Posted in Southern California
March 04, 2018
The One Incredible Place In Southern California To See Wildlife Up Close
Southern California is one of the country’s best destinations when it comes to seeing animals up close. The world-famous San Diego Zoo and Wild Animal Park are the most well-known, but there are also several smaller animal sanctuaries and zoos here. The Wildlife Learning Center is a beautiful place to see animals up close, and you can even interact one-on-one with some of them!
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These animals can't live in the wild, either because they were purchased as pets and then abandoned, or they were rescued or born in zoos. The Wildlife Learning Center is open to the public, and also offers educational presentations to help people learn more about these beautiful creatures. The center is located at 16027 Yarnell Street, in Sylmar.

If you want to get up close and personal with some of the animals, sign up for an individual animal experience. The cost ranges from $25 to $100 for a group of four people (additional people pay just $5 each). The money raised from these animal encounters goes directly to the feed and care of the animals.

Feed her a snack and learn all about giraffes in the wild and the challenges they face.

These furry, adorable critters aren't just soft —they're pretty tough, too! When you sign up for the fennec fox fun encounter, you'll get to meet these little guys and even pet one.

Join the Sloth Social and learn all about these laid-back creatures. You'll meet Lola and pet her.

The tawny owl at the Wildlife Learning Center would love to meet you. She'll perch right on your glove and you can learn all about her excellent vision and why she's able to turn her head around.

At the Picture with a Python experience, you'll get to hold one of these gorgeous creatures.

Porcupines might be covered with sharp quills, but they're super sweet and love to be fed.
You can also enjoy individual animal experiences with an armadillo, an alligator, and the Furrific Trio — a hedgehog, rabbit, and chinchilla.
You can also enjoy individual animal experiences with an armadillo, an alligator, and the Furrific Trio — a hedgehog, rabbit, and chinchilla.

Visit the Wildlife Learning Center seven days a week, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. General admission is $10 for adults; $8 for children, teachers, veterans, and seniors.
Have you ever visited the Wildlife Learning Center? We’d love to hear about your experience there!
If you’re looking for another great Southern California adventure, check out this desert zoo and garden that’s in the middle of nowhere.