The San Elijo Lagoon Is The Perfect Place To Hike In Socal

Located by the sea in Cardiff, CA, the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and Nature Center is a nature lover’s dream. With more than seven miles of trails to explore and acres of coastal wetlands, it’s the perfect place to visit and explore for an afternoon. Take a walk around the reserve and see what you discover!

Welcome to the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and Nature Center where the ocean meets the land. This scenic lagoon and wetland have an incredible amount of wildlife and nature to explore.

GlobalGypsy_13/Tripadvisor

Start your day at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center to plan your hike before heading out into the wetlands. At the center, you can walk through interactive museum exhibits and learn about the different ecosystems present in the marsh.

County of San Diego Parks and Recreation

There are seven miles of easy-to-moderate trails to take around the reserve. Whether you want to hike, walk, bike, or run, these trails are easily accessible and good for all skills levels and people with mobility issues.

Shaun Edelstein/All Trails

The trail loops around the wetlands and overlooks the lagoon channel. At low tide, when the mudflats are exposed, you can spot birds and ducks feeding by the water and eating purple shore crabs.

Amy Stahl-Gunduz/All Trails

Along the path, there are willows that create a nice shade. There are also benches to sit and rest along the way and enjoy the wildlife.

Dingneng Wang/All Trails

Expect to never see the same thing twice at the lagoon. It’s the best way to get an up-close look at the birds and different animals that live in the ecosystem.

Shelley Sheridan/All Trails

These wetlands are an ideal place to get outside and enjoy nature. Would you like to visit the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve and Nature Reserve? Hours for the nature center are from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. Visit the reserve’s website to learn more about the trails and plan your visit.