About The California Wolf Center

Just over one hour from San Diego in the laguna mountains is the California Wolf Center. There goal is to help educate the public on the different wolf species and their role in the ecosystems. They currently care for over 20 wolves, including North Western gray wolves, and Mexican gray wolves.

Once you arrive, you’ll be escorted by a staff member to the main center. It’s a beautiful property, and you do not have to walk far to where the tour is. They offer several different types of tours, all where you can experience wolf behavior. For the stronger stomached, you can try the feeding tour. As you can guess, it’s where they feed the wolves different foods likes chickens, or a deer carcass (parental advisory warning).

During the tour you’ll have a guide who provides some great information on wolves to accompany the viewing. They were also quick to answer any question we had, which made for a great learning experience for the kids and adults. Should you want to watch them at home, you can check out the live wolf cameras here – you can even control the camera yourself.

Best Parts

• Great for family time
• Something unique outside the city
• A chance to support wildlife

Behind The Counter

Open in 1977, it was originally called the Julian Center For Science And Education, where they started with just a couple of gray wolves. Here are a few words shared directly from the California Wolf Center.

What is your name and what do you do there?
My name is Jacob Keeton and I’m the Director of Education and Engagement here at the CWC. My job entails managing all education programs, memberships, events, sponsorships, and some small fundraising efforts.

What do you wish more people knew about the CA Wolf Center?
I feel like I wish more people were familiar with Conservation Center. When people think about public facilities that involve working with animals they think about zoos, or rehabs, or sanctuaries. As a conservation facility we are a bit different. We are able to change the way we execute our mission in order to best serve the wild populations of wolves. Over the course of our existence we have fulfilled our mission in many different ways as the wild popluations needed.

What do you recommend for newcomers at the CA Wolf Center?
For newcomers who have never visited our facility before I always recommend that they prepare for the remoteness of our location. All Mexican gray wolves are candidates for release into the wild so for the most part we need to keep them away from people and require a very very remote location.

Besides hanging out at the CA Wolf Center, what is your favorite spot to eat/drink/visit/do in San Diego or the surrounding area?
I’m going to shout out Mysterious Glaxaxy book store on Rosecrans. I’m a big reader of fiction and fantasy and its my go to bookstore! If anyone follows this advice make sure to hit up Point Loma Seafood as well and visit Cabrillo National Monument for the perfect Point Loma excursion. I also spent years at the Maritime Museum downtown so that will always have a special place in my heart too. And finally….GO PADRES!

Is there anything else you’d like San Diego to know about your organization?
While there have not been and will never be wolves that are released by humans into California they are dispersing back to our State naturally since 2011. They are a part of our heritage, but they were removed from the state for almost 100 years. As they come back its imperative that all Californian’s come together under the banner of coexistence with wildlife and those that most intimately share the landscape with them. The CWC is committed to supporting wolf recovery and supporting coexistence with those most impacted by the return of wolves to their natural and native ecosystems.