For many of us, there's something truly magical about wild animals. Sure, dogs and cats—even goldfish—are part of our daily lives, but it can sometimes rejuvenate the animal lover's spirit to spend some time with the less tame members of the animal kingdom. Even in a massive metropolis like the Bay Area, there exist a handful of special local spaces that allow us to connect with lions and tigers and bears:
1. San Francisco Zoo: Our own city zoo is one of the country's most spectacular. Easily one of the most kid-friendly places in the City, the SF Zoo offers amazing animal exhibits; we particularly love the gorillas, big brown bear and friendly ostrich pen. And perhaps the most fun to be had is aboard the famous Little Puffer Train—a $5 ride on this all-ages classic is still a thrill. This summer, swing by and howl across the brand new wolf canyon. Adults take note; the zoo sells beer and wine.
2. California Academy of Sciences: Few of us have the vacation days to go scuba diving at the Great Barrier Reef. We can all, however, squeeze in a few hours to sit on the rug in front of the two-story tropical fish tank at the California Academy of Sciences and get lost underwater. Touch and handle starfish at the tide pool exhibit or allow yourself to become mesmerized by the dreamy jellyfish under colorful disco lights—and don't forget to say hello to Claude, an albino alligator and the aquarium's most famous resident.
3. Oakland Zoo: Two brand new litters of baby warthogs have just been born at the Oakland Zoo, bringing the zoo's total of warthog piglets to seven lovably ugly faces. We're particular fans of the peaceful elephants roaming the African Savannah section of the zoo. Bug fans, take note: when it comes to creepers and crawlers, the Oakland Zoo delivers. And don't miss the Sky Ride, where you can get a bird's eye view of the entire zoo.
4. Safari West: Road-trip up north to Santa Rosa for a safari—it's a lot closer, and cheaper, than flying to Africa. Yep, there's an almost-real safari up in wine country, where animal lovers can spend a day or a week on 400 acres of property admiring more than 900 wild animals on a real-world replica of an African safari. Tours take place in chic open-air jeeps, and are known to be extra-bumpy. For a pretty penny, spend the night in a luxurious tent, glamping under the stars.
5. Slide Ranch: This kid-based organization aims to connect city kids with nature, but even city adults will fall in love with this classic coastal Marin ranch along the Pacific Ocean. There are even new programs aimed specifically for grownups (we're eyeing bee-keeping), but the family farm days on the weekend are inexpensive ($25) days of sheer animal bliss—think milking goats and shearing sheep. Sign-up early for the $80 family campouts; there's already a waiting list.
6. Marine Mammal Center: Even the wildest of animals might sometimes need a rescue from their natural habitat. When it comes to sea lions and seals, the heroes of the Marine Mammal Center step in. Open every day and free to everyone, the center is located in the Marin Headlands just north of the Golden Gate. Summer and early fall is a particularly exciting time to visit the center and get up close and personal with rescued sea lion pups getting ready to return to the winter wild.