Explore Tilden Park's Little Farm
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One of the busiest areas of Tilden Park is the Nature Area, and for good reason. This part of the park is home to the Little Farm, the Environmental Education Center, and numerous family friendly hiking trails, as well as group campgrounds, picnic areas, and a playground. It's located right off Canon Drive at the north end of the park.
The Little Farm has been a destination for Bay Area families since 1955. You can visit with all kinds of farm animals, including goats, sheep, cows, chickens, ducks, geese, and rabbits. Make sure you bring lettuce or celery (but nothing else) to feed to the animals.
As the name and the amount of strollers parked here imply, this is a popular spot for families with toddlers and preschoolers, but it's a lot of fun for older kids and grownups, too. The Little Farm is open daily year-round from 8:30 am to 4 pm.
Nearby, you'll find the Environmental Education Center, which offers exhibits on the natural and cultural history of the area, naturalist-led programs, and a small gift shop. The life-size dioramas are fun to explore here, and tell the story of the Tilden area and the Wildcat Creek watershed. It's open Tuesdays through Sundays, 10 am to 4:30 pm.
Families looking to take a fun and easy hike should head out on the Jewel Lake Nature Trail. It's about a half-mile round trip, and includes a boardwalk section that winds through the woods on the way to the small Jewel Lake, where you can look for birds and turtles. You can buy a book at the Environmental Education Center that guides you along the way; stops are marked by wooden duck signs.