Tijuana Estuary

This is a moderately-paced hike along established paths through the Tijuana Estuary Research Reserve in Imperial Beach. The total distance is about four or five miles, and the hike should take about two or three hours. For information on the reserve, see trnerr.org.

NOTICE THAT THIS HIKE IS ON WEDNESDAY, instead of the usual Tuesday. I have a schedule conflict on Tuesday. Not only that, the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center is closed on Tuesdays. Our usual schedule will resume the following week.

We've done this hike before, most recently on August 6, 2024. (Has it been that long?) For more information, see www.meetup.com/sandiegodayhikers/events/302606095

We'll meet at 9:15 AM in the parking lot at the visitor center at 301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach 91932 (N 32 34.498 W 117 7.547), and step off at 9:30 AM.

Although the Visitor Center doesn't open until 10:00 AM, the rest rooms and parking lot are usually open much earlier. If this is not the case, there is street parking nearby and rest rooms at the Imperial Beach Sports Park.

After the hike, we can tour the visitor center and some small paths nearby.

SUGGESTED ROUTE FROM SAN DIEGO: Go south on I-5 and exit at Coronado Ave. Go west about two miles on Coronado Ave., which becomes Imperial Beach Blvd. when it enters Imperial Beach. Turn left on Third Ave. and follow it about 0.1 miles as it turns left and becomes Caspian Way. Park in (or near) the visitor center parking lot on the right.

If you arrive early and the parking lot is closed, you can park on the street.

San Diego MTS buses 933 and 934 stop nearby.

The name of this reserve varies somewhat from one sign to the next, but the words "Tijuana" and "Estuary" (or "Estuarine") seem to appear in all variants.

The reserve is especially good for bird watching: ducks, gulls, terns and even some big, noisy whirlybirds.

The paths are mostly decomposed granite (which is a kind of fine gravel, not granite and not decomposed), with a few muddy spots, and NO HILLS. Hiking shoes are not required.

Leashed dogs are allowed.

CONTACT: Philip Erdelsky, cell 619-866-8512, E-mail pje@efgh.com

The weather prediction for August 26 is sunny, 71-82 degrees, 11 mph wind. In other words, warm with a sea breeze, just like our recent coastal hikes.

WHAT ABOUT TIJUANA RIVER POLLUTION? I went to the visitor center on Wednesday, August 20, and spoke to the attendants. They said the smells had been exaggerated, and usually occurred at night, farther south, closer to the river. Gas masks are not required.