San Dieguito Lagoon Boardwalk & Trail

lagoon1

Completed in 2007, the Lagoon Boardwalk is the newest addition to the Coast-to-Crest Trail. The Boardwalk is open to pedestrian users and can currently be accessed on foot from Jimmy Durante Boulevard. It is designed to allow for periodic flooding during the rainy season and provides River Park visitors with the closest access to the very sensitive marsh areas of the San Dieguito Lagoon.

The salt marsh and surrounding uplands in the San Dieguito Lagoon are some of the most rare and threatened habitats in the River Park. The River Park is fortunate the lagoon was selected as the site of the $86 million Wetlands Restoration Project currently underway. The project will create 115 acres of wetlands, including a deep water basin, as well as transitional coastal sage scrub habitat on the surrounding slopes.

A number of species that depend on our vanishing coastal wetlands will benefit from this important project. Ocean fish will use the deeper water as nurseries, and salt marsh vegetation will provide nesting habitat for the endangered Belding’s Savannah Sparrow. Birds migrating along the Pacific Flyway will encounter additional resting areas here. Further, because of the extremely fragile nature of the lagoon and its wildlife inhabitants, the Conservancy is working to preserve as much land as possible through acquisition and restoration. Directions to the Lagoon Boardwalk & Trail
lagoon3

How You Can Help

The planks on the Boardwalk were installed by busy volunteers from the Del Mar Rotary all in one day! You can add your name to the legacy of the River Park by donating $100 toward a plank – your contribution will be recognized with an inscribed plaque attached to the plank you secure. In addition, your gift will fund further construction of the Lagoon Trail and other related Conservancy projects in the western end of the River Park. Visit our SUPPORT US page to Donate a Plank today!

lagoon2
Boardwalk under construction
lagoon5
Kids playing on the boardwalk
lagoon8
lagoon6
lagoon7
Completed section of the Boardwalk