Indian Point Ostrich Ranch

Get nose to beak with the largest bird on earth at the Indian Point Ostrich Ranch. Nestled in the Cummings Valley the working ostrich ranch is one of the largest ranches in the Western United States.
Established in 1992, the Indian Point Ostrich Ranch has been "wowing" visitors with its "Os trich-izing" tour for 18 years. They combine fun, education and entertainment in an invigorating environment where you get next to living dinosaur like birds. Their new Ostrich Bonding Experience gives you the unique chance to feed birds that can grow to be 10 feet tall and weigh more than 500 pounds.
Visit their website for more information and visiting hours, which vary seasonally. They also have a wonderful ranch store with their own jerky, edible eggs, ostrich oil and lotions, jewelry, empty and decorated eggs.
Located at the end of Giraudo Road in the Cummings Valley area of Tehachapi.
(661) 822-9131
www.indianpointranch.com

Horse lovers love Tehachapi

Places to bring your horse in Tehachapi:Alpine Forest: 822-6525; (Alpine Forest Property Owners Association)
Call the association to get a map. Alpine Forest is a great starting point for miles of rugged back country trails

•Bear Valley Equestrian Center: 26800 Bear Valley Road; 821-3690.  The Equestrian Center has several arenas, camping, and is surrounded by miles and miles of well maintained trails. Open to members and guests only.

Birding and wildlife viewing

Tehachapi is rich territory for birdwatchers with a wide variety of habitat and more than 250 species to see. Although no longer operating as a club, the website of the Tehachapi Mountains Birding Club was active at presstime and offers a downloadable birding guide: www.tehachapibirdclub.com.
Wildlife abound in the area with sightings of deer and small mammals fairly common. A herd of American Elk are commonly seen in the Cummings Valley, Bear Valley Springs and Stallion springs area. The local elk are descended from animals that were released on a couple of large local ranches in the 1970s.

Alpacas abound in Tehachapi

Alpacas originally were bred 5,000 years ago by the Incas for their fleece, which was reserved strictly for royalty.
Today, alpacas are also raised in Tehachapi for their extraordinary coats. Fortunately you don’t need to be royalty to enjoy alpaca fleece, which has many advantages over fibers produced by other animals.
It is softer to the touch than cashmere and creates seven times the warmth. Alpaca fleece is lighter than sheep's wool, does not have the scratchiness and is three times stronger.
Even if you’re not interested in modern textiles, a visit to a local alpaca farm will leave any visitor feeling warm and fuzzy.
The Tehachapi area is home to several alpaca ranches located in the open spaces of the Cummings Valley, just southwest of the city.
Most ranches offer a variety of services including educational programs, boarding and breeding services and tours by appointment, so be sure to call first.
Many local arts and crafts fairs feature alpaca farms and samples of the raw fleece as well as products made from the fleece.
The animals are unique in appearance, and friendly. Those who come in contact with the herd may wonder whether they are the observer or the observed.
Contact:

Adorable Alpacas
(661) 822-6034

Amazing array of animal life in and around Tehachapi

Cattle ranching has long been a part of the local economy; sheep are regularly brought to areas of our valleys for grazing. Tehachapi is also home to one of the country’s top ostrich ranches, producing meat and ostrich oil as well as offering popular tours. Three alpaca ranches are also located in Tehachapi. 
Elk, deer and smaller mammals can regularly be seen in the countryside and mountain areas. And Tehachapi residents have shown that they have a big heart where animals are concerned – rescue operations for everything from cats and dogs to donkeys, horses and exotic animals are part of the local landscape. .

Feline Conservation Center

News Staff Report

Exotic Feline Breeding Compound's Feline Conservation Center, also known as the Cat House, is located in Rosamond, about 28 miles from Tehachapi (allow about an hour for the drive because of road conditions).

Windswept Ranch

News Staff Report

Windswept Ranch, located just east of the Tehachapi wind farms, also owns alpacas, along with a variety of other exotic animals, including camels and reindeer.