Check with the local rangers and the list below to discover specially designated canoeing trails
that take you to great scenery and adventure.
Tour Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Over 150,000 acres of rugged mountain, parkland, beaches and
hiking trails overlooking the L.A. Basin and Pacific Ocean.
Tour Channel Islands National Park
Accessible only by boat, these islands are a primary home for
marine mammals and nesting sea birds (including Auglets and Brown Pelicans).
Primitive camping, diving,
sportsfishing and boating opportunities abound.
Tour Los Padres National Forest
Large wilderness preserves covering coastal, desert and alpine
terrain and sanctuary for the California Condor.
Abundant camping, picnic grounds and hiking trail opportunities.
Mission San Juan Capistrano
The mission is famous today as the northern home for the
swallows that arrive in mid-March and
leave in mid-October for an approximately 6,000 mile migration to
Goya, Argentina. As early as 1777, the mission archives had already
noted the regular appearance of these birds and a village festival to
welcome them had already become tradition.
Death Valley National Park
3.3 million acre preserve of the most inhospitable and also
scenic terrain in the continental United States. Many historical
landmarks and several species of plant and fish unique only to the
parkland.
Joshua Tree National Park
Large 870 square mile scenic preserve of desert wildlife.
Abundant camping, picnic grounds and hiking trail opportunities.
Tour Santa Catalina Island
Private Recreation and tourism resort on the largest of the
Channel Islands. Boating, Camping, Wildlife and Watersports.
Palomar Mountain State Park
Home to giant observatory and scenic mountain trails.
Cleveland National Forest
Look also for feature on Mount San Jacinto State Park.
Tour Salton Sea
The Salton Sea is California's largest lake. During winter months
it is home to over four million birds (representing over 400 species).
It is located at about 228 feet below sea level below sea level.
Border Field State Park
Tijuana River Refuge
Historic beach front site contains much of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, an important wildlife habitat.
The salt and freshwater marshes give refuge to migrating waterfowl and resident wading birds, such as black-necked stilt, avocet, teal,
American widgeon and pelican. The park offers hiking, horse trails, surf fishing and birding.
Malibu Lagoon State Beach
The beach features wetlands, flower gardens and sandy beach. The lagoon is where Malibu Creek meets the sea. Malibu Surfrider Beach has a long standing as a premier surfing beach.
On the east side of Malibu Creek Bridge, Malibu Pier allows for excellent saltwater fishing. On the west side of Malibu Creek Bridge, visitors will find
picnic tables and a nature area, excellent for bird watching and a the study of a greatly diminished eco-system a Southern California saltwater marsh.
A museum is housed inside the Adamson House, a registered historical landmark, was built in 1929 as a showcase for Malibu Potteries.
Cibola National Wildlife Refuge
Cibola NWR is located in the floodplain of the lower Colorado River and surrounded by a fringe of desert ridges and washes.
Because of the river’s life sustaining water, wildlife here survive in an environment that reaches 120 degrees
in the summer and receives an average of only 2 inches of rain per year.
Imperial National Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife habitat along 30 miles of the lower Colorado River in Arizona and California,
including the last unchannelized section before the river enters Mexico.
Watch at dawn and dusk for desert bighorn sheep and mule deer heading to the river for a drink.
Ducks, geese, shorebirds, and other waterbirds flock to the lower Colorado River each year to spend the winter.
Descanso Gardens - La Canada Flintridge CA
The 160 acre Descanso Gardens features forests, streams, a lake, and bird sanctuary highlighted
by 80 acres of colorful flowers, including camellias, lilacs and roses. Group and tram tours available.
The Gardens host flower festivals, outdoor music, educational programs, showcase house, and weddings.
Tijuana River Valley Regional Park - San Ysidro
This 1638-acre park offers a diverse array of habitats that enhance visitors' experiences -- from dense riparian forests along the Tijuana River to coastal maritime sage scrub on top of Spooner's Mesa.
Visitors may hike or ride a horse along miles of trails, or bring your binoculars to see birds in one of the best bird watching spots in the county.
Wildlife Preserves
This San Diego habitat area was designated to protect local wildlife including the endangered California Lease Tern
which will abandon its nest if disturbed. You can see them hovering high above the water's surface, then plunging in head first in pursuit of small fish, or skimming low over the water.
Most of these areas are off limits to the general public.
- Mariner's Point - This open sandy beach is a prime nesting area of the Least Tern.
- Perez Cove - One of San Diego County's best known nesting sites for the Great Blue Heron.
- Kendall-Frost - protects sixteen acres of salt marsh adjacent to the salt marsh, mudflats and open waters
- Tecelote Creek - Mud-flat duck migration habitat area
- Fiesta Island - Several areas for protected shorebirds
- Southern Preserve - The flood control channel offers good opportunities to view and photograph a great number
of magnificent waterfowl including year round residents such as the osprey, herons, egrets, waterfowl, shorebirds, gulls, and terns are year round residents.
- Famosa Slough - 37-acre waterfowl habitat
Tour Angeles National Forest
Tour San Bernardino National Forest
Outdoor wilderness preserves and wildlife sanctuaries.
Abundant camping, picnic grounds and hiking trail opportunities.
Chula Vista Nature Center
1000 Gunpowder Point Dr, Chula Vista, CA 91915; (619) 422-2473;
Open: Tues-Sun 10AM-5PM; Admission: Adult $3.50 / Child (6-17) $1;
Free Admission of first Tues. of every month.
1.5 mile trail, observation deck and hands on exhibits help you to explore the
surrounding marshland. See unique flora, fauna and migratory birds.
Access is by shuttle bus running every 20 minutes from E Street parking
lot just west of I-5.
Bird-Watching
San Luis Obispo constantly gets great reviews by the Audubon Society.
Local sightings include Peregrine Falcons, sandhill cranes and brown pelicans.
Bald Eagles - Our national symbal can be found near the inland lakes of
the north county, particularly Lopez Lake,
Lake Santa Margarita and
Nacimento Lake.
Heron Rookery State Reserve - This dense stand of tall eucalyptus trees
overlooking Morro Bay is the biggest great blue heron rookery along the Central Coast.
California Condor - The home for
this endangered bird is in the nearby Los Padres National Forest.
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