San Juan Capistrano

Yesterday morning we drove down to Zoomars Petting Zoo which is in San Juan Capistrano. It only takes about 30 minutes to deive there from Irvine and the petting zoo is in the old part of SJC, Los Rios. San Juan Capistrano is the site of a Catholic mission for which it is named, Mission San Juan Capistrano and the city has been created around the mission. Many of the homes and strip malls resemble the Spanish architecture that compose the building. Los Rios is with buildings dating to 1794, is the oldest continually occupied neighborhood in the state. I came here back in 2004 for the first time, it is very quaint and nice just to stroll around. If you get the chance to come here, there is also the Ramos House, voted one of the top restaurants on Orange County. We have been here a few times and apart from that you cannot make reservations in advance, it is quite a little gem.

There are plenty if small little cafe's around

The Hummingbird Cafe

Along the Los Rios Street

The petting zoo was a little disappointing. I knew it was going to be expensive but it was also tiny! Not impressed, and it will take some time before we go back. They had guinea pigs, rabbits, turkey, pumas, horses, ostriches, sheep and goats. And some kind of a donkey. Zoonkey?

Food Tray, $ 3!

This little fellow came and sat next to us for a while. So dissapointed we didn't get to play with any rabbits. Too many kids running ater them!

In this part the rabbits and guinea pigs ran around. And a hen or two.

Zoomar's Petting Zoo.

See, I have a little soft spot for animals. Not cats or reptiles. Not hens either (can't be trusted). Or rats. But pretty much all other animals (note: no insects!) have a HUGE space in my heart. So if I say, it is not worth going there, it really isn't. The had some sheep - three or two - and blimey, is this the American version of a sheep or were they on steroids? Humongous! Unfortunately I couldn't take a picture, I was too busy keeping Emily high enough so the goats couldn't jump up on her (which would have resulteed in a life time fear of goats, I am sure) and make sure no hens or monster sheep could come too close.

Luckily we will in animal heaven here. Not only do we have Orange County Zoo here in Irvine (focuses on plants and animals native to the southwestern United States, we have Santa Ana Zoo just up the road (famous for monkeys, and I LOVE monkeys), we have the wild animal park and Sn Diego Zoo just an hour away. This will be a zoo summer!