Must-Sees

Nature Center

  • STATUS: OPEN
  • HOURS: Sunrise to sunset (parking lot: 9 am–5 pm daily). Closed one day (12/25) each year.

  • RESTROOMS: OPEN

  • PETS/animals: Leashed dogs welcome

  • ENTRANCE: 2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007.

  • CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Highway 101 + Chesterfield (Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA).

  • PARKING: Paved parking lot with 19 spots, including ADA-, carpool-, and EV- marked parking stalls (9 am–5 pm daily). Bike rack available.

  • TERRAIN: Flat, wide, and even path. Suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.

  • PARTNERS: We partner with County of San Diego Parks and Recreation, who owns the Nature Center, and county rangers and volunteers who operate it.

Visit the friendly hub of the lagoon.

From the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center’s second-floor outdoor observation deck, you can see far-reaching lagoon + ocean views. Go for a relaxing adventure around the loop trail (with two concentric loops to choose from).

Inside the Nature Center, you can explore interactive museum exhibits. Learn all about the San Elijo Lagoon’s history and ecology. The displays illustrate and explain how connected everything is in your local lagoon – from protected plants + animals to intriguing artifacts. Even a few local animals make their cozy home in the Nature Center. You see how they all play their crucial role in this rare marshland environment.

From Our Visitors

  • @seanpaints link
    link

    The visitor center was full with kids learning and enjoying nature, and found the ‘rooftop’ very cool and neat, great view, breeze and with…
    Read more

    Carmen V

    San Jose, CA

  • @shmandieee link
    link

    Super cool! If you want a place to go running or walking with some among views then this is your place.
    Read more

    Janice H

    San Diego, CA

  • @kellygrnlandscaping link
    link

    There’s an awesome visitor’s center off Manchester Ave. complete with nice, clean lavs. . . . On any day, you’re apt to see Ospreys, Egrets…
    Read more

    Phillip W

    Shorewood, WI

  • @griswold_group link
    link

    I’m a kid at heart, I love to get dirt in my hair, travel unmarked paths, and climb things. The reserve was the perfect place for me. The…
    Read more

    Andrew V

    Gaslamp, San Diego, CA

Restoring our local ecology,
together.

At Nature Collective, we work with our community and supporters to
conserve and preserve San Diego’s natural habitats. You can even
volunteer – everyone is welcome!

What’s New at Nature Collective?

Join us for community events!
Wildlife Tour | February 8
08

Feb

Wildlife Tour | February 8

2 Hours

San Elijo offers an extravaganza of birds, many of which are seasonal visitors. On this tour, we are likely to…

Learn More
Volunteer Restoration Event | February 15
15

Feb

Volunteer Restoration Event | February 15

3 hours

Join us in one of our many habitat restoration projects. Your help is needed to restore precious habitats within San…

Learn More
Discovery Tour | March 1
01

Mar

Discovery Tour | March 1

1.5 Hours

Discover the beauty of San Elijo Lagoon: where fresh water and saltwater meet and mix, migratory and resident birds share…

Learn More