I watch the wind rustle the leaves in the trees.
It was a beautiful drive to this rural part of Alpine. Loved seeing the mountains and the greenery. Admission to the Children’s Retreat was $38 for the day or $149 for the year. After an afternoon here we chose the year membership.
We purchased 2 buckets of fresh cut barley. There are tons of cute animals to feed and pet. You will want 4 buckets if you want to feed something to all the animals in the retreat.
Some highlights of my afternoon. Watching the tortoise climb up the fence to eat so I could get a good look at the bottom of his shell. It was cool seeing how happy he was to eat some barley.
Outsmarting the black horse that was hogging the food. I drew him away from the other horses with some barley while Maggie fed the other horses.
Feeding the baby horse in the barn.
Watching the baby pigs and mom in the barn.
Checking out the zebras and camels.
This place reminds me of the Children’s Zoo when I was a kid. I had a great time feeding ice cream cones to goats.
As the day draws to a close I sit and listen to the sound of the wind rustling the leaves in the trees.
We have been members for a year now. Each visit has been a unique experience. We have visited during a heat wave and during a fall thunderstorm. I’ve seen the Easter bunny and a pumpkin field. Staff and owner are nice and helpful. This is one of our favorite places to visit in the world.
“Every experience is a form of exploration”
Ansel Adams
5178 Japatul Spur
Alpine, CA 91901
Alpine, CA 91901
(619) 320-4942
Wonderful pictures! Can’t decide which one I like the most! Each time we visit I think to myself, this place is a little slice of heaven on earth.
Thanks! Bummer you can’t stay there.
Looks like a great place. Though not as extensive as the San Diego Zoo looks like you get a much more personalized and hands-on experience with your membership.
I guess it’s like buying stuff at a Walmart Super Center on Black Friday versus a little shop in Julian. I love seeing the variety of animals at the San Diego Zoo but the hordes of people are distracting.