Whether you love farm animals, wild and exotic animals, fish and ocean creatures, reptiles or birds,
San Diego offers a plethora of awesome spots to view, pet, feed, interact with and learn about
almost any animal you can think of. From zoos to aquariums, adoption centers to farms, and cat cafes to
bird sanctuaries, here are the best spots around San Diego County to encounter animals and get your fill of furry (or scaly) friends.
Learn more about local farms and spots to see ocean animals in our two articles,
linked at the bottom of this list.
Birch Aquarium
La Jolla
www.aquarium.ucsd.edu
California Wolf Center
Julian
www.californiawolfcenter.org
The Cat Café
Downtown San Diego
www.catcafesd.com
Children’s Nature Retreat
Alpine
www.childrensnatureretreat.org
Fort Cross Old Timey Adventures
Wynola
www.fortcross.com
Free Flight Exotic Bird Sanctuary
Del Mar
www.freeflightbirds.org
Happy Heart Haven
Valley Center
www.thehappyhearthaven.com
Happy Hens
Ramona
www.happy-hens.com
Helen Woodward Animal Center
Rancho Santa Fe
www.animalcenter.org
Julian Farm & Orchard
Santa Ysabel
www.julianfarmandorchard.com
Legoland’s Sea Life Aquarium
Carlsbad
www.legoland.com/california/things-to-do/sea-life-aquarium
Lions, Tigers & Bears
Alpine
www.lionstigersandbears.org
Living Coast Discovery Center
Chula Vista
www.thelivingcoast.org
Oasis Camel Dairy
Ramona
www.cameldairy.com
Olivenhain Farms
Encinitas
www.olivenhainfarms.com
San Diego Humane Society
Mission Valley
www.sdhumane.org
San Diego Zoo
Balboa Park (Downtown)
www.sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
Escondido
www.sandiegozoowildlifealliance.org
Sand n’ Straw Community Farm
Vista
www.sandnstraw.com
SeaWorld
Mission Bay
www.seaworld.com/san-diego
A Simpler Time Alpaca Ranch
El Cajon
www.asimplertimestore.com
SoCal Mini Pigs
Valley Center
www.socalminipigs.com
Sugar Sweet Farm
Encinitas
www.sugarsweetfarm.com
Total Raptor Experience
La Jolla
www.totalraptorexperience.com
Wild Wonders
Bonsall
www.wildwonders.org
Get the inside scoop about where to visit local farm animals in our article “Where to Visit Farm Animals in San Diego."
Read details about local ocean animal adventures in our article “7 Ocean Animal Adventures in San Diego (and Beyond)."
