This is a great place to pet animals and walk around with your kids.I loved my visit here. It is…read moreaffordable and an easy way to kill a few hours with the kids while teaching them about animals and nature. The road there is a dirt road but my friend drove it in a honda accord so nothing special or 4x4 needed during normal conditions. We walked around and fed camels, goats, bison and all kinds of other animals.

Does anyone know if it's still open on Saturdays? I want to bring my 2-1/2 year old grandson…read more Love this place. I volunteered a few times years ago and loved brushing the camel. What a experience of love on all the their 4 legged babies

Love calm zoo! It's a local treasure that should be thoroughly enjoyed by Bakersfieldians - where…read moreelse can you see black bears enjoying cake and presents on a regular basis or enjoy the train on loop or the little park inside. It is one of my 3 year olds favorite places in town. We went Saturday morning and spring mid morning is the perfect weather for calm. We pack lunch for the trip or long drive home. And Take our time walking around doing all the areas and then concluding with the train. Calm's got small town charm with a little extra and is a regular joy for our little family. Excited for their future expansion!

Not the biggest or cleanest zoo, but it was decent for $12…read more The parking lot was just a dirt field, but since there weren't many guests, it felt like we had the whole zoo to ourselves. The entrance led through a gift shop that doubled as the admission counter. Most of the merchandise wasn't themed, with just a few flimsy labeled magnets available. The zoo itself was dusty and had lots of feathers, bird droppings, and spider webs throughout. Staff were few and far between, but the ones we encountered were friendly. Unfortunately, several animals had been removed from their enclosures due to illness or ongoing construction. Still, the animals that were there were surprisingly lively. The reptile exhibit was on the smaller side, but the creatures were active. The turtle area was my favorite as they were some of the most energetic turtles I've ever seen. Coming right at opening gave me a chance to watch them eat. The birds were also impressive, some of the largest I've seen in California. It was entertaining to watch them squawk and fly around their large cages. Near the exit, there was an air-conditioned aquatic exhibit that was easy to miss. The staff member at the touch tank was very knowledgeable and eager to share fun facts and the history of the animals. Sadly, their seahorses had passed away, and they're currently waiting on donations to replace them. I spent about 45 minutes walking through the zoo twice. There wasn't a café or kid-friendly attractions, so I'd recommend eating beforehand or bringing your own snacks. The zoo would definitely benefit from a deep cleaning. For $12, it was a fair experience, though it doesn't really compare to larger zoos like the one in Fresno.

I saw the signs as we came up on from San Diego So before we…read moreI go home I wanted to stop But no Cherries We walk in and it was just a store with pies Cider and fruits and nuts I brought pistachios and fresh figs, A pie. The lady at the cashier was nice too We looked at honey with comb A juices to I bought 2 waters too

Murray Family Farms is an absolute must when you're driving to/from Tehachapi. My friends and I…read morevisited for their U-Pick blackberries and had an excellent experience. The Big Red Barn has a lot of fresh fruit, baked goods, and other treats to choose from. The real fun is when you pick the fruit yourself though. We got ourselves some sweet blackberries to take home. Out on the farm, we had the best tractor ride and learned some fun facts about fruits, as well as slid on the huge slide and played some outdoor games. While we were here, we ate some oakie pies. My favorite is thanksgiving dinner. It tastes just like November-- Turkey, stuffing, potatoes, and gravy. They have other tasty savory pies like the chicken pot pie, blueberry pulled pork, and the breakfast pie. Of course, you could get some sweet ones too! The service is very friendly and the farm truly has fun for everyone! I can't wait to come back for stone fruit season.

Huge thanks to Super Elite Yelper Gary I. for suggesting our visit to this unique animal rescue…read more Animal Tracks rescues animals, some exotic and some not, and aims to take the very best care of them that they can. Their public tours are an effort to raise funds for animal maintenance and to educate the public about the harm to the animals of raising non-domesticated exotic pets. The stories they tell are frightening. Who in their right mind would try to raise a wolf family in an apartment? Who with any common sense would think a monkey would make a good pet? People can be extremely stupid and self-centered when it comes to exotic animals, unfortunately. This is why so many exotic animals end up in danger, on the streets, or in packed rescues. The mostly-volunteer staff did a remarkable job introducing us to the animals in their care. The wide variety of animals calling Animal Tracks home is mind-boggling: birds, kangaroos, wolves, porcupines, baboons, donkeys, horses....the list goes on and on. The animals seemed clean and well-cared for by staff that is very invested. The only issue we had was parking access. Our car was blocked in by another guest's car for at least 20 minutes, without any warning that we might be blocked in. Finally, a staff member asked the remaining guests who was parked there and they did eventually move their car. If you are an animal lover, the tour is highly recommended. Perfect for kids!

Animal Tracks is an animal sanctuary for exotic animals and this wildlife rehabilitation center is…read morelocated in Agua Dulce (between Santa Clarita and Palmdale). Each Sunday the center offers guided tours (no walk-ins allowed) and visitors will need to book a session on their website. [Sunday Public Group Experiences & Prices]: It is a 75-minute guided tour that focuses more on education over physical contact. For adult (ages 13+), the price is $49.95 per person + online booking fees. I actually purchased the experience via Groupon with an additional 20% off. [Preparation]: Arrive 10 - 15 minutes early and wear comfortable closed-toe shoes, sunscreen, and layers for outdoor conditions. All visitors must complete an online waiver prior to attending. Water, Gatorade, coffee and snacks are available for purchase in the barn. [Parking]: Park as directed upon arrival and I was able to park within the premise of the barn. [Experience]: The tour started at 2 PM and ended at 3:30 PM. Our main guide Stacy was humorous. Each segment of the tour had its own specialist who shared knowledge on specific animals. During the tour, our party was able to see the following animals: horses/donkeys (with an opportunity to feed them lettuce leaves at no extra charge), hybrid wolves (with an opportunity to feed them by throwing food via a small window opening), cockatoos, armadillo, skunk, opossums, pigs, scorpions, porcupines, hedgehog, kangaroos, monkeys (including Tara who was featured in Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl), sugar gliders (will need to ask the staff to see them), etc. Some animal got some clever pun names like Quillie Eilish (one of porcupines). [Barn]: There is a small gift shop at the barn and visits will also see cats running around the shop. [Conclusion]: The tour was extremely educational and it was quite an eye-opening experience to see these rescued animals. This is a much better visit than The Gentle Barn and the tour from Animal Tracks is the real deal. Highly recommended for any animal lovers. P.S. - Donation box is located within the barn. P.P.S. - Visitors can also take a centerpiece plant on the tables back home for free at the end.

Adorable farm with friendly animals. You feed them fresh chopped fruit and vegetables, not just dry…read morepellets. Very organized sections and places to sit. They have lots of snacks to buy and fresh delicious lemonade. Very friendly and welcoming staff.

We had the most wonderful time and spent way longer than we expected because of how much fun we…read morewere having. Truly a one of a kind experience especially with little kids. The animals are so gentle and sweet and the staff were really kind. We will be returning before the fall season is over to have another visit since the 1st visit was such a hit. So happy we stumbled upon this gem of a place while searching for a pumpkin patch.

If you're looking to step back in time and experience genuine hospitality, look no further than…read moreRankin Ranch. From the moment we arrived, we were welcomed with unhurried charm, service with a smile, and a feeling that we were more family than guests. The Rankin family and staff are truly exceptional. Sarah, Clint, Shelby, Emma, Chris, Ms. Glenda, and Mr. Bill are world-class hosts who made our stay far exceed every expectation. We were celebrating our anniversary, and on our very first night they surprised us with a delicious cake, making us feel incredibly special and cared for. The horseback riding was wonderful, taking us through beautiful meadows and across the valley. One of my favorite experiences was visiting Sarah's farm, where we met goats, a donkey, chickens, mini horses, farm cats, and even a baby calf that I had the chance to bottle-feed! We loved the swimming pool, they have archery, a fire pit, pool table, or if you want to just be quiet and read a book that is amazing too. The Fresh air was wonderful and we were able to nap and just enjoy reconnecting. Evenings were filled with fun, family-centered activities. We loved learning square dancing on our first night, and the second evening featured a unique Rankin Ranch game that had everyone laughing and connecting. Sunday was especially memorable. The day began with a delicious waffle breakfast, followed by horseback riding and a hayride to a gorgeous meadow for lunch. The Rankin Ranch beef burgers were outstanding--honestly one of the best burgers I've ever eaten. The afternoon horseshow tournament was the perfect ending to a wonderful day. What makes Rankin Ranch so special is that it's truly an unplugged experience. There are no TVs and no Wi-Fi, but what you gain is far more valuable: peace, relaxation, meaningful conversations, and the chance to reconnect with the people around you. As a bonus, the ranch offers subscription boxes featuring their incredible beef, as well as quarter, half, and whole cattle available for shipment. We left feeling refreshed, grateful, and already dreaming about our next visit. Thank you, Rankin Ranch, for being such a class act and for creating an experience we'll never forget. We can't wait to come back. I

Awesome family bonding time! This was our first stay and it was great! Met several families who…read morewere repeat guests.

Well outside of the residential areas of California City, this nicely managed visitor center is a…read moresimple trailer in a small parking lot that can hold 20-30 cars. Dirt road most of the way but it is clearly maintained. The foot traffic only areas are nicely designated with graded dirt paths lined on either side by rocks that show you where to walk and where not to walk. Signage is tastefully sparse but informative. There are also little kiosks along the way with pamphlets. They also have some docent guided tours. Didn't see any titles but I guess sometimes they avoid people. Anyway, it was a nice flat ground hike with desert scrub bushes, Joshua trees, insects, lizards, etc. It's not "touristy" but if you like wildlife preserves this is worth the trip. It will only cost you the drive.

Desert Tortoise Natural Area is open most of the year. It is all natural and beautiful. You may or…read moremay not see a tortoise, they are free and don't come when called. Parking is free and on some days visiting is free. You take Highway 14 (for most travelers) and keep going to California City, which is a sleepy little town. You will see the sign for the Natural Area, take that for a few miles and you will find the Tortoise Natural Area. On the weekends there are tour guides. I like the weekdays and to go on my own. It is a beautiful walk and whether you want to walk just a bit or several miles you can. The area is flat. It is never crowded and in the distance you can see the amazing Sierra Mountains. It is just lovely. It does get very hot in the daytime, it is in the middle of the Mojave Desert, so wear sun screen and bring some water with you for the walk. Have fun.

What a wonderful conservation center, endorsed by none other Dame Jane Goodall (may she RIP)…read more Started by one man motivated to help one gibbon, it has become a world-renowned center for conserving one of our closest relatives and a highly endangered genus, the Gibbon. Our tour focused on the importance of helping our fellow primates survive and the risks that we, their cousins, create for them through development, deforestation, and poaching. We were provided with a lot of information related to Gibbons' development, social relationships, and habits. Did you know that Gibbons get "married" and "divorced"? Most commonly, they mate for the life of the couple but it doesn't always work out. We were told about one previously happy Gibbon couple with four children that divorced over.....discipling the children! (Are you surprised? I'm not!) The center is immaculately maintained and the Gibbons appear extremely happy and healthy. We were fortunate to see a year-old baby interacting with family members and to hear the famous Gibbon calls when we first arrived. The center could benefit from a designated handicapped parking spot in front to facilitate entry. If you want to learn more about how to help Gibbons, schedule a tour! Highly recommended.

I always like to finish the year with a Yelp review of a place that my entire family enjoyed! I…read morehave been to the Gibbon Conservation Center three times, but it was a first for a couple of people in my family! We were celebrating my great niece's birthday, and she's a big animal lover, like I am, so I had to figure out something that she had never experienced before. She just loved GCC! We've always had awesome tour guides, that are so informative and helpful answering questions! The gibbon's are such characters, and each are unique in their own way! We love it when the gibbon's break out in song! I can't imagine hearing this out in a jungle, if you don't know what is making the noise! It was so awesome to see a mama with her baby on our last visit! We've been there in February, and it can be a bit chilly for the 10 AM public tour, and this last time it was August and we were blessed with cooler weather, so it was perfect! Bring water, sunscreen, sunglasses, and I recommend a hat. I also recommend clothes shoes as you are walking in dirt, and as a safety precaution for diseases, you do have to dip the soles of your shoes in a bleach solution before entering. For our August tour, we were the only people, so it was almost like a private tour, which was amazing! The tour is about an hour, but we were there for an hour and a half last time! You need to make a reservation, and the tours are done on Saturdays and Sundays. The public tour is $20 for adults, $15 for students and seniors and $10 for children 3-12. Don't forget to tip your tour guide! They always put it right in the donation box! ;) They also have a little gift shop, and I get so many compliments on my gibbon earrings! This is such a wonderful experience for anyone, and you go away with a smile and a wealth of information regarding gibbon's!

First time here with my family in the summer heat!…read more Parking is plentiful when we arrived right before opening! The entrance is a short walk from the lot. On your way to the entrance , there are lots of vendors: food, aqua Fresca, clothing, hats, umbrellas, etc! So if you forget something at home, You'll be fine! Note/ there are people who protest at the front gate but they didn't bother anyone. Inside the zoo, there's a coffee bean truck, dippin dots, ice cream trucks , plenty of spots to purchase food , drinks, snacks, and refreshments. I saw a few grills and cafes as well. Overall look of the zoo echos many reviews left on Yelp, of it being run down and looking old and needing some maintenance. One thing to point out, the staff at ticketing gate didn't check my purse or diaper bag.... I would think just for security measures they would check pockets and bags. There is an area for kids / playground. There's also a small area where you can get up close with Vietnamese pigs and brush goats! There were no horses, elephants, or lions. I liked the how the zoo created an environment where it felt like we were traveling to Africa or North America , or Asia! I really like the Asian themed bamboos, and temple like structure! It was my favorite part! We purchased pictures taken by the photographer at the end of the trip for memories! It was nice to enjoy this time with my family. Thanks LA ZOO!

We came because my son wanted to feed the giraffes. We thought it would be a fun experience. The…read moretrip to this zoo, turned out to be anything but fun. It was really hot, a lot of walking to exhibits that were either closed and or only had one animal. We waited for the giraffe exhibit and no one was there to help with the feeding giraffe experience! It's not advertised anywhere in the zoo so not sure if it's something that was still offered! Literally so surprised at how run down the zoo is and the lack of animals and exhibits being closed! Definitely disappointed.

Nice place. Water fountains are awesome. Relaxing view. I really enjoyed visiting Hart Park in…read moreBakersfield. It has a peaceful and relaxing atmosphere on many days, especially if you love nature. The water, mountains, trees, and scenery are very beautiful and make it a great place to disconnect and enjoy the outdoors. Sometimes when there is shooting practice at the pistol range nearby, it can interrupt the peaceful feeling a little, but overall the park is still very nice and worth visiting

This is an amazing park! It was so green and plenty of space for people to get their own spot. I…read morewent in the afternoon, so it was hot! There were a lot of ducks in the lake. I plan to come back another time to enjoy the scenery in the morning.