Are you looking for a relatively easy trail to go hiking on in San Diego? Well, look no further as I have found the perfect spot! The Batiquitos Lagoon is between Carlsbad and Encinitas. It is one of the last saltwater marshes in Southern California. Today I will be taking you on a tour of the 3.14-mile Batiquitos Lagoon Trail.
Let’s go!
760-931-0800
Nature Center-9am-3pm daily
Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Information
Table of Contents
Batiquitos Lagoon Trail-A Photo Tour
I was so happy to come here for the first time. I have always been curious about this lagoon as you can see it from the Interstate 5 freeway. Here are a couple of references for you. The first is a map of the lagoon as well as a list of all possible birds that are seen here. Finally, I have also added the Self-Guided Batiquitos Trail Map which highlights several sites.

Why don’t we have a little fun and follow the above Batiquitos Lagoon Trail Map?

Batiquitos Lagoon Marsh View-Cattails

Today we are going to start our walk off at the beginning of the lagoon where the Nature Center is located (see above address).
Can you see the dead cattails in the distance? Whenever you see cattails, you can assume that there is a freshwater source (urban-runoff), as cattails cannot survive in saltwater alone.
Here we have the bridges for the freeway, the highway as well as for the railroad. Each structure restricts the flow of water to the lagoon from the ocean.
Underneath the trestles of each bridge and underpass, the swallows build their mud nest. So, in the spring and summer, swooping swallows eating insects in the sky is a familiar sight. These birds help tremendously to keep the number of flying insects down to a minimum.
Batiquitos Lagoon-Nesting Site
Do you see the sand in the far distance? Here we have man-made sand nesting sites specially constructed for the endangered California Least Tern and the Western Snowy Plover. There are small stones and shells on the sand that the birds use to camouflage their nests within the sand.

Interesting Geology Seen at the Batiquitos Lagoon
Do you see the rugged hill to your left of the path? This tan sandstone area is called the Scripps Formation. It is believed to be over 45 million years old!
If you were to take a closer look, you would see many fossils of shellfish. In fact, there are over 200 prehistoric sites recorded within one mile of this lagoon some dating back as far as 9000-3500 years ago left behind by California Paleo-Indians and more recently from the Kumeyaay (2300 to about 1800 A.D.).
Looking over at the hills, it is believed that they were cut by waves over 100,000 years ago when the sea level here was 400 feet higher. If you would like to learn some interesting information like this, please click on the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation link above.
Here is a short video that I made that highlights the nesting site across the lagoon as well as giving you an idea about the surrounding hills so you can imagine yourself how the hills became flat.
Riparian Habitat at the Batiquitos Lagoon
A Riparian Habitat is defined as the cooperation between plant species and a water source specifically characterized by hydrophilic plants. Meaning, the plant has made adaptation which allows its roots to be submerged in water.
Most commonly found here includes the coyote bush, the arroyo willow; as well as the non-native species of sweet fennel, castor bean, and wild radish.


The Eucalyptus tree, another non- native species, is very prominent here and is a favorite nesting site for the great blue heron and both the snowy and great egrets.
The one problem with the Eucalyptus tree is that it excretes a powerful oil which prevents native species from growing under and around them.

Batiquitos Lagoon Coastal Salt Marsh

Here between the waters edge and the trail, we have an example of a coastal salt marsh community. Pickleweed is the most dominant salt tolerant plant found here.
It is a soft fleshy plant that looks like and tastes like pickles. In fact, early settlers would eat this plant and would also use it to make glass and soap due to its high alkaline salt content.
Because pickleweed is dense and close to the ground, it also provides excellent nesting habitat for the endangered Belding’s savannah sparrow.
Canary Island Date Palm Tree
If you do not mind, I would like to add a little something about this glorious tree that I came upon on the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail. The Canary Island palm tree, it is a non-native species, but boy oh boy does it have a presence!
Look how huge this creature is! I fell in love with this tree and plan on going back sometime soon to have a look at it again.
End of the Trail
Here we are at the end of the trail. At this point, you turn around and head back. Let’s first have a closer look.
This part of the lagoon trail is closed and is designated as a Natural Preserve for the Western snowy plover.
Heading Back
While making my way back, I took the opportunity to get a better look at all of the bird watching stations that are found intermediately on the trail.
What a fabulous place to go bird watching. In fact, over 60 species may be seen here at any one time.
Batiquitos Lagoon Nature Center
Before leaving, let’s go inside the Nature Center and have a quick look. The front porch has a wonderful view of the lagoon and is also a great place to sit and relax for a bit after walking



Inside the Nature Center, there are copious amounts of information for you to look over as well as few pamphlets that you may take with you while walking the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail.
Volunteers are more than happy to answer any questions that you may have, so please do not hesitate to ask! In fact, I asked about the native plants at the lagoon and was given a specially made book that I was able to study over before beginning my walk.
All in all, I had a spectacular time walking the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail, and I highly recommend others to do the same as it is a relatively easy trek.
I hope you enjoyed our little adventure, and please leave any comments or questions that you may have below.
Until next time!
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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!
We were just researching all the places we’d like to visit in the USA and came across your site. This looks like an incredible place to stop off and do some walking.
We have always wanted to visit California, I like surfing but I think the sharks put me off! Haha.
Thanks for the useful information!
Hi Mark! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. San Diego is a great place to visit, that is for sure. Please try not to think about sharks too much as it is an infrequent occurrence. My only advice would be to not surf at San Onofre State Beach seeing that a lot of Great Whites have been observed over there.:-)
I wish I was on vacation now after seeing this. Very nice layout. Love all the info. Bravo!!
I wish I were on vacation too Margaret! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I appreciate it!
What a great article and it sure looks like a great place to travel to
Might have to go on my bucket list Colleen
All the very best
Thank you for taking the time to comment Vicki! I hope you can make it down to San Diego soon!
Thank you for the wonderful tour. I live in Tennessee and of course I do not have any salt marshes to explore.
I agree the Canary Island Date Palm tree looks quite impressive and so immense.
Its been a while since I visited the area, but when I do I know a place now to just get away and enjoy some unique nature.
Hi Doug! Thank you so much for your comment! I love Tennessee! I have two Aunts that live right near the border in Mississippi. It is a very beautiful state. Yes, that Canary Island Palm tree sure left an impression on me. I keep trying to picture when it was planted. This area used to have houses near it and farms in the late 1880’s. I keep wondering if this tree is that old. I hope you can make it down here sometime in the future!
I like the way you led us on the trail and showed us things like we were actually there on the walk with you. It looks like a gorgeous place. Perhaps when I go visit my son in California this will be one of the places I stop to visit. Thank you for the detailed pictures and sharing!
Hi Karin! Thank you so much for commenting! I hope you do make it here when you visit your son. It really is a wonderfully easy hike that is so calming to your soul. Enjoy your visit!
Colleen,
All I have to say is wow!. Your website is great, filled with so much useful information. I live in New Mexico and family and I visit San Diego every other year for Sea World, but now we have more options for my girls instead of Disney Land.
They always want to do something different, but we always end of at Disney Land.
Love! Love! Love!.
CHEERS!
Thank you for the comment, Jay! Yes, there is so much to do in San Diego. I have a post that has all of the San Diego Lagoons and Nature Centers if you want to take a look at. All of them except one (The Living Coastal Center) are entirely free. I hope you and your family make it down here soon! https://70milesofcoast.com/san-diego-lagoons-nature-centers
wow, that is some nice scenery. I want to visit San Diego now. I like places like that, Yosemite is one of my favorite places to visit. I also enjoy Monterey, I like the glass bottom boat tours, and whale watching tours that they put on there. The epic white seal is always a nice site, if hes there. That is a lot of birds that live in that area, it looks like an amazing place.
Hi Jonathan! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment! I have only been on one glass bottom boat in Mexico, and it was terrific. Yes, Batiquitos Lagoon does have a lot of birds stopping by. Next time I need to take the time and sit quietly and watch a few.:-)
Omg, it’s gorgeous here! I wish I had somewhere to get out and walk here in NC but its just trees an endless see of unmanicured trees and yards. Thanks for sharing! Look forward to more 🙂
Thank you so much for commenting Marlinda! It is beautiful over at the Batiquitos Lagoon Trail. In fact, I hope to go back real soon and look for the fossils in the bluffs. Thanks again!
Dear Colleen,
It’s absolutely beautiful to say the least!!!
So much to see and enjoy and questions abound. I’m very happy to have found your page focused on this gem of a locale.
Thank you for the collection of information. Outstanding website. I look forward to coming back, exploring the site, and hopefully planning to visit soon.
All My Very Best,
Ricardo
Thank you so much for your kind words, Ricardo! It brings me such joy to hear you say this! It is such a pleasure to share my love of San Diego to the world. I hope that you will someday be able to visit!