Giving Love to Banfora - Children's Nature Retreat

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5178 Japatul Spur Alpine, CA 91901 | (619) 320-4942|info@childrensnatureretreat.org

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Giving Love to Banfora

Giving Some Love to Banfora, Our White Camel.

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Title

Location

The Farm is located on 20-acres
about a 40 minutes east of San Diego.
Hours of Operation: 10am - 5pm
We are open to the public 7 days a week.
Closed Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day.
The Children’s Nature Retreat Foundation is a 501c3 non-profit organization, and its EIN is 20-4859019. All donations are 100% tax deductible.

Google Rating

4.9

Based on 280 reviews

Children's Nature Retreat Foundation

4.9

17:22 20 Apr 24

Wonderful staff, wonderful animals, wonderful layed back atmosphere with cats running around everywhere etc.. for a tiny sum children can feed the animals, not crowded, and it's a charity, the animals all needed a home. I wish I knew about this place when my son was small! Quiet and about half the price of the zoo. Some exotic critters like zebras and ostriches, mostly usual barn yard stuff like pigs ponies etc..

23:39 17 Apr 24

Staff was very friendly and met the King of the Jungle

Sierra Phillips

01:01 12 Apr 24

Fun way to spend the day with a nice variety of animals. From the typical farm animals to a few more exotic species, there's something for everyone 😀 highly recommend getting the feed bucket add on.

19:30 09 Apr 24

Absolutely loved the experience! Took my kids and it was so fun. The staff is so nice and everything is so well kept. I appreciate that they even do military/veteran discounts. To some it may seem like the entrance fee is expensive but 100% believe I would pay it again because it’s that worth it! I also love that we can bring our own lunch and enjoy an outdoor picnic surrounded by all the open fresh air and trees in their benches and table area. And I loved all the little farm cats that approached us at our lunch time! Everything about this place is amazing. Getting to feed the ducks/chickens/turkey for only $2 a cup is amazing. I cannot wait to take my kids back.

Seven s Corinthianos

17:25 12 Mar 24

Say is see you San Francisco

00:21 05 Mar 24

Such a peaceful drive to arrive there, ... it felt like nature at its best & Then the Animals ..WOW, what a fantastic variety ... The grounds were cleaned /spotless & a beautiful loving family of animals and happy team players everywhere.. it was so peaceful & nature at its best👍beautiful..🕊️💞Go and enjoy, you will NOT be disappointed.. but grateful that such a fantastic place like here is there to share.....What an amazing Zoo/ Farm out there in Alpine!!I'll be back .. what a great place!!

Angela Deptolla

04:09 04 Mar 24

Loved it! We had such a great time. Where else can you feed a zebra????

05:20 22 Feb 24

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the San Diego Animal Sanctuary and Farm with my toddler, and it was an unforgettable experience that I feel compelled to share. Nestled just 40 minutes away from San Diego, this hidden gem is more than just a farm; it's a peaceful haven where each animal, from the mini horses to the camels, is treated with the utmost care and love.Upon arrival, we were warmly greeted by the most incredible host, a French single mom who embarked on this admirable journey in 2015 to create a sanctuary for rescued animals. Her passion and dedication were evident in every corner of the 20-acre park, making us feel immediately at ease and welcomed.One of the highlights of our visit was the opportunity to interact closely with the animals. For a small fee, we bought a bucket of hay for $5 and grains for $3, which allowed us to feed and connect with the animals in a more intimate way. My toddler was particularly enchanted by the mini horses, while I couldn't help but chuckle at the camel's antics. It was truly heartwarming to see how well-cared-for all the animals were, reflecting the sanctuary's commitment to their well-being.Not only did we enjoy our time with the animals, but we also supported the sanctuary by purchasing fresh cabbage, bok choy, and eggs. Knowing that everyone involved in the sanctuary is a volunteer added a special touch to our visit, emphasizing the community's collective effort to maintain this wonderful place.I highly encourage everyone to bring a picnic, spend a day at this magical sanctuary, and support their cause by attending their fundraising event on March 8th. Visiting the San Diego Animal Sanctuary and Farm is not only a delightful experience but also a chance to contribute to a noble cause. Let's help this amazing sanctuary continue its mission of rescuing and caring for these incredible animals.

15:43 20 Feb 24

What a great place to visit!

23:35 19 Feb 24

Really nice experience. Good viewing opportunities of a variety of animals in what seems like a humane environment. Easy parking. Fresh produce from the farm is available. Friendly staff. A bit expensive for a family, but it makes sense given the costs of running the place.

04:28 07 Feb 24

21:03 04 Feb 24

Such an amazing animal experience. The whole site is so well kept and the interaction with the animals is easy and done at your own pace.

01:50 21 Jan 24

Friend staff and animals. My kids had a good time.

22:19 18 Jan 24

Really fun day for the little ones

Chris Birchmore

05:12 06 Jan 24

23:12 02 Jan 24

The best zoo experience I've had in a long time! I've visited twice now and it's just a whole wonderful and peaceful experience. Purchasing the hay buckets are absolutely worth it! Great for couples, family, or even solo trips!

06:27 22 Dec 23

Agnes and the whole crew are rad and the animals are so fun and it's just beautiful out there.

04:58 19 Dec 23

Had a great time at the Christmas tree lighting at the sanctuary. Kids had a blast feeding, seeing and touching so many different types of animals.

Hugo Aurelio González-Gámez Rimada

21:37 18 Dec 23

Totaly loved it!

Cris Blackwater

06:49 29 Nov 23

This place is absolutely amazing!It’s a short drive from San Diego city center, only a little bit over half and hour.The animals are amazing and well loved and cared for, and the staff is super friendly and very sweet.I highly recommend going inside one of the enclosures. The animals will be so grateful for it! Give them all the snacks and pets!I had a truly amazing day here, and I cannot wait to come back.

00:28 27 Nov 23

We had a great time

18:00 24 Nov 23

Utterly incredible place. The summer camp opportunities are an incredible way for kids to learn and interact with all kinds of animals. You can not only see but *feed* (and sometimes water) animals that you'll likely never see anywhere else. The staff are amazing, too.

02:45 24 Nov 23

My children LOVED the experience. We were given buckets of hay to feed some of the animals and they totally got a kick out of doing it. If you are going through Japatul Valley, this is a great stop to visit!

18:25 04 Nov 23

Animals are loved and well cared for. A lot of thought is put into this sanctuary.Produce is organic and deliciousBring your walking shoes. It's a nice little walk around the property.Got to pet a couple of animals that I've never even seen up close before! That was very cool. Good for kids to see the animals in person

14:28 05 Oct 23

04:50 04 Oct 23

Kasia Czajkowska-Aguilar

01:03 24 Sep 23

Beautiful place to visit especially with children ❤️

17:16 29 Aug 23

Remember your sunscreen and water! Really enjoyed this place, at least my kid did. A lot of animals to see and feed and a knowledgeable staff. Ou can buy some of their garden items, too, which are huge. Biggest cow I've ever seen, standing at over 6'1"

Martha Rodriguez

03:00 07 Aug 23

Great place to visit, I will definitely be going back. Bring a hat and water. Buy the food the kids love feeding the ducks and large animals.

03:48 30 Jul 23

Loved it, would recommend and wouldn’t change a thing. 10/10

18:48 23 Jul 23

Living in San Diego and never hearing of this place makes me sad as now I will make this a frequent visit! So much more fun than the zoo to me! And you get to get so much closer and get to interact with the animals! My kids had a blast and my husband and I felt like kids as well! We will definitely be back! Another hidden gem we have found since becoming parents!

Kimberly Moneymaker

20:07 17 Jul 23

What a wonderful place for all the animals. Our family enjoyed roaming the paths through the large enclosures. The black horse is amazing!! We love pigs, and there were several nice pig areas with big water holes. The peacocks are beautiful. There are places to rest and an area to picnic. Highly recommended!

02:27 09 Jul 23

Went there with my girlfriend for our for years together and we absolutely loved it, it is something very different you can find not so far from San Diego. The staff was very amazing and helpful and also very Informative of the animals, you can tell they really love what they do and how much they care for all the animals. I will definitely spread the word of this place to friends and family and will be sure to be back soon.

04:50 28 Jun 23

Beautiful place. Awesome cause and really welcoming. Enjoyed the atmosphere and the peaceful area outside the hustle and bustle of the San Diego burbs.

20:41 22 Jun 23

02:12 09 Jun 23

Fabulous experience. Couldn’t recommend enough.

23:58 06 Jun 23

18:02 05 Jun 23

19:41 04 Jun 23

We came for the behind the scenes tour. WOW!! Such a great up close and personal tour with the founder, Agnes! She was very knowledgeable about every animal, and took great care of the sanctuary! We were able to feed, pet, hold, and love on all the animals, and were given plenty of time to take it all in. Can’t say enough good things about this place! We will be back 🖤

19:33 30 May 23

My family's first time here and it's was a blast, my son loved feeding/touching the animals and just being that close to them was really cool.

01:50 30 May 23

The Serenity Sanctuary is an absolute gem. I can't express how thrilled I am to have stumbled upon it. We frequent the sanctuary and take delight in introducing our friends to this hidden paradise. The serenity that engulfs you while feeding and interacting with the gentle creatures is simply unparalleled. You have the freedom to meander at your own leisure, feed the animals either by reaching through or observing from above the fences, and even relish a picnic lunch amidst the tranquility. Indulging in a delectable ice cream treat from the snack bar is an added pleasure, knowing that the proceeds contribute to the noble cause. Trust me when I say, it's an experience you absolutely must not miss!

05:47 25 May 23

Very nice place. Everyone there was so helpful and nice. My grandkids loved it with lots of animals to see. We will be back again .They have a nice shady area to sit and have lunch.

00:38 20 May 23

Couldn’t have had a better time, everyone was so friendly & sweet -especially Amanda! Our son had the best time adventuring and seeing all the different animals. Great pricing, we got two feed buckets and went to town giving all the animals a snack! We will bring anyone who visits us in San Diego here, highly recommend. Can’t wait to go again.

Emelia Katysovas

05:03 18 May 23

We love this place so much. The care they give to the animals is exceptional. The environment is a calm, beautiful escape from the city. Bring a picnic and stay the day visiting will all the sweet, very loved animals.

01:21 11 May 23

I have been here many times with my kids, but our last visit was the first we have done as a guided tour field trip. We learned SO much! Travis, the animal keeper, was beyond patient with the 18 children, many of which were incredibly young. He kept them all so engaged for several hours. The chaperones keep mentioning what a special day it was, and how much more we got out of it than we would have at the San Diego Zoo.A wonderful and special gem of a place!

05:49 09 May 23

Nice place to bring animal lovers. It's not too big or small. People here are friendly. Make sure you buy a bucket of animal food. It was so much fun interacting with them. The restrooms are clean and plenty of picnic benches for a break.

22:31 08 May 23

Such an AMAZING experience!

18:44 02 May 23

This truly is a magical place that not many people know about. The animals are so well cared for, have huge pastures to roam, and really love attention from guests. The Farm is a great place to take your family and allow your kids to run free and enjoy the outdoors. Lots of shaded picnic areas and places to sit along the way. Highly recommend!

01:40 30 Apr 23

Awesome place. I enjoyed it more than the zoo since you can interact with the animals

06:25 13 Apr 23

Carlos Frábago

06:13 12 Apr 23

Great place to share with friends and get to know the fauna of the place by feeding the animals, taking walks around the park trails 🌳 🦒 🦓 🦔Very close driving from SD, to get out of the routine and give yourself a break from so much work It is advisable to bring your own drinks and some snacks, just relax 🚘 🏃 ☀️ ⛅️

23:40 11 Apr 23

21:35 11 Apr 23

This place is amazing and way easier / more fun than schlepping the kids to the Zoo or Wild Animal Park. They have so much fun getting up close to all the animals and being able to feed them. Highly recommend!

06:02 11 Apr 23

Whether you bring kids or not, this is a fantastic place to visit. The staff is super friendly and helpful, you can get up close and personal with with the animals, and the fees are fairly priced. Of all San Diego has to offer, this has to be at the top of your bucket list to see.

Hajar Homayouni

04:58 10 Apr 23

Danielle Rhodes

01:56 10 Apr 23

What a fun Easter Sunday! My daughter and I stopped by for the Easter egg hunt event and to also visit the animals today. So many families visiting yet with 20-acres of land to explore, it was still so peaceful and we were able to take our time visiting each animal without crowding or congestion. It was so nice! We enjoyed ourselves. We loved having the opportunity to feed the livestock and some of the exotic animals! It is such a beautiful place and the staff are so kind, and helpful. They truly want all visitors to feel welcomed and to walk away with the best experience. Definitely visiting again!

23:19 08 Apr 23

Today was a fantastic day at the SDAS&F! There were so many happy families and the weather was fantastic. The Easter egg hunts (one per day leading up to Easter) are super popular. This is one of the best and most wholesome places in the county to enjoy Easter 🐣 fun. It’s also a place for all seasons and can be enjoyed anytime of the year.

22:40 06 Apr 23

My son and I come here often (since he was about a year old and now almost 6) and absolutely love it! In the quiet beautiful mountains surrounded by nature and animals! You get an up close experience with every animal and can feed almost all of them! Shady picnic areas with a little snack store for snacks and drinks. Their events are always fun like their Easter egg hunt, and trick or treating! The animals are so sweet and well cared for! The people who work there are so helpful and love to chat about all the projects and animals on the property! We love the Sanctuary so much and look forward to all of our future trips! I 100% recommend all families to visit this little jewel in Alpine!

06:24 30 Mar 23

P Guevara (Pguevara)

00:25 28 Mar 23

19:13 25 Mar 23

GOTTA GO SEE MY CALYPSO AND THE VERY SNOBBY FRESIANS HAHA!!!!! SPRING IS HERE°!!!

Steven Galloway

21:01 19 Mar 23

Awesome experience, lots of animals, very active and got to feed most of them.

20:24 19 Mar 23

Such a cute animal sanctuary! Super happy we were able to support this non profit and hopefully help them a little to stay afloat. ❤️ Loved the added ability to feed all the animals

20:47 05 Mar 23

18:04 01 Mar 23

Such a great experience. Well maintained place, very cute and worth it! Definitely going again and recommend for ANYONE!!!!!

01:23 26 Feb 23

I love nature spiece

23:46 24 Feb 23

Fun place

Mrs. Amy Regardie

03:05 24 Feb 23

We had such a wonderful time at the San Diego Animal Sanctuary and Farm! This was our second visit, and we wish we lived closer so we could go more often. My 11-year-old daughter did the "Be a Keeper for a Day" experience, and it was just perfect. Everyone was so kind and friendly, and it is such a beautiful place to spend a day. The animals are so well-cared for and loved. It truly is a "sanctuary" for animals and for people!

Daniel Santillan

14:05 23 Feb 23

There have an amazing zoo set up for the kids super sweet and they sell eggs

02:13 03 Feb 23

Phenomenal place!!!

05:00 29 Jan 23

My husband and I had an absolutely wonderful time. We saw an ad on Facebook and drove out to see some animals and we’ll probably keep going back because we love animals. Didn’t realize there was the different packages so we’ll probably try and do more with our favorites. The staff were friendly, loved the animals, had the best time feeding everyone, Pearl was a favorite of mine. We paid $38 each for an adult day pass and then $5 for individual buckets of hay (an absolute steal).

16:17 25 Jan 23

Great customer service. Great place for a family walk.

18:31 28 Dec 22

Best place in SD to spend the day around animals, I feel in love with smoky the cat and all the cats there, will definitely be back

23:58 09 Dec 22

Pretty relax place. Nice people.

21:46 08 Dec 22

Great place to go take your little animal lover! Everyone is super nice and it's nice and peaceful out there.

Charlene Patterson

22:25 29 Nov 22

My 2 granddaughters (3&6), son and I had the best time ever walking around and feeding the animals. Just note that one bucket of hay is NOT enough!!

03:01 24 Nov 22

10:21 12 Nov 22

We go here on the weekends. The whole family loves it. We rent one of the wagons to pull our buckets of greens for the animals (and our toddler). We bring a picnic to eat at the picnic area next to the zebras. It's a great way to interact with the animals, and to teach kids how to care for and respect them. Plus it's just a beautiful area for a walk.

21:16 23 Oct 22

What a fun little place! I’d much rather take my kids here to experience animal life than the zoo. The animals all seem really happy to be here and excited when the saw my kids with their buckets of hay.They also have these adorable little kittens that followed us around the whole property and we’re sweet as can be!We had so much fun and everyone was super friendly and helpful.As for the price- It’s completely reasonable due to the expense of running this place.

18:18 20 Oct 22

17:15 08 Oct 22

Fantastic experience. The staff were extremely friendly and welcoming, you can tell the animals are loved and well taken care of. I will definitely be coming back here to support the good cause of this foundation.

01:51 22 Sep 22

It was amazing experience for us, we wanna go again. Thank you so much for rescue these animal friends ❤️ Love from Turkey

Josephine Gagnon

12:37 08 Sep 22

An amazing place that everyone should visit and support. Dedicated owner and staff.

16:58 31 Aug 22

Staff is super friendly! They even showed us a few things that aren't typically available for visitors to see. My son, wife, and I had a blast visiting with the animals.

Shantaya Music108

02:12 09 Aug 22

I loved our visit today. I can’t even describe how happy I feel I went to the children’s retreat today. Please go there it will really make your heart sing and your soul dance. Animals are amazing and so is the staff. Thank you so much for a beautiful day!

00:01 24 Jul 22

Awesome place to see and feed some animals, also very well kept and friendly staff. Bring plenty of water and sunscreen if you go on a summer afternoon.

02:43 23 Jul 22

Thanks for all the animal saver !!

Ana Victoria Hernandez

05:34 13 Jul 22

Summer school field trip. It was very nice, all the personal was so friendly. The kids love it.

19:57 09 Jul 22

My 8-year-old granddaughter was a Zookeeper for a Day in March. She loved it so much that she requested a return visit rather than doing something else, so we’re going back to do it again next month. This was (on the day we went) a one-on-one experience, and she got to feed more than a dozen different types of animals (including bottle feeding a baby goat), plus observe a vet work on horses’ teeth and my granddaughter also helped prepare medications for sick animals and brush miniature horses. The zookeepers she worked with were very sweet and provided lots of educational explanations. I was offered the opportunity to ride along on the golf cart with both the small and larger zookeepers. The Children’s Nature Retreat really cares about the animals, most of which were rescues. They also limit the number of guests so that it never gets crowded and offer volunteer opportunities to local disabled young people. A first rate operation!

19:05 08 Jul 22

Had a great time, staff is very friendly & the animals are very sweet. Definitely recommend, will be back.

12:02 04 Jul 22

23:40 21 Jun 22

15:00 17 Jun 22

A great little place in Alpine to either take your kids for a couple of hours or to go yourself and clear your head. She has a good assortment of animals so you’re sure to find some animal you’ll like there. She even has a bison! Highly recommend this place.

23:54 16 Jun 22

Amazing place! The animals are happy and they are really well cared for! We enjoyed our time there!

Levi Riggenbach

20:45 12 Jun 22

03:33 28 May 22

Went with grandson’s preschool. Very fun, interactive with animals, kids got to feed the animals hay. Nice area to eat picnic lunch. Guides were informative and friendly. Not sure of cost.

Deborah Branton

12:48 24 May 22

Wonderful experience for all families. Large array of animals. Beautiful place very serene and peaceful. They sale buckets of hay to feed the animals and they also sale a pull wagon for your visit.

Benjamin Hammett

17:59 18 May 22

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5178 Japatul Spur Alpine, CA 91901
(619) 320-4942
[email protected]

Directions from I-8 East:

-Take the Alpine/Tavern Road exit
-Turn right on Tavern Road belgesel izle
-After about 9 miles, turn left onto Japatul Spur
-The retreat entrance will be on the left after approximately 1/4 mile

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