a chance to feed chickens. For even more fun, schedule an egg-citing private tour for your family, scout troop, homeschool or youth group! Check out an egg-washing demonstration, learn about regenerative farming and how to decode egg labels, and see how the farm’s hens are raised in a pasture environment.
Related Articles:
Best Places to Encounter Animals in San Diego County
Jennifer Burman is a freelance writer and mom of two.
Updated April 2026
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