San Dieguito Lagoon Ecological Reserve

Recreational Opportunities

This ecological reserve is adjacent to or shares marine habitat with a Marine Protected Area (MPA). The area within the MPA consists of waters below the mean high tide line within the San Dieguito Lagoon Ecological Reserve southeastward of a straight line between the following two points: 32⁰ 58.066^' N. latitude 117⁰ 15.579^' W. longitude; and 32⁰ 58.072^' N. latitude 117⁰ 15.548^' W. longitude.

For the public use regulations for MPAs, see Section 632, Title 14, CCR.

Activities: wildlife viewing, hiking. Fishing is allowed only in designated areas. Boating, floating or swimming is not allowed.

Area History

During the 1920s the U.S. Navy established the San Dieguito Airfield as an emergency landing field. In 1938 the Del Mar Airfield was developed as a municipal airport. The purpose of the airfield was to increase the ease of patrons attending the Del Mar Fairgrounds and racetrack. In 1941 the Navy purchased 80 acres at the site to improve the airfield but the project was never completed. In 1943 the airfield was used as a base for blimps to conduct anti-submarine patrols along the west coast. In 1947 the Navy quitclaimed the property to the County of San Diego which resulted in the facility being used as a civil airfield once again. In 1959 the Del Mar airport was closed, and the property was transferred to the State as part of the right-of-way for Interstate 5. The property was designated as an ecological reserve by the Fish and Game Commission in 1988. The Lagoon underwent restoration that started in 2006 and was completed in 2011.