Where Kids Can See Rare Species in Northern California, Sacramento Fish & Wildlife Office

There are some wonderful zoos, aquariums and other enclosed places to see rare species in California. But we want to get you out in nature! Read More or Watch cool video clip

Finding rare species outside is hard. At the bottom of this page are some web sites about places to see wildlife. We also have made a Google Earth KML file of places to see rare species in Northern California.
Open file in Google Earth or other default program
More about KML Files

Always check the website for the place you want to go. Many of these places are only open at certain times. The species you want to see may only be there or in bloom at a certain time of the year. They might only come out at certain times of day (or night).
Just look and take pictures unless a docent, ranger or other official person says it's ok to touch a rare species. Use binoculars to see animals from a distance and not stress them.
Don't feed wild animals unless an official person says it's ok.
You will usually see and hear more animals if you are very quiet.

These lists focus on places within our service area. To suggest places to see rare species, email us at fw1sacweb@fws.gov.

California Wildlife Viewing Guide (Wildlife Viewing Guide Series), Jeanne L. Clark, Falcon Press, 1996 (Excellent guide but some information may be out of date.)
National Audubon Society First Field Guide series (Birds, Trees, Amphibians, Wildflowers, Mammals, Insects, Reptiles, Fishes, etc.)
Peterson First Guide series (Birds, Insects, Trees, Butterflies, Caterpillars, Fishes, Reptiles & Amphibians, Wildflowers, Mammals, etc.)

External Affairs Division
(916) 414-6600

We welcome feedback from kids, parents and teachers.

Last updated: October 17, 2008

Photo credits: Steve Hillebrand, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service