Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve ( Wetlands)

Southern California's coastal wetlands have been nominated as "Wetlands of International Importance".

Location: Pacific Coast Highway between Seapoint & Warner Ave.
Size: 1,200 acres with 1.5 mile trail
Cost: Free admission & parking
Hours: 6 a.m. to dusk
No dogs, bicycles or horses

The tidal inlet at Bolsa Chica Wetlands, a multi-million dollar project, has helped restore this wetlands to its earlier state in which fresh salt water ebbs and flows daily from the ocean into the wetlands. I

In the fall and winter seasons, Red-Breasted Mergansers, Ruddy Ducks and Common Loons come to visit.

Tours are given on Saturday mornings, through several groups. Call the Amigos de Bolsa Chica (714) 840-1575 for tour information. A new trend in tourism involves participatory activities. If this is your thing, you can help clean up the Wetlands and make local friends on your visit to Huntington Beach.

Saturday clean ups are sponsored by the Bolsa Chica Conservancy (714) 846-1114.

The Bolsa Chica Land Trust offers tours the 3rd Sunday of each month and hands-on habitat restoration work the 1st Sunday and 3rd Saturday of each month. Call (714) 846-1001 for more information.