Help keepers feed rescued big cats or bears, with a guided sanctuary tour
1.5 to 2-hour
Guided tour, Feeding experience
Join Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine for a guided walking visit, then assist keepers as they feed a rescued big cat or bear from behind a secure perimeter fence.
You must be 18+ to participate in feeding and present a valid ID at check-in. You’ll need to sign a waiver before your visit.
Non-refundable and cannot be rescheduled. Activity may be cancelled due to severe weather; if cancelled due to severe or unsafe weather conditions, you will be allowed to reschedule (subject to availability).
Arrive 10–15 minutes early and watch a brief educational video before the guided visit begins. If you arrive late, you still need to watch the video and may miss the first part of the tour.
To participate in the feeding portion, you must be 18 or older and present a valid ID at check-in.
Yes. Every guest must sign a waiver before the visit starts.
Alpine, CA
This San Diego animal sanctuary draws near-universal praise from visitors, with the rescued big cats and bears consistently described as the emotional heart of the experience. Guests are clearly moved seeing animals that once endured mistreatment now living in spacious, well-maintained enclosures. The staff and volunteers are frequently highlighted for their warmth and depth of knowledge, making the tours feel personal and informative rather than rushed. Feeding experiences with tigers and bears come up again and again as standout moments, and the behind-the-scenes tour option offers a more intimate visit for those wanting extra access. Booking in advance is strongly recommended, and comfortable shoes, a hat, and sunscreen are worth packing since the tour is outdoors. One note worth flagging: at least one visitor was disappointed not to see lions despite expecting them based on the name. Animal availability can vary for any sanctuary, so if seeing a specific animal is the main draw for your group, it may be worth reaching out ahead of time to set expectations. That said, the overwhelming majority of visitors leave genuinely moved by the experience and eager to return.
My wife and I came here while we were staying in San Diego. What an incredible experience to see there amazing animals up close and treated so well after experiencing so much mistreatment in the past. The sanctuary is so well run and all of the staff are so knowledgable, helpful and friendly. The animal enclosures are large, clean and well maintained. My wife won a raffle which meant she was able to experience feeding the bears which was fantastic. This sanctuary deserves to go from strength to strength with all the amazing work they do and how much unfortunately still needs to be done.
Stuart Bate
May 17, 2026
My wife and I came here while we were staying in San Diego. What an incredible experience to see there amazing animals up close and treated so well after experiencing so much mistreatment in the past. The sanctuary is so well run and all of the staff are so knowledgable, helpful and friendly. The animal enclosures are large, clean and well maintained. My wife won a raffle which meant she was able to experience feeding the bears which was fantastic. This sanctuary deserves to go from strength to strength with all the amazing work they do and how much unfortunately still needs to be done.
Stuart Bate
May 17, 2026