One of the most peaceful spots in OC. The creek is special. Support the gift shop. Enjoy the hummingbirds.

Came here today on a whim after visiting the Modjeska House just down the street from this place. The gift shop was open and we ended up buying some soap, 2 finger puppets for the kids, and a ENC tucker magnet. The gift shop was a museum too and had lots of interactive exhibits for the kids. We saw live snakes and frogs on display as well. Across the street from the gift shop was the actual sanctuary which is a 0.25 mile loop - you can finish it within 10-15 minutes if you want fast. An amphitheater and bird viewing area is in there as well. The creek was dry when we went but did see a small pond with lots of tadpoles. Also be aware of rattlesnakes as we heard they come out in the summer time. Trail was 80% shaded so was not so hot. Found out that TUCKER was acquired by ENC of Newport Beach in 2022 so you'll see lots of ENC gear in the gift shop. There are essentially 2 ENC locations now - one here and one in Newport Beach. Pretty interesting! read more

Our company did a corporate team building event with the Environmental Nature Center (ENC) at the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary. The event Mindy and Shelbi set up for us was ABSOLUTELY INCREDIBLE!!! Our team has been raving about it ever since we left. I am so impressed with how everything was planned and organized. Mindy had prepared such creative activities that our team participated in with pleasure. We all had a chance to elaborate about the impact each activity had, and what takeaways everyone got from each activity, which was so impactful. Shelbi did an amazing job educating our team with her vast knowledge about nature and the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary's history. Her passion for nature was contagious, especially after taking a mindful moment at the end of the program, and really taking in all the surroundings and having a collaborative debrief of the day! I thought it was absolutely amazing how well the program flowed and tied in key themes that were relatable for the work setting. Everyone definitely had fabulous take-aways that they are bringing back to the office. I think the goal was to bring everyone closer together and have a better understanding of different communication styles, the goal was definitely achieved with ease. Not only did Mindy and her team deliver an exceptional service, but the entire experience had a genuine sense of warmth and friendliness. It is rare to find a company that delivers exceptional services while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism. Without hesitation, I will recommend ENC services at Tucker's to friends, family, and colleagues who are looking for a positive outdoor adventure. Mindy, I look forward to continuing our relationship and I am so happy we kept in touch through the different career paths. With heartfelt appreciation, Anna and Diaz Yourman & Associates (DYA) read more

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary - Parks Near Me - Silverado, California

This is a small nature conservancy In beautiful Modjeska Cyn. It used to be privately run but has since been taken over by ENC. At this time the lovely Koi pond is swampy, the large turtles are no longer residents, the large bird enclosures and the little green house are vacant. I am hoping this is just due to the recent transition and there are plans to keep this beautiful space well maintained. The humming bird watching area is still lovely and there are plenty of birds to spot. There is a wonderful and small nature center directly across the road making it a fun experience for little ones and families. Restrooms/drinking fountains are available. There is also a challenging hike for older children and adults directly next to the nature center and is part of the Cleveland National Forest. read more

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This place is a must see! And a hidden treasure in the canyon!! So absolutely stunning! And we did a art class with Julie! She is a beautiful artist that sure creates some stunning watercolors read more

The location is beautiful. The gift shop is unique and the person running it was amazing. She was informative and helpful. Great birding location. Spotted 2 new birds. read more

Great little place for kids to enjoy themselves and be safe. So many things for them to touch and interact with. For kids 100% and fun when less busy so they can do whatever they want. The operator is so special and lovely. read more

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So serene. It's a Great Place to get away for a day bring water and lunch and snacks and HAVE FUN !!!!!

I've going here since the 1960's & love bringing some new. Small bird sanctuary and gift shop. You sit on a porch and watch hummingbirds feed up close. Nice natural stream flows through it. read more

Another supreme choice for birdwatching. This would certainly qualify as a hidden gem. This sanctuary consists of a couple of nature trails (one flat and one on a hillside) that provide an opportunity to view a large variety of birds. It was originally property owned by the Tucker family who invented the hummingbird feeder. The site now is overseen by Cal State Fullerton and has a large number of informational signs about the birds, plants and wildlife in the area. It's a destination for school groups to learn about nature. According to my buddy the birder, this is a fantastic spot for birdwatching; you'll see many bird feeders to entice our feathered friends to make an appearance. The rat-a-tat-tat pecking of woodpeckers on trees and telephone poles was a constant sound while I was here. An information center has taxidermy to show some of the birds and wildlife one might see. There are also nicely kept restrooms on site. Definitely a great place to bring kids for an educational wildlife experience but also nice to just walk around. But best enjoyed by bird watchers! read more

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Although we didn't get to see everything, we had fun fulfilling some community hours here with my son's school this last weekend. Everyone was so nice, and we had a chance to see a part of the wildlife sanctuary after we finished our work. The Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is wonderful spot for birdwatching and looking at all the beautiful plants. The kids really enjoyed all the flowers and birds. The little museum had a lot of great information, and the volunteer that worked there was especially sweet and helpful. I would really like the chance to come back and volunteer again or just come up here to relax. It's just far enough out of the city to feel like we are actually getting away but still close enough to go to on the weekends. read more

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We really liked this location. It's free to visit, there are plenty of little things for kids to do. The small trail is nice and there are a ton of birds in this area. It is a nice drive out here, pretty chill. The volunteers and employees are friendly. There are a few hikes to do as well. I would bring a sack lunch and picnic, it is a great place to chill for a bit. read more

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What a great treasure we have down in the canyon. There are people from all over the area that have a true vesting in the well being of this sanctuary. Remember!...we need to preserve this place for our kids; and their kids etc. "So when you visit them...Donate"! There are many different types of birds and feeding areas setup, so you can get that perfect shot with your camera. You might even see a few furry friends now & then moving thru the area read more

Worth a visit if you're nearby. Took my 2 and 4 year old boys here today and they had a great time wandering the sanctuary. It was empty other than us and they had a blast watching the birds, wandering the trails and just exploring. There are many birds and bird feeders everywhere! The sanctuary is small but well maintained and quite lovely. There is also a small "science center" which is more of an indoor nature center and is very child friendly with puzzles, coloring, stuffed animals to play with and also many small exhibits to explore various aspects of nature (snakes, birds, insects, butterfly's, fires, etc). Next to the center is a small "nature walk" which is really a very tiny loop that you can see from the road. Overall, I'm glad we checked this place out. It was something new and unique for my kiddos and since we live close, it was worth it. I'm not sure I'd drive too far out of my way for a visit though. read more

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What a fun little place to bring the kids to learn about nature. The sanctuary is run by UC Fullerton (IIRC). Parking is limited and can be confusing as the sanctuary is neighbour to the Harding Truck trail which also attracts a lot of visitors during the cooler months. They usually have someone outside to assist with parking, so you should be good. There is a fun little nature center, with some stuffed animals and interesting bits of nature facts and a couple of dated, interactive displays (looking through a microscope at bugs etc). read more

Wow! What a disappointment. In my opinion, staff here care more about adults than children. If you value nature and want your children to value nature you expose them to it. My friends and I have been visiting nature locations all over Orange County with our toddler/preschooler age children. We are an online group who offers meet ups with like minded Mamas. Our group ranges from 2 families to 10 families (Mama's with their kids) at any given meet up and we never know who will be there. This was our second time visiting this location. The first time was wonderful. We were able to explore the entire grounds letting our children guide and discover for themselves. The staff was not super friendly when we entered the store but it was for a brief period. However, yesterday we were scolded multiple times. We were told multiple times that we were not "Visitors". The staff of the Wildlife Sanctuary failed to see us as humans. We were treated like trash who did not matter. The staff could have taken a calm, respectful approach to our group by asking for donations or taking the time to educate us on their expectations of groups in a sweet manner. However, in my opinion, the woman to had no control over her emotions and was speaking in a way to kick us out. She scolded us to use library voices. After this scolding we did enter the Sanctuary and explored. After a while we realized we could not keep our littles one at library voices. Out of respect we decide to go on Harding Truck Trail. The children could use their normal outdoor voices, saw thousands of wild flowers, and lots of tiny creatures on the trail (lizards, squirrels, butterflies). After the trail we returned to the Store of the Sanctuary. The store was full of wonderful things for children to do. Microscopes, puppets, stamps, taxidermy local wild animals. Multiple families made purchases of the local Orange County flower and bird guides. One of the Moms brought toilet paper per the request of the signs from our last visit. However, after all the money was spent. Toilet paper given. Our efforts to respect the rules of the Sanctuary we were then scolded one last time. We were told we took up all the parking for the "Visitors". There are mountain lions, snakes, and poison oak (FYI there are predators all over Orange County and we are aware of this). My question after the entire day is, do these women actually work with children? Why is your store set up for children when you choose to treat them and their mothers with such disrespect? Almost every adult I know who loves and respect nature spent hours in it as a child. Why would a center who has been around for so long want to scare away Mothers and their children? Again, I am very disappointed with the disrespect of the staff here. In my opinion, it is no longer worth my money or time to go here. read more

A unique hidden gem in Orange County for sure. My husband and I took our twin toddlers here today. It's a great place for kids. There are walking trails, a creek, koi pond, numerous bird feeders, and bird porches and benches to enjoy nature. Although we kept having to shush our kids in the birding areas (there are signs asking to remain quiet), there was so much to see and touch. The nature center was awesome! There were stuffed animals on display including a grizzly bear, real snakes, frogs, multiple hands on stations for kids including crayons, coloring books, microscopes, and rocks. The staff was incredibly kind. We bought a hummingbird feeder and bird seed on the way out. It was pleasantly quiet for a Saturday too. read more

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This place pure serenity. Hidden in the canyon it's a great place with a small nature center and beautiful gardens. There's a trail also that is uphill terrain with lots of great views. Parking is free and they do ask for donations which is understandable as it is a non profit place. Would definitely recommend this place and definitely coming back. read more

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Not sure why the hours on Google has 2-5pm on weekdays when it is "members only" time. I almost drove there (about 35 min) for nothing if I hadn't made a call to double check. This used to be a place for people to visit and enjoy nature. Now ENC took over and they have ridiculously short hours on weekends only. read more

Orange County's best kept secret. If you love bird watching (especially hummingbirds), enjoy some solitude and just feel like disconnecting from the craziness, this is the place to be! Not too far from most places in OC, and nicely tucked away in the Santa Ana mountains, get out and feel the sounds, breeze and quietness of this eclectic sanctuary. It's totally worth it (and costs nothing)! read more

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First visit this past Tuesday. Parking was easy since not a lot of people were there. The sanctuary's main section is adjacent to parking. The bird watching area is the main attraction. Charts show what birds have been seen at different parts of the year at the sanctuary. You can sit outdoors and watch under some shade or walk in an enclosed porch and watch birds up close. Bird feeders attract birds and you watch from just a few feet away. It is possible a bird will fly into the veranda, giving a more intimate viewing. Other than the bird watching area there's a koi pond with turtles, a couple educational "posts," and a greenhouse for purchasing native plants. The other side has a super short "trail" for children and a brief hike is found a little up the road. You can catch a nice view of the canyon from there. The top doesn't have much shade so bring a hat. If you're a serious hiker there's the Harding Truck Trail. The information center is a great place for children and adults who want to learn or brush up on knowledge. A small shop sells books, snacks, and other items. I stayed in here for a while since one of the ladies was feeding the snakes. I'm not into snakes but watching them eat was... educational.. I was told they are fed once every 4-6 weeks in the summer and once every 6-8 weeks in the winter so I happened to visit on one of those days. I give the sanctuary 4 stars mainly because it is small and also because the sanctuary expects guests to be quiet but a couple men working didn't seem to care about that. I could hear them across the creek on the bird porch (they were at the koi pond). Based on other reviews, it seems if you're an avid bird watcher then this is a hot place. read more

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Awesome hidden little secret! Very quaint and tranquil little spot to take your young children for a manageable day time outing for some outdoor play and learning. The little learning center is so cute and is equipped with hands on exhibits from microscopes, puppet, drawers with items to touch and feel and the staff was so excited to tell my kids about the animals. They even took a snake out to let the kids touch and feel. There is a cute little snack bar where the kids can grab a snack and take across the street to the nature preserve. Lots of benches for picnics, birds, trees, a pond with koi and turtles. Kids are begging to go back with a picnic lunch next time. read more

A wonderful respite from Orange County's concrete-and-car environment, "The Tuck" is one of our favorite local wildlife spots. It's small -- my husband and I took our time exploring the grounds for an hour yesterday afternoon -- but a joy to watch. Seeing blue jays here during our picnic lunch was a joy, since we hadn't spotted one for nearly a decade in SoCal. Let's hope that the jays enjoy the warm weather so much that they make a permanent return. And how nifty it was to see a family of quail scurrying about the plants! (On a silly note: I had a "hoot conversation" with an owl in one of the trees on the grounds: Every time I heard the owl hoot, I'd do so back. Yes, that was fun.) Take an hour or two, and enjoy the natural flora and fauna of inland Orange County. (By the way, it's 100 percent free to park and visit the sanctuary.) read more

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I lived in Topanga Canyon where I was spoiled, surrounded by nature and the state park but this place is just like Topanga! It doesn't feel like you're in the city. Really easy to find, kid friendly, nice bird sanctuary, friendly & helpful staff, and a sweet little souvenir shop and education center. Nothing fancy but well maintained and sure makes for a nice day trip/hike. read more

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Had a great day today with my family. It's a great place to take the little ones and experience nature. It's great that they have a coy pond and a little area to sit and watch the birds feed. read more

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What a great natural treasure Madjeska canyon and the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary are. There is so much natural beauty here. Located in Modjeska canyon right off of Santiago canyon road in Orange County. Not many people in Orange County realize that there is so much wilderness so close to populated areas. About 25 minutes from the city of Orange. The Tucker wildlife sanctuary is doing great work. There is also the Harding trail for hiking. Man I love this place! read more

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary - Modjeska Canyon - Parks Near Me - Silverado, California

Absolutely fell in love with this hidden gem yesterday. My 2 year old was mesmerized by the nature trail, the water pump, koi pond, and tortoise. Even my 8 month old loved watching the birds sing and fly to the bird feeders. We touched a corn snake, and dissected an owl pellet too! I love that it's free too...of course I left a donation though! And I'll have to remember to bring them some supplies next time like paper towels. After spending the morning here, we had a picnic lunch outside on their benches. This would be an *amazing* place to sit on a bench and spend the day reading a book. Ahhh...one day perhaps, when my little ankle biters don't rely on me for everything. read more

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary - Enjoying the serenity... - Parks Near Me - Silverado, California

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Great little place to take young children to show and educate them about some basic wildlife in the area. I guess it is good for bird watching too. I like that there is a trail starting there that you can hike on for many miles. It starts with a steep incline, but gets easy after a mile or two. You can choose how far you want to go, out to Laurel Spring and back is a 5-hour walk so bring water. Also, leave a small donation for the Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary where you park. read more

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary - Foggy hiking day - Parks Near Me - Silverado, California

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is one of our favorite nature areas in OC. However, as of mid-January 2021, CSUF has fired all the staff, transferred all the captive animals, and plans to board up the place and transfer ownership. Marsella and her crew worked so hard (in spite of all the problems with CSUF admins) to revegetate and improve the site in addition to providing high quality programs for school children and the general public. I am so sorry to hear that CSUF is degrading the property that so many of us love and have been going to for decades! read more

Periodically my inner country boy needs to get out of the city and take in some nature. This special place fits that need perfectly. The draw for me is the bird observation porch. Lots of hummingbirds, finch's and many other species. There is a short trail that winds around some labeled indigenous plants, and also a fish pond, an opossum cage (must have been sleeping as I didn't see him), and a little plot for a tortoise (not present this time of year). Across the street is some more extensive hiking trails, but since I am hyper-sensitive to poison oak (growing rampant here) I have not been. Also lots of signs warning of rattlesnakes, although I have never seen any in my many visits here over the years. Going up the country right here in OC makes for some needed peace of mind. Oh, and the suggested donation is $2 per person so bring some cash to help keep this place alive. After taking in all of this nature stuff one can really work up a thirst, and Cooks Corner is conveniently located just a few miles south. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=audxGqo5AkQ read more

I love this place with all my heart. I really really do. When I was a kid, my school would take me up here for science field trips. While in college, my biology class took a trip here as well. As an adult, this is my mid-week refuge. We make the short journey to Tucker to get in a decent 2-3 hour hike, take in the scenery, and absolutely detach from "it all". Right behind the Tucker Wildlife building is the Harding Truck Trial. If you follow the trail up (and I mean, UP!), nature will unfold before you in majestic ways. It's all there: -Glorious views of Modjeska Canyon -Greenery and cacti -A refreshing breeze -And lots of little critters -DEER! 2 days ago, I found myself a few feet away from a buck. If you take the right path you will find yourself walking along some water filled with amazing California Newts, a few snakes, and lots of tadpoles. I won't tell you which way to go because part of the fun is finding out for yourself. Just be warned the descent is a cinch, but coming back up will make you drip buckets of sweat. ;) Another trail will lead you further into the Cleveland National Forest, deeper into the clouds. I have yet to see how far this trail goes, but I'm pretty sure you can walk clear into the next county. Make sure that as you're winding your way through Modjeska Canyon that you remain respectful of the canyon residents. There's lots of little pups and other farm animals roaming about that look better alive than flattened under your tires. Happy Trails! read more

A fun outing for kids, and a way for parents to let them enjoy themselves as they learn. There is a small wildlife area with trails, a pond, a bird viewing building, an amphitheater for events, and a self-service plant shed. Kids can explore in a safe environment. But the real learning space is across the street from the open area in the shop/lab/museum/reptile zoo. There are high-quality microscopes to use to examine prepared slides or to examine snake skins and other objects. There is a small display of preserved animals, including a bear, skunk, bobcat, hawk and so on. A display of dead rodents is always sure to freak out someone in your group. There are drawers full of fossils and bones and other objects that are meant to be examined and touched. Kids are encouraged to explore. And then there are the snakes. Real ones. Often, one is brought out for the kids to hold. They learn about what they eat, how they sleep, and where they live. Moms are often looking on in shock! Some dads, too. There are educational gifts and toys, as well as bird feeders, bird baths, flags and other items so the fun and learning can come home. Admission is free, but donations are welcomed. The Center is associated with California State University, Fullerton. read more

There are some weird people here; not all of them, mind you, but strange nonetheless. One visitor looked at me and said i don't look like I'm from here. And another guy at the parking lot looked at me, got on his phone, came over in front of my car and was describing me to someone on the line. It's like they've never seen people of color before. That being said, don't go here alone. read more

I still remember my first grade school visit here. Ive been back more than a few times since. This place sets out multiple feeders to attrack the canyons local bird species... and has special viewing stands to sit, relax, and just watch. The grounds are landscaped (or not) with native plant species, and the place is very relaxing. The sanctuary runs alongside the canyons natural creek which will have water in the winter months. My absolute favorite is hearing the quaill chirping throughout the brush... they make the cutest noise. Go to meditate, or clear your head. Bring your children here to help them gain an appreciation for nature. If you have time there is a humble natural history "musuem" right across the parking lot... and behind the musuem, a trial that will lead you up over the hill, and down into another canyon or water basin. The hike is excellent exercise and exemplifies natures beauty....in a place where you would least expect it.... Orange County. Not to mention the eclectic and historical homes in modjeska canyon including that of madam madjeska. read more

We stopped by yesterday and they were closing but the 2 guys putting everything away were nice enough to let us run around for a little bit. The area is beautiful. The plant life is all labeled for learning. We saw a wild quail running around that was adorable. My mother had taken me and my sisters here 20 years ago and this was the 2nd anniversary of her passing away so we felt it would be a nice to go look around. Thank you so much to those 2 guys who let us in... you made our day :) read more

As you will see in several reviews, this place is NOT kid friendly. We gathered at the picnic area for 5-10 minutes to get all our items in order. There was a fence that was maybe 7 ft in length and 2 feet tall and had 5 feet open on either side. The kids sat on the rock right on the open side of it to write down what they were observing. A staff told us they couldn't be there bc of poison oak (no sign posted). We said ok, got them down. Two minutes later they came back and told us to use our library voices bc it was a sanctuary. Nobody was yelling and we were all talking at a normal level, including the kids. And while I understand that the sanctuary trail had a sign requesting quiet so people could hear birds etc in the trails, it seems a bit ridiculous to get upset at people talking at a normal level, across the street at the picnic area. Anytime the kids had a question they asked at a normal range about nature, we had to shush them, which put a damper on our short time there. About two minutes later, the animal and nature loving 4 year old said "This isn't fun... I want to go home." Really hoping this experience hasn't turned him off to exploring nature again soon. It takes less than 5 minutes to walk around the sanctuary with almost no wildlife (my husband joked that the wildlife took off because they were told to use their library voices ). Orange County has tons of regional parks and other spaces that have way better wildlife, more to see and more polite staff members. Don't waste you time here, especially if you have kids. read more

Another little santuary with some hiking and wildlife viewing opportunities. Great place to get away from it all. There is a gift shop. The only reason I gave it four stars is that the (apparently university students) staff members seemed more interested in flirting with each other than assisting a visitor at the gift shop. Also located within this place is Flores Peak, California Historical Landmark No. 225. read more

I love this place very much! Very good for amateur bird watching, I've been birding for 5 years and I still learn something new every time I come here. Staff here are very helpful and knowledgeable in their area. They helped me a couple of times on identifying the Golden Eagle, spotting the buntings and grosbeaks. I could spend tons of hours here. If they didn't close at 4, I'd probably spend the night looking for nocturnal animals AND I love how they have hummingbird feeders every where. Most plants are labeled so you wont mistake. Visitor center is terrific, I love their hummingbird feeders that they have on sale and the knowledge of the animals they have on display. Its better than Idyllwild nature center by far but very similar. Overall I am very pleased with this place and that's why I continue to come here constantly. read more

i love this place it is awesome very much would recommend! great time for people of all ages!!

Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary is a good venue for casual hiking and relaxation. It has some picnic benches so you can bring a lunch with you. It's quiet, rustic, and peaceful. It's a good choice for out-of-town guests who want to enjoy some local hiking in the OC. read more