Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in San Diego County

"Located in the southwest corner of San Diego, the Tijuana Estuary is a wetlands area with beach, dune, mudflat, salt marsh, riparian, coastal sage scrub, and upland habitats that are free to explore. Start at the Visitor Center to learn about the trails, flora and fauna (many are rare or endangered), and various things to do during your visit. Kids can earn junior rangers here and they offer a variety of environmental education resources online."

"At the southernmost tip of San Diego is one of the most serene places that few people know about. Where the Tijuana River meets the sea is where you’ll find the Tijuana Slough with over 2,000 acres of wetlands. Over 370 bird species have been observed there with 5 of them being endangered species that are regularly seen."

"Way down in sometimes-forgotten Imperial Beach is found a favorite landscape for many people in San Diego. This Tijuana Estuary is connected to some couple of parks. You are going to find amazing places such as Tijuana River County Open Space Reserve and Border Field State Park."

"Los Peñasquitos (“little cliffs”) is a great beginners’ trail for those who want to enjoy mountain-feel views without having to hire an expedition crew. There are two approaches (east and west), and the trailheads offer a trek of either 6.5, or 5.5 miles, respectively. The terrain is gradual and level, but the trails are surrounded by the sort of views that gave the area its name: scenic rocky outcroppings, and stony formations that ripple with rubble."

"Address: 793 J Street, San Diego, California 92101Timings: 4pm - 9pm, Monday - SundayCost For Two: USD 11 - USD 30Must Try: Aperol Spritz, Singapore Slings. Fairweather is a tropical rooftop bar where the bold patterned tiles, open-air bar channels, lush living walls, creative drinks and mounds of citrus scream mid-century culture of San Diego. A canopy of vibrantly colored nautical ropes adorn the seating space which also has a live music platform with pre-concert facilities."

"Just because San Diegans live in Vacation Town, USA, doesn’t mean we don’t need a tropical island escape from time to time. With its beachy decor and lineup of "drinks from sunny places," Fairweather comes pretty close. Views of Petco Park and the ability to order food from Rare Form (downstairs) are two notable pluses.How to order: Patio tables are on a first-come first-served basis."

"The Godfather, a Balistreri restaurant, is an Italian hotspot in downtown San Diego. The restaurant provides authentic cuisine from the hills of Italy and is definitely one of the"

"Located just two blocks from the tree-lined streets of Balboa Park, diners of all kinds flock to Donna Jean to enjoy homemade vegan pizza and pasta. Named in homage to chef Roy Elam’s late mother, the restaurant boasts a spacious patio and herb garden for customers to enjoy year-round. Locals love this spot for a date night while others regularly order the speckled wood-fired pizza to-go."

"For vegetarian home cooking in a cheerful, rustic ambiance, try Donna Jean on Fifth Avenue. If you decide to go down to Donna Jean for brunch, you can opt for biscuits and gravy or the scrambled tofu. The lunch and dinner menu features a wide selection of vegetarian pizzas, mac and cheese, salads, sandwiches, and even some Louisiana specialties."

"Opened in 2017, Donna Jean serves creative vegan comfort foods. Dishes include handmade pastas, entrees such as mac and cheese and risotto, and award-winning pizzas; they’re also open for brunch on Saturday and Sunday. The restaurant was opened by chef Roy Elam in honor of his mother, Donna Jean, who passed away from breast cancer."

"Jimbo Someck (yes, there really is a real guy behind the name) came to San Diego over 40 years ago. He started in the food business breaking down cardboard boxes. Jimbo opened his first store in 1984 in North Park (now sold) and has opened five San Diego stores since then; four of them here in North County: Carmel Valley, Escondido, Carlsbad, 4S Ranch."