Calling all animal lovers! You may be as shocked as we initially were to learn that there are SO many different opportunities to interact with animals near Wander Palomar Mountain.

Whether you're visiting us with your kids or your adult friends, here are some wildlife experiences that you won’t want to miss.

Nurtured By Nature Animal Educator Experience

• Distance from Wander Palomar Mountain: 19 miles

• Location: 15630 Rim of the Valley, Valley Center, CA 92082

• Hours:  Vary based on experience 

• Website: https://nurturedbynature.org/ 

Nurtured by Nature provides a once in a lifetime experience to get up close and personal with some adorable furry creatures, under the guidance and care of animal experts. Visitors get a chance to meet and interact with fennec foxes, capybaras, two-toed sloths, lemurs, armadillos, and kangaroos.

The highlight of the program is interacting with Asian small-clawed otters. Weather permitting, visitors are able to swim and play with the otters.

Nurtured by Nature guides teach kids and adults about each animal, its habitat, and how human behavior affects the natural world. So if you want an interactive and educational experience, this is the place to visit.

Good to know: Experiences last approximately 3 hours and prices vary from $650-800 per individual. But, if you select to participate in the "Conservation Otter Swim Encounter," $600 of the $800 you pay is tax deductible because that funding is processed through the organization’s 501c3 and goes towards global conservation programs.

Avian Behavior International 

Photo by Avian Behavior International

• Distance from Wander Palomar Mountain: 20 miles

• Location: 23945 Old Wagon Rd, Escondido, CA 92027

• Hours: 10AM-4PM

• Phone: (760) 755-3414

• Website: https://avian-behavior.org/ 

 Avian Behavior International gives you the opportunity to picnic with parrots, interact with birds of prey, watch macaws soar high above you, meet and greet with exotic birds, and even handle several species of owls!

And yes, that means you get to hold a bird as part of the experience. Prices range from $77-$500+ per person based on the type of experience. Advance reservations are required. 

Tip: Be sure to wear comfortable closed-toe shoes as some of the experiences will require a short 10-15 minute nature walk to get to the birds’ habitats.

SoCalMiniPigs

• Distance from Wander Palomar Mountain: 17.5 miles

• Location: 15050 Kensal Ct, Valley Center, CA 92082

• Hours: Vary based on experience 

• Phone: (951) 505-7284

• Website: https://www.socalminipigs.com/ 

This is an interactive 1-hour experience that allows you to play with mini pigs, mini goats, chickens, ducks, mini horses and ducks. By the way, it’s confirmed: SoCal mini pigs LOVE belly rubs!

Bookings for private events, birthday parties, or reunions are also available. The experience is $25 per adult and $20 per child. Advance reservations are required.

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Photo by San Diego Zoo Safari Park

• Distance from Wander Palomar Mountain: 30 miles

• Location: 15500 San Pasqual Valley Rd, Escondido, CA 92027

• Hours:  9AM-5PM daily 

• Phone: (619) 231-1515

• Website: https://sdzsafaripark.org/ 

Just as the name suggests, San Diego Zoo Safari Park offers a variety of safari experiences ranging from $55-$650+ per person. If you are feeling adventurous, you can try out the one-hour zipline tour and see the animals from a bird’s eye view. 

Tip: Several varieties of mammals are most active at dusk and dawn, so take advantage of this opportunity to see the animals roaming around before dark on the "Twilight Wildlife Safari" experience. Also, be sure to take a look at the zoo map to help you plan your trip.

Oasis Camel Dairy

Photo by Oasis Camel Dairy

• Distance from Wander Palomar Mountain: 31 miles 

• Location: 26757 CA-78, Ramona, CA 92065

• Phone: (760) 787-0983

• Website: https://cameldairy.com/ 

Oasis Camel Dairy offers guests an opportunity to meet and interact with their farm animals. On select Saturdays and Sundays, they also offer a two-hour farm tour. Riders under 200 pounds are welcome to partake in camel rides. 

Tip: Be sure to check out their unique camel milk products that include soaps, lotions, balms, and even chocolate! 

Text Wander Concierge for activity recommendations around the area!