Zoos

River Street Ranch

Name: River Street Ranch
Address: 31791 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675, San Juan Capistrano, CA, US
Telephone: (949) 831-6550
Rating: 4.2

★★★★☆ 4.2 (1433 reviews)

📍 31791 Los Rios St, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675

📞 (949) 831-6550

🌐 www.riverstreetranch.com

Visit Website 📍 Get Directions

🕐 Hours

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

⭐ Want to stand out? Get featured ⭐

About River Street Ranch

Petting zoo & kid-friendly activities. Popular spot for families offers a petting zoo, train rides, panning for gold & more. River Street Ranch features 80 animals across 14+ species including the unusual combination of llamas, alpacas, and llampacas (llama-alpaca hybrids). Rated 4.2 out of 5 stars by 1,433 visitors.

Quick Facts

Type: Petting Zoo
Location: San Juan Capistrano, Los Rios Historic District (dating to 1775)
Best For: All ages
Animals: 80 animals including horses, goats, llamas, alpacas, and more

💡 Did You Know?

⭐River Street Ranch features 80 animals across 14+ species including the unusual combination of llamas, alpacas, and llampacas (llama-alpaca hybrids)
⭐The ranch is strategically located in the Los Rios Historic District, one of California's oldest neighborhoods, directly across from River Street Marketplace, creating a unique integrated experience combining historic preservation with modern family activities
⭐The facility demonstrates animal welfare consideration by adjusting operations based on weather conditions (closing certain animals during extreme heat) and maintaining dietary restrictions for animals like rabbits with designated feeding guidelines

💬 What Visitors Say

💬Purchase tickets and complete waivers online before arriving to avoid potentially long lines at check-in, which can significantly delay your entry to the petting zoo.
💬Parking is limited near the ranch entrance; use the paid lot at the far end of the pedestrian way in River Street to avoid circling for street parking. Parking is a few minutes' walk from the farm.
💡Purchase a feed basket to significantly enhance your experience with the animals, particularly for the popular guinea pig area where you can sit and relax with individual animals. Note that some animals like bunnies and guinea pigs may not be out on very hot days.
💡Plan to spend 1-2 hours at the ranch; it works best for children ages 5+. Younger children may lose interest quickly. Budget extra time to explore nearby shops, restaurants, and ice cream spots in the River Street area to maximize your visit.
🕐Popular attractions like the excavator have unpredictable wait times with limited communication. Use the on-site playground to keep children occupied while waiting, and consider prioritizing the petting zoo and train rides early to avoid peak wait times.