Kid-friendly farms?

[Jennie]

I know that lots of pumpkin farms in the area have petting areas with farm animals for kids during the harvest... but do you know of any that are open summer-'round? That maybe offer produce/crafts and stuff, too?

When we lived in Sac, we used to drive up to Apple Hill once a year. I missed that last summer :(

[LMS]

ooh that sounds cool. i dunno of any, but i'll have to keep tabs on this thread incase you get any good suggestions ;)

[dacotahsgirl]

Sounds like fun! I hope there are some around and open this time of year, would be fun to do! ;)

[Lynette]

I want to go too! There used to be the Pet-a-llama ranch in Petaluma but I don't think they are around anymore. Howarth Park used to have a petting zoo in the summer time but it has been years since we had a toddler to appreciate it but will check it out this year. There is a goat dairy farm around here too and I seem to remember pics of kids petting the goats on their site? I will have to look for the link...here it is: http://www.redwoodhill.com/goatzette.shtml and it says they are having a ranch tour tommorrow where you can pet the baby goats :)

Lynette

[Lynette]

Hey check out this site I found too!

http://www.farmtrails.org/

Lynette

[dacotahsgirl]

Oh those sites look interesting! ;)

[MiksMom]

Victoria's Fashion Stables (http://www.fashionstables.com/index.htm) in Petaluma has an 'open house' each Monday from 10am to Noon. It costs $10 per child and they give unlimited pony rides, have lots of bunnies, chickens, goat & sheep, kitties & dogs to pet. They also have little tricycles and wagons and things. We went once last year and most of the animals were clean & seemed healthy, but the facility could use some upkeep. The staff were friendly and seemed to enjoy kids...

[dacotahsgirl]

Neat!! I didn't even know about this place!

[Jennie]

Tasha, thanks for the tip! That sounds like something Daniel would really enjoy! :D

I'll have to study that Farm Trails site, too :)

[Lynette]

I had a funky experience with Victoria's Fashion Stables before. I was looking for a place for Salina to take classes and made an appointment but when I got there they had a wedding going in the barn, the lady was out riding around with some of the guests so one of the helpers took us into the area with the bunnys and lambs which was kind of yucky. When she came back the lady had us wait some more while she helped unload some ponies that had just come back from a birthday party. Finally she attended to us put Salina on a pony with a lame foot who kept trying to swing its head around to bite her (she was pretty young and thought it wanted to be petted so no trauma) and then led her around the ring with some of the guests kids from the wedding like she was there for a pony ride.

Although, I dunno if the open house would be better since it is a weekly event?

[kariclose]

I went to the open house last week, and had a lot of fun. My son got to collect eggs from the chickens which I purchased for $3.00 a dozen. The pony rides are unlimited for $10.00. He took his first pony ride ever. I couldn't get him to do it at ethe fair last year. I have two complaints: it was too hot! Not Victorias fault. Take lots of suncreen, and water. And Victoria tried to charge me for my 7 month old. I said no way, and she relented. We will definately go again soon.