San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve is a 1,000-acre natural reserve and nonprofit land trust in San Diego's North County coastal area, originally founded in 1987 to protect more than 1,000 native species of plant and animal life.

The reserve , which has been in operation for more than 30 years, is bounded by the cities of Solana Beach, Encinitas, and Rancho Santa Fe, striving to engage the Bay Area with its natural surroundings and preserve important ecosystems for generations to come.

A visitor center at the reserve showcases interactive museum exhibits for all ages on the area's history and ecology, including several living animal experiences.

A 5,600-square-foot LEED Platinum-certified nature center showcases ecological practices, constructed entirely from recycled materials. Within the reserve, visitors can hike along seven miles of lovely trails, which showcase wetland, salt marsh, riparian and coastal sage shrub, and mixed chaparral habitats.

92024, 2710 Manchester Ave, Cardiff, CA 9200, Phone: 760-436-3944

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