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!

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.

Agua Hedionda Lagoon-Hubbs Trail

Hubbs Garfield Street Trailhead Directions

This article continues my epic adventure, examining the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center, which also included hiking the Discovery Center Trail. So for more in-depth information on the Discovery Center and all the other trails, please click on the link below.

—>Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center<—

Looking straight down the middle of the photo- the smokestack belongs to the Encina Power Station owned by NRG Energy, which uses the lagoon’s water to cool the power plant. The Encina Power Station is considered the “steward” of the lagoon and is in charge of dredging every 2 to 4 years.

As a result of this dredging (removal of sand and silt), the Agua Hedionda Lagoon is also used by two aquaculture businesses. These include the Carlsbad Aquafarm, which raises blue mussels, Pacific oysters, Ogo (edible seaweed), and the Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute, which runs a white seabass hatchery.

The wild radish pictured above lives and dies in one year, and it is considered a habitat-threatening invasive species. 

Did you notice the loud humming in the background and the silt in the water? The Encina Power Plant was dredging the lagoon today.

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Agua Hedionda Lagoon Upper Trail

Before going down the main trail, let’s now look at the lagoon from up above. There are many plants up here to see, and the view is incredible!

Let’s head back and go toward the northeast and check out where the Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute is.

Have I also mentioned that I would LOVE to work there?

As we are getting closer to the beginning of the trail, do you notice those black contraptions on the side of the cliff?

According to the official website of the Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation, these thick sheets of plastics are being used for a solarization project headed by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife and the Carlsbad Strawberry Fields.

The project aims to remove non-native plant species, such as Algerian sea lavender, the hollentot-fig, and the wild Rrdish from local salt marshes, using the sun’s heat.

Studies have shown that increased soil temperatures and lack of sunlight have helped eliminate invasive species and their seed banks.

The solarization study began in December of 2017,  so fingers crossed!

Check out all of these activities that are offered here at the lagoon!

Here is a peek at the dredging machine, and boy, is it loud!

Lower Hubbs Trail at Agua Hedionda Lagoon

Here we have an ice plant taking over the retaining wall.

Fun Fact- The Hottentot-Fig, commonly referred as ‘ice-plant’ is a habitat threatening invasive species originally from South Africa. In the late 1800’s, California imported this plant as a way to stabilize the sand dunes and the dirt in between the railroad tracks. Later on, CalTrans did the same up along all of the freeways.

The fact is, the opposite is true; in other words, this plant adds to the erosion problem as well as inhibiting the growth of native plant populations.

Another fantastic spot close to the Hubbs-Seaworld Research Institute provides relaxation and a spectacular view.

We are getting closer to Hubbs now.

Do you notice the piping in the lagoon leading to the platform offshore? Here is a holding pen for the older and larger White seabass to live in before being released into the wild.

According to the Hubbs Seaworld Research Institute, since 1986, over one million juvenile White seabass have been released into bays and nearshore coastal areas in southern Califonia. This facility is capable of producing over 350,000 juveniles each year!

Here we have a Snowy Egret hanging out on the mudflats at low tide. It just so happened to catch a fish while I was watching!

How did this heart form in the eelgrass?

In this direction, we can get another good look at the mudflats.

What is around the corner?

Water Sports at Agua Hedionda Lagoon

The Agua Hedionda Lagoon outside section is not accessible to the midsection except by a water vessel such as a paddleboard or a kayak. As you can see, the path ends underneath this bridge. Here I have an example of where the two sections of the lagoon meet.

I had a mishap while filming, as my finger seemed to get in the way.

I love how this video shows the current going out because of the low tide, so I ignore the finger!

Agua Hedionda Lagoon is considered a “passive recreational’ water park.

No swimming is allowed, and you may not anchor a boat. Still, in the northeastern part of the lagoon, many activities are offered at California Watersports: wave runners, waterskiing, tubing, kayaking, canoeing, paddle boats, wakeboarding, and boat rentals.

It is also essential to note that a ramp and picnic tables are available here.

For more information, please check out Carlsbadlagoon.com’s website.

Fishing is permitted along the shore but not by boat.

The average depth of the lagoon is 8-10 feet.

Right under the bridge in the distance is where you will find California Watersports.

Heading Back Towards The Ocean

Now it is time to walk back toward the coast.

What a beautiful sight to see the lagoon’s mouth fully open since water exchange between the Ocean and the lagoon is vital.

Another great spot to hang out and watch the lagoon’s current go out into the Ocean or vice versa.

At this vantage point, we look back at the lagoon before heading onto the bridge. Do you notice the beginning of the trail up on the hill to the right?

Directly across the street to the right is Tamarack Beach and Warm Water Jetty Beach to the left. Let’s look at the water from on top of the bridge.

Time to make our way back to the beginning! How did you enjoy the tour? I love it here so much as it brings back great memories of when I used to interview anglers.

It looks like someone is going fishing in a kayak.

One more look before we say goodbye!

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End of the Tour

Thanks again for joining me on a tour of the Hubbs Trail at the Agua Hedionda Lagoon. As you can see, this is a unique place! I hope one day you can come and visit here in person! Hopefully, it will be on a day when there is no dredging going on, and it would be a, how do you say- a quieter experience.

Please feel free to leave any comments or questions below.

Until next time!