San Diego County has a real split between native-wildlife refuges (run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) and private animal rescues that take in exotic and domestic animals. They are different things, and the article below keeps them separate so you know which is which.
National Wildlife Refuges
The federal refuges around San Diego Bay protect wetlands on the Pacific Flyway:
- San Diego Bay NWR (Sweetwater) – about 3,900 acres of tidal marsh; the main unit is the Sweetwater unit with a trail and the Chula Vista wildlife reserve.
- Tijuana River NWR – one of the most biodiverse estuaries in Southern California, on the border; visitor center and trails.
- Seal Beach NWR and San Diego NWR – smaller upland units protecting threatened species like the California gnatcatcher and Quino checkerspot butterfly.
These are for birdwatching, walking the trails, and photography. Access is free but limited — some units are only open on guided tours, so check the USFWS site.
Lions Tigers & Bears (Alpine)
Lions Tigers & Bears is a 142-acre rescue in Alpine, east of the city, that gives permanent homes to big cats, bears, and other exotic animals rescued from private hands. It is not a zoo you walk into freely; visits are by scheduled tour, and the animals are the point, not exhibits. You can also volunteer or donate. It is the closest thing in the county to the wildlife sanctuary concept the old article implied, but it is a rescue, not a public park.
San Diego Animal Sanctuary & Farm
The San Diego Animal Sanctuary & Farm (in Alpine) takes in livestock and domestic animals and runs a petting-farm style visitor experience. It is a different mission from the refuges — education and rescue of farm animals rather than native habitat protection.
Other Nature Preserves
Beyond the refuges, the county has regional preserves (e.g., the Multiple Species Conservation Program lands in the south) and the Anza-Borrego desert to the east. For tide-pool and marine life, the coastal guides cover what you will see.
Conclusion
If you want native birds and wetlands, use the federal refuges around the bay — free, but check which units need a tour. If you want to see rescued big cats and bears up close, book a tour at Lions Tigers & Bears in Alpine. Don’t confuse the two: the refuges protect wild habitat, while the rescues care for individual animals that cannot be released. Verify hours and tour requirements on each organization’s official site before you drive out, since access rules vary by season and by property.
