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    Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary

    4.3 (54 reviews)
    Open 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
    Updated 2 months ago

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    Recommended Reviews - Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary

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    Creek on back of sanctuary
    Ericka A.

    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.

    Timmy S.

    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!

    Tami D.

    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.

    Rebekah S.

    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.

    Nikki R.

    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.

    Dawn A.

    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.

    Jenny M.

    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.

    Experience mindfulness at this amazing place
    Sanjay D.

    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)!

    Harding Truck Trail info and warning signs.
    Eric P.

    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.

    Welcome to "The Tuck"!
    La Ratona J.

    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.)

    The creeks are flowing due to the recent rain and the wildflowers are in bloom. Such a lovely place to go for a hike!

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    Business owner information

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    2 years ago

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

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

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    Page 1 of 2

    Ask the Community - Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary

    Are dogs allowed here?

    No, to protect the wildlife they do not allow dogs within the Sanctuary.

    Where do we park to visit Tucker and Modjeska? Is there a shuttle on the weekdays?

    View All 5 Questions

    Review Highlights - Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary

    You don't have to set aside an entire weekend or even day to get out and enjoy the beauty of OC.

    Mentioned in 8 reviews

    Read more highlights

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    Tucker Wildlife Sanctuary - parks - Updated May 2026

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