Wildlife Learning Center

The Wildlife Learning Center in Sylmar is a nonprofit wildlife rescue and education facility that offers something different from a typical zoo visit — genuine one-on-one encounters with animals that have been rescued and cannot be returned to the wild, explained by knowledgeable staff who know each animal's individual story.

The scale is deliberately small. This is not a zoo with thousands of visitors and hundreds of species. The Wildlife Learning Center focuses on educational depth over breadth, with a collection of rescued wildlife that educators present in a way that actually teaches rather than just displays.

Kids ages 4-12 consistently come away with specific knowledge about specific animals rather than a general impression of 'lots of animals.'

For parents, the intimate format is both the attraction and the practical consideration. You're likely to get direct interaction between your kids and staff during a visit, which is rare and valuable. But because it's small, capacity is limited, and hours are significantly restricted — the Saturday 10AM-5PM listing reflects the public-facing hours, but calling ahead or checking their website before visiting is strongly recommended.

The facility is in Sylmar in the northern San Fernando Valley — a dedicated drive from most of the LA metro area. But families in the Valley, Santa Clarita, and San Fernando areas find it a worthwhile local resource for a nature and wildlife education experience that larger venues can't replicate.

As a nonprofit, the Wildlife Learning Center relies on admission fees and donations. Supporting them with a visit is also supporting the animals in their care.