FunKidsActivities

Centennial Farm

88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA

Overview

Category:Petting Zoos
Location:Los Angeles, CA

Expert Summary

Detailed Insights

Centennial Farm is a free, clean, and often uncrowded urban farm offering extensive interaction with a wide variety of animals (including pigs, cows, goats, bunnies, peacocks, sheep, chickens, and baby animals). It's particularly well-suited for toddlers to run around for an hour or so, provides educational opportunities, and features beautiful gardens. Special events occasionally include live music and souvenirs.

Key Highlights

  • Free admission, offering exceptional value for families.
  • Extensive variety of animals for interaction, including specific breeds like Holstein cows and pygmy angora goats, and baby animals (lambs, piglets, bunnies).
  • Educational opportunities, such as observing pigs playing with rubber balls.
  • Generally not crowded, described as a 'quiet escape' in the city.
  • Very clean and well-maintained facility with numerous hand washing stations.
  • Features beautiful gardens, adding to the pleasant atmosphere.
  • Special events (e.g., farm birthdays) can include live music and goody bags.
  • Friendly staff/people mentioned by visitors.

Standout Features

  • Free admission.
  • Wide array of farm animals and opportunities for interaction.
  • High standards of cleanliness and readily available hand washing stations.
  • Peaceful and uncrowded environment.
  • Educational elements for young children.
  • Attractive gardens.
  • Availability of live music and souvenirs during special events.
  • Friendly atmosphere.

Perfect For

Toddlers (1-3 years): Explicitly described as a 'great place to run a toddler for an hour or so' and toddlers enjoyed seeing baby animals (lamb, piglets, bunnies, cows).
Young Children (4-8 years): Implied suitable due to animal interaction, educational aspects, and general family appeal ('fun time with family and kids').

Ideal For

Families seeking a free, low-cost entertainment option.
Parents of toddlers looking for a safe, clean place for active play and animal exposure for about an hour.
A quiet and relaxed family outing in an urban setting.
Educational visits for young children interested in farm animals and their behaviors.
A convenient and clean option for a quick escape with kids in Costa Mesa.

💡Pro Tips from Reviews

  • **Budget-Friendly Outing:** Capitalize on the free admission for a cost-effective family activity.
  • **For Toddlers:** Ideal for a shorter visit (around an hour) to let toddlers explore and expend energy.
  • **Hygiene:** Make use of the hand washing stations located 'all around' the farm, especially after animal interactions.
  • **Check for Special Events:** Look out for announcements about farm birthday celebrations or other events that may include live music and goody bags.
  • **Consider Animal Welfare:** If sensitive to animal enclosure sizes or the presence of grassy pastures, be aware of the concerns raised in one review regarding stall conditions.

Things to Consider

  • One reviewer expressed strong concerns regarding the conditions and size of animal stalls, noting a lack of pasture and grassy areas, and disappointment that accommodations for animals have not improved over decades.

Price & Value

Excellent value, as admission to Centennial Farm is explicitly stated as 'free'. No hidden costs or fees were mentioned in the reviews.

Accessibility & Special Needs

  • No specific accommodations for special needs were mentioned in the reviews.

🍎Food & Drink Policy

  • Not mentioned in reviews.

🚗Parking Info

  • Not mentioned in reviews.

👥Crowd Levels

  • Generally low crowd levels; described as 'usually not crowded' and a 'quiet escape'.

🛡️Safety Features

  • Multiple hand washing stations available 'all around' the facility to ensure cleanliness after animal interaction.

When to Avoid

  • If your family is particularly sensitive to animal welfare concerns regarding limited stall sizes or the absence of natural pasture/grassy areas for farm animals.

Pricing/Package/Events

Events & Schedule

📅Booking Policy

  • Reservations are not required for general public admission.

🚗Parking Information

  • General passenger car parking: $15 (cash only, no in-and-out privileges).
  • General buses and limos parking: $30 (cash only, no in-and-out privileges).
  • Ride-hailing drop-off and pick-up at Gate 1 off of Fair Drive.
  • Bike racks conveniently located near public entrances (Blue Gate, Green Gate, Yellow Gate).
Information extracted from official website • Last updated: Sep 29, 2025

What People Say

What's Great

  • Fun and entertaining activities (mentioned in 4 reviews)
  • Spacious play areas (mentioned in 2 reviews)

Recent Reviews

Rebecca Simonton

Rebecca Simonton

5 months ago

Loved attending the 35th birthday of the farm ! such an amazing experience hanging out with the animals. my favorites were the Holstein cows and pygmy angora goats ! was also lovely with live music and beautiful gardens and the goody bag provided such sweet souvenirs. it was also super educational too- I didn't know little piggies could have fun playing with big rubber balls ! 10 outta 10 would go again

Kay

Kay

a month ago

Love centennial farm. A quiet escape located in the heart of Costa Mesa. Tons of animals to interact with, pigs, cows, goats, bunnies, peacocks, sheep, chickens you name it. An amazing escape and a fun time with family and kids. Usually not crowded and that makes it even better. We love coming here.

Brittany N

Brittany N

3 months ago

An adorable little farm in the midst of city life! Great place to run a toddler for an hour or so, there are gardens, animals, friendly people. And it’s free! Such a little gem.

Sweatmoore

Sweatmoore

a week ago

As much as we did enjoy visiting the conditions and size of the stalls that the animals are kept in is sad. They deserve pasture and grassy areas. My grandma took me here as a child and was a little disappointed to see as a grown adult bringing her own child here now that they haven’t made better accommodations for the animals.

Gabby Covarrubias

Gabby Covarrubias

a year ago

The cutest little farm. My toddler enjoyed seeing the baby lamb, piglets, bunnies, and cows! It’s very clean and kept up. They have hand washing stations all around to make sure you’re staying clean.

Contact Information

88 Fair Dr, Costa Mesa, CA 92626, USA

View on Google Maps

Opening Hours

Monday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Friday: 1:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Quick Stats

Overall Rating
4.5
Total Reviews708
Recent Reviews5