Definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in the wild and the animals that live there. Wolves have a bad reputation but are great animals. Great to learn more about them and to appreciate their major attributes.
My husband and I have always loved wolves and this was our first experience going to the California Wolf Center near Julian. We got there early and waited for the escort and then we all traveled together down the dirt road in our cars. There was a very interesting and informative presentation given about wolves first and then we were brought outside to the first enclosure to observe the wolves. There were quite a few that we saw and one came right down in front of us to rub his scent on the fence to establish his territory. It was amazing! We went to the second enclosure to see the Mexican Gray Wolves and one of them also came right to the fence to rub his scent. The tour guides gave us a lot of interesting information. I would highly recommend this outing to anyone who has an appreciation for wolves and wildlife.
Tucked away near the great apple pie mecca of Julian lies this beautiful sanctuary for wolves. They have a pack of gray wolves and some red wolves here. Make reservations in advance. They do a nice and informative brief on wolves, their nature, and current status here in North America before taking you out to see the packs.
I would very much like to encourage anyone who loves wolves or is afraid of them to make the pilgrimage to the Center. Their staff is extremely knowledgeable about how the wolf greatly affects our eco-system, in a most beneficial way. Very reasonable.
I went with my cousin and her 7 year old son. There was 25 (or so) minute interactive lecture about wolves... their history and their future. After that they walked us out near the two enclosed areas that were accessible for viewing. They had different types of wolves in two two areas. Some of the wolves peaked out, some came to investigate the humans standing close to the fence, most ignored us, but you could still see them.
We learned a lot about the wolves and got to see them up close. The preserve is close to downtown Julian and a wonderful place for the wolves to feel "at home".
The California Wolf Center is not IN Julian but out past the town and then down a very bumpy dirt road... The wolves are kept in their own habitat.. You are met at the start of the dirt road and once all those that are going have arrived you caravan to the center.. you may use the WC then an interactive talk is presented... Afterwords, you walk out to the areas where the wolves are living. Both areas (that we saw the day we went) are surrounded by tall fencing with brush lining the perimeter. This is done so the visitors do not scare them.. you must look for them and watch for them.. The guides will not scare or get them to move.. the goal is to release them back into the wild (when and where it is possible). Therefore contact with humans is minimized... If you love nature and animals and understand you may or may not see many.. this is a great excursion... Remember, this is not a tour destination but a wild life center that allows tours to defray the costs...It is a gift to see them and observe an animal that struggles with survival in some parts of the USA.
love the area-for the wolves.. great people working there.showed us around../ lots of wolf info. so interesting..
This is a must see for ages 10 and up. There is a classroom lecture that is very informative but long, so little ones may get bored.I would go during the week when the tour groups may be smaller. You would be more apt to seethe wolves!
Very informative speakers and slide show. Best part was an up close look at the wolves under their care. Wonderfully knowledgeable staff. Well worth the small price of admission.