Safari West

Safari West is the most surprising family outing in Sonoma County: a private wildlife preserve in the Mayacamas foothills, just northeast of Santa Rosa, where giraffes, zebras, rhinos, wildebeest and dozens of antelope species roam open hillsides that look remarkably like the African savanna. Founded by Peter and Nancy Lang, the preserve has grown to about 400 acres and more than 800 animals, many of them from breeding programs for threatened species. Visits are by guided tour. The classic safari begins in an open-air safari vehicle that climbs through the large hillside enclosures, stopping so the guide can explain the animals and their behavior and so you can watch giraffes browsing a few feet away. The tour then continues on foot through the lower compound, home to smaller animals, cheetahs, primates and a large walk-through aviary filled with birds. For a more immersive stay, the preserve has African Safari Camp tents on raised platforms, with pillow-top mattresses, private bathrooms, private decks and continental breakfast included, so you can hear the animals at night and wake to giraffes on the hillside. The preserve's resilience is part of its story: during the 2017 Tubbs Fire, Peter Lang stayed and fought the flames with garden hoses for hours, and no animals were lost. Tours sell out, especially on weekends and school holidays, so reserve in advance, and check age rules and current tour options when you book. It is pricier than a zoo and the tour follows a set route, but the setting is spectacular and children rarely forget it.

How the preserve began. Peter Lang, a wildlife enthusiast who had kept animals for decades, and his wife Nancy, who brought a background in hospitality, moved their collection to the Sonoma hills and opened the preserve to visitors in 1993. They designed it around large, naturalistic enclosures and a focus on conservation breeding, and it has since become one of the best-known safari parks in the United States, frequently ranked among the top in national reader polls.

Tips for the tour. Morning tours offer cooler temperatures and more active animals, while late-afternoon tours catch softer light for photographs. Bring layers, sun protection and binoculars; the safari vehicles are open to the air and the hills can be breezy. Listen to your guide about staying seated and keeping hands inside the vehicle. The walking portion involves some slopes, so wear comfortable shoes. If you have a passionate young animal lover, ask about specialty tours and experiences that may be offered seasonally.

Staying overnight. The tent cabins are the most memorable lodging in the region for families: comfortable rather than rugged, with real beds and bathrooms, but still close enough to nature to hear the cheetahs and the birds. Book them well ahead. Safari West is at 3115 Porter Creek Road, a winding road that also leads toward Calistoga, which means you can visit on the way between Napa Valley and Sonoma County. Pair it with the Charles M. Schulz Museum in Santa Rosa for a full family day.