The Foundation

The Foundationolga2024-03-19T13:53:49-07:00

Our Mission

The Children’s Nature Retreat Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to enriching the lives of children and their families. The focus at our animal sanctuary in Alpine, California is rooted in nurturing a deep connection with the natural world; while in Burkina Faso, West Africa, we provide support to families and access to education from pre-school age through high school.

We rely on you to help us fund our foundation projects.
Please help!

Meet the Children’s Nature Retreat Foundation Team

Board of Directors

Agnès Barrelet

Agnès BarreletExecutive Director

Eileen Logue

Eileen LogueBoard Treasurer

Jan Perry

Jan Perry

Gerald Ramirez

Gerald Ramirez

Advisory Board

Jamie Nelson

Jamie NelsonAdvisory Board Member

Martha A. Ostrom, PhD

Martha A. Ostrom, PhDAdvisory Board Member

The Team

Agnès Barrelet

Agnès BarreletExecutive Director

April

AprilOperations Manager

Wendy

WendyGuests relation

Joey

JoeyMaster Grower

Kelly

KellyAnimal Keeper

Travis

TravisAnimal Keeper

Eric

EricAnimal keeper

Lenora

LenoraAnimal keeper

Chanda

ChandaRanch Hands

Zack

ZackRanch Hands

Polo

PoloMaintenance

Carlos

CarlosMaintenance

“My family and I loved it! Our favorite was Burkina. She was so sweet and followed us around from her enclosure. Also, we met the owner Agnes. She was super nice and chatted with us about the animals.”

Cindy U., El Cajon, CA

“The children’s nature retreat-is not just for children. it is a magical place where one is reminded how powerful nature is-the animals and the park like setting restore a sense of awe and wonder to all of its visitors-including the grown ups.”

Eileen L., San Diego, CA

“This was a very fun getaway! Close to home yet far enough you feel out of the city. The grounds are maintained very well and all of the staff are very friendly l. I can’t wait to go back.”

Amber N., Tucson, AZ

Partners

Children’s Nature Retreat Foundation would like to thank our sponsors and partners!

Discover The Retreat

Make your reservations today.

Google Rating

4.9

Based on 321 reviews

×

Children's Nature Retreat Foundation

4.9

7 months ago

Amazing place to visit and lovely animals. We are coming again for sure.

Jeanette Galloway

7 months ago

Fun place to visit. You can tell they care about their animals. Every staff member I encountered was friendly and took the time to say, "Hi." I recommend buying a bucket of hay to feed the animals. It was lots of fun.

8 months ago

I went here with some friends to get out of the city. It was such a fun experience and I loved interacting with all the animals. The staff is friendly and the work they do here is amazing. I bought a membership, and can’t wait to go back! You should stop by, you won’t be disappointed!

8 months ago

This is a wonderful place to visit for adult and kiddos. The animals are all very tame, since they get attention from people all the time. Well worth a visit!!!

8 months ago

This place is so amazing. Can not say enough positive. The love for the animals is very clear from the moment you pull through the gates. Very reasonably priced (if you plan to go more than once, splurge on the season pass). All the money goes to the welfare of the animals, so why not go and experience a practically private experience. Grab some buckets of food to feed the animals and go experience something you dont get at the zoo. It is truly a one of a kind farm experience. Almost every animal can be fed, petted, and shown some extra love. Every time we go, the farm is quiet and not packed so that we can enjoy some great 1 on 1 time feeding and loving on the animals. Where else can you feed a zebra or get up close with a buffalo whilst being stalked by some adorable kitties who want some pets. Feed the beautiful horses, llamas, goats, pigs, mini horses, ostriches, and so very much more. We love coming to the farm and having a peaceful morning stroll saying hi to all our farm animal friends. It's a great way to get a bit of the farm life without actually having a farm here in San Diego. This place is awesome. My 2 little girls aged 4 & 2 look forward to visiting their animal friends all the time. There is also a little maze and a beautiful garden with some delicious veggies. We try to get a few veggies every time we come. The salad mix is great, carrots are so sweet that even the kids eat them, and we are always pleased with any veggie or herb we purchase. Overall, it was a great experience, educational and something that you can go back and do over and over - visiting the farm/sanctuary never gets old!

8 months ago

8 months ago

Such an amazing experience!

Ravinder Jakkidi

8 months ago

Mike Mithak Mikho

9 months ago

This place is awesome. The people who work there are friendly and knowledgeable. They really care about the animals in addition to taking care of them.The place is neat and clean and looks well cared for. They have a huge garden and the veggies they grow go straight to the animals.I would donate so much to help this Sanctuary if I could. Hmmm...if I win the lottery this is one place that will benefit from my win.I urge everyone to pay them a visit. It will be a visit that will stay with you forever.All of the animals were either abandoned or unwanted or the owners just couldn't care for them any longer. They are now safe and happy. Living out their lives at this Sanctuary.Bless the people who work there. it's truly a labor of love.

9 months ago

We had a great experience visiting the SD animal sanctuary and farm. All of the animals were so lovely and we were able to feed them as well. Lots of space to walk around and check out the animals, great variety. Loved my experience here! Thanks!

9 months ago

Very large place and lots of animals to see and feed! Staff is also very friendly and helpful. Overall a very positive experience but didn't get a full 5 stars because in my opinion it's not worth the price for admission (nearly $150 for a family of 4) but I also do understand it's privately owned and expensive to maintain

10 months ago

I love this place! My friends and I went here to celebrate a friend’s birthday and we had such a fun time!Thankfully we decided to get there around 10:30am before it got too warm. We went on a Saturday and it didn’t seem too packed at that time. After parking in the dirt lot, everyone fills out a waiver and buys tickets at the front desk where two lovely ladies talk about the sanctuary. We then watched a safety video on the TV on how to properly feed the animals, how to watch out for certain fences, and other safety reminders. You can buy a bucket of hay and cup of seeds to feed the animals and I’m so glad we did— this was the most fun part. I absolutely loved how you can get close up interactions with the animals! You can really tell the staff here love and respect all their animals. The property is pretty big so make sure to bring some comfortable shoes that you don’t mind getting dirt on.I had a blast and I can’t wait to come back!

10 months ago

What a perfect day! The staff was lovely, and the animals were well cared for and loved. As unreal as it was to walk around and interact with so many beautiful animals, exotic & farm alike, my favorite was bonding with about 5 barn cats. :) they followed us around for quite a bit, were so loveable, and 1 fell asleep purring in my arms for a bit. I got a weeks worth of serotonin visiting the farm and can't wait to come back.

10 months ago

Very nice little farm where the animals are well taken care of. It is a great place for families. You can feed the animals and pet them.

10 months ago

Wonderful place to visit for kids & adults alike! It’s a great opportunity to get out of the city & have close encounters with animals - including some you may not otherwise be able to get up close to! The staff here is fantastic & you can tell they are passionate about their work & love every single animal on the farm.

10 months ago

Beautiful place! I look forward to future visits! A range of refreshments, snacks, and sweets for the day. The animals are all so cute: a zebra, a buffalo, cows, a handful of birds, chickens, goats, horses, peacocks, ostriches, donkeys, tortoises, a couple dogs (we saw one), and a 8 cats (we saw 5). The owner was super friendly and the staff very helpful, even with a staff shortage. We also went through the bird “encounter”. The Owner insisted that Eric be the one to show us through it and neither of them disappointed. Eric was very knowledgeable, open and honest, and caring with the birds. The whole experience was very wholesome. We walked out buying some local honey and melons

10 months ago

This place is super great and all of the staff members are super friendly and informative! The owner is sweet as can be and really personable, the animals are all very well cared for and the place is huge! I especially enjoyed meeting Eric who is their bird guy, he had an impressive amount of knowledge about birds and we had such a great time with the birdies! :) Would 100000% recommend this place for all the animal lovers out there and we will definitely be returning!

10 months ago

We enjoyed our time there. It was a relaxing drive out there from San Diego (approx. 40 minutes). Feeding the animals was a fun experience, and it was a nice walk around the property.

Lindsey Wisotsky

11 months ago

We went with our two kids (2 & 3), grandma and auntie. Everyone had a good time!

11 months ago

Fun spot to visit with a great cause.

Fermín Gallardo

11 months ago

Hacen una excelente labor! Mi admiración para quienes hacen esto posible. Ojalá fuéramos más concientes de la importancia de todos los animales que merecen una vida digna

Brooke Carlisle

11 months ago

There is hay you can feed the animals all over the place. I do wish I could cuddle and touch the animals more. If ur not tall enough to bend over the fence to pet the few animals you are allowed to pet, you are just gonna be looking at animals through a fence the whole time.

Robert Hemphill

12 months ago

I surprised my wife and sister by bringing them here instead of downtown, and they had the absolute BEST time. The farm is beautiful, the animals are so friendly, and the staff was extremely helpful and positive. When every day feels rushed and you always have stress on your plate, spending a morning or afternoon here is genuine therapy. Do yourself the kindness and check this place out next time you need some time to unwind and just have a good time!

Olga Godoy Garcia de Mateo

12 months ago

Awesome work helping these beautiful animals.

12 months ago

I love everything about this place. I will bring our baby here too.

Chris Stockwell

12 months ago

Great place to visit. It gets hot out here so plan accordingly. They have water and restrooms, spots with shade, and some areas with mist to cool you. Obviously more for the animals would be great, but this is a rescue/sanctuary with great staff.

12 months ago

Definitely worth the drive and the ticket price. You can feed almost every animal on the farm which was so unique. You really get up close interactions in a way not possible at a zoo. They really care about their animals here and it shows.

a year ago

Amazing experience for all ages. My wife and I recently visited this sanctuary, and it was a lot of fun. They are also very kid-friendly, including a place where children can cool down in a play area with sprinklers. You can feed the animals. They also grow some produce and will sell it to you if you wish.

a year ago

Such a great place! A great variety of animals to interact with at your own leisure and they all look healthy and happy with plenty of space to roam. The staff is very friendly and does a great job caring for the animals. It's such a cute place to visit and I definitely encourage the public to visit/support this sanctuary!

a year ago

Little pricey but very good experience overall

a year ago

Excellent alternative to other animal experiences in San Diego! Very family friendly!

Brittany Caswell

a year ago

The drive to get there is beautiful. The sanctuary is beautiful. The animals were just absolutely cute and adorable and funny. My daughter went here for a field trip and she had the best time ever. She was just so excited that she got to feed all the animals (a few that we couldn’t obviously because of health reasons) she listened to the tour guide with everything he was saying about each animal and how they came to be at the sanctuary! Then we came home and she just kept talking about the animals! It was beautiful. We had a great time.

a year ago

Thiago Da Silva

a year ago

THE LEAN MACHINE MEAL PREP

a year ago

This place is absolutely amazing! If you are a true animal lover you must make it a point to come for a visit! I purchased a behind the scenes tour for my wife’s birthday last Thursday and it could not have been a more perfect day! We were greeted by one of the staff when we arrived at the front entrance, they welcomed us in and radioed the Founder and Executive Director, Agnès Barrelet of our arrival. As we waited they prepared our buckets of hay and cups of bird seed for the tour(a must). One of the many farm cats came up to say hello and get some pets, she was trying to eat the bird seed from our cups, too adorable hahahaha, the first of countless animal interactions to come. Agnes arrived and we started to walk the grounds. Needless to say the whole experience is one we will never forget!! 100% worth doing the behind the scene tour with her!! Up close and personal with all the creatures. So much love at this place! You can tell they truly care about each and every one of the animals there and they are working hard to give them the best life they deserve! The facility is massive and Agnes is obviously doing an amazing job making it all run smoothly. This place is worthy of all of our support, whether you choose to donate to their wonderful cause or opt to come in for a visit, there is no better place to spend your money, like I said it is 100% worth it! If you love animals, book today, you will thank me later! :)) please go to our FB page to see all the videos this place is GOLD! Anthony Lero, Dana Lero

a year ago

What a fun day! On a beautiful piece of property, surrounded by fun and unique animals. Close encounters to zebras, Buffalo and even camels! Definitely worth visiting with your family!

a year ago

a year ago

a year ago

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..

a year ago

Staff was very friendly and met the King of the Jungle

Sierra Phillips

a year ago

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.

a year ago

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

a year ago

Say is see you San Francisco

a year ago

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

a year ago

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

Melanie Richards

a year ago

a year ago

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.

a year ago

What a great place to visit!

a year ago

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.

a year ago

a year ago

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.

a year ago

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

a year ago

Really fun day for the little ones

a year ago

Chris Birchmore

a year ago

a year ago

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!

a year ago

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

a year ago

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

a year ago

Totaly loved it!

Cris Blackwater

a year ago

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.

a year ago

We had a great time

a year ago

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.

a year ago

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!

a year ago

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

a year ago

a year ago

Kasia Czajkowska-Aguilar

a year ago

Beautiful place to visit especially with children

a year ago

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

a year ago

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.

a year ago

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

a year ago

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

a year ago

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!

a year ago

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.

2 years ago

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

2 years ago

2 years ago

Fabulous experience. Couldn’t recommend enough.

2 years ago

2 years ago

2 years ago

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

2 years ago

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.

2 years ago

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!

2 years ago

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.

2 years ago

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

2 years ago

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.

2 years ago

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!

2 years ago

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.

2 years ago

Such an AMAZING experience!

2 years ago

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!

2 years ago

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

2 years ago

Carlos Frábago

2 years ago

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

2 years ago

2 years ago

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!

2 years ago

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

2 years ago

Danielle Rhodes

2 years ago

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!

2 years ago

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.

See all reviews Write a review