Spring has definitely sprung in northeast Bakersfield, we’re just among the green hills, right off Alfred Harrell highway with Hart Park in the distance—and the place with rich history in Bakersfield, the place where one man had the idea to bring the wildlife of California, to the backyard of Kern County.

That was in 1980. When the California Living Museum was just a dream for founder Michael Hopkins. 

the Bakersfield school teacher, had an interest in animals from a young age. While studying wildlife in India with a world renowned conservationist, the California native realized while in the midst of observing the greatest animals in the world, he hadn't been able to experience the greatest animals of our state up close. 

From that, the idea to bring mountain lions, bears, condors and more to Kern County….began.