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.
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.
🏆 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
Ashleigh Kay
3 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
a month ago
“Great experience for both children - adults. Staff extra friendly and informative. So much fun interacting with such sweet rescued animals.”
Frank Biermann
9 months ago
“This place is freaking amazing, a sanctuary, a home, a mission for providing healing for loads of rescue animals that each have their own story. While the animals get their own therapy, you can come swing by for some much needed therapy through a hug or some belly rubs (with consent). Theres tons to do here and it’s a great spot for the entire family. They do accept walk-ins, but it’s a pretty limited size, so it’s better to make a reservation. Also, they do sell snacks on site, but everything is plant based if that matters to you. We tried some snacks and everything was yummy. The kiddos especially liked the chocolate chip cookies!”
Kahawana Sauray
5 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. ❤️🐮🐄🦃🐐🐓🐷🐖”
Reviews from Google
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.
