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!

The Wildlife Learning Center is home to more than 100 animals from 50 different species.
The Wildlife Learning Center/Google
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.
Enjoy an afternoon of meandering through this sanctuary, where you'll see all kinds of animals, from tiny hedgehogs to big alligators.
nadine o/Tripadvisor
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.
Meet Tiny, the friendly giraffe who will melt your heart.
Wildlife Learning Center/Facebook
Feed her a snack and learn all about giraffes in the wild and the challenges they face.
Did you know that fennec foxes can survive in temperatures of 120 degrees?
Wildlife Learning Center/Facebook
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.

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If you think your teenagers are lazy, you've never met a sloth.
Wildlife Learning Center/Facebook
Join the Sloth Social and learn all about these laid-back creatures. You'll meet Lola and pet her.
Have you ever had an owl use your arm for a perch?
Linnea R/Tripadvisor
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.
The Wildlife Learning Center is home to several Burmese pythons. People purchase these snakes when they're just little babies, thinking they'll make great pets... but then they're unable to care for them when they reach more than 100 pounds and more than 15 feet long!
Wildlife Learning Center/Facebook
At the Picture with a Python experience, you'll get to hold one of these gorgeous creatures.
Have a picnic with a porcupine.
Wildlife Learning Center/Facebook
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.
The Wildlife Learning Center is a non-profit with a mission. Its goal is to educate the public about animals and conservation and to protect and give sanctuary to animals in need.
Wildlife Learning Center/Facebook
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.

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