Tijuana Estuary NP Point of Interest - California
The Tijuana River Estuary is an intertidal coastal wetland at the mouth of the Tijuana River in San Diego County, California, in the United States bordering Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. It is the location of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, and Border Field State Park. The estuary is a shallow water habitat. Often termed an intermittent estuary since its volume is subject to the discharge controlled by the seasons of the year, the volume of the estuary fluctuates and at times there is dry land, or flooded areas.
https://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=669
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tijuana_River_Estuary
The Tijuana River Estuary is an intertidal coastal wetland at the mouth of the Tijuana River in San Diego County, California, in the United States bordering Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico. It is the location of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve, Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge, and Border Field State Park. The estuary is a shallow water habitat. Often termed an intermittent estuary since its volume is subject to the discharge controlled by the seasons of the year, the volume of the estuary fluctuates and at times there is dry land, or flooded areas.
T
his southernmost
part of the Golden
State, with its warm
beaches, sculpted
bluffs and historic
adobe buildings, has
been a mecca for
individuals seeking
a better life. Today,
more than ever, it
is the destination
of millions who
pursue the modern
equivalent of the
“California Dream.”
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The mission of California State Parks is
to provide for the health, inspiration and
education of the people of California by
helping to preserve the state’s extraordinary
biological diversity, protecting its most
valued natural and cultural resources, and
creating opportunities for high-quality
outdoor recreation.
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arrival, visitors with disabilities who need
assistance should contact the park at
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San Diego Coast State Parks
4477 Pacific Highway
San Diego, CA 92110
(619) 688-3260
Cover photo courtesy of Susan Myrland.
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San Diego
Coast
State Parks
T he San Diego Coast is world famous
provides beach-level camping between
the communities of Coronado and Imperial
Beach. Day-use beach access is available
from Carlsbad State Beach to Border Field
State Park.
Early California history, recreational
opportunities and natural wonders await you
in San Diego Coast state parks.
of Spanish soldiers, priests and explorers
led by Captain Gaspar de Portolá and
Franciscan Father Junípero Serra, arrived
in what is today San Diego. They built a
chapel dedicated to Saint Diego and a fort
on what is now Presidio Hill just to the east
of present-day Old Town. As time passed,
the town built up around a typical Spanish
plaza, and the first San Diego community
was born. Since 1769 it has known the rule
of Spain, Mexico and the United States.
Today the historic park reflects the
cultural elements of its exciting and
romantic past. Guided tours are available.
For more information,
call (619) 220-5422.
for its mild year-round climate. This fiftymile stretch of coastline, from the U.S.
Marine Corps base at Camp Pendleton to the
Mexican border, contains some of California’s
most interesting and rare examples of
natural and cultural heritage.
San Diego’s early history comes alive at
Old Town San Diego State Historic Park,
Old Town San Diego State
located in the heart of the city, and at San
Historic Park
Pasqual Battlefield State Historic Park, near
San Diego’s famed Wild Animal Park in the
Explore the rich heritage of California by
north county.
touring the unique museum exhibits and
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve, the
shops in the historic adobe buildings of Old
home of rare and endangered Torrey pines,
Town San Diego. Today’s Old Town bustles
lies thirty miles north
with activity while
of the Tijuana River
preserving the
National Estuarine
essence of one of
Research Reserve
California’s earliest
and the international
settlements.
border. The
On May 15, 1769,
Research Reserve
an overland party
provides protection
for a designated
Father Junípero Serra
“wetland of national
importance” and
offers an educational
Bandini House in Old Town San Diego
facility for students
and visitors.
San Diego Coast state parks provide
visitors with three areas for camping and
many day-use beaches. South Carlsbad
and San Elijo State Beaches in the north
county have full-service campgrounds with
all the amenities except hookups, and Silver
Strand State Beach in the south county
Painting of early San Diego by Lt. William H. Emory, 1846
San Pasqual Battlefield
State Historic Park
An award-winning visitor center interprets
the Mexican War, as well as the history
of the San Pasqual Indians and the
development of San Pasqual Valley.
On a cold, wet December 6,
1846, in the valley known as San
Pasqual, United States
General Stephen
Watts Kearny and
his soldiers met
Whimbrel
80 armed Mexican
Californios under
the leadership of
Andrés Pico in a
battle for the sovereignty of California.
The Battle of San Pasqual was the
bloodiest battle fought in California
during the Mexican War. For
more park information, call
(760) 737-2201.
Carlsbad State
Beach
Carlsbad State
Beach is one of
San Diego’s most
popular beaches.
The Tamarack
Avenue area is a
favorite surf spot. The
reef provides gentle
waves, perfect for long and
short board surfing. Certain areas
are set aside for swimming only.
A seawall
promenade
stretches from
Pine Street to
Tamarack Avenue
and offers views
of Agua Hedionda
Lagoon. From
the walkway,
visitors may watch
marbled godwits
and whimbrels
troll the beach
and gulls, cormorants and pelicans fly over
the waves. Marine mammals such as dolphins,
sea lions and harbor seals splash offshore.
Carlsbad State B