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 185 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 is a quiet spot for contemplation or a picnic.