If you’re looking for ways to teach your child about furry critters, birds, marine life, natural sciences and the environment, the Bay Area offers plenty of options.
East Bay
Lindsay Wildlife Museum – This environmental education center and wildlife rehabilitation hospital is home to more than 50 species of live, native animals. Activities include petting circles, feeding demonstrations and an up-close look at the emergency room. Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. $8-10. 1931 First Ave., Walnut Creek. 925-935-1978.
Sulphur Creek Nature Center – Families can view the outdoor animal displays, explore the Discovery Center and enjoy a picnic in the serene park under the oaks. The center also offers great camps and education programs for kids. Daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE. 1801 D St., Hayward. 510-881-6747.
Marin
WildCare – Enjoy amazing animal encounters, live animal presentations and learn how this center helps injured animals. It also offers camps and education programs. Open daily 9 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE. 76 Albert Park Lane, San Rafael. 415-456-7283.
The Marine Mammal Center – Since 1975, more than 16,000 marine animals have been rescued and treated at this facility. It offers tours, school programs and more. Daily 10 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE. Marin Headlands, 2000 Bunker Road, Fort Cronkhite. 415-289-7325.
Peninsula
CuriOdyssey – This center in Coyote Point Park combines hands-on experiments in physics, natural sciences and more with animals on display. Animals include river otters, bobcats, birds, reptiles and more. Tues.-Sun. 10 a.m.-5p.m. $8.50-13.50. 1651 Coyote Point Drive, San Mateo. 650-342-7755.
San Francisco
California Academy of Sciences – This gem in Golden Gate Park is one of the largest science museums in the world. It features a planetarium, aquarium and natural history museum all under one living roof. Mon.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (check website for holiday hours). $25.95-35.95, 3 and under FREE. 55 Music Concourse Drive. 415-379-8000.
Randall Museum – This is a combination nature museum, science museum and arts venue. It has a live animal exhibit displaying animals in their habitats, public art on display and drop-in art and science workshops. Open Thu.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. FREE. 199 Museum Way. 415-554-9600.
Silicon Valley
McClellan Ranch Environmental Education Center – Families can stop by this center every Sat. and Sun. for up-close experience with the resident animals and to check out the exhibits. It also offers nature classes and activities, summer family events, community gardens and hiking trails. Sat.-Sun. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. FREE. 22221 McClellan Road, Cupertino. 408-777-3149.
Lucy Evans Baylands Nature Interpretive Center – Enjoy 15 miles of multi-use trails, bird watching and a visitor center with fascinating facts about animals living in the area. Check website for hours. FREE. 2775 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto. 650-329-2506.
Teresa Mills-Faraudo is an associate editor at Bay Area Parent.
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