California Wolf Center Reviews

We went on a drizzly Sunday morning and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. Our guide was knowledgeable and personable and answered all questions. Our group was small and we liked seeing the wolves up close. We were also happy to support the Wolf Center's work to conserve this important species.

The focus at this CA Wolf Center is on conservation efforts to strengthen the genetic gene pool of the Mexican Gray Wolf and facilitate its return to natural habitats. The dedication of the people at this center is extraordinary. Our tour guide, John is very passionate and knowledgeable on the topic. You don't exactly need a four-wheel drive vehicle to negotiate the dirt and gravel road that accesses the center, but it would be helpful. We took the tour on a Monday, which essentially became a private tour with only two additional people, or a total of five. Reservations are required. This is not a zoo. Yes, they have a gift shop.

This was very interesting, very informational, makes you think about so many things. facts about how BLM and wild life programs control things and oversee even in a non profit that they offer no financial support for its services. the many volunteers it take to run a program like this.Very dedicated people

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.

Because we really appreciate wildlife, and wildlife is often hated and misunderstood, we wanted to visit this Center to learn more, and to be around those who also appreciate wildlife. The tour was very informative, I learned a lot about wolves and the difference with coyotes, and you can tell how much the people that work or volunteer here care. They do awesome work and I can only hope that they and other Wolf Centers/Rehabilitations are very successful at what they do, so we can welcome more wolves into the wild. We need to share this planet folks. It's all about coexistence.
(Oh, and the drive there is breathtaking!)

A once-in-a-lifetime chance to see endangered wolves up close. They are much larger than dogs and majestic to see in person. The top-notch presentation proceeding the visit with the wolves enhanced the experience.

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 see
the wolves!

Super neat place to visit to learn about nature and the area. Great organization to support and well run

We learned an enormous amount about wolves and the efforts to protect them and reintroduce them to the wild. The guides are really knowledgeable and detailed, but they also make the information accessible for all audiences. We were lucky to see the wolves, but be aware that they are in a large enclosure and may not be easily seen.

Mixed feelings about this one. First, it was a great way to learn more about North American wolves. The staff clearly enjoyed their jobs, bringing great enthusiasm and knowledge to the subject. Given what happened to the North American wolf population, wolves certainly need human friends and advocates.

But I'm not sure I can completely recommend a visit to the Center. Why? Well, first it's overpriced, unless you're just interested in making a donation to their cause. That said, they do offer discounts, including sometimes on Groupon-type sites, so look around if you don't want to pay the full price.

Second, the experience isn't that much different from a zoo. Kind of like visiting a zoo with a personal guide. First you get an orientation program and then you go look at a couple of wolf enclosures. The wolves are behind fences and you're likely to only see a handful of animals. Indeed, at the Living Desert zoo in nearby Palm Desert, we probably got a better view of the Mexican gray wolves (of course, we LEARNED a lot more about them at the California Wolf Center).

Finally, the relatively short gravel road to the Center is atrocious. Why not grade it -- or even better, pave it? I was glad to have a rental vehicle and not my own personal car.

Bottomline, the Center makes a nice stop if you're in the area and interested in wolves, but is not a must see destination.

First hand opportunity to learn and see endangered Mexican wolves and rare gray wolves. This group is doing all they can to safe this magnificent animals. Come to learn and experience for yourselves their beauty and intelligence.

My husband & I did not expect to be so moved by the wolves, but we were. They are majestic & beautiful. We had an amazing private tour. Please book your trip!! http://www.californiawolfcenter.org/

We booked a VIP tour of the CWC in August 2012.
Although pricey for 5 of us, it was amazing being in the center with guide by ourselves, making for a personal visit.
Guide was excellent, and the visit was relaxed and low key, as this truly is conservation first.
Also great to stop off at Julian afterwards for award winning apple pie!

A visit here last month was definitely the highlight of our weekend in Julian. The location is stunning and fairly secluded too, requiring visitors to be met by an escort. We chose one of the public tours (for which reservations are necessary) and could not have enjoyed it more, finding the staff dedicated, friendly and very informative. At a mere $10 for well over an hour's visit, it was fantastic value, though a more expensive option is available. This center does amazing conservation work and deserves more recognition - our friends and neighbors 120 miles away had not heard of it.

We had a Groupon so we thought we would check the Wolf Center out. What an amazing experience! The staff was very knowledgable. We got to see the Gray Wolf and the Mexican Gray Wolf up close. Got fantastic pictures and videos. It was cold and very windy, but we still enjoyed it a lot.

This type of place is very rare, and to have it just 15 minutes outside Julian makes it a must see for any visitor who cares about wolves and nature in general.

A word of note, it is only available for tours on weekends so I would check the website and plan appropriately. A few other caveats will be mentioned later.

The experience takes about 2 hours in total, part of which is spent waiting at the entrance to get to the facility. The first part is an educational presentation on wolves and their situation in the US, which is tenuous. Although these people are deeply involved with the wolves, they are objective and try to avoid getting into the politics of the issue while simply presenting the facts at hand. I wish it were as easy as habilitating these animals to the wild and releasing them but it is unfortunately not that simple.

You are led outside to two enclosures where you can go right up to the fence and be really close for outstanding picture taking if the wolves are social and feel like getting close. One enclosure holds Alaskan Grey Wolves and the other, Mexican Wolves. Plenty of time for picture taking and discussion. There is a gift shop as well and each visitor gets a 5x7 picture of a wolf.

Some things to note:
1) had issues with the website so booked my reservation by phone, which was lost. Fortunately it was not an issue and was able to be admitted at the front with no problem.

2) it is $20 each, appears to be cash only

3) The actual entrance road to the faciliity may not be suitable for low riding vehicles. Lots of ruts and rocks, with steep slopes. Not paved for the 1/2 mile stretch.

It is a memorable way to spend part of the afternoon, and only 7 miles from Julian.

Learned so much about the wolf conservation efforts. Taylor gave an excellent presentation and his knowledge was never ending. At first we thought it to be a little pricey but it was worth every dollar spent. Taylor patiently answered everyone's questions and explained in great detail about the various North American wolves and all the sub-species. Going out to the enclosures to see the wolves was fantastic as we learned more and more about wolf habits and traits. Well worth the money you will spend to go here. Make sure you call in advance as they book up on the weekends. We lucked out because we were there on Friday and they had a few openings. Have fun!!!

We took the Saturday morning guided tour of the California Wolf Center as part of a day trip tour from San Diego. The center carefully manages its human visitors so we minimally disturb the wolves. After a brief orientation about gray wolves and a particular subspecies, Mexican gray wolves, we were taken to two areas to observe wolves up close and ask questions. We even saw two recently born pups. We learned about the efforts and successes to date of collaborating centers to reintroduce these endangered animals into the wild. Humans of all ages seemed to enjoy this tour.

This place is a few miles from Julian, California. You need reservations. 1/2 hour before your tour time you park at the end of their road and they guide you up a dirt road. The tour group is small around 12 so about 6 cars caravan up the road. A couple of our car/van was not able to get up hill but was directed 'around'.
There is a presentation and then as a group to go to area where the 'resident' wolves live. The wolves being raised to return to the wild are not viewed. You only see behind chain fences and hope the wolves come to you. Overall interesting. Depending on questions the tour is 1 to 1 1/2 hours. It is all walking. Benches are provided to sit while viewing the wolves

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.

If you love wolves, you will deeply appreciate what they are doing at the California Wolf Center. They keep the wolves as wild as possible, in the event that they can be released back into the wild, and run a top notch operation in southern CA. The woman who conducted our tour was extremely knowledgeable about wolves in general and all of the programs in place to help them survive in the wild.

This was a good experience. The people who spoke to us about the wolves were very knowledgeable and very fervent about their dedication to the wolves. Only wish we could have seen more of the wolves, however, that would defeat the purpose of keeping them wild. I would recommend a visit here for your own knowledge and to see the devotion these people have to not let wolves die out and be only another animal our children will only hear about!

Wolves aren't local here. There are large enclosures with groups of wolves. They seem at ease. The talk goes on and on however and I would have skipped out but it would have been obvious

According to the guides, it's better to come during the cold months to appreciate the site. Nevertheless, we had a good time seeing a few of the wolves. Especially the alpha wolf, Kechikan, he greeted us when we arrive. It was in the above 80 degrees and most of the gray wolves were under the shades. The Mexican Red wolf also showed herself after a brief siesta.

Loved learning about and seeing the beautiful wolves here. Staff made you feel welcome. I would go back again.

Overall, a great museum/shop.

We arrived late in the day and didn't have a chance to join a tour. The staff was nice and professional, very engaging. They have the standard videos, t-shirts, mugs, books, paintings, etc. The tours, of course, are the big draw and if we'd planned things a bit differently would have budgeted time around a tour.

Regardless, the shop is nice. Definitely worth a the time while you're in Julian.

My husband and I went to the California Wolf Center this past Sunday after reading the great reviews on TripAdvisor. I have to say, they are all correct, it is a really awesome place to visit! We went to the 2pm tour, and it lasted about 1.5 hours. We started with a presentation by one of the staff, Holly, and she did a really great job sharing information about the history and current state of wolves in the US and California. Then we went outside with another staff member, John, who showed us a couple of wolf enclosures and answered everyone's questions. My husband and I were both very impressed with whole tour.

The California Wolf Center runs a great operation. I was in a group with someone with special needs and they were able to enjoy the full experience. I learned a lot and got to see some wolves with an outstanding guide.

Awesome experience! Thanks to our tour guide Sasha for all the great information on wolf conversation and their work at the center. Favorite part was hearing the packs howling and communicating. Thank you for a great experience!

Very fun and educational experience. This non profit and the people who work there are doing very important work. Go and support them! The wolves are beautiful and the tour leader and was knowledgeable and interesting to listen to. Made the 1-1.5 hr trip from San Diego and it was totally worth it.

This is a must do place to visit, if you have the time. Reservations must be made ahead of time, public tours are normally on Saturday or Sunday's. The Center will be TEMPORARILY CLOSED FOR MAINTENANCE BETWEEN APRIL 20TH AND MAY 19TH, 2013. http://www.californiawolfcenter.org/
Each time we have gone we met the guide vehicle inside the RV campground then they have you follow them to the Wolf Center headquarters. You view a video, tour the encampment (protected by very tall fences in order to allow the wolves to run free) and display's relating to wolves and other animals.
Very educational and change to touch the fur from wolves and other animals that are on display in the headquarters center.
You can view the wolves from the wolf cam at the web site...
Real unique experience, highly recommended.

Sadly the infrastructure is very....third worldish... The people working there are very passionate and informative.
This place could be so much more....I am glad we went and got a chance to learn a few things about wolves

Such a great tour but highlight was when three Mexican Wolves all started howling! What a special treat! Very informative!

You can see real wild wolves and hear their stories. The center works hard to promote the protection and appreciation of a species that is falsely maligned. Wolves are wonderful family animals who are affectionate and playful with each other. They need to be protected.

What a fantastic experience for both kids and adults!!! We had a demonstration and watched a slide show which was very informative. Then we walked outside to view the wolves. Unfortunately it was a hot day so the wolves were resting and only got up a few times. However, we all still enjoyed it immensely. I would just recommend going when it is not so hot.

The work they do here is worth knowing.

There is a quick chat before the visit to the enclosures about the whole wolf situation that is an eye opener about wildlife and the way we can help. Then of course are the wolves that are just magnificent, definetely a great and inspiring experience.

My 15 year old and I went on their Enrichment Tour and had a great experience. We learned a lot about the wolves and what we humans (who almost caused the grey wolf to be extinct) are doing to bring them back. Seeing the wolves in person was very special and we are very supportive of what the center is doing to support wolves throughout the US and Mexico. Tour lasted 1 hour. It was the perfect amount of time. We then enjoyed seeing the videos at their store (check out the back room) located just off the main street in Julian.

Highly recommend. Very good educational half hour presentation and then close encounter with Wolves. Only a couple enclosures but still cool.

This was an awesome activity. Went with our 9 year old grand daughter. You need to plan ahead and make reservations. We opted for the smaller group tour that you need to reserve a spot on. Great sized group. Two very knowledgeable guides. Learned so many things about wolves and conservation efforts. They have many there that are not open to the public but they have quite afew that are. Got to see them very close up in a very natural environment. The guides were very friendly and knew their stuff. Open to all questions. They keep the people contact to a minimum so very natural. Also included a very good lecture with slides and bones and exhibits. Small gift shop. Donate or spend some money here! Consider looking on line at their wish list if you have some spare cash and bring it with you or have it delivered. They meet you outside the facility at the end of a dirt road and caravan you in as a group. If your vehicle is not suited to the rough dirt road, some people road in with the staff. I highly recommend this adventure.

Fun activity for the family. Takes about 2 hours. Plan ahead and book the week prior to your visit. Call or book online for tour. Joining the club is inexpensive and allows visits for 2 ppl all year long. We can't wait to return to see the wolves with their winter coats on.

Our family recently visited the California Wolf Center when we found a deal on groupon. I am glad we went. The volunteers and employees were all very freindly. First we went to a large room where they explained the whole purpose of the center. Then we were educated on the entire wolf species and about the kinds of wolves we would be seeing. Afterwards the group was taken to see some wolves in a couple different enclosures. These are beautiful creatures and the guide was able to answer all the questions. They do have a small gift shop where the money goes back into the center.

We decided to grab the deal on Groupon for the membership. My kids and husband love wolves. It is a short drive to Julian from San Diego. They have specified instructions on how to handle the parking and it was nice to know ahead of time that the long driveway to get to the center is not paid and will be a bit bumpy. There is a great educational presentation and you learn a lot about the California wolves and how different agencies are working together to protect the wolves. The 2nd part of the presentation you get to go to the enclosures where the wolves on the property are located. There are trees in the enclosure and at times it can be hard to see the wolves, but we had enough time to stay there to catch a glimpse here and there of both of the wolves there were in the enclosure. The staff and volunteers are very knowledgeable and very friendly. We had a great time as a family visiting the center. The other awesome part about our trip is that the center is in Julian. We were able to go into Julian and have an awesome lunch at Buffalo Bill's and grab Julian Pie.

Great experience seeing and feeding ambassador wolves treats. Great information from Ciera and Jenna as we viewed the wolves and learned about the facility.

We absolutely enjoyed our visit to California Wolf Center. Very very informative ( we learned so much ourselves, not even mentioning our kids!).
They took us NOT via dirt road to get to the center, but through neighboring Camp ground ( so we actually got to see another awesome place we should come back to!).
Than we had very interesting and super informative lecture/presentation and were taken to see wolfs ( and continue with more information). We saw about 5 wolfs ( 2 Mexican and 3 Californian). Our guide was awesome, answered all questions ( which my kids had a lot).
Even their gift shop is not outrageously priced! We got an awesome puzzle for $15 , which took us 2 days to assemble!
On a way back we did get on a dirt road, which was total fun for my kids ( just a vampy road, going down the hill, nothing bad at all).
This visit totally worse $20 and about 1.5 - 2 hrs of your time!

They give you a presentation about wolves with the opportunity to ask questions. Then they take you down to see the wolves. Awesome experience!

A group of us went on a Groupon last week end while camping locally. A great way to end the trip! We joined the Wolf center on a groupon offer which gives up to 4 people access for a year. A great deal. Other offers were basically two for one. It was a very cold day with gusty winds so be prepared, it is mountain elevation. We were well prepared but others showed up in shorts and one could see they had a problem staying warm which could effect the experience.
Other helpful hints:
Follow directions to KQ Ranch and park outside their gate for escort in.
Reservations required.
They do tours on week days, weekend tours more crowded now with groupon but well organized with a check in system and escorted on to the property with a large parking lot up a rather steep, unpaved road. About a mile in. A little rough and muddy after rains.
One hour lecture/educational and informative, young ones may need a distraction. Great info on the recovery plans for these animals.
You view the wolves in caged areas and on cooler days, they are quite active. Otherwise, maybe difficult to view.
They allow plenty of time to view them while continuing to educate you on the wolves behaviors.
We will return! A great way to support their efforts and volunteers were awesome

Learn about the role wolves play in our wilderness and their importance to ecosystems throughout the US. Loved seeing these beautiful animals. A great place to visit and learn.

Very informative tour of the Center. While there aren't a ton of wolves and you can't pet them, you can get up close to at least 2 packs and take pics through the fence.
The view from there is spectacular of the area. You meet at the entrance and get escorted in on a road with a lot of potholes.

Can't beat the view and the enlightenment on the benefit of wolves in our natural world. I had to make my reservations about 2 weeks in advance. The $ contribution goes to helping the wolves.

Nicole did a great job explaining what the center does, truly showed her love for the wolves. The work they do is so important.

This center raises wolves for research and for release to the wild. The visitors program begins with an interesting indoor talk by a wildlife biologist about wolves and the work of the center. You then go outside to view wild wolves in two pens. You may or may see wolves. The pens are large enough that the wolves can hide. We did see several wolves. One walked by just a few feet from us. Another wildlife biologist conducts the viewing and was also very interesting and informative. The program supposedly lasts 2 hours, but ours was over in less than 1 1/2 hour.

We Took almost 3 weeks off of work to travel all around California to Sedona.. So I have a lot of posts. I have a 13 yr old along with 4 adults that came along, so I was worried we would get bored!! The visit was for her, pleasantly I was very happy that we went.. I will not lie, the ride was long... But worth it. cool little town (Julian) and the Wolf Center was interesting and it was amazing to see what these volunteers do. I commend them.

I loved this place. The people are very knowledgeable and nice. The whole experience was wonderful. They have a small education class in the beginning of your tour. Then they take you up a short path to see the wolves. The guides are very patient with you and answer all your questions. My friends and I truly enjoyed ourselves. They even have a small store with shirts, hats, cups, etc.

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.

This was an amazing experience! We paid for a private tour for my sister‘s 40th birthday and were beyond impressed. Nicole was an amazing tour guide and extremely knowledgeable. We were able to ask all the questions we wanted and even paid to feed the wolves. I can recommend this experience to adults and children alike.

We loved it. It was so informative and it really changes how you feel about and view wolves. We will definitely be going back.

The tour includes a very informative presentation in A/C that gave a background of he wolves in the wild. Then you will go outside to see two different wolf packs. The guide was very knowledgable, and it was awesome to see the wolves up close.

I used their weekend Groupon for four of us and it turned out to be a highlight of our day trip. You do need to make a reservation so call a couple of days ahead. So interesting. Staff is passionate.

My daughter loves wolves, so of course we needed to visit this place. After checking in at the bottom of their road, we all caravan up to the facility. They start you off with a short lecture about wolves and what they are working towards in helping them, using props and a powerpoint presentation. The volunteer who presented for us threw in humor, which help kept it from being dry. What we appreciated is they didn't "bash" anyone for the state the wolves are in - just facts, which was refreshing!

After the presentation, we all walked up a short trail (we had our 82 year old grandma with us, which made it a little challenging, but doable, and they were super helpful without being asked), to a large enclosure where a pack of grey wolves lived. We saw them as we walked up, but then they disappeared for the remainder of the time. One did show up as we left, coming quite close to the fence, so my daughter was able to get her pictures.
You then walk to another enclosure, where a pair of mexican wolves reside. These 2 put on a "show" by continuing to pace in our vicinity, so lots of picture opportunities.

If you are looking for a "zoo" or a "wild animal park" experience, then don't bother coming, but if you are interested in learning about wolves, and supporting an organization which is doing amazing work, then this is the place for you!

This is a great place to learn about a misunderstood species. The guides know a ton of information and are very helpful. The wolves can be shy, but when you see them they are awesome!

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".

I do think this was a more unusual place to visit but I am glad I was able to experience it. I learnt a little and was able to see them which is a rare experience. I think this is a great thing to try to preserve these creatures. It is not well signed from the road.

Just went to the Julian center to see the store and view a great video on the Mexican wolves in the United States.

Great store to shop in with lots of wolf items and more. Will return again

Guided tour at a reasonable price. Not far (less than 1 mile from Pinezanita Campground, next to the KQ Campgrounds & 15 minutes from town, off Highway 79. Had a wonderful time and the tour was quite informative. There are areas that are closed to the public but other areas are open for viewing of wolves. The only minus - rough road to reserve! Visit their giftshop! Support!

It was a really interesting presentation and experience. This group is doing so much to save the Mexican Gray Wolf and to help "wolf" efforts in N. America. You don't get to see all the wolves- but the goal is to keep the wolves wild and less acclimated to humans.

We took two children 6 and 8 on this tour over the New Year's weekend. the only problem was there were so many people and by the time our group entered the presentation had already started. (We had to be escorted onto the grounds and our group got there 15 late.) Still a good family excursion.

My family and I came here a few weeks ago while visiting Julian. We had a great time and learned a lot about the wolves. I recommend doing the enrichment tour, which is where the tour guide provides food for the wolves and you get to watch! The woman who led the tour was extremely knowledgable, and it was great getting being really up close to the wolves. Definitely check this place out if you're in the area! You don't want to miss it.

This sanctuary is dedicated to saving the wolfs in the wild by carefully breeding to ensure a diverse population. They work closely with other sanctuaries across the US. Very educationa;.

I am so glad we went today. The wolves are out and our volunteer knew a tremendous amount of information. They did an excellent job of explaining how beneficial wolves are and the steps they are taking to get the ranchers on board with working with them.

I had heard of this encounter/reserve a while back while visiting Julian. So, this time I planned my visit around attending this habitat encounter and I/we had a wonderful experience. We learned a lot about the Mexican Gray Wolfs and the Gray wolfs. From the breading program developed to help bring back from near extinction to the now related back into the wild wolf packs once again roaming free and once again living wild. To many facts about the California/Mexican wolfs in general...they have gotten a bad rap! I recommend anyone interested in Nature & the wild animals in general take the time to visit this facility. Teachers also in the San Diego county area as well, this would make a wonderful field trip experience for children of all ages imho.

We spent the weekend in Julian and looked for things to do when we came across the Wolf Center. Living in San Diego, we never knew that this place existed.

The tour begins with a good educational overview of wolves versus other animals in the Canine Family as well as their normal habitats. The brief allows the visitor to gain a good understanding of wolves, their habitat, threats and their typical diet. Afterward, the tour guide takes you out back to the wolf habitat. We were immediately greeted by the wolves, they marked their territory and demonstrated typical wolf behavior. It was fantastic to view them.

Photographing the wolves was a bit challenging with the fence being in between, but disabling the autofocus allowed us to take some good shots.

Great thing to do while in Julian! We highly recommend this to anyone!

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 got to learn all about how wolves in California and the west coast are rehilbilated. We took a tour of the sanctuary and were able to see the wolves up close. It was very hot out and there was little shade. Overall it was a great experience to learn about wolves.

Getting to see the demonstration wolves up close, hearing the story of how wolves have struggled to survive. Some of the wolves on the property were killed in a recent fire. An emotional and rewarding way to spend an afternoon.

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.

The center staff is very informative about wolves and we enjoyed seeing them in this controlled environment

It's hard not to be enraptured by wolves-they are such strikingly beautiful animals. This is an hour and half or so drive from San Diego and well worth it. This place educates visitors on wolves, but also is actively involved in their conservation both in and outside of the park. They have both grey and Mexican gray wolves. They are one of the main locations that is breeding the endangered Mexican gray wolf. The volunteers are knowledgeable and friendly. We had the opportunity to see many wolves and hear great stories. The gift shop is lovely, too. They offer military and student discounts. Photography packages and personal tours are available, too.

My daughter has always loved wolves. On our last visit to Julian a year ago, we found a flyer for the California Wolf Center in our hotel but were disappointed that you needed to make reservations.
On our trip this October, the lovely staff at the Julian Lodge helped get us reservations for the public Sunday tour while we were out rock hounding with friends on Saturday.
The California Wolf Center is a short drive south of Julian. The instructions on the flyer tell you to wait at the start of the private road to be escorted by staff. Apparently the 4 car loads of boy scouts didn't bother to read the flyer and drove up and blocked the road. For those of us who waited, the staff that came to check us in were lovely and answered lots of questions while we waited for the final cars to arrive. We then caravaned up the dirt road only to find that the group of boy scout cars were still blocking the gate and they had let all the scouts out to run around. It took about 10 minutes before they were ready to drive, so the lecture portion of the visit started late.
The tour begins with an educational presentation indoors. The staff are all young but seem quite knowledgable. They were also extremely patient with the many questions being asked, especially from young children. I had not known that California Wolf Center was the third largest breeding program for the Mexican grey wolf, which is being reintroduced into a portion of its previous range in the mountainds bordering New Mexico and Arizona.
After the indoor portion, the lecture continued a short walk away next to one of the enclosureswhich houses 5 Alaskan wolves. The wolves are being kept as natural as possible - they are not trained and have minimal interation with humans.
My daughter and I did become members to help support the efforst of the Center. The day we were there was warm, so only one wolf wandered down to greet us. The others were hunkered down in the shade for naps. We plan to return again during the winter to hopefully see more activity. We also plan to go on a Saturday tour which apparently has smaller groups and allows you to look at two different enclosures.
The only negative aspect of the day was the Boy Scout leaders who seemed to have not interest in the presentations and spent most of the outdoor presentation talking to each other about non-wolf related topics. They were so rude and loud that I had to move to be able to hear the speaker. Luckily, the boys were better behaved and were very interested in the talk.

Great experience getting to see and offer enrichment to the ambassador wolves. Guided tour was informational, guide took all questions in stride. Just outside Julian CA, access via graded dirt road. No problem for my Honda Fit!

We are staying at the KQ RV resort next door to the Wolf Center. You can actually look down on the center from the very top RV spaces on the hill.

You need a vehicle to get to the Center and there is a rough dirt road to navigate but all the cars ahead of us made it even after a recent rain.

You enter the Center and listen to a short presentation about the center and the current situation for wolves in North America.

I have to say that I learned a lot from the presentation. Then the guide walks you to the closest habitat where one or more Mexican Grey wolves live. During mating season, they separate the male and female. There are several enclosures but you only get close to one of them. I would have rather taken the private tour which allows you to view some of the other areas.

The guide started to repeat herself after awhile and the wolves are very shy so don't expect them to play by the fence in front of you.

I appreciate their efforts to save the wolf population and it is very informative.

Well worth the price of admission. They have a small gift shop that has tshirts and stuffed wolves. Water is available for purchase and there is a bathroom available.

We enjoyed our private tour of the wolf center and visiting the Grey wolf pack and Mexican wolf pack. The California Wolf Center is doing important work and it’s nice they also do tours to educate the public. Our daughters also enjoyed the artifacts display after the tour.

We went on 2/24/17. After a great lecture on wolves and their lifestyle. We went into the viewing areas, wow those wolves are huge! We got to see 3-4 American gray wolves. Was able to get some great photos of them. Then went to the Mexican gray wolves and again was able to get some great shots of them walking around and playing around. Terri she was an amazing looking gray wolf! Learned a lot more then expected and got some great pictures. I would highly recommend taking the tour!

I honestly didn't know a lot about wolves and I know releasing them into the wild is quite controversial. I wanted to learn more about them and this is the perfect place for that. I felt the tour guides were very knowledgeable and it was interesting to hear how they are released and why some wolves can't be released. I found this very educational and the wolves themselves are beautiful.

Went for a small group tour (Friday @2PM, somewhat more expensive). Started with fairly interesting talk, but, come on, in the age of the internet, can have it at home on a better screen. Then "Unfortunately, we can not see the gray wolves, they are in the breeding season" ... could not you tell this when I was booking and paying $70 (1 adult + kid + senior) .. not to mention 1.5 hours drive each way?! As it happens, saw 1 gray wolf very briefly, but stood by the enclosure and listened to more talk... still OK... Went to see Mexican wolves. Saw 2 reasonably close, I get it that it is not a zoo, but... More talk.. and talk.. and TALK... and MORE TALK at front of the enclosure where you can see a bit of an animal laying in the bushes.... and never stops. To large extend asking for (more) donation. The docent is very enthusiastic, but it is just too long, too much and little to see!! Set up is such that you can not just leave. They "escort" the cars out all together. So then it gets worse. Going back to the building where the presentation was, and offered to shop in the (Very little) gift shop and as questions. And STILL can not leave!! Wait for every last person to browse the t-shirts , and every last person to ask the question. Were getting short on time (and grandma has disability), asked 3 times as to when we can finally leave... "In just a few minutes"/"As soon as we can".. no reason not to!!! Last questions could be asked outside, me thinks. Asked yet again.. "Unfortunately, we have to wait for everyone else and will escort everybody out"...

We chose the wolf pack tour. We had a short, educational and entertaining presentation prior to going out to see the wolves. That meant we had a much better idea of why the wolves are shy and why they needed to be helped to get back into the wild. Once out next to the enclosures we got some amazing pictures and videos. I would recommend this visit for kids and adults alike.

California Wolf Center is perfect for a short morning or afternoon retreat. The information given is fascinating as well as informative. Well worth the value and very easy to visit. I am now a member so I can support the Wolf and its journey.

The wolves are beautiful and it is very noble work the volunteers do. This was a really fun and educational it would be great for families.

Think of California Wolf Center as a very small zoo with a single animal exhibit, whose primary mission is wolf conservation. Prepare to be underwhelmed by the overall experience unless you are avid about wildlife preservation. Our guide Sasha was excellent and incredibly knowledgeable and enthusiastic. She presented a comprehensive lecture about the wolves and the CWC's mission of increasing the wild population of wolves in the US and abroad. Please go to support their mission and understand that the roughly 2-hour experience isn't about you the patron, but what you can do to support the noble goal of restoring wolf populations.

My friendly advice to CWC is to build a viewing platform that rises above the chainlink fence so that photos of the wolves may be taken unobstructed. It would pay dividends with increased attendance.

The wolf center is in a beautiful setting in the mountains,It is very interesting to visit.First you get educated on the wolves by your guide,then you take a short walk to view the wolves.They are easy to see and photograph.We had a great time,I think all ages would enjoy the center.There is a gift shop where you can buy a sweatshirt,tee shirt ,hats ,books and much more.I would say the California Wolf Center is doing a good job with their breeding program in hopes that one day California will have wolves in the wild again

Fascinating visit. Very informative and fun visit. Would highly recommend to anyone interested in wolf conservation.

I love what the California wolf center does. The work they do is invaluable, and I am happy to support them. However, we were pretty disappointed with the tour.

The drive out from Carlsbad was beautiful, but definitely plan well enough in advance to get there. We left 2 1/2 hours before the tour and just made it in time. I highly recommend that you bring cash to pay for the tickets. We did not since we were told they accept credit cards. Their one credit card reader was down and the other one couldn't be used because it would include tax. We ended up missing parts of the tour trying to get it all sorted it. So save yourself the hassle, just bring cash.

The tour was very informative. The guides were very knowledgeable and explained things in a way that everyone could understand. You will definitely learn a lot!

Besides the credit card mess, we had one big complaint. It was the size of the tour group. It was too big! When you entered the pens, it was hard to see over everyone. At the end of the tour, the guide allowed people to hang out. This was our favorite part of the day. Once the large amount of people left (there were maybe 7-8 of us left), the wolves really came out. One jumped into the water tank, another came out to eat some leftover food. It was awesome! I don't think that would have happened if everyone was still around. I think having smaller groups would make a big for a better experience.

Again, I think what the organization does is so important. But I was disappointed with the experience. I've been to other wolf rescues before and felt more connect. I hope they can do the same for future visitors.

Very knowledgeable, pleasant and friendly personnel who were readily available to all guests. Good directions for locating sanctuary. Highly recommend. Would return with others to enjoy the experience.

You must make reservations to visit the California Wolf Center near Julian, CA, sometimes the Center is closed due to weather. Buses, RVs and motorcycles are not permitted on the Wolf Center road at any time.

We watched a Power Point program on wolf education, conservation, research, and what the Center is doing to preserve them. Two huge wire enclosures held an impressive pack of Alaskan gray wolves and multiple packs of Mexican gray wolves. Seeing them up close and personal heightens interest in conserving wolves in the wild. I cannot remember if I have ever seen wolves in the wild anywhere other than Alaska. I saw two on various trips into Denali National Park.

This tour gives you a different perspective on wolves. Glad we went. You can see two different wolf packs while your there.

The wolves are beautiful. They came up to the fence so we were able to see them. The guides were knowledgeable. We enjoyed our time there.

It was amazing to learn so much about the wolf packs and be able to see them up
close on our tour. Would love to be back at different time and season. Definitely recommend.

Like other reviewers have said, you need a reservation to get in. Arrive 30 minutes early. There are 2 types of wolf's at the center, the Alaskan wolfs were hiding in the shade when we visited. And the most important part of this, don't visit this place in your BMW. It's a dirt road to go the center and back down. I see the cars ahead of me scrapping bottom.

I recently visited with my friend and his 11 year old son, and we had a wonderful experience! Visits start out with an informative, interactive presentation that captivated everyone in the audience, from the adults all the way down to the young kids in the room (who must've been around 4 or 5). There was a great Q&A period, and the kids asked some of the absolute best questions. I think this place is a fantastic experience for kids from about the ages of 6 to 12.

The staff are patient, knowledgeable, and passionate, and they want others to walk away with the love and respect for wolves that they have. I have a background in zoology, and I still learned a few things from the amazing staff!

The actual viewing areas are from behind a chain link fence, and if the wolves don't think you are bringing food, they seem to try to keep a little bit of a distance, so it isn't necessarily the easy viewing experience you might imagine. But this is for the benefit of the wolves, and adds to the excitement when a wolf does walk up to the edge of the enclosure.

If you are in the Julian area (or the San Diego area, if you are willing to drive an hour +), this is a great outing! Coming from Los Angeles as we did, it is a long drive for what you see if you aren't staying in Julian, and probably best suited to families or those who are passionate about wolves. But it is an incredible educational experience.

Highly recommend this tour for older children and adults. The small children on my tour seemed bored. All cars meet at the dirt road/Wolf Center sign and are escorted onto the property by the tour guide leader. First there is a presentation and slide show which is very informative. Questions are held until the walking part of the tour. The group is next escorted to view 2 wolf enclosures, one with a pair of Mexican Gray Wolves and one with a pair of Rocky Mountain Gray Wolves. There are photo ops, but highly recommend having a zoom lens on your camera. Initially the wolves approached the fence to check out the group but then settled further back in their enclosure. Most of the discussion on the walking part of the tour is driven by questions from the group. Caleb lead our group and was very knowledgeable and willing to answer all questions. You are given time to visit the gift shop, before the group returns to their cars and are escorted out of the center.

I live in San Diego County and feel privileged to have wolves at my door. I have been a member for 5 years and visited a while back. While the wolves are always kept separated from people, it is still an up close visit with knowledgable staff and lecture/q&a before and after. Worth the trip!

If you're looking to learn about the history of wolves in this area and what's being done conservation wise, this is a great place to visit. The guides were very knowledgeable and informative. They also have an introduction slide and video show to give visitors the back story on how the wolves came to be endangered in some areas and what's being done to help bring them back. Then you get a chance to see up close the wolves that are being used as "ambassadors" to help teach about wolf conservation. And if you're lucky you get to see some wolves who will eventually be released to the wild. We went on a day that was pretty cool and breezy, so the wolves were active even after noon. They're most active in early morning or just before sunset, so if you're planning a summer trip, I'd suggest the morning tour for a better chance to see them up close.

The website gave accurate directions coming through Julian. The rugged dirt road from the entrance location was managable without difficulty in my Corolla. The tour began with an educational presentation on wolves, efforts to save endangered types of wolves, the ecological impact of wolves on the environment, and the work of the center to reintroduce certain strains of wolves back into the environment. The presentation kept the attention of my 8 and 12 year old grandchildren. It was followed by a short walk to two enclosures, one with 2 wolves and the other with 9. More facts and education with lots of opportunities to ask questions. We learned a lot. I highly recommend visiting this center.

…for 45 dollars you get to partially see 4 sorrowful wolves jailed inside 15 feet tall fences with essentially no room to run while listening to a pompous speaker on his microphone telling us to be quiet and no one allowed within 6 feet of fencing…not sure what this place is about but it’s not for promoting wolves in the wild, farcical california caged wolf jail

Unfortunately, people hunt wolves. Wolves have been virtually wiped out in the U.S. Fortunately, the CA. Wolf Center in Julian is educating people about the plight of the wolf and how they really are needed in our ecosystem. You'll get to see two packs of wolves that are living in two separate large natural environments. You'll learn a lot in your 1 1/2- 2 hour tour. There's also a pack nobody gets to see that has pups and young wolves. Some of these wolves are to be released back into the wild in the future. There is a gift shop that sells cool wolf related merchandise and much of the proceeds go to help the wolves. Be advised that you'll be expected to drive on a dirt and rough gravel road that's full of ruts for about 1/2 mile to get to the center. Bring a truck, any SUV, or any slightly higher than normal clearance vehicle; Do Not drive a luxury sports car, Corvettes, Porsches, or Rolls Royces or you'll be sorry. After visiting the Wolf Center, you've got to go into the nearby downtown area of Julian and have lunch/dinner and their famous apple pie and/or apple cider! I give the CA. Wolf Center 4 Hardy Howls!

Our trip to the California Wolf Center was a birthday present to our son, who has been very interested in wildlife and animals in general. At 12 years old, he was old enough to appreciate the tour and the experience, but my younger one (7) was a little disappointed at not seeing more wolves and only seeing them from afar.

The wolves have a large territory to roam in, which is great. But it also means that you have to be lucky to actually see them. They are not supposed to get used to humans too much (the center tries to keep it that way), so we were happy that we did get to see a couple. It's possible that the morning time slot is better for seeing them than our (hot) afternoon one, I don't know.

Long story short, we thought it was well worth the trip. We learned a little bit more about wolves and we love what they are doing at the center. If nothing else, you should go visit them to support the cause. If you go with kids, prepare them that they might not see (m)any wolves! And spend some money at the store, because it benefits the program directly :-)

We took my two grandsons, ages 9 and 7. The tour was just the right length.....not too long,, with a great deal of information. We saw several wolves, of two different breeds. The tour operator answers all our questions, and we learned quite a lot about saving the breeds of wolves that were almost extinct.

For 40 years, the center has protested, raised, released, ..., Rocky Mountain and Mexican Grey Wolves, working with dozens of other organizations and ranchers throughout North America.

The center offers two-hour tours four days a week (F - M) at three levels based on the size of the group. We chose the more intimate Monday morning tour, were given a first rate presentation and the opportunity to visit two of five enclosures, all in the hands of knowledgeable and personable naturalists. We could not have been happier with the experience. The tours are free or reduced for members, and both tour and membership money goes toward the center's work.

Afterward, we enjoyed lunch in town and then walked the flower-filled meadows of Cuyamaca State Parks East Side Trail.

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.

The wolves were amazing. We took a great many photos and videos. The tour guide knew so much about wolves and provided so many antectdotes.

We had a fabulous visit. We chose the private enrichment tour and had a wonderful time observing the ambassador wolves. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and explained what we were observing. It was really so wonderful. My only complaint was that the time was too short and the gift store was limited (I know the one in town has more stuff). Overall a beautiful day with the wolves.

We had a great experience on our visit here with our 10 1/2 year old son. It was a beautiful drive there from Carlsbad (about an hour) All the staff members at the center are friendly and quite knowledgeable. Seeing the wolves was quite an awesome experience, I must tell you. We were all pretty giddy by the time we left to drive home. I highly recommend this for any wildlife lover.

Excellent experience and learning too. Staff was patient with our many questions. We enjoyed our interactions and were really excited to see the wolves and learn about them.

Great activitiy for young and old alike. We went there as a matter of fact, on our way to Julian and our wedding celebration weekend. My spouse loves wolves so with two different types offered at this sanctuary, they were elatedly surprised. We opted to take one of the private tours where you get right up next to the two fences separating the wolves' pen from where guests are allowed to stand. Many of the canines are getting prepped to be re-introduced into the wild, so you are not allowed for obvious and good reason to get too close to the animals. There is however a photography tour package offered where one is actually permitted to be inside of an enclosure while the care givers are feeding the beasts. They were sold out on our special date, but we will be back. This is also a good cause to remember in your charitable considerations, and the membership is a good way to help. When joining you get discounted entry as well as a percentage off in the gift shop too boot. I think I remember that this organization will present off-site demonstrations for workplace morale boosters, and education purposes at schools. Only advice, (and they also advise you on their website/if you call in preparation to make your visit,) would be to make sure your auto has off-road capabilities if road conditions are bad, as you are met near a fork in the road, (one side leads to a park entrance, the other road choice is the path up to the semi-secluded peacefull Wolf Center's area. I had forgotten a hat in the car when we shared a ride, up that road, and being fair skinned, was afraid to get a burn in the sun. One of the Center's rangers lent me her spare safari type hat. So suficit to say, they are quite caring folks manning this well-run facility. Wonderful experience all around that I wouldn't trade for the world. P.S., check out the Center's web site motion activated "Wolf Cam." That is a pretty cool feature to be enjoyed long after one's visit.

Tour guide has excellent knowledge regarding wolves and preservation strategies. She answered a multitude of questions asked by those taking the one hour tour. During the tour you will have the opportunity to view 5 wolves that are on exhibit. The enclosures provides easy viewing of them.
Personnel will meet you near a camping ground entrance which provided confusion to some attendees. The tour may be considered expensive if do not understand that the goal is to raise funds for preservation.

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.

Didn't know this place existed until I used Tripadvisor!! After first visit became a member and have gone back twice more. Most recently being one of the first to see the gray wolf pups outside the den. Well worth the visit. They educate you and give you the rare opportunity to see these spectacular creatures up close (wolves willing of course).

We were able to see Mexican and Alaskan wolves. Enjoyed learning about these wonderful animals. The staff obviously are committed in saving them and educating people. They answered a lot of questions and took the time to explain about the wolves and their habitat. Keep up the great work!

John was fabulous. He was patient, knowledgeable and the time spent just looking at the wolves made the trip a highlight. Getting out into the countryside to see the work they do was great and they do it all on such a budget. It really is inspiring. The education my son received is something he has talked and talked about. He took in a lot more than I thought and it has added to his staunchly conservationalist beliefs. Go the wolf centre and hope they can continue to grow the population of Mexican wolves and help them recover from the devastation of successive poor government polices and management. The staff here are the biggest pluses and we just wish we didn't live on the other side of the world so we could do more. It was a big adventure getting there for us but so worth it....

What’s to go to this place for ages. About an 1 1/2 hours from San Diego. Winding roads then you meet an escort who takes you on a dirt road to the center. It’s a bit rocky! You have a talk about their mission of rescuing the wolves as they were very close to extinction. The guide was very interesting. Lots of useful info if you are interested in wolves. Then they take you to the enclosures where the wolves are kept. They have a total of 28. We saw 6.
Worth the trip. Totally non profit and staffed by volunteers.

What a great family outing. The wolves are beautiful & captivating to watch. Our guide was fun & informative. We learned lots of wolf facts, especially about the global effort to save them.

Very informative, wolves not always very visible. A little too long discussion outside. Inside presentation from British young woman excellent.

We loved it. It was very educational and informative and it really changes how you feel about and view wolves. We will definitely be going back.

What a great place to take the family/friends to see these amazing creatures up close! California Wolf Center is dedicated to the return of wild wolves to their natural habitat and to the people who share the landscape with them.
Well worth it!

Heidi was such a knowledgeable guide. It's clear she loves working with the wolves and knows everything about them.

I learned so much from our guide, Nicole. She was very knowledgeable and answered all of our questions off the top of her head. She clearly knows her stuff! The enrichment tour allows you to see these beautiful creatures up close and learn more about their behaviors. It was worth every penny and it ended up being a very enjoyable afternoon!

I took the Conservation Tour led by Natalia and Ernie. The tour was fantastic and really informative. Natalia is an amazing guide and really knowledgeable! She made the tour super interesting and fun. Ernie was really sweet and helpful during the check-in process.

I would recommend doing the early tour unless the weather is cooler. It can get hot during the day and the wolves will be less active. Don't plan to go if the weather is over 90 it just gets too hot in that area. Bring Water!

I would go again.

Although the wolves are in very spacious enclosures the experience is much like going to a Zoo, However there is a very educational lecture with slides and models of different canine skulls which I believe makes this a very educational hour or two at the center. The gift shop has a very nice selection of books and items for purchase and a membership for you or some of your conservation friends is money well spent to help this organization continue it worthwhile endeavors

I have visited wolf centers in central USA and North East Coast USA and this wolf center was by far my favorite.

Incredibly educational. The wolves were highly curious and explored front facing fences, so as guests, you can see them unclose.
I'm a personal fan of grey wolves, and the grey wolves were beautiful.

Joe, was my guide at the center and I could not have been more pleased. He answered any and all question I had regarding species, regulations, breeding, history. Incredibly informed, welcoming, accommodating and friendly gentleman.

I plan to take personal guests here for education and interaction in the future. So they can get up close to the animals, understand the different breeds and climates each one lives in and challenges they face.

This venue is appropriate for all ages and demographics.

I stayed for over an hour just to take in the beauty of the centers space. Crowd size I'd say can easily hold multiple groups pushing 15-25 personal, so that viewing is still easy for each individual.

Great educational experience to witness grey wolves in their habitat and learn their history, Worthwhile. Took teens who enjoyed very much. Be prepared with appropriate clothing and footwear. Rocky pathways, standing in then sun, hot weather but wolves have lots of shade.

love the area-for the wolves.. great people working there.
showed us around../ lots of wolf info. so interesting..

We thought we would go and see some wolves and take some pictures - I never anticipated getting such an awesome tour with a very knowledgeable guide. She answered about a million questions! And the information was fascinating.
You definitely get up and personal with some of the resident wolves - both the Northwestern and the Mexican Grey Wolves. The ones they use to release a obviously not on view as they are kept wild.
Definitely recommend

Very informative tour. Lots of information on Mexican wolves and north American wolves. We saw 2 Mexican wolves and 2 North American wolves out of 32 onsite.

The slide show presentation was very informative. The 2 wolf enclosures were fun and got to take plenty pics of lots of wolves. Loved the experience! Very exciting! Great family outing. Great outing period!

I've always wanted to do this and am so glad the family and I did. The presentation at the beginning was very informative and we all learned many things we didn't know, like the fact that there are no wolves living in the wild in California currently. We learned how very small their territories are now and some of the reasons why this is happening. Our presenter was Heidi and she was great and very enthusiastic! We then were taken out to see the wolves and they didn't disappoint. We were able to see them up close in their natural enclosures. The extremely endangered Mexican Grey Wolves came right up to the fence and seemed as interested in us as we were with them. Definitely worth the trip and if you do a morning tour you can always have lunch in Julian before heading home.

Great information from guide. Saw 2 enclosures with 2 and 3 wolves. Glad they do what they do but lackluster overall.
Sadly over priced for the experience.

Every time I'm in San Diego , the Wolf Center is my go to place. I've been a member for years. Always enjoy myself.
Informative seminar before you see the wolves . The Christmas party is always a great time. Come and enjoy and wolves , become a member!!

Booked the tour using groupon and visited on a Saturday morning in January 2018. Recommend eating prior to arrival, there is nothing to eat on location. There is a great place to eat called the Descanso Junction,, just off exit 40 on highway 79, (hours 0700-2000), haven’t had a bad meal yet. Accountability at the base of the road leading to the wolf center is easy. The staff are friendly and informative. They will lead the visitors to a parking lot in vicinity of the conference room/wolves. The road is unimproved in accordance with other responses but my challenger handled it just fine, however I wouldn’t want to drive my Stingray, not enough ground clearance. The majority of the staff drive focus/Prius type vehicles and handle it just fine. There were approx 50 people in our group and we were a bit delayed with beginning the tour due to everyone wanting to use the restroom. There is one restroom located indoors and one port o potty outside. The port o potty was clean and had toilet paper so no issues. The tour begins with a slideshow that lasted about 20 minutes. It was very informative and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Then the group heads outside to visit the two wolf paddocks. One features the Mexican Gray Wolves. We were able to see a mated pair. They initially came up top the fence to visit and scent mark, they then went to the back of the exhibit and laid down. We spent about 30 min there. We then went to see the North American Gray Wolves. We saw 3 sisters. 2 of them came to the fence to visit and scent mark. We were able to see some of the other members of the pack in the distance. They were separated by fences for reasons that are thoroughly explained by the guides. My wife and I spent approx 2.5 hours there. We thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The guides are very knowledgeable and offer fantastic insights on the animals, their history, and anticipated future initiatives. Strollers and wheel chairs can negotiate the paths without significant issue. The place isn’t that big and everyone stays together during the tour. People with mobility issues wouldn’t have much problem.

We visited the Calif Wolf Center on Sat Oct 16 which was a beautiful warm day. We waited a short time with about 10 other cars to be escorted to the wolf center. The road is adventurous getting there, but our old, small car made it just fine. (Part of the road is steep & lots of ruts, so no bald tires!) The staff are friendly & informative & truly love their work. Wolves like to come out in the evening & not in the middle of a hot day, but all the wolves came out for us! And boy did they put on a show! First, we all attended the inside educational program which was so interesting. Then we visited 2 separate packs of wolves & the questions (from all age groups) to our guide were enlightening. This is a "can't miss attraction" that is like a mini safari adventure just minutes outside of Julian.
You need to make an appointment in order to do the tour. Call [--] or visit them online.

California Wolf Center is dedicated to the return of wild wolves to their natural habitat, and to educate people who share the landscape with them so that peaceful coexistence is possible. They breed mainly two types of wolves for reintroduction, the North American Wolf and the Mexican gray wolf.

The Mexican gray- known as a keystone species- historically ranged throughout Arizona, New Mexico, Texas and Mexico. They are the most genetically distinct subspecies of gray wolf and are unique to North America.

Predatory controls and human expansion from the late 1800s to the mid-1900s made the Mexican gray wolf the rarest wolf in North America. By the late 1960s, it had virtually disappeared in the southwestern United States. It was listed as endangered on the federal endangered species list in 1976.

Recovery goals of a wild population of at least 100 wolves over 5,000 miles of its historical range were approved by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the General de la Fauna Silvestre in Mexico in a 1982 recovery plan.

In 1997, a new plan was approved calling for the reintroduction of Mexican gray wolves in Arizona and New Mexico. That following March, 11 Mexican gray wolves were released into the wilds of the Apache National Forest of southeastern Arizona. Two additional wolves were released later that year. One major highlight of the recovery program took place in 2001 when, for the first time in 50 years, a Mexican gray wolf pup was born in the wild.

Today there are about 110 Mexican gray wolves in the wild and about 300 in Mexican Wolf Species Survival Plan centers, like here in San Diego, and others throughout the US and Mexico. However, human caused mortality is still their number one cause of death.

The California Wolf Center is completely funded through tours and donations. They are a 501(c)3 non- profit, so your contribution is tax deductible. The staff encountered were knowledgeable and friendly. It's very remote and you may have little to no cell connection.

Just know that you made a difference for these beautiful animals with your visit and donation. If you plan a tour reservations are required. Allow 30 minutes prior to your designated time.