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Must-Sees

San Elijo Lagoon
Ecological Reserve

(157 Google Reviews)

  • HOURS: Sunrise to sunset

  • 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.

More

Our nearly 1,000-acre reserve is a hiker’s dream.

Bordered by North County San Diego gems – Solana Beach, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, and Rancho Santa Fe – the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve offers 9+ miles of hiking trails via 10 trailheads.

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.

Did you know? Nature Collective cares for many of your favorite hikes, like San Elijo Lagoon. We help maintain paths, lead native habitat restoration, remove trash, and share knowledge with the community.

Please donate $2 to keep your beloved experiences protected.

  • Annie’s Canyon Trail

    • DIFFICULTY: Easy (with strenuous portions)

    • DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 2 miles

    • TIME: 60 minutes

    • HOURS: Sunrise to sunset

    • RESTROOMS: No

    • PETS/ANIMALS: Leashed dogs welcome, except in the slot canyon portion.

    • ENTRANCE: Via Poco Trailhead  See map

    • CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: Solana Beach Transit  See map

    • PARKING: Parking at The San Elijo Activity Hub Park & Ride. Please utilize waste and recycling containers at the trailhead.

    • TERRAIN: Paved and flat for the beginning portion, transitioning into loose sand and uneven terrain. 

      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).

      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). Be prepared for a steep climb on the return journey to the Solana Hills trailhead.

  • La Orilla Trail

    • 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.

  • Rios (East) Trail

    • 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.

  • Nature Center Loop Trail

    • 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.

  • Santa Carina Trail

    • 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.

  • Santa Helena Trail

    • 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.

  • Santa Inez Trail

    • 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).

  • Rios (West) Trail

    • DIFFICULTY: Easy

    • DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 3 Miles

    • TIME: 1 Hour

    • HOURS: Sunrise to sunset

    • RESTROOMS: Yes, at Nature Center

    • 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.

  • Solana Hills Trail

    • DIFFICULTY: Easy (with strenuous portions)

    • DISTANCE (ROUND-TRIP): 1.6 miles

    • TIME: 60 minutes

    • HOURS: Sunrise to sunset 

    • RESTROOMS: No

    • PETS/ANIMALS: Leashed dogs welcome, except in the slot canyon portion

    • BICYCLES: No

    • ENTRANCE: Solana Hills Trailhead, Solana Beach, CA  See map

    • CLOSEST PUBLIC TRANSIT: None available.

    • PARKING: Street parking. Please remember that you are parking in a neighborhood, so keep all driveways clear and be respectful of neighbors. Please utilize waste and recycling containers at the trailhead.

    • TERRAIN: Uneven, including erosion-control stairs on steep sections.

      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).

      Note some soil erosion on the descending trail from Annie’s Canyon viewpoint and some stairs.

The San Elijo Ecological Reserve is Perfect For

Bird Watching

Hiking

Picnics

Painting

Horse-Friendly Trails

Running

Photography

Solitude

Community

Restoration Spotlight

Our $120-million restoration project is nearly complete. By the end of 2021, additional trails that connect East/West and North/South under the I-5 bridge will link the rest of the reserve’s trails. 

People love The San Elijo
Ecological Reserve

  • @kobusingye__ link
    link

    Would not hesitate to come back to San Elijo in the future. Nice easy cardio workout with good views and fresh air.
    Read more

    Patrick T

    Bakersfield, CA

  • @themerrickan link
    link

    I love San Elijo Lagoon. I haven’t wandered all the trails in this area, but the parts I have explored are pretty awesome.
    Read more

    Doris W

    Seattle, WA

  • @dantheman77777777 link
    link

    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.
    Read more

    GT W

    Oceanside, CA

  • @pixelonwood link
    link

    Beautiful place to hike and explore the outdoors. The trails around the lagoon are well paved and are surrounded by lots of brush and…
    Read more

    Noel M.

    Rancho Santa Fe, CA

Restoring our local ecology,
together.

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!

What We Do

What’s New at Nature Collective?

Join us for community events!
Discovery Tour | July 5
05

Jul

Discovery Tour | July 5

1.5 Hours

Discover the beauty of San Elijo Lagoon: where fresh water and saltwater meet and mix, migratory and resident birds share…

Learn More
Coffee + Connections Open House | Jul 11
11

Jul

Coffee + Connections Open House | Jul 11

1 Hour

Join CEO Jennifer Bright and key Nature Collective staff for Coffee + Connections. Please register below and enjoy this casual…

Learn More
Wildlife Tour | July 12
12

Jul

Wildlife Tour | July 12

2 Hours

Mid-summer is a laid-back vacation in San Elijo. We may watch ducks taking a leisurely dip at the edge of…

Learn More