Home › California › Chula Vista › San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,025 Google reviews · Running trail in Chula Vista, California · Posted hours
Runner's snapshot
- Surface
- Not reported
- Distance
- Not reported
- Shape
- Not reported
- Shade
- Not reported
- Access
- Posted hours
Confirmed from San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge's own listing, the park or land manager's website, and runner reviews. Blank cells mean we could not verify that fact — we would rather say "not reported" than invent one. There is no Easy / Moderate / Hard rating on this page on purpose: a one-word difficulty score tells you nothing about whether a trail suits your run. Surface, distance, shade and hours do.
This salt marsh refuge is home to endangered birds & offers trails for visitors & seasonal tours.
What runners say about San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
“Beautiful stretches of wetlands full of birds, calm trails, and wide open bay views.”
The San Diego Bay NWR requires you to park in the Living Coast Discovery Center (LCDC) parking lot and take LCDC shuttle to the compound shared by the NWR and the LCDC. Parking and shuttle are free. The LCDC is not part of the Refuge and charges admission ($20 for aged 13 and above).
Such a great experience! The staff seems like they're really passionate about what they do and the driver was super sweet. The stingrays were my favorite :) It was my first time visiting and will definitely go again. definitely recommend as a date or family trip or a fun excursion if hiking in the area :)
There is no access to the building by car. There is a designated lot for free parking where a shuttle will pick you up. This place is pretty small, but my kids love animals of all kinds so we spent three hours here and used our GoCity pass to pay for admission.
Excellent place to visit, learn about local ocean life creatures. Bird habitats are nice as well. Love the trails that take you coast side. Flowers are in full bloom. IMPRESSIVE, BEAUTIFUL!
Trail conditions & character
“The San Diego Bay NWR requires you to park in the Living Coast Discovery Center (LCDC) parking lot and take LCDC shuttle to the compound shared by the NWR and the LCDC.”
Plan your run at San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge
The practical stuff
- AccessPosted hours — posted hours below; park gates sometimes close earlier than the listing says
- DistanceNot reported. Trail systems often quote total path mileage rather than a single loop, so measure the route you actually want before you drive out.
- ShadeNot reported. Assume some of it is exposed and carry water in summer.
- At the trailheadparking, restrooms — reported by runners
- Websitefws.gov
- Phone(619) 221-3473
- Social Instagram · Facebook
Hours
| Monday | Closed |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Thursday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Friday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Saturday | 10 AM–5 PM |
| Sunday | 10 AM–5 PM |
Running trails near Chula Vista
Other trails within easy driving distance — useful when this one is flooded, gated, or just not the run you had in mind today.
Pepper Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 1,577 reviews
This 5.5-acre park features a playground, a boat launch, picnic tables, a fishing pier & restrooms.
Chula Vista Bayside Park
4.6 ★★★★★ 2,989 reviews
Public greenway with paved walking trails, a fishing pier & picnic tables, plus bay & city views.
Grand Caribe Shoreline Park
4.7 ★★★★★ 113 reviews
Park featuring a beach and opportunities for paddle boarding, fishing, and wildlife watching.
Silver Strand State Beach
4.6 ★★★★★ 4,373 reviews
Sandy space with ocean & bay shorelines offering fishing, swimming & picnicking, plus RV camping.
