Jellyfish at the Birch Aquarium
Special events are listed in the calendar section.
Birch Aquarium at Scripps
2300 Expedition Way, La Jolla
, CA 92037
858.534.FISH
http://aquarium.ucsd.edu/
Explore the wonders of the ocean with dazzling coral reefs, thrilling sharks, amazing seahorses, undulating jellyfish and three outdoor, living tide pools.
Blue Sky Ecological Reserve
14644 Lake Poway Road, Poway
, CA 92064
858.679.5469
http://www.blueskyreserve.org/
Blue Sky Ecological Reserve is a 700-acre oak-lined canyon flanked by coastal sage scrub and chaparral-covered hills. The trails are open to the public free of charge during daylight hours.
Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center
202 S. Coast Hwy, Oceanside
, CA 92054
760.439.2473
http://www.bvaudubon.org/
The Nature Center is the hub for activities of the Buena Vista Audubon Society, which offers tours and programs for all ages.
Cabrillo National Monument
1800 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, San Diego
, CA 92106
619.557.5450
http://www.nps.gov
Climbing out of his boat and onto shore in 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo stepped into history as the first European to set foot on what is now the West Coast of the United States.
Free Flight
2132 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, CA 92014
858.481.3148
http://www.freeflightbirds.org/
Established in 1981 as a boarding and breeding facility Free Flight has evolved into a one of a kind exotic bird sanctuary where birds and people interact. Open to the public every day.
Jack’s Pond Nature Center
986 La Moree Road, San Marcos
, CA 92078
760.744.9000
http://www.ci.san-marcos.ca.us
The nature center offers hands-on nature study, hikes, and a curriculum-based outdoor education program. Free on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Japanese Friendship Garden
2215 Pan American Road E., Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101
619.232.2721
http://www.niwa.org/
The Garden originated as a teahouse during the 1915–16 Panama-California Exposition and now lies on two acres near the Spreckels Organ Pavilion. Along the Garden’s winding paths are a Zen garden for meditation, an exhibit house, koi pond, bonsai exhibit, ceremonial gate, and a Fujidana (wisteria arbor). Weekend classes are offered in sushi making, bonsai, calligraphy, and conversational Japanese.
Living Coast Discovery Center
1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91910
619.409.5900
http://www.thelivingcoast.org/
The Living Coast Discovery Center (formerly Chula Vista Nature Center) is an internationally recognized zoo/aquarium exhibiting native plants and animals. Offers guided tours of the Nature Center and surrounding area.
Mission Trails Regional Park
One Father Junipero Serra Trail
, San Diego, CA 92119
619.668.3281
http://www.mtrp.org/
Mission Trails Regional Park provides San Diego residents and visitors a way to explore the cultural, historical, and recreational aspects of San Diego. Offers free guided nature walks (usually Wed/Sat/Sun).
San Diego Botanic Garden
230 Quail Gardens Drive, Encinitas, CA 92024
760.436.3036
http://www.sdbgarden.org/
The San Diego Botanic Garden features numerous exhibits, including rare bamboo groves, desert gardens, a tropical rainforest, California native plants, Mediterranean climate landscapes, succulent gardens, and more.
San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve Nature Center
2710 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007
760.436.3944
http://www.sanelijo.org/
The San Elijo Lagoon is one of few remaining coastal wetlands of San Diego County and home to an exceptional number of animals and plants. Offers a free guided nature walk on Saturdays.
San Diego Zoo
2920 Zoo Drive, Balboa Park, San Diego, CA 92101
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/
The 100-acre (40-hectare) Zoo is home to over 4,000 rare and endangered animals representing more than 800 species and subspecies, and a prominent botanical collection with more than 700,000 exotic plants. It is located just north of downtown San Diego in Balboa Park.
San Diego Zoo Safari Park
15500 San Pasqual Valley Road, Escondido
, CA, 92027
http://www.sandiegozoo.org/
The San Diego Zoo Safari Park is an expansive wildlife sanctuary that is home to more than 3,500 animals representing more than 400 species. Its renowned botanical collection represents 3,500 species and 1.5 million specimens.
Sea Life Aquarium
One LEGOLAND Drive, Carlsbad, CA 92008
http://www.visitsealife.com/
SEA LIFE is designed to be a child’s first interactive guide to the life of the sea, combining active, hands-on learning with fascinating educational talks, and opportunities to have up close and personal encounters with a variety of sea creatures.
SeaWorld San Diego
500 SeaWorld Drive, San Diego, CA 92109
http://seaworldparks.com/seaworld-sandiego
SeaWorld San Diego is one of the most popular marine-life parks in the world. Spread across 189 acres on Mission Bay Park, SeaWorld San Diego is known for spectacular animal shows, interactive attractions, aquariums, rides, beautiful landscaping, dining facilities and education programs for all ages. And of course, Shamu!
Tijuana Estuary
301 Caspian Way, Imperial Beach
, CA 91932
619.575.3613
http://trnerr.org
From the Visitor Center, guests can easily access the North and South McCoy trails (open daily), which take visitors into prime bird-watching areas and to the mouth of the Tijuana River. Offers guided nature walks every 2nd & 4th Saturday of the month and a bird walk on Sundays.
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve
12600 North Torrey Pines Road, San Diego
, CA 92037
858.755.2063
http://www.torreypine.org/
Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is a wilderness island in an urban sea. This fragile environment is the home of our nation’s rarest pine tree – Pinus torreyana. Offers free guided nature walks every Saturday and Sunday.
The Water Conservation Garden
12122 Cuyamaca College Drive West, El Cajon, CA 92019
619.660.0614
http://www.thegarden.org/
The Garden has nearly five acres of displays that showcase water conservation through a series of themed gardens, such as a native plant garden and a vegetable garden as well as how-to displays such as mulch and irrigation exhibits. Offers free docent-led tours every Saturday.
