1 / 2Lions Tigers & Bears The San Diego Animal Sanctuary®
📍 Alpine, CA
Lions Tigers & Bears is a non-profit rescue sanctuary in Alpine, CA housing big cats, bears, and other rescued wildlife.
I booked the behind the scenes tour for 2. This is not the basic one, this is the one that’s $530. It’s a donation that goes towards the animals. It’s a 2 hr experience. You watch a short video and two volunteers take you around to all of the animals. We fed some tigers and bears. The lion was too tired to come over, it was very hot that day. Yes, they do have lions. The animals do not stay in small, cramped cages just to clarify. They also have a liger, one of the highlights. This tour was worth it because some of those big groups take too long. You have to wait for everyone to finish their turn. Parking was easy. Wear sneakers, a hat, and sunscreen. It’s recommended to book your tour in advance instead of just showing up. Not a zoo. Some of the negative reviews didn’t make sense. The staff was super nice. They also have an Airbnb if you want to stay there for 4 guests.
🏆 Family Action Verdict
Best for families with children aged 6 and up who have genuine interest in wildlife and conservation. The guided format keeps the experience educational and controlled—young children who struggle with extended walking tours may find the pace challenging. The behind-the-scenes feeding tour is most impactful for older kids and teens.
ℹ️ What to Know Before You Go
💬 What Families Are Saying
View all reviews →552 Google reviews
Nicholas P
“I booked the behind the scenes tour for 2. This is not the basic one, this is the one that’s $530. It’s a donation that goes towards the animals. It’s a 2 hr experience. You watch a short video and two volunteers take you around to all of the animals. We fed some tigers and bears. The lion was too tired to come over, it was very hot that day. Yes, they do have lions. The animals do not stay in small, cramped cages just to clarify. They also have a liger, one of the highlights. This tour was worth it because some of those big groups take too long. You have to wait for everyone to finish their turn. Parking was easy. Wear sneakers, a hat, and sunscreen. It’s recommended to book your tour in advance instead of just showing up. Not a zoo. Some of the negative reviews didn’t make sense. The staff was super nice. They also have an Airbnb if you want to stay there for 4 guests.”
Josephine Müller
“So eine tolle Organisation. Das die Tiere gerettet werden und so viel Platz haben. Die Mitarbeiter haben das gut erklärt. Wenn man in der Nähe ist sollte man unbedingt diesen Ort besuchen”
Mariana Lopez
“Beautiful experience”
Reviews from Google
Overview
Lions Tigers & Bears is a nonprofit big cat and bear rescue sanctuary set on expansive grounds in Alpine, California—roughly 40 minutes from downtown San Diego. Public access is through structured guided tours led by staff and volunteers. The standard tour covers all resident animal enclosures with educational narration. The premium behind-the-scenes tour—a two-hour experience—includes feeding tigers and bears under volunteer supervision.
