San Elijo Lagoon
Ecological Reserve
RESTROOMS: Open
PETS/animals: Horses (east of I-5 + leashed dogs welcome
ENTRANCE: Select “More” below
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Solana Beach Transit Center.
PARKING: Depends on entrance – see list below.
TERRAIN: Varies from trail to trail – see list below.
Bordered by North County San Diego gems – Solana Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and Rancho Santa Fe – the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve offers 7+ miles of hiking trails via 6 trailheads. (Please note: Solana Hills Trailhead is currently closed).
Over 1,000 plant and animal species pass through – or make their home in – San Elijo. Many are rare or endangered. As you journey our trails connecting wetland habitats of coastal strand, salt marsh, freshwater/brackish marsh, riparian woodland, coastal sage scrub, and mixed chaparral, you’re sure to sight many species along the way.
Every day of the year, the trails are open from sunrise to sunset. For the community’s safety, trail closures occur for repairs, restoration projects, and weather hazards.
DIFFICULTY: Easy (with strenuous portions)
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 1.4 miles
TIME: 40 minutes
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Leashed dogs welcome, except in the slot canyon portion.
ENTRANCE: Rios Ave Trailhead See map
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Solana Beach Transit See map
PARKING: As you drive to the end of Rios Ave, there’s a cul-de-sac, which is where the trailhead is located. Find street parking along Rios Ave. Though we’re in nature, remember that we’re parking in a neighborhood, so please keep all driveways clear.
TERRAIN: A mostly even path to reach Annie’s Canyon Trail. However, watch out for tree roots that people could trip on. Note some soil erosion on the descending trail from Annie’s Canyon viewpoint and some stairs.
The slot canyon’s vertical, narrow areas could aggravate claustrophobia. On the slot canyon path, there are ladder-style stairs, and on the switchback approach, you encounter wooden-plank stairs. At certain points, you need to scramble (aka use your hands + feet to propel yourself up).
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 2 miles
TIME: 40 minutes
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset (both for trail and parking lot)
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Horses + leashed dogs welcome
ENTRANCE: La Orilla Trailhead Rancho Santa Fe, CA See map
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: None available.
PARKING: Small dirt parking lot with roughly 8 spots, along El Camino Real.
TERRAIN: Uneven, including erosion-control stairs on steep sections.
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 1.2 miles
TIME: 30 minutes
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Leashed dogs welcome
ENTRANCE: Rios Ave Trailhead See map
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Solana Beach Transit See map
PARKING: Find the trailhead at the end of Rios Ave, where you also find on-street parking. Look for a kiosk with information about the lagoon.
TERRAIN: Even path with slight inclines + declines.
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 1-mile double loop (choose smaller or larger loop)
TIME: 45 minutes (at a slow pace)
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset (parking lot: 9 am–5 pm daily)
RESTROOMS: Yes (designed for accessibility inside Nature Center)
PETS/ANIMALS: Leashed dogs welcome
ENTRANCE: 2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007 See map
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Highway 101 + Chesterfield (Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA) See map
PARKING: Paved parking lot with 19 spots, including ADA-, carpool-, and EV- marked parking stalls (9 am–5 pm daily). Additional street parking along Manchester Ave (south of the parking lot entrance). Tues–Fri 9 am–12 pm is a peak time for school field trip visits. Bike rack available.
TERRAIN: Flat, wide, and even path. Suitable for strollers and wheelchairs.
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 0.6 miles
TIME: 20 minutes (at a slow pace)
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Horses + leashed dogs welcome
ENTRANCE: Santa Carina Trailhead (Solana Beach, CA) See map
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Lomas Santa Fe + Solana Hills Dr (Solana Beach, CA) See map
PARKING: On-street
TERRAIN: Fairly even path. Note a section of rustic, erosion-control stairs.
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 2.2 miles
TIME: 1 hour (slow pace)
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Horses + leashed dogs welcome
ENTRANCE: Santa Helena Trail (Solana Beach, CA) See map
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Lomas Santa Fe + Solana Hills Dr (Solana Beach, CA) See map
PARKING: On-street
TERRAIN: Uneven path with some steep inclines. Since the unofficial paths aren’t clearly defined, wandering off the official trail is easy.
DIFFICULTY: Easy
DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 1.3 miles
TIME: 30 minutes
HOURS: Sunrise to sunset
RESTROOMS: No
PETS/ANIMALS: Horses + leashed dogs welcome
ENTRANCE: Santa Inez Trailhead See map
CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Solana Beach Transit See map
PARKING: On-street
TERRAIN: Some steep parts. Note a sandy patch and incline (erosion-control stairs).
Our $120-million restoration project is underway. By 2021, additional trails that connect East/West and North/South under the I-5 bridge will link the reserve’s trails. Additional trails will join the Nature Center Loop Trail to Pole Road.
Would not hesitate to come back to San Elijo in the future. Nice easy cardio workout with good views and fresh air.
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Bakersfield, CA
I love San Elijo Lagoon. I haven’t wandered all the trails in this area, but the parts I have explored are pretty awesome.
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Seattle, WA
Nice hidden gem. There is a complex of trails, but the real trail here is a small nature walk inside the lagoon that is a Figure-8 in shape.
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Oceanside, CA
Beautiful place to hike and explore the outdoors. The trails around the lagoon are well paved and are surrounded by lots of brush and…
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Rancho Santa Fe, CA
At Nature Collective, we work with our community and supporters to
conserve and preserve San Diego’s natural habitats. You can even
volunteer – everyone is welcome!
