A couple weekends ago, we got to attend a birthday party at Tilden Little Farm in Berkeley. It is such a delightful spot.
The Little Farm is nestled within the Tilden Nature Area, a green enclave high up in the Berkeley hills. As we climbed the hills, weaving between teetering cliff-side houses and redwoods, Golden Gate Bridge views flashed by. Once we were on foot, we walked past shaded mossy trails and sweet old stone bridges, to the farm. Tilden Little farm is a series of red and white barns; picket fences creep up a lush hillside dotted with warped oak trees.
The farm has existed here since 1955, as a way to introduce (city) children to livestock and crops — the farm boasts several heirloom herbs and vegetables grown on the property. Yep, this is an actual working farm.
The livestock includes a few cows, sheep, goats, rabbits, ducks, geese, chickens, pigs (sleeping inside on our visit) and even calfs. They’re all housed behind wooden farm fences, perfect for skittish kids who love farm animals best from about 2 feet away.
It is all free and open to the public daily. The key is to remember to bring plenty of lettuce and celery sticks, because the greatest fun is in the feeding.
On our visit, Bean and friends had a blast feeding all of the farm animals, initial shaky trepidation giving way to absolute glee. We climbed the green hillside slowly, making our way from intimidating cows to undiscerning goats to nuzzly sheep and sleepy calfs. The sound of kids squealing in delight rippled between enclosures.
It was such a wonderful, relaxing (and free!) way to spend a morning with an army of 3 year olds. This is pretty much what the Bay Area does best.
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Tilden Nature Area, Berkeley
Free and open daily, 8:30am to 4pm (Red barn closes at 3:30pm)
Only lettuce and celery for the animals
Bring boots if rainy season
