San Diego Birders
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Best Birding Spots in San Diego County
If you would like to be toured around, the good people at the San Diego Audubon Society provide regularly scheduled and FREE guided field trips to the best birding sites in the County at specific times of the year.
However, if you are interested in going it alone, here is a list of the best birding sites in Central San Diego, South Bay, North County, East County, the mountains, and the deserts that are recommended by The San Diego Audubon Society. We especially thank our good friend, Jim Peugh, for helping guide us in the right direction.
CENTRAL SAN DIEGO
Old Mission Dam - Set in San Diego's beautiful Mission Trails Regional Park system, this urban river gorge features lush vegetation, flowing water, and the remains of an old dam built for the San Diego Mission. The trails throughout the park are moderately strenuous. A drinking fountain and portable restrooms are located near the old dam. Gates open at 8am.
Directions: Take Mission Gorge Road north to the main entrance. This is Father Junipero Serra Trail and has numerous speed bumps and a speed limit of 15 mph. Turn left (or right if coming from Santee) and proceed several miles to the parking lot on the left. Park in the parking lot at Old Mission Dam in Mission Trails Regional Park.
Lake Murray - This is another good birding and walking spot associated with Mission Trails Regional Park. The lake is actually a reservoir which is very popular with area residents who want to picnic, barbeque, or walk, walk, and walk. Restrooms and water fountains are available on site.
Directions: From Interstate 8, exit on Lake Murray Boulevard north, turn left on Kiowa Drive.
Lagoon Bird
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San Diego River Estuary - This coastal estuary is a haven for shorebirds of all types. Sometimes the estuary is flush with water and other times, the tide is extremely low exposing undulating mud flats. This is a great place to take young children who are just beginning to understand bird behaviors and the importance of our region's natural resources. There is a paved bicycle and jogging trail on the north access road (South Shores Park Road) that is accessible from Sea World Drive. Restrooms and water fountains are available across Sea World Drive at South Shores Park.
Directions: From the I-8 West, take the exit for Mission Bay Drive/Sports Arena Boulevard. Make a right on Ingraham, exit at Sea World Drive and proceed to the access road. From the I-5, take Sea World Drive west to the access road.
Famosa Slough - The slough is a place that motorists often whiz by as they drive between various parts of Point Loma and Ocean Beach. The Famosa Slough has been one of San Diego's more hidden environmental resorces and it is a very special preserve indeed. So special, that the City of San Diego joined with volunteer groups, including the Audubon Society, to clean it up and protect it. Easy hiking along the trail makes it a perfect place to introduce youngsters to birding in a completely urban setting. No public facilities.
Directions: Take I-8 West, proceed to the end of the freeway and turn onto Nimitz Boulevard. Make a left onto West Point Loma Boulevard. Proceed about a mile and watch for the slough on the right or the left. Park on Famosa Boulevard or West Point Loma Boulevard.
Point Loma - This longtime coastal community of San Diego offers a number of good birding spots, mainly in the spring. Good places to go birding are Point Loma Nazarene University,
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery,
Cabrillo National Monument,
and the surrounding residential areas. Water and restroom facilities are available at Cabrillo Monument, Fort Rosecrans, and at various restaurants/shops in the area.
Directions: Please refer to this map to help you get around Point Loma.
Lake Hodges - When the water is low, the trees that grow in the lake become exposed causing many to call it "Tree Hodges" from time to time. Lake Hodges is the kind of place that immerses you in nature quickly and deeply. The trails are well maintained and offer good views of this very scenic reservoir. Restrooms, water, and picnic tables are available at the City of San Diego's Joslyn Senior Center.
Directions: From Interstate 15, exit on Via Rancho Parkway, go west to Lake Drive, then south to the lake entrance. From the entrance it's about one mile to the launch area. Continue up the hill about one-half mile and turn right at the entrance to the Joslyn Senior Center).
Ellen Browning Scripps Park - This picturesque coastal park in La Jolla features rocky shoreline birding. Free, time-limited, street parking is available all around the village of La Jolla. A good place to start your easy walk is just past the Children's Pool near 303 Coast Boulevard. Public restrooms and water fountains are located in the Park. Plenty of hotels and restaurants are located in the village of La Jolla.
Shorebird
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Directions: Take Hwy 52 West to La Jolla Parkway and continue as the street becomes Torrey Pines Road. Turn right on to Prospect then right on to Coast Blvd. The park is located at the bottom of the hill.
Penasquitos Canyon Preserve - This 7-mile canyon preserve is easily accessible from either end of the canyon. This can essentially become a day trip because of its multiple hiking possibilities. The Preserve has a drinking fountain and portable restrooms. Because the area is quite large, be sure to consult the information kiosks located at each of the entry points. Please note that there is a nominal user fee.
Directions: There are various ways to enter the Preserve. The east entrance is located at the intersection of Black Mountain and Mercy Roads. The western staging area is on the south side of Sorrento Valley Boulevard, approximately 1 mile east of Vista Sorrento Parkway. A convenient northern entrance is near Peñasquitos Creek Park at the intersection of Park Village Road and Camino Del Sur in Rancho Peñasquitos.
Crown Point - The best and most accessible area to go birding overlooks the Kendall-Frost Preserve from the northerly end of Crown Point Shores Park. There is even an observation platform. This is not a large area to explore, so it won't take much time to see the various birds. Picnic tables, restrooms, jungle gyms, and water fountains are available in the larger Crown Point Park located up the road.
Directions: Take I-8 west to the exit for Mission Bay Drive/Sports Arena Boulevard. Go north (right) on Ingraham, cross the last bridge and turn right onto Crown Point Drive. Park at the north end of the park are to your right.
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