There''s a place in Alpine where grizzly bears swim in pools, tigers lounge in the sun, and servals play in the grass. It sounds like a zoo. It''s not. Lions Tigers & Bears is a sanctuary, which means the animals here aren''t on display for profit. They''re here because they had nowhere else to go.
What the Sanctuary Is
Lions Tigers & Bears occupies 142 acres at 24402 Martin Way in Alpine, right on the edge of Cleveland National Forest. It''s the only exotic animal sanctuary in Southern California accredited by the Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries. That accreditation matters. It means the facility doesn''t breed its animals, doesn''t sell them, and doesn''t allow public contact. Every animal here is rescued from a life that was worse than what most people can imagine: roadside zoos, circuses, illegal breeding operations, and private owners who didn''t understand what they were getting into.
More than 60 animals call the sanctuary home. The enclosures are large, landscaped, and designed with the animals'' natural behaviors in mind. Grizzly bears have ponds with waterfalls. Big cats have room to roam. The veterinary facility is on-site. And the staff, led by founder Bobbi Brink, treats every animal like it''s the only one that matters.
How to Visit
The sanctuary offers guided walking tours year-round. A guide takes you through the property, introduces you to the animals, and tells their rescue stories. Reviews are overwhelmingly positive, with 562 Google reviews and a 4.9-star rating. Visitors consistently say the same thing: the animals are healthy, the grounds are immaculate, and the experience changes how you think about exotic animal ownership.
Summer programs are available for kids, with interactive activity cards, educational programming about wildlife rescue, and hands-on (well, eyes-on) time with the animals. And for an unforgettable experience, the White Oak Suite lets guests spend the night on the property. Two bedrooms, a pool, a fire pit, and the sounds of the sanctuary after dark.
Wild in the Country 2026
The sanctuary''s biggest annual fundraiser, Wild in the Country, ran again on May 30, 2026 from 2pm to 7:30pm on the sanctuary grounds. Tickets ranged from $165 to $375. It''s the single most important fundraising event for the nonprofit. Operating a true accredited sanctuary is a multi-million-dollar operation, and because LTB doesn''t exploit its animals for revenue, every dollar comes from donations and events like this one.
The sanctuary also hosts weddings. The 142 acres of oak groves, meadows, and rolling hills can accommodate up to 500 guests, and every wedding held on the property directly supports the animals.
Why It Matters
"Every visit helps raise awareness and supports real change for animals in need," Brink has said. She started the sanctuary because she believed these animals deserved a second chance. Based on the reviews, the community agrees.
Lions Tigers & Bears is on Martin Way in Alpine, off Alpine Boulevard east toward Japatul Valley. For more things to do in the area, check out the Alpine community directory, or plan a full day with lunch at Janet''s Montana Cafe on Alpine Blvd before your tour.
