Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve

Really enjoyed our family stroll through the reserve, even though it rained on us. It kind of made the experience more interesting. Once the rain stopped, you could smell the fresh green of all of the vegetation. My 8 year old wasn’t too excited about the walk but that changed when he saw the birds in the marsh.
We were able to walk there from our hotel too. We really enjoyed it.

This place stunk. There were maybe a hundred yards total of walking paths throughout the area. Maybe due to the heavy rain lately?
Either way, if you’re looking for a place to watch helicopters circle near the naval base and see more broken glass than birds, this would be your place.
The building looked informative, but it was closed at 1pm on a weekday.

I wanted a little change of scenery for my dog and I and decided to come here since it’s close to home.
I’ve passed this place many, many times. But I’ve never walked the grounds. It’s a very quiet, peaceful place with very little foot traffic.
This place isn’t very big, at least not that I could see, so I don’t think it’s a good place for a run, but a nice walk or a place to think this is a perfect place! You’ll find a few benches where you can sit with your thoughts and enjoy what nature has to offer.
The parking is plentiful, however it is a gravel lot. Plus side is that there’s no admission fee (which is always a plus in my book).

It’s a little heaven close to my hood. I come here to run, walk, think, cry and am always leave with a feeling of fulfillment. Nature soothes this Unilocalers soul, at least when I choose to be out in nature.
The views are breathtaking, The sounds are comforting. Perfect place to take someone you want to catch up with or just to clear your mind. Our sweet little hidden gem.

I love this place! So very peaceful! I have seen animals, birds, plants, and flowers I have never seen before. The trail is a wonderful way to get some exercise while enjoying nature. I love going there, and do it as often as I can!

Very nice, quiet place to walk around and enjoy the birds.

Great for a nice run near home. Watching nature :-). It is kind of a drag though when people don’t pick up there dog crap though.

everyone talks about seeing the border and well its the closest i have ever been. doing some good planting under nice weather. just remember to watch out for bugs

FREE!
a great place just to walk around a clear your mind.
some friends and I come here once awhile and just mess around, act like children and wonder why there are soo many damn snails in the river lol

Just like Unilocal-​er Robert H. said, this Estuary and Reserve is often over-​looked because it is somewhat off the beaten path. But I lived for many years right across the street from it and spend many days strolling the trails or riding my bike along its paths. I can tell you that because the Tijuana River Estuary is there-​it has allowed Imperial Beach to keep open, scenic vista’s stretching from Imperial Beach Blvd. and the Coast Blvd. sand dunes all the way south to Tijuana, Mexico. One can stand in the Estuary courtyard and see all the way down to the Playas of Tijuana and even the now-​dormant Bullfighting Ring. Where else can you get a view like that? It is priceless.
The Tijuana River Estuary Visitor Center is an Orchid Award winning facility designed by venerated San Diego architect Rob Quigley. Inside are nature exhibits, audio-​visual equipped classrooms and community rooms, a library and the Clapper Rail’s Nest Gift Shop.
4 miles of hiking trails and even an equestrian trail in the south part of the Reserve make the Reserve a great place to commune with nature. You can bring dogs on The North Beach Trail which extends mile southward from the end of the Imperial Beach boardwalk to the mouth of the Tijuana River. This particular area has some of the best surfing waves in all of San Diego but is subject to numerous pollution closures-​especially in the rainy months.
The Tijuana River Estuary is a shallow water wetland that can change from extremely dry to a high stream-​flow through out the year. At high tides and with heavy rainfall, the water levels will sometimes come up and over onto Imperial Beach Blvd. This is due to the vagaries of San Diego’s Mediterranean climate. The only part of the Estuary that is wet all year long is along the river’s main channel, and unfortunately that is subject to pollution overflow from the city of Tijuana.
. Many species of rare birds use the Tijuana River Estuary as breeding grounds or a stopover point during their annual migration Many known endangered species frequent the area along with more than 370 species of migratory and native birds, according to a flier I picked up at the Information Center. Every spring there are baby ducks with their mamas crossing the streets around the Estuary. And during heavy rains, giant bull frogs would come up from the area and he all over my front yard-​it was a trip!
You can roam around the Estuary on your own like I do or sign up for one of the guided weekend walking tours. The trails are safe and well-​kept. Much of the flora and fauna are signed and of course-​all plants, animals, shells, rocks, and the like are protected. Absolutely no souvenir-​gathering is allowed. Other than living directly on Ocean Lane and having the beach in my front yard-​this is the next best thing. My living and bedroom windows on Imperial Beach Blvd. opened up to a vast open vista of the Tijuana River Estuary directly across the street– stretching as far as the eye could see. Though Tijuana may not be everybody’s idea of a great view, for me it offered a chance to gain «international relations experience,» much as Sarah Palin’s proximity to Russia through her kitchen window gave her that same valued political cred!(LOL)

This place is easily overlooked because its in unglamorous and aesthetically challenged Imperial Beach. Its also isn’t easy to find. That being said, I think its one of the hidden gems that the San Diego area has to offer.
This is a nature preserve to observe flora and fauna with the city of TJ in the distance. I found this place while researching areas I could go grunion observing last summer.
The place only gets a few visitors at a time, mostly birders or couples who want a romantic stroll through the wetlands. Its a nice, quiet and serene place to visit.
If you want to add in an educational component, the center has a mini museum describing the origins of the estuary, and National Geographic like descriptions of the local wildlife and vegetation. However, the main draw is the lovely walk through the estuary. This is a great place to watch the sunrise or sunset.
There is no admission fee. Parking is plentiful, but its a dirt and gravel lot.