Fodor's Expert Review Batiquitos Lagoon

While development destroyed many of the saltwater marsh wildlife habitats that once punctuated the North County coastline, this 610-acre lagoon was restored in 1997 to support fish and bird populations. Today, there are more than 200 species of birds here. A stroll along the 2-mile trail from the Batiquitos Lagoon Foundation Nature Center along the north shore of the lagoon reveals nesting sites of the red-winged blackbird; lagoon birds such as the great blue heron, the great egret, and the snowy egret; and life in the mud flats. This wheelchair-accessible trail is a quiet spot for contemplation or a picnic. The Nature Center showcases exhibits on butterflies, moths, birds, and the Kumeyaay tribe who once fished on the lagoon. They spent half the year on the coast and half the year in the highlands of Julian to gather acorns—an important part of their diet. Today there are just 12 Kumeyaay reservations in California, predominately in East County San Diego. Within the Nature Center, you can view examples of the tribe’s traditional clothing, fish traps, baskets, clay pots, bows and arrows, and more. Guided walking tours, lasting 1–2 hours, are offered monthly by appointment and can be arranged through the website.