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Wild Things at Vision Quest Ranch
Wild Things at Vision Quest Ranch
Monterey Bay
view website400 River Road
Salinas, CA 93908
800-228-7382
831-455-1901
Good-for-Kids Rating
Babies
Toddlers & Pre-KSchool-Age Kids
Pre-Teens & Teens
Science & Nature Museum
Wildlife Sanctuary
Walking Tour
Wild Things at Vision Quest Ranch Description
What distinguishes Wild Things from other safari attractions is how close you get to the animals, and the personal relationships the trainers have with each one. We just couldn't stop talking about Chui the playful leopard, Gretsky the Lynx, or Ed the hyper hyena. Even more exciting was recognizing a few animal "celebrities" — several of the big cats and other animals have been featured in wildlife calendars and posters, some of them in pretty famous shots. Definitely an amateur operation, Vision Quest Ranch is nevertheless a lot of fun and a pretty unique experience. Owner Charlie Sammut-Bio, a former police officer, opened a kennel and then found himself rescuing wild animals that were being kept inappropriately as pets by people ill-equipped to handle them. When he discovered that zoos wouldn't accept the rescued animals, Wild Things was born. Today, most of the animals are "rentals" and are featured in ads and movies because of handle-ability.
Kid Tips
Babies: Not for the timid. These really are wild animals, and they do roar. The day we were there, we saw some under-2s dissolve in tears when the big cats began howling back and forth. Make your own judgement based on your child's sensitivity.
School-Age Kids: For an additional $5 you can stay afterward and feed the elephants in their savannah-like enclosure. Probably not worth the charge for toddlers or older kids, but school-age naturalists might get a thrill out of it. Makes a great photo, too.
Planning Notes
- Plan Ahead. This is not a zoo, but a private animal rescue facility, so it's not open to the public except for guided tours. Unless you plan to pay extra for a VIP tour scheduled especially for your group you need to join the daily tour at 1 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The group departs promptly at 1 p.m.; we saw some very upset kids who missed the first half because they arrived late. In June, July, and August they add a 3 p.m. tour.
Just the Facts
Hours: Note, this is not a self-guided facility. Tours are at 1 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays; 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays in June, July and August.
Fees: Less than $10
Recommended Time: 1 - 2 hours
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