Batiquitos Lagoon Trail

If you want to hike with your pup around a beautiful wetland area, the Baquitos Lagoon is perfect for you! The furiffic Baquitos Lagoon Trail is 3.25-mile out-and-back and welcomes dogs on-leash as it takes you around a stunning lagoon that’s filled with wildlife.

There are five parking lots available at Baquitos Lagoon—four along Carlsbad Drive and one right by the Baquitos Lagoon Nature Center. There are trailheads at all five of these parking lots, allowing you to easily access the preserve’s main trail.

If you begin the trail at the nature center, one of the first sights you’ll see is a salt marsh that’s filled with cattails. As you continue your walk along the lagoon, you’ll pass by a coastal goldenbush, a native plant that has beautiful yellow flowers. After that, you’ll get a great view of the west side of the lagoon, and you’ll also get to see the three bridges that keep the lagoon water from flowing out into the ocean.

As you continue along the unpaved trail, you’ll pass by picturesque sandstone cliffs, and you’ll also walk by a riparian habitat that’s home to many different herbs. You’ll also go by a mudflat that’s home to a wide variety of invertebrates, including snails, clams, and shrimp.

You’ll also see lots of native plants as you’re walking, including prickly pear cactuses, coastal sage scrub, eucalyptus trees, palm trees, and lemonadeberry bushes. There are also many different bird species living in the lagoon. This includes great blue herons, snowy egrets, great egrets, American Avocet, California Least Terns, and more! You may also see some ground squirrels and rabbits running along the shoreline.

The Baquitos Lagoon Trail is a puptastic place to go for a hike with your furry best friend. Remember to bring doggy bags with you on your trek, and enjoy exploring this lovely lagoon trail!