Buena Vista Lagoon

Go on a Meditative Stroll at Buena Vista Lagoon in Carlsbad

Woman hiking on a boardwalk at Buena Vista Lagoon in Carlsbad

Mother Teresa once advised to not look for big things, but rather “do small things with great love.” She may not have been speaking about the importance of hitting any trail (no matter the size), but her words can certainly apply to the passion that the team at Buena Vista Audubon Nature Center give to preserving the Buena Vista Lagoon in Carlsbad. Take your time enjoying the gentle 0.3-mile nature trail that rewards you with an up-close glimpse of the county’s northernmost coastal lagoon and its resident flora and fauna. Then, visit neighboring Carlsbad City Beach for a 1.25-mile out-and-back beach stroll that visits the lagoon’s connecting point with the Pacific Ocean.

Woman hiking on a trail surrounded by foliage at Buena Vista Lagoon in Carlsbad

Woman standing at an overlook at Buena Vista Lagoon in Carlsbad

Woman walking on the ocean shoreline at Carlsbad City Beach

Park at the Buena Vista Audubon Center, grab a trail guide at the wooden kiosk/picnic area, and find the trailhead at the northeastern edge of the lot. There are interpretive signs detailing various plants throughout the hike, the first of which describes the towering Torrey pine on your left. You will also traverse under western sycamores and alongside lemonade berry before the trail bends left and splits through the salt marsh environment. You are immediately surrounded by multiple wetlands staples, including spiny rush, pickleweed, and the memorable hot dog–like pollinated flowers of cattail reeds. Look to your right to find a jutting wooden dock to enjoy a great viewpoint of the lagoon, perfect for spying local waterfowl, such as mallards, coots, and pied-billed grebes. 

Woman on a boardwalk amid Buena Vista Lagoon in Calsbad

Continue through the dense bulrush as the trail turns right and deposits you at a second dock and vista of the water. Continue your birdwatching and look for other winged residents, including black phoebes, bushtits, and various flycatchers like Cassin’s kingbird. There is also a short interpretive trail through coastal sage that completes the loop. Now, head to the visitor center to chat with helpful docents, peruse the cool interpretive displays, and most importantly, head upstairs to the observation deck (buena vista means “good view,” after all). Here, find picnic tables and two telescopes aimed at the lagoon for additional perspectives on the beautiful wetlands and west towards the ocean. It’s the little things in life!

Woman walking towards a large house on Carlsbad City Beach in San Diego County

Woman walking on a wide open beach at Carlsbad City Beach

BONUS: Carlsbad City Beach is a pristine stretch of sand (north of Carlsbad State Beach) that features the outlet of the Buena Vista Lagoon into the Pacific. Find street parking and head down the Grand Street staircase to the sand. From here it’s a just over 0.6 mile up the coast to the lagoon channel, where you can spot fish darting around the murky waters and a great way to end your lagoon tune on a high note.

To get to the Buena Vista Lagoon Audubon Center parking lot and nature trailhead, take the I-5 to the Vista Way exit and head west. After 0.6 mile, turn left onto Carlsbad Blvd. and after 0.3 mile the lot and nature center will be on your left. Dog-friendly (no dogs on beach)!

Story and photos by Matt Pawlik

Trending Stories NorCal

View all Stories
  1. All right, Almaden!

    Take a trip through time on this 5-mile loop in Almaden Quicksilver County Park. Explore the ruins of an old cinnabar mine and enjoy the first hints of wildflower season.

    View
  2. Waterfalls and Wine Pours

    Cooler temps, green hills, and the return of our magnificent waterfalls! This family-friendly 2-mile hike at Uvas Canyon County Park in Morgan Hill is a great way to get the most out of a short hike post-rain.

    View
  3. Woman hiker is climbing up the ladder in the Steep Ravine section of the Dipsea Loop Trail on Mount Tam

    Misty on Mount Tam

    Mount Tam’s 3.9-mile round-trip Steep Ravine and Dipsea Trail Loop weathers the wets and wilds with some confidence, sheltered in parts by redwoods, and wowing with a waterfall.

    View
  4. Mile-Long Cataract Club

    In winter after heavy rains, the north flank of Mount Tam glows with flows. The nearly mile-long series of waterfalls—Cataract Falls—transforms into a supercharged spectacle. Starting at Alpine Dam, a 1.6 mile (one-way) narrow trails threads through redwoods and ferns along Cataract Creek.

    View

Trending Stories SoCal

View all Stories
  1. Sponsored

    Hidden Gems of Reno Tahoe

    Step into a land where adventure meets relaxation. Reno Tahoe is where the spirit of the great outdoors and the energy of vibrant city life inspire you to live with no limits.

    View
  2. Peace Labyrinth

    Hidden in LA’s historic West Adams district, the Peace Awareness Labyrinth & Gardens is a welcome respite from the norms of urban noise.

    View
  3. Weekend Sherpa Podcast: Take It Outside

    Adventure for your earbuds. What's new in the world of the outdoors? Listen to Weekend Sherpa co-founders discuss local hikes, beaches, bike rides, camping spots and all kinds of travel and adventure in California and beyond!

    View
  4. Hikers sitting on a large rock slab next to Three Sisters Falls in Cleveland National Forest Southern California near Julian

    Three Sisters

    Good things come in threes at this hike to a lovely trio-tiered waterfall in Cleveland National Forest. The 4.25-mile out-and-back hike rambles among rolling hills, with rocky mountain views as switchbacks take you down to a lush canyon and the falls.

    View