1 / 2The Gentle Barn
📍 Santa Clarita, CA
Sunday-open rescue sanctuary in Santa Clarita offering hands-on interaction with cows, pigs, turkeys, horses, donkeys, llamas, emus, goats, and sheep. All food on-site is plant-based. Private tours and cow hug therapy sessions available on weekdays.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with children aged 4+ who connect deeply with animals and can engage with the rescue narrative each animal carries. The experience is closer to a therapy farm than a petting zoo - emotionally resonant and unhurried.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →672 Google reviews
G Reviews from Google
Kahawana Sauray
11 months ago
“The Gentle Barn is a place where compassion comes to life. Every animal has been through something, and seeing them safe, loved, and thriving is deeply moving. The staff’s kindness and the peaceful setting make this a truly healing experience - not just for the animals, but for the visitors too. ❤️🐮🐄🦃🐐🐓🐷🐖”
Ashleigh Kay
9 months ago
“absolutely love this place, just wish some of the volunteers were a little more enthusiastic about their animals and knew a bit more about them.”
Susie
7 months ago
“Great experience for both children - adults. Staff extra friendly and informative. So much fun interacting with such sweet rescued animals.”
💬 What parents mention
Overview
The Gentle Barn is a working animal sanctuary that opens to the public on Sundays, housing rescued farm animals including cows, pigs, turkeys, horses, peacocks, llamas, emus, goats, and sheep. Visitors can hug cows, give pigs tummy rubs, brush animals, and hear the individual rescue story of each resident. Staff and volunteers guide families through the sanctuary. Weekday private tours and therapeutic cow hug sessions are bookable separately.
