San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy

I’m going to include the short loop trail in this review because I feel that paints a complete picture of this experience.
Came here on a beautiful Sunday afternoon looking for a kid friendly hike and a «discovery» experience. The building itself was a two floor one room information exhibit. They have few reptiles in terrariums, a few taxidermied animals, and there were several informational displays. The top floor has a great vantage point of the lagoon. While the discovery center is no more than a ten minute experience. I highly recommend that you that you walk the loop hike to get the full experience.
Tips
— A good vantage point is the second story. Wait and you’ll see various trains go back and forth next to the ocean.
— If you really want to get up and close to the trains you’ll have to go to the other side of the
San Elijo Lagoon (North Rios Ave in Encinitas), There is only one small trail accessible from this parking lot.
— The small trail is perfect for kids and … dogs.
— If you’re patient, look over the wooden bridge and see some very large fish in the water.
— Real bathrooms! There is one hidden in the back of the building outside past the elevator. enjoy!

This conservancy or organization, is all about connecting with the community to protect nature and to restore the ecological reserve of the 1000 acre wetlands and San Elijo Lagoon habitat. They provide weekend walks for the general public that are free or you can participate on guided educational tour with five or more people with a suggested donation of $ 50.
The Conservancy provided a K-​12 education programs in the form of study trips aligned with California State Standards in either Social Science or Science. They have a small learning museum with samples of local wild life properly preserved (
) and live as well (
). In addition to the great well informed staff, they also provided free literature regarding the conservancy’s history and mission, and more importantly about about the lagoon and its surrounding environment.
It was suggested to me via the staff, that one should try to coincide their visit with low tide, so you can take advantage and see all the coastal life in the shallows of the lagoon.
Great non profit organization.

how lucky am i to live down the street from here.
super beautiful.
the miso dog loved it too.
great to go with a friend, and has enough ups and downs to get the heart beating.
we’re so lucky to live in san diego!!!

This place is cool.
Usually I take in the outdoors on a run, but not at the Nature Center … it is too small for that … but excellent as a part of a day out.
The path is about 1000m long maybe, possibly more … but it winds out to the edge of the water, and has great overlooks and informational data.
In addition, the conservancy does great work for the lagoon itself.
A rare and wonderfully peaceful place. Visit it as part of a larger day trip to Encinitas … stop for a short hike, and get a lunch up in Cardiff or Encinitas.
A gem of a local place.

The Nature Center at San Elijo Lagoon is found off a Manchester Avenue in Cardiff. It offers information on the lagoon and what you might find during your hike. They also hold educational seminars for schools and visitors. They offer guided hikes and nature walks on Saturdays but check the Website for more info.
This ecological reserve claims over 250 species of birds including of blue herons, coots and terns. Dogs are allowed but must be kept on a leash. Always bring water as it can get hot.