Reviews
It was perfect weather on a Sunday afternoon. The park is free to explore, just remember to leave no trace - pack out your trash! Dogs allowed but mind the weather. It could get super hot for them to walk on. Lots of families when we went. Go during the week to avoid large crowds. Annie’s Canyon is definitely worth seeing!Visited onWeekendWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedNoPrice for adult entryFree
Great place to take kiddos for nature walk. We saw crabs, bat ray, all kinds of birds and insects...it's a flat loop trail suitable for strollers. No shade on this trail so be sure to wear hat and sunscreen, and you can fill up your water bottle at the visitor center. Parking is limited on site, but you may park across the street also free.
I started the trail on N. Rios Avenue parked on the street and walked out and back the North Rios, Solana Hills, Santa Inez, and La Orilla Trail 5.5mi total. You can stop by Annie’s Canyon Trail. Take the difficult level route because then you can walk down the stairs on your way back. I saw a snake on the trail so be careful!
What a beautiful, peaceful place. Great place to take the pups for a walk or to explore. Lots of birds, nicely maintained trails, lovely nature center. Restrooms: Restrooms in nature center Dog-friendliness: Leashed dogs welcomed on trails
Wow, what a beautiful place to visit! I haven't been into the visitor center, but I love the restoration efforts in this area. The scenery is phenomenal and it's a great place to walk if you need a flat and easy walk. This place fits the bill for me to walk during late pregnancy and early postpartum with my baby.Visited onWeekday
The hike is pretty short from the street to the fork where you take either the moderate route or the strenuous route. The strenuous route will take you through the sandstone walls, and eventually lead you down the moderate route. Basically, it's a loop. Trekking though the sandstone walls was very scenic, but it can get very narrow. After taking the only ladder up to the top, you can take a panoramic picture of the lagoon below. Great hike for the family!
Part of the park/trails are closed due to COVID and construction, but we had a nice hike from Santa Clara to Dike all the way to I-5. It wasn't long or hard, and we took bunch of photos. Little snails on plants were all over the place, which I find it fascinating. The trail offers few trees, but it's mostly surrounded by bushes, and few wild flowers and cacti. If no one is around take your mask off and smell the nature as long as there are no horses around so it smells good
They've made a bunch of awesome changes to the trails in the area over recent years. Things like Annie's Canyon and foot bridges connected areas, like under the 5 freeway and near the nature center.
Went for 5th grade field trip. Volunteers very friendly and knowledgeable. Overall nice preserve but undergoing renovations which draw away from the preserve piece. Good nature center. Worth a quick stop by.
San Elijo Lagoon is currently lush and colorful. Multiple native plants are thriving with all the rain of the last several months.Visited onWeekdayWait timeNo waitReservation recommendedNoPrice for adult entryFree
