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.
Cardiff State Beach
Located on a gently sloping sandy beach with warm water, this site offers swimming, surfing and beachcombing.
Located next to Cardiff's Restaurant Row.
Carlsbad Beaches & Lagoons
Major Lagoons: Agua Hedionda, Buena Vista & Batiquitos
South Carlsbad State Beach
This San Diego beach features swimming, surfing, skin diving, fishing and picnicking.
The large bluff-top campground is very popular, especially in summer. There area also
three major wetland habitats. At least 103 bird species, 18 mammals, and 14 amphibians and
reptiles live in and around the lagoon, and many more birds visit during spring and fall migrations.
Beside regular Boat and WaveRunner rentals, local facilities manage a youth summer camp operation
with many exciting activities including surf instruction, wakeboarding, waterskiing, canoeing, kayaking,
peddleboating, waverunners, oceanography, beach games.
Leo Carrillo State Beach - West Malibu
This state park includes 1.5 miles of coastal beachfront for swimming, surfing, windsurfing, surf fishing and beachcombing.
The beach also has tide pools, coastal caves and reefs for exploring. Giant sycamores shade the main campgrounds. The park also features back-country hiking.
Tide pools - located near the mouth of Arroyo Sequit are exposed twice daily at low tide.
Hiking Trails - a popular trail is the
Yellow Hill Fire Trail which allows scenic views of the Channel Islands on clear days.
California Coastal National Monument
Established in 2000, the California Coastal National Monument runs the entire length of the
California coast (1,100 miles) between Oregon and Mexico, extends 12 nautical miles from the shoreline, and encompasses
thousands of BLM administered islands, rocks, exposed reefs, and pinnacles above mean high tide.
These provide forage and breeding grounds for significant populations of coastal birds and sea mammals.
Malibu Creek State Park
This park features hiking, fishing, bird watching and horseback riding opportunities.
There are 15 miles of streamside trail through oak and sycamore woodlands an chaparral-covered slopes.
The park was the center of Chumash Native American life for centuries and was once used to film numerous
movies and TV shows, such as Planet of the Apes and M*A*S*H.
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.
Leucadia State Beach - Encinitas CA
The City of Encinitas operates Leucadia State Beach (listed as Beacon's Beach).
Swimming, surfing, fishing and picnicking are popular at this small, rocky beach.
The beach access is via an improved trail at the foot of Leucadia Boulevard.
Moonlight State Beach - Encinitas CA
This wide, sandy beach offers swimming, surfing and fishing. Facilities include volleyball and tennis courts, recreational equipment rentals and a snack bar.
This beach became popular in the early 1900's when local families would come here for
midnight picnics - hence the name.
Robert Meyer State Beach - West Malibu
This beach is made up of a number of cove or cliff-foot strands known as "pocket beaches"
along the west end of the city of Malibu: El Pescador, La Piedra and El Matador. Each of these three small beaches are a jewel unto themselves.
These beaches can be crowded during the summer, however during the off season, they offer a perfect opportunity to experience solitude at its finest.
Palomar Mountain
One of the best outdoor locations in San Diego and home to formerly the
largest astronimical observatory in the world.
Picacho State Recreation Area
Lower Colorado River
100 years ago Picacho was a gold mining town with 100 citizens.
Today the site is a State Park, popular with boaters, hikers, anglers and campers.
The park offers diverse scenery, including beavertail cactus, wild burros, bighorn sheep and thousands of migratory waterfowl.
Point Dume State Beach
At the end of Westward Beach Road, a gradual ascending trail leads to an ancient coastal bluff sand dune.
Point Dume State Preserve features headlands, cliffs, rocky coves and vast beach access.
Whale Watching - Point Dume is a perfect place to watch for California gray whales during the December - March migration period.
Topanga Canyon State Park
Located in the cliffs and canyons of the Santa Monica Mountains, Topanga State Park features 36 miles of trails through open grassland, live oaks and spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean.
Excellent recreational opportunities for hikers as well as mountain bikers (restricted to fire roads) and equestrians.
Popular features include mountain wildflowers and Trippet Ranch Nature Center.
California Coastal Conservancy
Established in 1976, this state agency uses entrepreneurial techniques to purchase, protect, restore,
and enhance coastal resources, and to provide access to the shore. We work in partnership with local governments, other public agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private landowners.
To date, the Conservancy has undertaken more than 1,000 projects along the 1,100 mile California coastline and around San Francisco Bay.
