Lindsay Wildlife Experience

Lindsay Wildlife is a small teaching museum that demos live animals so that kids and adults can learn more about the natural world. They are also an active animal hospital, serving to rescue and care for local wildlife that are sick or injured. The raptors on exhibit are injured, so can’t fly — the museum keeps them healthy and safe. The healthy birds that can fly are released back into the wild. I could easily spend the whole day here reading exhibits and watching raptors, but it’s easy to plan your visit around demos you’d like to see:
Things to do and see:
Live hawks, eagles, falcons and owls
Turkey vulture sunning outside (his name is Richard, say hello)
Burrow for burrowing
Observation deck for observing
Microscopes for getting up close
Virtual reality game for flying like a hawk (it’s really fun)
Bee colony for buzzing (try to find the queen!!)
Behind the scenes presentations for learning about recovering hospital animals, like baby birds, reptiles and mammals
Petting area for petting (opossum, guinea pig, rabbit, domestic rat)
Larky park (next door) for sunning and picnicking
There are some stuffed birds and animals — these were brought in after they were killed by hunters :(The Wildlife Museum a) helps fix and heal all the healthy animals, and b) uses tragedies to educate kids! So go fly like a hawk, watch an owl eat a mouse, and have a GREAT TIME BEING NERDY!!! GOOOOOOOOOOO NERDSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

It was so cool to come with here with my nephews after coming here as a kid. There are a lot of interactive exhibits like petting animals, flying like a hawk, and the rabbit hole. A great place for kids to run around and play while learning about the animals in our native environment. The best part is knowing that admission and is helping rehabilitate animals. I will be taking the boys back here again.

Has gone down over the years and not as much to see. Wish they would move the store from the main lobby as my kiddo wanted to spend the whole time perusing toys.
Som liked it well enough though. Great for rainy days.

Let me just start this review off by saying to beware of the parking because we got slapped with a $ 45 parking ticket. Oh how I thought I saved some money by going to a place that charged less admission fees than say the Children’s Museum in SJ plus parking. There are limited spaces in the parking lot so just read the signs carefully on the street before parking.
The center itself was a big hit with my daughter who is 4. She was lukewarm at first, peering into the cages for the reptiles and birds. If you look atop the cages there are different owls which are interesting though I couldn’t tell you the Owls we did see now. We took advantage of some of the shows or presentations they had like the showing of a turtle and a squirrel who can do tricks. The squirrel is not one of those bushy tailed squirrels you see at the parks but they live out in the wild.
There’s a playroom for smaller kids with plush toys and Legos. There was also a bunny to pet for awhile.
Ok so the big attraction for my daughter was this room across from the playroom that shows what an examining room looks like complete with the table and big lights. There are microscopes and drawers with items that the vets use to treat sick or injured animals. This room made the wheels turn for my little girl, asking so many questions and just trying to put 2 and 2 together. She keeps asking to go back to the «animal hospital». Future as a veterinarian?!

I went here for the first time with my husband and really enjoyed it. It is very educational and I took the time to read all of the descriptions/​watched the explanation videos on releasing animals and how the animal hospital operations works. I did not know much about the Aves species prior to coming here.
The selection of wildlife for the price of $ 8.50 was worth it. I do think that their annual membership is overpriced for the size of the building, but they probably use that money for the animal hospital expenses.
I thought it was interesting how they displayed how many animals were currently in the hospital and which animals were brought in that day. Also, I thought the owls were really awesome! It was quite loud because of the elementary school field trips, but my husband and I had a great time and just navigated around areas where the large groups were.

This facility is such a great educational experience!

There are live animal presentations every 30 minutes by knowledgable caretakers. This was a surprising element that really engaged the kids throughout the day. My two favorites were the hospital presentation and the squirrel workout. Kids had time to ask questions and sometimes pet the animals.
We don’t live close but I would definitely go back again.

Great for play dates rain or shine, for kids of all ages (especially the little littles)
Price is fair but the cause is great! Its a wildlife sanctuary. The space is very small. Features animals from wild birds of sorts, to various reptiles and rodents.
Throughout the day they have scheduled wildlife lectures led of employees and volunteers.
There is a very clean and open grassy play area with two separate play structures outside LWE. Great for picnics and mommy play dates.

Went there with my wife and parents. Loved it! Everybody was incredibly knowledgeable and polite.
The first section has live animals, mostly birds that have been injured and can’t fly. The peregrine falcon that can fly at upto 200 mph, was our favorite.
The next section has a burrow for kids, followed by bees (live bees, yes, they have a duct to let them in and out) and lizards/​snakes.
On the ground floor, there is hall where they have show and tells with animals. Both my wife and mother, played with the guinea pig they brought out and had lots of fun.
Look out for stuffed brown and polar bears. I have never seen a polar bear in person (although it was stuffed), this was highlight for me.
The stairs reflect a very bay area-​ish eco-​system with coyote, fox, mountain lion, deer, quail and many more.
For Raptor talks at 11:30 they brought out a Barn owl and a Bard owl. The caretakers were very knowledge and easy going (compared to the ones at Zoos, SF zoo and San Diego zoo, we felt Oakland zoo trainers are really friendly too).
We wanted to support the center so we brought lots of early gifts from their store and donated online.
Needles to say, we will return.

Wow! I am sad to say that I have lived in the area for almost 20 years and yesterday was my first visit with my children and parents to this amazing place. How could I have missed out on such a fascinating and magical place? From the moment we arrived, I was wowed by the plethora of information and knowledge being shared.
When I walked in and saw the first few displays with Ravens, Hawks and owls I thought they were fake. Then I realized they were real. Amazing! I do have to say, my initial reaction was shock and concern, that these birds were tethered up there, but when I learned that these birds spend 70% of their time in a day perching (that is 16.8 hrs.) I felt some relief, as this is what they would be doing in the wild if they could survive out there as well. So relax people, the birds are not by any means being mistreated!!! These birds have been rehabilitated, are put in a large area daily where they can fly around safely, taken outside for fresh air time and not to mention their lives have been prolonged, as with their existing injuries, many would not have made it out in the wild.
Anyways, while here, we watched several of the presentations… one of the rehabilitation process in the hospital, one about animal enrichment and exercise, and one of an up close look at a snake. All were very insightful and kept the interest of my 6 and 8 year old children. For being here only 2 – 3 hours, I wanted to stay longer. I am going to donate to this place annually, looking into signing up to be a volunteer which is an extensive process, but I feel worth it in the long run, and even checking into bringing my 1^st grade students here. What I am saying in short is, «YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS THIS!»

We visited on Free Friday. Despite the day being free, it wasn’t very crowded. We parked at the nearby park and it was a quick few minutes walk away from the museum. They had lots of live birds and owls, and some random wildlife exhibits. Tons of neat taxidermy around the museum (birds, bears, skulls). They also had many sessions where employees would come out to talk about the animals or bring an owl out. Plenty of interactive toys with information about animals for kids. We also visited their Natural History Department downstairs and they have an incredible amount of taxidermy animals of all species! Would love to stay there longer. You can rent them out for a very low price, which is great!

The Lindsay Wildlife Experience is such an interesting place. They are one of the oldest wildlife rehab centers in the country. Therefore, they paved the way for many similar facilities that came after. I found it amazing that they help over 5,000 animals a year (on average), and have already exceeded that number in 2015. I also find it interesting that anyone can bring in an animal that needs rehabilitation.
The center is small, but they do have lizards, turtles, ravens, hawks, and even an owl. The playroom in the back was great for my son, who is just learning to walk. I was also very impressed with the gift shop.
(Tip: If looking for additional ways to keep children busy, there is a nice park next door, behind the wildlife center.)

I came here with my 4 year old using our local library’s Discover & Go pass, which is good for one adult and one child.
This is a small museum, but it was enough for my son to enjoy for a couple of hours. He loved seeing the owls and how their heads turned. We also got to see one of the employees bring out a large bird for the kids (and parents) to see and learn about.
I don’t think this is a museum I will visit regularly, but I did enjoy our first visit.

This is such a cute and educational museum! The highlights of this place is their owls and Hawks that are on display live without being in a cage. I mean, where else can you see owls in broad daylight? There are other interesting exhibits like the beehive and other informational things! The only downside is it is an incredibly small place… You can be there no more than an hour tops to see everything thoroughly.

I really enjoyed my visit here. The staff is friendly and truly care about the animals. You are never going to get closer to a live owl or hawk. They are right there out in the open for the most part. If you get a chance, wait to see the vet examine a newly admitted or injured animal. It is fascinating. The vet was very thorough and explained every step of the procedure. It’s good fun for a weekend.

This place is great!
Kids will definitely not only enjoy but learn so much! Well, they will learn how to care for and love animals for sure!
So worth the price!

This place is a small simple museum/​hospital for critters.
There is a steep stairs to enter, which is difficult for some seniors, like my clients.
It is not over whelming in size or displays, just right.
Seniors get a discount, $ 7.50 adult $ 8.50 children $ 6.50 (2 – 17)
I love the Owls and Hawks here. Precious!!!
I will be returning.

This place is like a gem hidden between the neighborhoods and parks of Walnut Creek away from the city life. Perfect for all ages but I think the elementary aged ones and older crowds appreciate it more. The facility is interactive and clean with side classrooms containing more on hands activities for learning.
It is a museum on the smaller side but filled with so much to see on the inside. Outside the museum front is a large cage with a live vulture, he’s one of the birds that stay at the center.
Inside, there is a cute little gift shop with a lot of toys, books, souvenirs, and other fun little things all related to wildlife.
Not only is the museum for learning about the history and information about wildlife but it is home to its own wildlife hospital and live critters at Lindsay.
The coolest thing I found within Lindsay was how there are LIVE birds just chillin’ on their perch (no worries, they are attached through their short lead). You may not only enjoy the live shows they do showing off these birds but you may also enjoy peaking at them up close in their homes as well as high above. It really is a place to visit, no matter how old you are!

Giving it an extra star because of all the good they do. We’ve been back a couple of times with the kids and they still enjoyed it although my son had almost outgrown it (he was nearly 8 last time we went).
It is very small and not a lot to do, but the animals are really fun and the people here clearly care a lot about them. They also have a very cool beehive exhibit where you can watch the bees go in and out of the hive. Sometimes they demonstrate bats too!
I still find the stuffed animals creepy…

My five-​year old and I spent a lovely couple of hours at the Lindsay Wildlife Museum over the holiday break. This is a small museum spanning a couple of floors, with not just the expected educational exhibits, dioramas and stuffed animals, but also many live small animals and birds and regular interactive sessions.
Parking is easy and free. Adults tickets are $ 8.50, kids over 2 are $ 6.50. There’s also a park nearby if you need a break from the museum (tickets come with in-​and-​out privileges). My wife and one-​year old played in the park while we were in the museum.
On our visit earlier this week, within minutes of arriving, we were treated to a live demo of the Madagascar Hissing Cockroach, which can’t fly but expels air from its thorax when threatened (hence the name). This was quickly followed by an encounter where my daughter got to «one-​finger» pet a rat (followed by hand-​san, thankfully!), and then a longer and more interesting «raptor demo» where she got to learn all about the Barred Owl. I’m glad my wife and younger daughter were not around for the first two live demos, the former would have freaked out, the latter would have attacked!
Other highlights of our visit: live Hawks and Owls sitting out in the open (I thought they were stuffed till they moved), a treasure hunt for the kids (they get a prize if they complete it), and several stuffed bears (which made papa-​bear very happy!).
We will be back with both kids in a few months — this museum is just the right size for a young family like ours.

I appreciate this place so much. The animal hospital is open all the time. I’ve rescued a few birds and have been able to take them to this place right away and they take them right in, no questions asked. I found another injured bird on Christmas eve and was worried they might be closed. Nope, open and welcoming of the little guy. I think this one was savable and I know he got the best treatment. I always leave a little something in the donation cube because this place deserves every penny. I’m a huge animal person and this is the place for wild animals who need medical help. I actually feel lucky that this is a place that is close to me. Thank you Lindsay.

My 3 year old daughter had an amazing time exploring this museum and learning about how the animal hospital helped these animals.

Yes, I agree this place is Amazing! I learned so much in so little time here. The staff are great and you can tell they are passionate about there animals and there job. I recommend this place for family and children. Great presentations and feeding times where you can see Staff working great with the animals ;)

This place is nice for young children and schools to visit; the City of Walnut Creek has cut some of the monies going here and they are having to request monies from the public.
(I used to go here years ago and when I would find an injured bird… I always thought that they would help birds like crows, sparrows, pigeons (the non-​native birds as some would call them) but they apparently didn’t from what I read in the newspaper last year; I was totally surprised by this).
It would be too bad if this place closes as the nearest museum is either Oakland or Berkeley.

Great place for 6 & under to explore and spend the morning. Love the live bird feedings and «meet the animal» times where kids are educated on everything about the resident animals they bring out. They’re allowed to pet some (snakes, turtles).
There’s a great little play room that my kids can easily spend 30 min in.
Because we frequent the Oakland Zoo & Happy Hallow, purchasing the family membership is totally worth it for us as you get significant discounts to those places when you buy a membership. They did raise prices a few months ago from $ 65/​yr to $ 85…but it’s still worth it.

The name «Lindsay Wildlife Museum» is not words I would use for this museum. I have lots of mean and unkind words I would like to use but I will keep them to myself. When I saw this museum online, I was impressed by the fact they have a wildlife hospital. The thought of animals being rescued and brought to health was admirable. I understand this is a museum and expected the animals in a cage or some type of housing.
When I arrived here, it was not what I expected. The first thing I immediately noticed was the several birds (hawks and eagles) strapped down by their feet on a small pedestal. Not able to move or fly around. Can this possibly be anymore cruel than it already looks?
We then started walking down the hallway, as we saw a few amphibious creatures through a glass casing. We then saw several stuffed dead bears, deer, cougar, and birds. Chills literally ran down my necks and back and it wasn’t the happy kind of chills.
As we proceeded down the stair way, we then came across a huge room which seemed to house more dead animals, rocks and a play place in the center for kids.
We quickly went back upstairs and headed out of the museum. We were in there for about an hour if that. Which included seeing the exhibit, the store and using the restroom.
By no means am I an animal activist but there is a fine line on how animals «I feel» should be treated. For some reason this didn’t seem right to me. Maybe, I’m wrong who knows but it’s up to you to decide.
I do thank the wildlife hospital for caring for the animals who are hurt. There has to be a better way to display these animals. Is it really necessary to have so many dead stuffed animals? I would rather see rescued animals and their stories than dead ones.
Cost:
$ 8.50 adults
$ 7.50 Seniors (65+)
$ 6.50 Children (2 – 17)
Hours: Wed-​Fri (12pm-​5pm) & Sat-​Sun (10am-​5pm)

It’s a great place to spend your afternoon with your children here as they learn so much about the wildlife here in CA. It is a small place and as you enter you are greeted by some wonderful ladies who seem to volunteer here and enjoy working here.
My son had lots of fun watching the owls who were sitting on the glass top. First I thought they were stuffed animals but as soon as they opened their eyes I realized they are just sleeping as they are nocturnal. They also have a small room with play toys but not too exciting as the animals.
If the parking lot is full you can park at the church’s parking lot across the street.

NOT THE BEST PLACE FOR PEOPLE WITH ORNITHOPHOBIA
There are some seriously cool birds inside the Lindsay Museum, and although some are in cages with glass windows, many sit tethered on top. Like the Giant Bald Eagle. And the Great Owl. It’s pretty cool, though, you begin to feel a little bad for the birds. How long could I possibly sit in one spot comfortably? Hmm.
I came here a lot as a child (we lived on Larkey Lane so the park was my spot). It was in a different building then, which still sits next door and looks like it’s not being used for anything. Not sure if they have storage or equipment in here but it’s definitely not open to the public. I wish It were! Lots of good memories in the big building.
Lindsay has demos and hands-​on interaction that your kids will enjoy. The downstairs is a large, open room and has art for sale on the wall and items like puzzles for kids to put together. It’s pretty open and always surprises me that they don’t do more with the space. It’s fun to walk around the place from time to time but I’m sure it’s a much great joy to experience this with a child. I think my favorite part of the Museum was the live bee hive with clear walls that has a tube connecting it to the outside world. We watched bees loaded with pollen come and make deliveries to their Queen. She’s marked and pretty easy to find inside the hive. Really neat!
If you find a wild animal with an injury, bring it here and they’ll patch it up. But if they determine the animal is too friendly, like their fox, they’ll cage it up too and put it on display… which kind of sucks for Mr. Friendly Fox.

Small but humble museum with live hawks, a Bald Eagle, owls, fox, bee hive that is for both adults and children. Of course, you can find more exhibits that includes reptiles and stuffed bears and a «fly like a hawk» simulator there.
If you have toddlers, you can enjoy the ‘Toddler Discover’ room by the bathroom across the gift shop. There are many things for them discover and play with there. Watch out, there is a live Tarantula in the room!
Throughout the day, there are also scheduled feedings, demonstrations and animal petting times, which your kids would enjoy. And I just love the fact that the museum volunteers are so passionate and knowledgeable, you can learn so much during your time here.
After the museum, we conveniently walked over to the park right next to the museum and enjoyed an hour there.