Deer Hollow Farm
Overview
Expert Summary
Detailed Insights
Deer Hollow Farm offers a traditional, non-touristy farm experience within the scenic Rancho San Antonio Preserve. It focuses on educating visitors about farm life and sustainability with well-cared-for animals, rather than being a typical hands-on petting zoo. Its unique value lies in combining a mild nature hike with glimpses of farm animals and opportunities to purchase farm-fresh products.
Key Highlights
- ✓A charming, traditional farm setting with well-cared-for animals.
- ✓Features a wide variety of animals including chickens, cows, sheep, goats, ducks, bunnies, and pigs.
- ✓Baby goats and sheep are particularly 'adorable and lively' in April, offering a seasonal highlight.
- ✓Offers an easy, family-friendly 2-mile total hike to the farm, suitable for most kids, with a creek along the path.
- ✓Provides educational opportunities about farm life and sustainability.
- ✓Located within Rancho San Antonio Preserve, offering beautiful views and shaded trails for extended outdoor activity.
- ✓Picnic tables are available for visitors to use.
Standout Features
- ⭐Seasonal baby animals (goats, sheep) available, particularly vibrant in April.
- ⭐Diverse range of farm animals to observe.
- ⭐Staff are generally helpful and polite, sometimes assisting with animal interaction.
- ⭐On-site sale of farm products like fresh eggs (cash only), meat, and dairy.
- ⭐Picnic tables available for visitor use.
- ⭐Integration with Rancho San Antonio Preserve offers additional hiking and nature viewing opportunities.
Perfect For
Ideal For
💡Pro Tips from Reviews
- →Be prepared for a walk of at least half a mile from the parking lot to the farm; wear comfortable shoes.
- →Bring a stroller for very young children who might not manage the walk comfortably.
- →Expect limited hands-on interaction with animals; it's more of an observation farm than a direct petting zoo.
- →If seeking closer animal interaction, inquire about signing up for a supervised tour with workers.
- →Arrive right when they open if you wish to purchase fresh eggs, as they sell out quickly.
- →Bring cash for egg purchases, as it is cash only.
- →Be aware that farm odors are a natural part of the experience.
- →Ask staff for directions if you get lost on the trails from the parking lot, as signage is lacking.
- →Manage expectations regarding animal petting; it's not a free-for-all hands-on experience.
Things to Consider
- ⚠Signage to the farm from the parking lot is poor, leading to confusion and potential for getting lost on intertwining trails (estimated 0.5+ mile walk).
- ⚠Despite being called a 'petting zoo' by some, direct animal interaction is limited; it's 'not really a petting zoo'.
- ⚠Animal petting is restricted to a few animals and often requires staff supervision (e.g., volunteers hold rabbits for petting).
- ⚠One volunteer working with the chickens was reported as 'incredibly rude'.
- ⚠Occasional strong odors, particularly when some animals experience stomach ailments, can be a 'natural part of farm life' but can be unpleasant.
Price & Value
Admission to the animal area costs $7 per person. For this price, visitors get about 45 minutes to look at and limited interaction with animals, along with the experience of a traditional farm. This is a moderate price for a short experience that is not a full-fledged petting zoo, but it includes access to the broader preserve for hiking. Fresh eggs are sold separately, cash only, with no price specified.
♿Accessibility & Special Needs
- •The 0.5+ mile path from parking to the farm is suitable for strollers.
- •No specific mention of other accessibility accommodations for special needs beyond stroller access.
🍎Food & Drink Policy
- •Outside food is allowed, as evidenced by the availability of picnic tables for seating and eating.
🚗Parking Info
- •Parking is available at Rancho San Antonio Preserve, followed by a walk to the farm.
- •The walk from the parking lot is described as over half a mile.
- •Poor signage from the parking lot makes it difficult to find the farm, with trails intertwining into residential areas.
👥Crowd Levels
- •No specific crowd level information provided, though a review mentioned 'many others trying to figure out how to get to the farm', suggesting it can be a popular destination.
🛡️Safety Features
- •Animals are generally 'well-cared-for' and in a 'healthy and natural environment'.
- •Staff or volunteers supervise animal interactions (e.g., holding rabbits for petting) to ensure safety for both animals and visitors.
- •Tours for closer animal viewing require supervision 'inside the fence'.
⏰When to Avoid
- • If your primary goal is extensive, free-range hands-on petting of many animals.
- • If you are highly sensitive to strong animal odors.
- • If you expect comprehensive, clear signage directly from parking to the farm entrance.
- • If you are looking for a highly interactive, amusement-park-style farm experience.
- • If you prefer to avoid potential encounters with rude staff members (isolated incident reported).
Pricing/Package/Events
Pricing & Packages
School Farm & Goats Class
Duration: 2 Hours
Students learn about farm products, visit livestock (cows, chickens, ducks, geese, rabbits, goats, sheep, pigs), discover food and clothing they provide. In the garden, students sample vegetables and learn composting. Seasonal goat or cow milking demonstrations emphasize farmer's responsibilities.
Includes:
- •Visit with livestock
- •Garden exploration and tasting
- •Composting education
- •Seasonal goat or cow milking demonstrations
School Fleece & Milk Class
Duration: 2.5 Hours
An in-depth look at food and products from sheep, goats, and cows (wool, milk, meat). Children rotate through activity stations focusing on dying wool, tasting goat's milk, carding wool, sheep shearing, visiting sheep and goats, and spinning and weaving wool. Seasonal goat or cow milking demonstrations may be available.
Includes:
- •Activity stations (dying wool, tasting goat's milk, carding wool, sheep shearing, visiting sheep and goats, spinning and weaving wool)
- •Seasonal goat or cow milking demonstrations (when available)
School Life Sciences Class
Duration: 2-4 Hours
A hike through the 2,180 acre Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve. Students learn about adaptations and life cycles of preserve plants and wildlife across grassland, oak woodland, riparian/bay woodland, and chaparral habitats. Emphasizes environmental stewardship and satisfies California State Standards in Life Sciences.
Includes:
- •Hike through Rancho San Antonio Open Space Preserve
- •Exploration of adaptations and life cycles of plants and wildlife
- •Hands-on activities
- •Focus on environmental stewardship
School Ohlone Village Class
Duration: 3 Hours
Students discover the history and culture of the Ohlone people. Visit a replica Ohlone Village to learn about daily activities (acorn pounding, hunting tools, basket making, games) and explore village structures (community sweat lodge, sleeping house, shade shelters). A hike introduces native plants used by the Ohlone.
Includes:
- •Visit to replica Ohlone Village
- •Learning about Ohlone daily activities and tools
- •Exploration of village structures
- •Hike to learn about native plants
Events & Schedule
Special Events(Last 2 months - Next 6 months)
Spooky Times
Saturday, October 18, 2025
$7 per person; $5 with costume; children 1 and under free.
A Fall event to celebrate Halloween. Guests are able to enter the animal pens and interact directly with the livestock. Doors open at 10am; arriving around 9:45am is recommended for payment and fewer crowds. The farm is only open for event attendees on this day.
Spring Farm Tours
Two events in Spring (dates not specified for current year)
$7 per person; children 1 and under free (based on general event pricing)
Two fundraising events held in the Spring to celebrate Spring-born farm animals. Guests are able to enter the animal pens and interact directly with the livestock. The farm is only open for event attendees on these days.
🍎Food Policy
- • No food available for sale at special events; visitors must plan to pack out whatever they bring in.
- • For regular visits, pack food as there is no food for purchase.
- • Bring plenty of water.
- • Picnic tables are available at the north end of the farm.
- • No garbage cans on the premises; please take all your trash with you.
🛡️Safety Policy
- • Buildings and animal pens are not accessible to the public during regular visits.
- • Visitors are not permitted to feed the animals at Deer Hollow Farm.
- • During regular visits, the public can observe animals from outside their pens; during special events, guests can enter pens and interact with livestock.
- • Stay on trails.
- • Be aware of poison oak, ticks, and rattlesnakes.
- • Dogs are not allowed at Deer Hollow Farm or in the surrounding Preserve, with the exception of service dogs in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.
📅Booking Policy
- • No pre-registration is required for special events.
- • Groups of 20 or more visitors will need a permit.
🚗Parking Information
- • Address for parking lot: 22500 Cristo Rey Drive, Cupertino, 95014 (Rancho San Antonio County Park).
- • Car parking is free and available in five different lots after accessing the park.
- • It is a 1-mile walk/cycle from the parking lot to the barnyard.
- • Parking is limited for special events; carpooling is recommended.
- • Accessible parking near the barnyard is available with a permit from MROSD.
Photos
What People Say
What's Great
- Friendly and helpful staff (mentioned in 5 reviews)
Areas for Improvement
- Parking can be challenging (mentioned in 2 reviews)
Recent Reviews
Emily S
2 weeks agoThe baby goats and sheep are so adorable and lively in the farm in April. There are some cage free chickens walking around as well.
Marcela Ma
11 months agoDeer hollow farm is one of my favorite places to go with kids. This is located in Rancho San Antonio it’s about 2 miles total any kid can do this short easy hike. There’s a creek along the hike and an animal farm. There’s chickens, cow, sheep’s, goat, ducks, bunnies and pigs :) Can ask one of the staffs to pet any animal as long as they available they will help you. Ps: They also sell eggs but you have to e to get there right when they open, cash only! There are picnic tables you can seat and eat.
Judy Margaret Chen
a year agoA small traditional farm. It helps you see a little bit about farm life. Since it’s more like a traditional farm and not a touristy farm, there’s no petting zoo or animal interaction for visitors. The best you can have is signup for a tour with the workers to see the animals up close inside the fence under supervision. When visiting, you can also find farm products on sale, such as meat, eggs or dairy.
Amanda
2 years agoWhen walking from the parking lot to the farm I met many others trying to figure out how to get to the farm as there are scattered hiking trails along the way that intwine into residential areas. It would be very helpful if there was more signage directing people to the farm. After walking a little over a half mile we finally arrived at the farm. There are opportunities to see some basic farm animals, however you can only pet a few of them. The rabbits are cute but you can't actually sit down and pet one. We were permitted to pet the rabbit while the volunteer held it. I understand that they care for the animals and want to keep them safe. Most of the volunteers working there were very nice, helpful and polite... however one lady working with the chickens was incredibly rude. The cost is $7 per person to go into the area with the animals. It takes about 45 minutes to to look/pet the animals. Overall it was a good experience but not really a "petting zoo" This is a very cute place to take children (in a stroller or child that can walk a mile comfortably) or a sweet date 🥰
Krishna Sudarshan
2 months agoDeer Hollow Farm, nestled within Rancho San Antonio Preserve in Cupertino, CA, is a wonderful place to experience a bit of farm life while enjoying scenic trails. The farm is home to well-cared-for animals, including cows, goats, sheep, and chickens, making it a delightful stop for visitors of all ages. Walking past the enclosures, it’s clear that the animals are in a healthy and natural environment. The farm does a great job of maintaining its rustic charm while providing educational opportunities about farm life and sustainability. One occasional downside is the strong odor, particularly when some animals experience stomach ailments. While it’s a natural part of farm life, it would be beneficial to ensure the animals receive proper care to manage any health issues. Covering up odors with artificial scents wouldn’t be ideal, but prioritizing humane treatment for affected animals would enhance the experience for both visitors and the livestock. Beyond the farm, the surrounding trails offer beautiful views, shaded paths, and a great mix of wildlife sightings. It’s a perfect spot for regular walks, and the presence of the farm adds a unique, peaceful charm to the overall experience. Deer Hollow Farm remains a cherished stop for many in the community.