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Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Overview

Along the Southern California coastline, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve offers visitors over 1300 acres of coastal habitat surrounding a saltwater estuary. Hiking trails, guided tours and a nature center are highlights of this facinating gem located just minutes from some of the state's most popular beaches.

  Wildlife Viewing

  Hiking Trails

  Nature Education

  Visitor Information

  Cellular Service

  Enhanced Accessibility

Getting There

CDFW Lands Viewer
Printable Map (PDF)

This property overlaps and co-exists with Bolsa Chica Basin State Marine Conservation Area, which is administered separately from the Ecological Reserve.

South Coast Region (Region 5)

Orange County

18000 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92648 (Approximately 35 miles from Los Angeles)

Hours: Open daily, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Directions: (South Parking Lot) Northbound on Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1) from Huntington Beach, proceed about 3.4 miles. Just past the intersection to Bolsa Chica State Beach, the entrance to Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is on the right. If approaching southbound from Seal Beach, it is not possible to turn directly into the entrance of the Reserve; visitors can continue a short distance further to a U-turn lane, then approach the entrance northbound, as above.

The North Parking Lot is adjacent to the Interpretive Center on Warner Avenue near the intersection with Pacific Coast Highway. If approaching northbound on Pacific Coast Highway, turn right at Warner Avenue, then right again into the lot. If approaching southbound, turn left at Warner Avenue, then right into the lot.

Bolsa Chica Interpretive Center: (714) 846-1114

South Coast Region San Diego Office: (858) 467-4201

Visiting Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is an approximately 1,300 acre coastal estuary. Habitats include open water, mudflats, salt marsh, coastal dunes, seabird nesting islands, riparian, and freshwater marsh. More than 200 avian species have been identified at Bolsa Chica and the reserve is very popular with birders and photographers.

Facilities

This property features two parking lots: one on the north side of the Reserve, another further south across from Bolsa Chica State Beach. Each parking lot connects to a 4-mile network of public hiking trails, including scenic overlooks and educational interpretive panels.

The Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve Interpretive Center (operated by the Bolsa Chica Conservancy) features educational exhibits. It is located adjacent to the north parking lot on Warner Avenue. Public restrooms are also available adjacent to the Center.

Free docent-led tours of the Reserve are provided by three non-government organizations: Amigos de Bolsa Chica, Bolsa Chica Conservancy and Bolsa Chica Land Trust. Both the north and south parking lots feature a bulletin board which includes current tour information.

Accessibility

The Interpretive Center and adjacent restrooms are equipped with wheelchair-accessible ramps. Gravel and packed sand trails and wooden boardwalks over the waterways allow considerable wheelchair access.

Connectivity

There is reliable cellular phone service available on this property. There is no public Wi-Fi service available.

Learning and Getting Involved

Learn more about Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve and its history, wildlife and habitat.

History

The total area of this reserve has increased over time. In the 1970s, the State acquired 300 acres of the Bolsa Chica wetlands. The property was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and Game Commission in 1993. In 2005, funds from proposition 50 allowed for the purchase of 118 acres on the Bolsa Chica Mesa. Finally in late 2006, following a major restoration project that included the creation of a new marine basin, an additional 923 acres was added bringing the total acreage to approximately 1,341.

Learning About the Land

Tours

Docent-guided tours on the Reserve are available from Amigos de Bolsa Chica, Bolsa Chica Conservancy and Bolsa Chica Land Trust.

Species
  • Nesting bird species: Ridgway’s rail (formally light-footed clapper rail); Western snowy plover, California least tern, Belding’s Savannah sparrow, white-tailed kite, black skimmer, elegant tern, Forster’s tern, Caspian tern, white-faced ibis, American avocet and black-necked stilt
  • Other noteworthy birds: peregrine falcon, burrowing owl, California gnatcatcher, Northern Harrier, Cooper’s hawk, osprey, reddish egret, and tri-colored blackbird
  • Land mammals: coyote, raccoon, striped skunk, cottontail rabbit, California ground squirrel, pocket gopher, brown marsh rat, deer mice, and bats
  • Reptiles: California legless lizard, Southern Pacific rattlesnake, common king snake, San Diego gopher snake, two-striped garter snake, Southern alligator lizard, Western fence lizard and side-blotched lizard
  • Marine life: over 60 species of marine fishes, marine invertebrates, and occasionally California sea lion and green sea turtle
  • Plants: rushes, bulrushes, sedges, California sage, mule fat, and coyote bush
  • Rare and endangered plants: California seablite, woolly seablite, coast woolly-heads and red sand verbena
Photos and Media

Hunting, Fishing and Visitor Use

Notice: Visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all regulations pertaining to the use of CDFW-managed lands.

Refer to the Waterfowl, Upland Game, and Public Use Regulations (PDF) booklet for both statewide and property-specific regulations.

Hunting

There is no hunting permitted at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

Fishing

There is no fishing permitted at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

Rules and Visitor Use

Notice: Due to active oil and gas production by California Resources Corporation, a portion of the Reserve is closed to public access.

Be aware of the following rules while visiting Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve:

  • No horses allowed
  • No dogs allowed (service dogs excepted)
  • No bikes allowed
  • No drones allowed without a Special Use Permit (PDF)

In addition to the above, visitors are responsible for knowing and complying with all Rules and Regulations in effect at Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve.

For specific questions regarding use of this land, call the Bolsa Chica Interpretive Center at (714) 846-1114.

no drones icon

Notice: You may not operate a drone on any CDFW-managed land without a Special Use Permit (PDF).

Wildlife Branch - Lands Program
Mailing: P.O. Box 944209, Sacramento, CA 94244-2090