San Elijo Lagoon

Explore a very special coastal estuary in San Diego's North County

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Usually, when people go to Encinitas or Solana Beach, they head straight to the beach. However, there is another special place of natural beauty to go explore, the San Elijo Lagoon. Located on the eastern side of Highway 101, this nature preserve beckons hikers, birders, runners, walkers, and daydreamers to its quiet and tranquil environs.

The San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve consists of 8 trailheads, 7.5 miles of trails, & 700 species of plants and animals. This is a great place to take young families or visiting friends for gentle hikes along the mostly flat trails. Many of the trails have interpretive signs and trail guides to help the public better understand and appreciate all the forms of life that call the San Elijo Lagoon home.

This shallow-water estuary is located between the cities of Solana Beach and Encinitas; it actually extends inland to Rancho Santa Fe. The San Elijo Lagoon is downstream from the Escondido Creek Watershed, which covers approximately 80 square miles and extends to Lake Wolford and Lake Dixon, and includes the San Dieguito and Olivenhain Reservoirs. Because of the Lagoon's close proximity to the Pacific Ocean, there is always a coastal breeze that keeps the temperature pleasant and somewhat cool.

This popular lagoon is another coastal wetland that has been protected and preserved from development. The name San Elijo comes from Spanish explorers who named this area as such in 1769. What you see today is a restored lagoon. For decades, all was not rosy for this lagoon because it was a dumping ground for many things, including sewage effluent. The area was also split not once but twice by the construction of the Pacific Coast Highway and the I-5. It was not until 1970 that citizens rose up to demand that the area be rescued, restored, and preserved.

Thanks to these preservation and restoration efforts, this reserve is one of the largest in San Diego County with about 1,000 acres of habitat. A lot of critters and plant life live in this Lagoon. How many? There are 400 species of plants, 23 species of fish, 20 species of reptiles and amphibians, 24 species of mammals, 296 species of birds, and 65 nesting bird species.

The San Elijo Lagoon is a favorite location for North County birding all year 'round. According to the local Audubon Society, the site is especially good for watching shorebirds at low tide.

Like the Tijuana Estuary located in Imperial Beach, the San Elijo Lagoon is on the Pacific Flyway. Over the years, 40% of all bird species in North America have been sighted at the Lagoon! Migrating birds that take a break at this lagoon include: Great Blue Heron, Red-Tailed Hawk, Osprey, American Kestrel, Black-Necked Stilt, and our favorites, the Snowy and Great Egrets.

A brand new, state-of-the art San Elijo Nature Center further expands peoples' knowledge of this coastal wetland preserve. The Interpretive Center is housed in a two-story building made from recycled materials and features solar panels, irrigated roof plants and recycled water. This new center also has restrooms and water fountains, which should make peoples' visits to the San Elijo Lagoon even more comfortable!

If you are new to the area or would like to learn more about the Lagoon, consider taking one of the San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy's free guided nature walks on every second Saturday of the month from 9am-11 am. The tour starts at the Rios Avenue trail head.

There are multiple entries into the San Elijo Lagoon area but the basic directions are the following: Take I-5 to Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. Go west less than one mile to Rios Avenue. Turn right and go all the way to the end of Rios. Park at the end of the street near the barricade. Here is a good map of the entire area to help guide you in the right direction.