Visiting the California Raptor Center in Davis with Kids
If you’ve brought the kids to the Sacramento Zoo and Folsom City Zoo Sanctuary a dozen times and are looking for additional animal experiences, the UC Davis California Raptor Center is a lesser-known outing where kids can get up close to a variety of birds of prey, from eagles, owls, and hawks.
Another perk? The California Raptor Center is free to visit! Discover why the California Raptor Center is one of the best free things to do in Sacramento with kids.
The California Raptor Center is an easy, free, and low-key outing that’s a unique experience for kids of all ages. It’s only 20 minutes from Sacramento. Keep reading below for the best tips for visiting the California Raptor Center.
What Is the California Raptor Center?
The California Raptor Center is affiliated with the UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine and is a research and educational facility. Its mission is to rehabilitate raptors that have been injured or orphaned. The center treats 100-200 raptors each year. With its help, 60% of birds of prey return to the wild.
The public gets the unique chance to see some of these beautiful birds of prey up close at the California Raptor Center. Self-guided public tours are allowed during visiting hours. Non-releasable raptors are on view, and each bird has an informational panel so families can learn about their history.
California Raptor Center Hours
Families can visit the California Raptor Center at any time during its visiting hours. However, it will close on UC Davis holidays.
Visiting hours include:
- Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm
- Saturday & Sunday, 9am to 12pm
What Kids Can See
The self-guided tour takes you around the outdoor facilities where the non-releasable birds are housed. My favorite bird to always see is Sul Wita, the bald eagle. Whenever we visit, I can’t get over his size and beauty. He’s also one of the first birds you’ll see when walking in from the parking lot.
There are a variety of birds of prey to see, which include:
- Owls
- Hawks
- Falcons
- Eagles
- Turkey vultures
If you’re a Lord of the Rings fan like me, you’ll get a kick out of seeing that two of the turkey vultures are named Merry and Pippin.
In addition to the self-guided tour of the raptors, there is also a small indoor museum at the California Raptor Center. Inside, there are taxidermied animals and a few interactive activities, such as finding small bones in owl pellets and a matching feather facts game. It adds something extra to the overall educational experience for kids.
Tip: Some of the birds are far back in the cages and might be hard for little kids to see. We brought a pair of binoculars along, which seemed to help my kids view the birds better.
Is the California Raptor Center Free?
The California Raptor Center is completely free to visit! It’s easily one of the best free things to do in Sacramento with kids.
Seasonal Open Houses at the Raptor Center
Twice a year (once in the fall and once in the spring), the California Raptor Center has open houses. Our family has attended this event, and one of the main draws is the birds out of cages, perched on the gloves of their handlers. It provides a rare chance to see them up close without any barriers.
I will say that our toddler was pretty young when we took him to this event, and he was very excited, which wasn’t ideal for the birds. So, this event is better suited for older toddlers and kids who can handle being quiet around the raptors.
In addition to birds on the gloves, there’s an activity table set up with posters and coloring sheets for kids, as well as some items available for purchase.
Check out the Sactown Supermom Events Calendar for upcoming California Raptor Open Houses.
How Long to Plan Your Visit
The California Raptor Center is a small facility and makes for a quick visit.
- Allow for a 30-60 minute visit
- Stroller-Friendly
- Can easily combine it with other nearby activities in Davis, CA
- If visiting on a Saturday or Sunday, keep in mind that it’s only open early in the day and closes at 12pm
More Amenities at the California Raptor Center
Parking
The California Raptor Center has a free parking lot next to the entrance. When turning onto Equine Drive, you’ll first see a small parking lot to the right, but keep driving! There’s an even closer parking lot down the road.
Restrooms
There is a restroom at the California Raptor Center.
Picnic Tables
Plenty of picnic tables are available throughout the facility, but you’ll find the most outside the entrance next to the California Raptor Center sign in the parking lot. No food is available for purchase.
More To Do Nearby in Davis with Kids
Since the California Raptor Center will be a short visit given its size, consider pairing it with other fun things to do in Davis with kids.
UC Davis Arboretum
The UC Davis Arboretum is one of the best family-friendly nature trails in the Sacramento area for kids. The paths are flat and surrounded by beauty and wildlife. It’s also stroller-friendly. From a redwood grove to horses, there will be plenty for kids to explore along this wonderful green space. Plus, like the California Raptor Center, it’s also completely free to visit!
Tip: If kids are looking for more animal experiences, check out the Animal Science GATEway Garden offshoot. You’ll see some signs pointing “this way to horses.” Kids will get to see several horses and check out some interactive signage.
Davis Farmers Market & Central Park
The Midtown Farmers Market is the most popular in Sacramento, but the Davis Farmers Market is probably the runner-up in the area. This is a very popular farmers’ market. You might not think of a farmers’ market as being the top choice for kids’ activities, but this one is in Central Park in Davis. Plus, there’s plenty of food for families!
Central Park has not one, but two playgrounds! It’s also home to “The Flying Carousel of the Delta Breeze”, a pedal-powered carousel that only operates during the Davis Farmers Market.
Davis Farmers Market Hours:
- Saturdays, 8am to 1pm (Year-Round)
- Wednesdays, 3pm to 6pm (Seasonal—September to March)
Natalie’s Corner Splash Pad
Alright, so this is also in Central Park and could technically fall under the last recommendation, but it deserves its own shoutout as it’s one of the best splash pads in Sacramento. Seriously. I urge you to check out my Instagram Reel of Natalie’s Corner Splash Pad.
Natalie’s Corner splash pad opened in late 2025, and it’s vibrant, colorful, and has such cool water features for kids, from water cannons to water tables, lots of sprayers in the shapes of animals and insects, and fun waterfalls to run through. We go to tons of splash pads, and this is definitely one of the best we’ve been to so far. Natalie’s Corner is open seasonally.
Frequently Asked Questions about the California Raptor Center
Is the UC Davis California Raptor Center good for kids?
Yes! It’s a fun and educational experience for kids of all ages to see birds of prey up close. It’s one of the most unique animal experiences near Sacramento.
Do you need tickets for the California Raptor Center?
No! Tickets are not required. Admission is always free.
đź“ŤCalifornia Raptor Center Address: 1340 Equine Lane Davis, CA 95616
➡️ Looking for more kid-friendly activities in the Sacramento area? Discover the best things to do in Sacramento with kids.
