Yes, You Can Ride Camels near LA at the Oasis Camel Dairy
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The Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, CA is a total hidden gem. I’ve been looking for fun things to do with my kids now, and writing about it, for over a dozen years. I know every fun hole in the wall in LA, OC, San Diego, Ventura Counties, and a good bit of the rest of California, too. And I still hadn't been to this camel farm.
Well, let me save you from wasting any more time. Make a plan today to visit Oasis; it’s more than just camel rides, camel feeding, and camel petting. We went when the turkey races were happening, and my son laughed until tears were streaming down his face. There’s also a highly impressive bird show, as well as the cutest little sheep you can meet and feed.
Read on for all the details, including when to visit, where to stay, where else to go in the hood (hint: someplace else with LOADS of animals is right down the street), and more…
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Feeding Camels, Meeting Talkative Birds, and More
Oasis Camel Dairy Farm isn't open all day every day, so be sure to check the website for hours. Basically, you can choose to visit during open farm tours, for a private tour, or for Camel Camp. More on those last two options below, but my family was in the area to visit Legoland and relax, so the open farm tour fit into our plans. We were not disappointed.
The farm tour takes place most Saturdays from noon - 2pm. Tickets are $15 per person, and worth every penny. Your visit starts with the animal show, which consists of a talking parrot show and an introduction to one of the farm's biggest and sweetest camels. The owners, Gil and Nancy Riegler, conduct the show, with Nancy talking with the birds, and Gil explaining everything about camels, camel milk, and the camel dairy.
If you're lucky, there might also be a Wild West Turkey Stampede! We were thrilled to catch this goofy show, where turkeys chase a remote-controlled car filled with snacks. It's funnier than it has a right to be, because when people say turkeys are dumb animals, they're not kidding!
And then you get to meet and feed and pet the animals. This is amazing, and have your phones ready to capture it because these guys are fast! All visitors get some cut-up apples on sticks to feed the camels; they mosey up to the fence and will happily grab those apple treats if you get them anywhere near their faces. This isn't a scientific fact, but they also tried to eat my hair, and the only other hair we saw them going after was on a kiddo with blonde hair, so we suspect it looks like hay. Maybe wear a baseball cap, if you've got light hair!
Meet the cutest little lambradoodles! Photo courtesy of Oasis Camel Dairy
It's pretty stunning to see the camels moseying around and to get to pat and feed them. But you're not done! There are also some mini sheep that the farm calls lambradoodles that you can feed and pet that are the softest, sweetest little creatures. Giant goldfish and more birds round out the animals that live on the farm that you can interact with and learn about.
So, About Those Camel Rides
I mentioned camel rides. Yes, you can ride a camel! But for that experience, you'll have to book a private group tour. You can book private tours on days other than Saturday, and your group ($200 for up to 10 people, then $15 for each additional person) will have the Camel Oasis experience to yourselves. Can I just say: best birthday party ever?
For an additional fee of $150, up to ten people in your group can take a 4 minute camel ride! (If there are less riders, you get a longer ride.) Amazing. We are totally going back to experience this. Camel riders must be at least 4 years old and under 200 pounds.
You won't want to say goodbye to your new friends. Photo by Chuck Rose
Camel Camp? Camel Camp!
But wait, there's more. This year, the farm has started offering Family Camel Camp, where each adult can accompany up to two kids ages 10 & up. You can camp or RV for the night (no RV hookups on the farm, but they'll help you find a local place) and the evening starts with a meal and camel milk chocolate s'mores around the campfire, and in the morning campers take part in farm animal care, camel grooming, sheep herding, lamb feeding, camel feeding, and then camel rides.
Don’t Sleep on the Store at Camel Oasis
Notice I snuck in there mentioning the camel milk chocolate? Well, it's delicious. The store at the Oasis Camel Dairy is small but mighty. You can buy chocolates, hand creams, soaps, shirts (they're funny!), and lip balm. We are addicted to the soaps, which are so moisturizing that you don't even need lotion after washing with it. My eczema-prone kid uses the soap and lotion when she's having a flare up.
The initial goal of the dairy was to produce milk to sell, as camel milk is the closest approximation to human milk and easiest for us to digest, but it's not legal to sell the raw milk in the US. They'll tell you all about it on the tour, it's fascinating.
That Other Animal Place Nearby
As I said, we visited on a Legoland weekend. Check out our review of Legoland. However, there are a couple of other great things to do that are right nearby. One is right down the road, you'll actually pass it on your way to the Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona; it's the San Diego Zoo Safari Park!
Then, if you keep driving for another 20 minutes, you'll arrive in Julian, CA where you can go apple picking in the fall and visit the mining company year-round.
It looks like you're at an oasis in the desert. That's half right! Photo by Chuck Rose
Getting to Oasis Camel Dairy in Ramona, CA
You need a lot of land to raise camels! That means that it's a bit of a drive to get to the Camel Dairy. Ramona is about an hour from Legoland and an hour from San Diego. As we were driving here, my kids (and husband) were not convinced it was worth the long drive; especially my daughter who is prone to car sickness on winding roads. And these roads are winding!
But it's a beautiful drive, and once we were here, everyone not only agreed it was worth the trip, they were making plans to return. Do bring food, however. Ramona is a small town, and other than the camel milk chocolate and drinks, there's nothing to eat at the camel farm.
Where To Stay When Visiting Oasis Camel Dairy
It's too far a drive for a day trip from Los Angeles, so I'd recommend getting a hotel in San Diego or near Legoland. We've rounded up the best hotels near Legoland and the top hotels for a San Diego vacation for families. If you're driving up from San Diego, don't miss our list of the 60 Top Things To Do in San Diego With Kids.