Category: North County Beaches

Posted on

2019 Year In Review Photo Gallery

2019 Year in Review Large featured image

Anytime I am on the coast, I am happy! How about you? Down below are a few of my San Diego beach highlights. Will you join me as I go over my 2019 year in review? I sure had fun remembering all the great places I visited, and I have plenty of photos to share!

I have previously written about many of these beaches, so click on any link for additional information.

Ready? Let’s Go!

January San Diego Beach Adventures in 2019

observation deck Buena Vista Lagoon 2019 Year in Review

 Buena Vista Lagoon-Buccaneer Beach-Oceanside Harbor

My oldest daughter Maya and I investigated the Buena Vista Lagoon western section in Oceanside on January 15. It was a gloomy day, but any day on the coast is a good day, in my book!

First, we were able to take a quick walk around the nature trail.

We also popped into the nature center to look around for a bit. Later, we crossed the street to see the lagoon section behind the Saint Malo Beach community I had never seen before.

Continue reading “2019 Year In Review Photo Gallery”

Posted on

San Diego Summer Fun- 2019

Tijuana River Valley Regional Park Panoramic

For as long as I can remember, summer has always been my favorite season! It could be that my Birthday is on July 1st, but to be honest, I think it is more than that. You see, my favorite place on this Earth is the beach. So can you think of a better time to visit the beach but in summer? Me neither! Join my daughters and me and see where we explored during our San Diego Summer of 2019!

The Best  Summer Possible!

Heermans gulls encinitas moonlight beach
Heerman’s gulls on Moonlight Beach

This San Diego Summer, I wanted to make it super special because it was the last summer with my girls before they were both off to college.

My eldest daughter has been in college for two years already and came home for the summer, but my youngest was just about to start. I have been a stay-at-home Mom for over twenty years, so the thought of not having any children home puts the panic of God into me.

However, I was not going to let my anxiety of missing my kids get in the way of having the best San Diego summer possible.

Continue reading “San Diego Summer Fun- 2019”

Posted on

Best San Diego Hikes on the Coast

Encinitas Bluff Tree Best San Diego Hikes

San Diego County has some of the best coastlines on the entire coast of California. From the rugged seashore, with towering sandstone cliffs found in North County San Diego, all the way down to the open estuaries and sandy beaches in South County San Diego. Today I would like to list some of my favorite San Diego hikes you can experience on the coast of San Diego.

All San Diego hikes listed will be taken only with a negative low tide. Please check out the tide chart before embarking on your adventure, as some of these walks are dangerous if the tide comes upon you. A good rule of thumb would be to allow a couple of hours before the high tide comes back in. Remember, a very high tide always follows a shallow tide.

One more thing. I have previously written extensively on these sites and have linked each post appropriately, so click on the underlined links for more information.

Continue reading “Best San Diego Hikes on the Coast”

Posted on

Best Surfing Beaches in San Diego

Surfing Lowers Best Surfing Beaches in San Diego

San Diego has a long history of surf culture. San Diego’s beaches are infamous because of this culture (Old Man’s, Windansea, Tourmaline Surfing Park). Today I would like to list some of the best surfing beaches in San Diego. It is important to note that I will be covering the entire San Diego County, starting North.

Swami Stooge best surfing beaches in San Diego
The ‘Cardiff Kook’ is placed right before downtown Encinitas

To add a bit of semblance to this list, I will add a linked google map to each site. I will also be specifying the wave type and direction, which swell/ wind combination works best, the reliability of the location, and any additional information that I find interesting or have written about in a prior post.

Swamis surfing sign best surfing beaches in San Diego
This sign is located right near Swami’s in Encinitas

Continue reading “Best Surfing Beaches in San Diego”

Posted on

Coast to Crest Trail-San Dieguito Lagoon

San Dieguito River Del Mar

A couple of months ago, I went down to the San Dieguito Lagoon in Del Mar to walk on the Coast to Crest Trail. Did you know that San Diego County has six coastal lagoons? The San Dieguito Lagoon is the largest of them all.

This past year, I have been having a blast visiting all of the San Diego Lagoons and Nature Centers, and this was the last lagoon to see on my list.

Coast to Crest trail sign Del Mar

Walking the Coast to Crest Trail at the San Dieguito Lagoon

The San Dieguito Lagoon is located in North County, San Diego, 21 miles north of Downtown San Diego. The lagoon is part of the San Dieguito River Park, which spans over 92,000 acres!

Continue reading “Coast to Crest Trail-San Dieguito Lagoon”

Posted on

Best San Diego Birding Hotspots

Loma Alta Creek San Diego Birding

Here I  present a comprehensive list of the best San Diego birding hotspots. I will include all of San Diego County, starting first to the north and going south. Each site will have a link to an address and habitat type, amenities,  tour information (if available), and any notable birds of Interest.

Did you know many free San Diego birding tours are offered all over San Diego County? I will also include any insider information in my research, such as prime locations within each site.

Continue reading “Best San Diego Birding Hotspots”

Posted on

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!

Continue reading “List of San Diego Beach Camping Sites”

Posted on

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.

Continue reading “Dog Friendly Beaches in San Diego”

Posted on

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.

Continue reading “Exploring Trestles Beach Trail”

Posted on

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.

Continue reading “Walking The Panhe Nature Trail”

Posted on

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.

Continue reading “Hubbs Trail Tour at Agua Hedionda Lagoon”

Posted on

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!

Continue reading “Agua Hedionda Lagoon Discovery Center”

Posted on

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?

Continue reading “San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center- The Nature Collective”

Posted on

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!

Continue reading “The Mystery of Saint Malo Beach”

Posted on

A Walk Around Buena Vista Lagoon

Buena Vista Lagoon

On the morning of March 9, 2018, my mother-in-law and I decided to trip to the Buena Vista Lagoon in Oceanside, California.

I had been here before but had never taken the quarter-mile hike around the Buena Vista Lagoon Audubon’s Nature Center.

I have been intrigued ever since, so we are back!

Come and join me for a tour!

Buena Vista Means “Good-View” In Spanish

Buena Vista Lagoon Cattails trees
What a view from the Nature Centers observation deck!

2202 South Coast Hwy, Oceanside

760-439-2473

# Please click on each photo to see a larger version size.

Great Blue Heron Metal Statue

Let us now go over a few things before we take our hike.

The Buena Vista Lagoon is 223 acres of freshwater wetland that serves as a natural barrier between two cities- Oceanside and Carlsbad.

It is also important to mention that there are no other freshwater lagoons in Southern California.

So, we have a unique coastal ecosystem here!

You may fish from shore, and hiking is allowed on designated trails only.

Buena Vista Lagoon Map

I have always wondered about this lagoon/ coastal wetland ever since I moved down here 30 years ago.

Not only do you notice it when driving on Interstate 5, but you can also see it on Hwy 78, which runs east.

This waterway (Buena Vista Creek) runs parallel to Hwy 78 for almost 10 miles inland.

Continue reading “A Walk Around Buena Vista Lagoon”

Privacy Policy Proudly powered by WordPress