Southern California > San Diego County > San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve

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San Elijo Lagoon, between the towns of Solana Beach and Encinitas, is an ecological preserve, home to many types of birds, which can be viewed from a small network of trails. Although bisected by two freeways and a railroad, the lagoon was saved from development in the 1960s. Within its1,000 acres are six distinct plant communities. Nearby residences...

San Elijo Lagoon, between the towns of Solana Beach and Encinitas, is an ecological preserve, home to many types of birds, which can be viewed from a small network of trails. Although bisected by two freeways and a railroad, the lagoon was saved from development in the 1960s. Within its1,000 acres are six distinct plant communities. Nearby residences and some traffic remind you that you're not far from the city, but it is a convenient place to find some solitude among the wetlands. Birds are plentiful on a quarter-mile, self-guided nature trail. You will no doubt see an osprey or a great egret or two, and on my visit in September, mullet fish were leaping all along the trail as it wound through the marsh. 

Visitor center: The preserve’s new two-story visitor center was designed to be a model of “green” building. Mostly recycled materials were used in its construction, and the building is highly energy- and water-efficient, with solar panels, a recycled water system, and a “cool” roof that includes a garden with native plants. A few short, mostly level trails meander through the native plant gardens north of the visitor center, overlooking the northernmost end of the lagoon.

Interactive exhibits explain the building’s green features and why water conservation and storm water pollution control are important to coastal watersheds. Be sure to take the elevator to the second-floor observation deck, which wraps around three sides of the building and provides extensive views out over the lagoon and marsh.