📜 A peaceful 979-acre ecological reserve and one of San Diego's largest wetlands, featuring a LEED Platinum-certified Nature Center and over 9 miles of diverse trails.
🏞️ Explore unique habitats, observe abundant wildlife, and enjoy various outdoor activities.
🌿 Enjoy nature, hiking, birdwatching, photography, painting, and running.
🚶♀️ Discover diverse environments like salt marshes, freshwater areas, coastal sage scrub, and mixed chaparral.
👨👩👧👦 Kids can enjoy TRACK Trails, a fun scavenger hunt with online prizes.
💡 Learn about the reserve's history, plants, and animals at the LEED Platinum-certified Nature Center.
🐴 Horse-friendly trails are available east of I-5.
🌅 Experience beautiful sunrises and sunsets on trails ranging from easy to strenuous.
⚠️ Annie's Canyon Trail and Solana Hills Trail have strenuous portions, including narrow areas, ladder-style stairs, and scrambling, which might not be suitable for all visitors or those with claustrophobia.
🚫 Incoming tides cover much of the landscape twice a day, changing accessibility.
⛔ Boating, swimming, wading, and diving are prohibited within the San Elijo Lagoon State Marine Conservation Area (SMCA) No-Take.
⏰ Nature Center: 9 a.m. – 5 p.m., daily.
☀️ Trails: Open from sunrise to sunset, daily.
🅿️ Nature Center: Paved lot at 2710 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007 (19 spots, including ADA, carpool, EV). Street parking available.
🅿️ Annie's Canyon Trailhead: The San Elijo Activity Hub Park & Ride or on-street at 900 North Rios Ave., Solana Beach.
🚗 Several other trailheads offer varied parking, including small dirt lots or on-street options.
✅ Restrooms are available inside the Nature Center and generally within the reserve.
🐕 Leashed dogs are welcome on most trails, except in the slot canyon portion of Annie's Canyon Trail and Solana Hills Trail.
♿ The Nature Center Loop Trail is flat, wide, and even, suitable for strollers and wheelchairs. Other trails vary significantly in terrain, with some having uneven paths, erosion-control stairs, and steep inclines.