With last months opening of the three-year-long 84-acre San Dieguito Lagoon Wetland Restoration Project, the San Dieguito River Park welcomed the addition of a new public trail, the Tidal Trail.
The Tidal Trail extends from the Dust Devil Nature Trail on El Camino Real, a 1.75-mile series of three loops overlooking the river park and seasonal ponds. The new trail segment connects from one of the loops, heading down a decomposed granite pathway lined with rustic lodge pole fencing.
The new Tidal Trail in the San Dieguito River Park offers views of the newly restored wetland habitat. (Karen Billing)
From there the trail winds below El Camino Real and the peaked dome of the St. John Garabed Armenian Church, past the flourishing tidal wetlands and restored salt marsh habitat.
Hikers and runners have been taking advantage of the scenic spot, a way to exercise and connect with nature.
The new Tidal Trail in the San Dieguito River Park offers views of the newly restored wetland habitat. (Karen Billing)
It is also a great place for birdwatching, to try and catch a peak of egrets, herons or the endangered birds like the Ridgeway’s Rail, Least Bell’s Vireo, coastal California gnatcatcher, and Belding’s Savannah Sparrow that have made the newly restored habitat their home.
The out-and-back trail is about 1.2 flat and easy miles from the parking lot, with a turn-around now set just before the aging El Camino Real bridge.
When El Camino Real is eventually widened and re-aligned, the narrow and aging bridge will be replaced with a new 354-feet-long and 76-feet-wide bridge with both a bike lane and protected sidewalk. A multi-use trail will be created beneath the north side of the new bridge, connecting to the existing coastal trail to the west and eventually to the planned Osuna segment of the Crest to Coast Trail.
Access the new Tidal Trail from the Dust Devil Nature Trail on El Camino Real, near Sea Country Lane. The trailhead has a parking lot, an informational San Dieguito River Park kiosk and a portable restroom.
The new Tidal Trail ends just before the El Camino Real bridge. When the road is widened, a replacement bridge will connect to the Coast to Crest Trail. (Karen Billing)