Photo of Free Flight in California
Zoos

Free Flight

πŸ“ Del Mar, CA

β˜…4.8(551 Google reviews)πŸ’°$10-$15πŸ‘ΆAll ages

A reservation-only outdoor bird sanctuary where visitors interact directly with rescued parrots, feeding them fresh fruit and vegetables as knowledgeable volunteers share insights on each bird's personality and care history.

βœ“ Hands-on bird feedingβœ“ Knowledgeable volunteersβœ“ Advance booking requiredβœ“ Outdoor settingβœ“ Hidden gemβœ“ Weather dependent
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β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…β˜…Featured review by Joyce Antonette

Visiting Free Flight Bird Sanctuary was such a wonderful experience! The sanctuary is a peaceful hidden gem where you can get up close with beautiful, exotic birds in a safe and caring environment. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about the well-being of the birds. I loved how interactive the visit wasβ€”you can feed the parrots and watch their playful personalities shine. Each bird has its own unique story, and it’s heartwarming to know they are being cared for so thoughtfully. The sanctuary itself is well-maintained, welcoming, and perfect for families, couples, or anyone looking for a unique and uplifting outing. It’s more than just a visitβ€”it’s a chance to connect with nature, learn, and support an organization making a real difference for rescued and rehomed birds. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something special and memorable to do!

πŸ† Family Action Verdict

Best for animal-loving families with children of any age who enjoy close, unhurried contact with wildlife. The intimate scale means every visitor gets real time with the birds rather than viewing them through glass. Plan the visit carefully β€” advance reservations are required and weather-related closures do happen without much notice.

ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go

πŸ’‘Book reservations on their website before visiting β€” walk-ins are not guaranteed
⏰Call ahead on days with forecast rain or wind β€” they may close when weather clears
🎟️Bring questions for volunteers, who are deeply knowledgeable about each bird
πŸš—Plan enough time to interact individually β€” birds each have distinct personalities

πŸ’¬ What Families Are Saying

View all reviews β†’
4.8
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551 Google reviews

Interactive bird experiences45%
Passionate and knowledgeable staff35%
Booking and weather planning needed20%
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Joyce Antonette

7 months ago

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β€œVisiting Free Flight Bird Sanctuary was such a wonderful experience! The sanctuary is a peaceful hidden gem where you can get up close with beautiful, exotic birds in a safe and caring environment. The staff is incredibly knowledgeable, friendly, and clearly passionate about the well-being of the birds. I loved how interactive the visit wasβ€”you can feed the parrots and watch their playful personalities shine. Each bird has its own unique story, and it’s heartwarming to know they are being cared for so thoughtfully. The sanctuary itself is well-maintained, welcoming, and perfect for families, couples, or anyone looking for a unique and uplifting outing. It’s more than just a visitβ€”it’s a chance to connect with nature, learn, and support an organization making a real difference for rescued and rehomed birds. Highly recommend if you’re looking for something special and memorable to do!”

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Catherine W.

2 months ago

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β€œMade a reservation to go see the birds and the morning of I accidentally destroyed my phone in water and didn't see that the reservation was canceled and I was refunded. Despite the cancelation they let my friend and I come in and we got to hang out and feed the birds and talk with the volunteers. It's such an incredible place, the birds are so cared for and all the volunteers are so passionate! We had a lot of fun babbling with Midori the Amazon and saying Hi over and over again to Bella the umbrella Cockatoo (not to be mistaken for Bella Too the umbrella Cocaktoo!) If you're ever in the area, I'd really recommend coming by and meeting the flock and getting to know more about the beautiful, intelligent birds!”

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Nicole Zulich

a month ago

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β€œWent to free flight today to check it out. I didn’t realize you have to purchase tickets on their website before you go. β€œMake reservations” We got there and they were closed due to the bad weather we were expecting for the week. The weather turned out nice but they were closed due to the expected weather. The manager saw us out front trying to find something else to do for the day. She let us in and was so knowledgeable. We didn’t get the complete tour but she let us take a peek and answered any questions we had. She went above and beyond with customer service. Please make sure you go on their website and book ahead of time to make sure they are open the day you want to go.”

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John Stolz

2 months ago

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β€œHad a wonderful time feeding and interacting with the birds. They are so beautiful. Very unique opportunity to get close to some exotic birds. Well, worth the visit.”

Reviews from Google

Overview

Free Flight operates as a parrot re-socialization program in Del Mar, letting visitors walk freely among exotic birds in an open outdoor setting. Each bird has a distinct personality β€” staff and volunteers guide guests through feeding and handling. The sanctuary closes when bad weather is forecast, so calling ahead is recommended. Birthday and group visits are accommodated with advance notice.

πŸ• Opening Hours

Monday11:00 – 16:00
Tuesday11:00 – 16:00
Wednesday11:00 – 16:00
Thursday11:00 – 16:00
Friday11:00 – 16:00
Saturday11:00 – 16:00
Sunday11:00 – 16:00

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