South San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge and the SoCal Salt Works

Sunday, February 15, 2026, 8:30 AM – 12:30 PM

South San Diego Bay Wildlife Refuge and the SoCal Salt Works

Google Maps: South Bay Salt Works, GPS: 32.5998, -117.0921

Leaders: Andrew Newmark, John Martin, Dan Jehl, and Joanne Sherif

This tour is the last of this cycle. Beginning in March the birds start breeding behavior and we no longer intrude into their space. The SoCal Salt Works and the South Bay Wildlife Refuge consist of a series of salt ponds used to extract salt from seawater by evaporation, as well as adjacent restored marshland providing a rich habitat for wintering birds. This area is normally closed to the public, except for once-per-month guided walks led by San Diego Bird Alliance docents during the bird non-breeding fall and winter months. We will discuss the history of the salt works and the process of obtaining salt from nature, while seeking visiting wintering shorebirds, gulls, terns, and duck species. Perhaps our famous Little Stint will show itself. No restrooms. Capped at 20 participants.

Directions: Take Highway 5 to Chula Vista and exit on Palomar St. Go west to the T – intersection at Bay Blvd. and turn left. Drive 0.3 miles and park on the right outside the gated fence.