Author: Colleen

I have always had a deep-seated passion for the Ocean Environment which ultimately led me to receive a degree in Marine Biology. Living in the San Diego area for over 30 years, I have extensively explored the 70 miles of San Diego's coastline, and I am here to share! Please use my website to your advantage and have a look around at all the wonders that the beaches of San Diego can offer you!
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List of San Diego Beach Camping Sites

San Elijo State Beach San Diego Beach Camping

Here I present to you a list of San Diego beach camping sites. I will be starting up north and making my way down south, and I have also included RV camping sites. With San Diego having over 70 miles of coastline, I have found all the spots where you can experience the beach up close and personal, whether in a tent or an RV!

Each address is linked to a google map and an appropriate website so you may get more information.

Also, that information will be included if I have ever written about any area.

Let’s have a look!

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Top Ten Best San Diego Tide Pools

Terramar Tide Pools San Diego Tide Pools

With over 70 miles of coastline, San Diego tide pools are less common than expected. You see, it all depends on the topography of the shore. Here I would like to present the top 10 San Diego tidepools. I will start in North County, San Diego, and end at the most southern location in Point Loma.

San Diego County Google Map San Diego Tide Pools

I have linked each address to a Google Map to make it easier for you. Also, please click on each photo to see a larger version.

As a rule, you should always check the tidal chart before heading to the beach. The best time to experience the tide pools is during low tide, and anything below a +1 is an opportune time to visit. Now that would be far superior if you could go during an adverse tide, but most of those only happen in winter.

I have also included a pamphlet, courtesy of the Cabrillo National Monument, which will help you identify some of the tide pool specimens. Please have a look and print it out!

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Dog Friendly Beaches in San Diego

Dog Beach OB Sign Dog Friendly Beaches in San Diego

Say, are you looking for dog-friendly beaches in San Diego? There is no better feeling than sharing the outdoors together as a dog owner! And what better place to explore than at the beach!

Here I would like to present a comprehensive list of all the dog-friendly beaches in San Diego. I will cover the entire San Diego County, starting north and making my way to the U.S./ Mexico Border.

I have added a # to specify which location is leash-free.

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Black’s Beach The Naked Truth

Blacks Beach Trail Blacks Beach San Diego

When I worked at a coffee shop in San Diego’s Hotel Circle while in college, the number one question the tourists would ask was, “Where is La Jolla,” followed by, “How did you get to Black’s Beach?”

Ok, so why so many inquiries?

The answer is that Black’s Beach is one of the most extensive public nude beaches in the United States. Just thinking about seeing naked people made me uncomfortable when I was young, so going there at that time was out of the question.

Fast forward twenty-five years later, and I will take my two teenage daughters there!

Did I also mention that the surf is phenomenal?

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Exploring Trestles Beach Trail

Surfer trestles beach trail san onofre state beach

Trestles Beach is a collection of surf breaks located at the northern border of San Onofre State Beach. Saying that this beach is world-famous is an understatement! The Hurley Pro is held here!

I went over this area a bit in a previous post on San Onofre State Beach, but today I would like to concentrate on the Beach Trail leading to Trestles Beach.

The Beach Trail going east also becomes the Panhe Nature trail, which I have also written about if you are interested.

Recently, I have been teaching myself about all of the Southern California native plant species, so today, I would like to point out a few to you if you do not mind. It helps me!

Once we arrive at Trestles, I will also showcase the San Mateo Creek/ Lagoon, which ends at the beach, and check out the surfers and the dunes.

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Walking The Panhe Nature Trail

Panhe Nature Trail Panoramic

Panhe Nature Trail connects the San Mateo Campground to Trestles Beach on the Northeastern San Onofre State Beach border. Here you may witness firsthand what ‘Old California ‘ used to be.

Would you like to join me for a tour?

Let’s go.

Discovering The Panhe Nature Trail

San Mateo Campground Sign Panhe Nature Trail

Panhe was one of the largest villages of the Acjachemen (Ah-HAWSH-eh-men) native people who were the original inhabitants of Southern California (12,000BC-1542 AD).

In 1769, the first close contact between the Acjachemen,  Spanish explorers, and the Catholic Missionaries occurred at this spot. As well as the site for the very first baptism in California! The site is marked by a cross, which still stands today.

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Hubbs Trail Tour at Agua Hedionda Lagoon

In Carlsbad, Agua Hedionda Lagoon is forty minutes north of downtown San Diego. The lagoon is over 400 acres and home to numerous plants and animals and a recreational playground for humans and leashed dogs!

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Google Map

There are several trails to choose from at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. Today, we will explore the Hubbs Trail, situated closest to the Ocean at the northwestern portion of the lagoon.

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Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center

Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center

I can not tell you how excited I was to go and check out the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center! I have always been fond of this lagoon. When I worked as a Fisheries Technician, I would find many shore anglers fishing on the western edge of this lagoon.

In San Diego, several lagoons and complimentary Nature Centers are filled with valuable information on local flora and fauna.

I have a page that lists all of these Coastal Lagoons and Nature Centers in San Diego County on my site here.

It has been my goal to visit everyone! Today is the day to check out the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center!

Let’s go!

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San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center- The Nature Collective

San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center

Today, I would like to take you on a San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center tour between Encinitas to the north and Solana Beach to the south in San Diego, North County. have always wanted to explore the San Elijo Lagoon, as seen from HWY 101 and off Interstate 5.

Come and join me, would you?

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List of San Diego Fishing Piers

San Diego Fishing Piers

Today, I would like to present a comprehensive list of all possible San Diego fishing piers.

Starting north at the Oceanside pier, to Ocean Beach pier, all around San Diego Bay, and finally ending at Imperial Beach.

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The Mystery of Saint Malo Beach

saint malo beach house buena vista lagoon

Have you ever walked down the southern Oceanside beaches? Did you know that there is a private beach named Saint Malo Beach at the very end, right near the border of Carlsbad?

The community of Saint Malo owns the part of the Buena Vista Lagoon closest to the Pacific Ocean.

Not much is known about this beach, and because of this, I was highly intrigued to learn more. I want to mention that there is hardly any information about this area on the internet right up front.

I spent countless hours trying to find something, anything!

Well,  I found just enough, so here I am to take you on a mini-tour of this infamous beach.

Come on!

Let’s have a look!

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San Diego Wheelchair Accessible Beaches

San Diego Wheelchair

I present to you a comprehensive list of all San Diego wheelchair-accessible beaches. First, I will be listing for the entire San Diego County, beginning North and making way to the South.

All addresses are linked to Google Maps, and a phone number is also provided.

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Los Penasquitos Lagoon

Los Penasquitos lagoon featured image

One of my favorite places to explore over the past 30 years is the Los Penasquitos Lagoon at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. Can I take you on tour?

Ok! Let’s go!

Los Penasquitos Lagoon

Located between Del Mar to the north and the border of San Diego to the south, the Los Penasquitos Lagoon is a 510-acre coastal salt marsh estuary.

—>San Diego Lagoons and Nature Centers<—

Meaning “The Little Cliffs” in Spanish, the Los Penasquitos frames the northern part of the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve.

The Los Penasquitos Lagoon is a Salt Marsh?

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Los Penasquitos Lagoon is one of the last salt marshes in southern California. The lagoon supports many plants and animals, including seven threatened or endangered species.

Another interesting fact is that this lagoon also serves as a refuge for migratory birds that use the Pacific Flyway.

—>Best San Diego Birding Hotspots<—

Since joining the State Park System, there have been quite a few changes to help increase the overall tidal flow here at the Los Penasquitos Lagoon.

Let’s now have a look.

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Exploring Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve featured image

Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a 2000-acre park located in the community of La Jolla in San Diego, California, off North Torrey Pines Rd. Nothing here has ever been altered or diverted at Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, making it one of the wildest coastal stretches left in California.

I can not emphasize enough just how beautiful this Reserve is!

Come and join me for a tour!

Torrey Pine Tree Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve

 What is a Reserve?

Everything here and surrounding the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a protected area. That includes the Penasquitos River Valley east of the highway, one of the last salt marsh estuaries in San Diego, and the Underwater Ecological Reserve offshore.

A Reserve is not a ‘park,’ but an assigned area of importance and commonly contains threatened plants, animal habitats, or unique geological formations.

Over 300 birds and native plant species are threatened or endangered within the Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve. The Torrey Pine, the Reserve’s namesake, is a scarce endangered pine tree- the rarest pine tree in the United States, but more on that later.

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Birch Aquarium-La Jolla

Warm water tank Birch Aquarium La Jolla

Birch Aquarium is located on the Scripps UC San Diego campus overlooking the Scripps Pier and the Pacific Ocean. Partnered with the Scripps Institute Oceanography (SIO), the Birch Aquarium is a fabulous place to visit to learn about all the ocean’s natural wonders and creatures.

More than 460,000 people visit this aquarium annually. There is so much to do and learn here.

Let’s now take a look at everything the Birch Aquarium has to offer!

Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier

Birch Aquarium-La Jolla General Information

Jellyfish Birch Aquarium

button may birch aquarium la jolla

Website- https://aquarium.ucsd.edu/

Phone- (858) 534-3474

Hours- 9am-5pm daily

Free Parking for 3 hours-Handicap parking available in front of the Aquarium

  • Adults- 19.50
  • Children(3-17)- 15
  • Seniors- 16.50
  • Students- 16
  • College Students for assignment- 12

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