Spring means sprouting flower buds, farmer's markets plush with tiny strawberries, and, most importantly, baby animals. That's right. It's time for...

Baby Animal Farm Tours

Below I list some of my favorite places to visit and pet baby animals in California. Most baby animal farm tours focus on sheep and goats since that's who has babes around now, but baby cows are also cute. Read more here about why spring = cute animal farm tours, or scroll down to get your cuddle on.

Baby Animal Farm Tours

Harley Farms Goat Dairy, Pescadero

In addition to having a cuddly load of cheesemaking-inspired baby animals, Harley also has llamas (may or may not be small). This is one of my faves, but Harley is a hot ticket. Must farm tours are booked well into June, but there are a few treasured spots open here and there. Book quick.

• Harley's claim to fame: Gorgeous farm dinners in the field, flowered chevre & ricotta

Hidden Villa, Santa Cruz

Hidden Villa is a 1,600 acre farm in the Santa Cruz Mountains whose programing focuses on environment and social justice education. Oh and meeting animals and Twilight Walks and Japanese Cultural Days. It's a very special place with events galore on beautiful, beautiful land.

• Hidden Villa's claim to fame: Tours like Preschoolers on the Farm, Toddlers on the Farm, Afternoon Farm Tour (grown-ups allowed)

Redwood Hill Farm, Sebastopol 

Sharing time: I've been to this farm every Mother's Day for the past three years. Five years? Not sure. Most photos featured on this post are from baby animal farm tour visits. Not only does Redwood Hill Farm have tons of day-old (or hour-old) goats for you to visit, the staff is pretty much the nicest family this side of the midwest. You get a little flower in a yogurt container when you leave, and after petting the goats, you can sit under their apple orchards and picnic.

• Redwood Hill Farm's claim to fame: Kefir, Cameo cheese, goat's milk yogurt, and... May 7 & 8 and May 21 & 22 are their Farm Tours this year. If you go on May 8th, Mother's Day, say hello. I'll be there cuddling.

Tomula Farms, Tomales Farmstead, Petaluma

Year-long tours at Tomula bring cute animals all seasons, but alas, spring means babies, hence baby animal farm tours! A super nice couple owns Tomales Farmstead, there's a creek running through the property, and there is even is a awe-worthy airbnb stay on the property.

• Tomales Farmstead's claim to fame: Teleeka and Assa cheese, to name a couple. Currently - guided tours on the first Sunday of each month

Windrush Farm, Chileano Valley

An exception to others on this page, Windrush focuses on wool and children's tours. But they made it on the list because I love the idea of sending my imaginary child to one of their Summer Camps so they can learn to milk animals, harvest veggies and then visit their "Music Camp" sessions. The animals may not all be babies by the time you get there depending on spring or summer class selections, but Windrush looks spectacular.

• Windrush Farm's claim to fame: Sheep fiber (yarn and wool), and check out Lamb Day on April 9th, 2016.

Enjoy your spring, and I recommend contacting farms before visiting to confirm petting sessions are still on. Know any other baby sessions that need to be on this list? Email me at kirstin@itsnotyoitsbrie.com