Carlsbad, California · North County San Diego

City of
Lagoons

Carlsbad sits at the heart of three coastal lagoons covering 1,000+ acres — some of California's richest wildlife habitat.

Explore Places Guides & Trails
The Three Lagoons

1,000+ Acres of Wild Carlsbad

Batiquitos Lagoon

600+ acres, 180+ bird species, endangered Snowy Plover nesting habitat.

Agua Hedionda Lagoon

400 acres, tidewater goby critical habitat, Discovery Center on-site.

Buena Vista Lagoon

235+ bird species, California's first ecological reserve (1969).

Wildlife

Birds, marine life, coastal sage scrub plants. What lives here and how to find it.

Seasons

What to look for each month — migration, breeding, wildflowers, shorebirds.

Guides

Family outings, birding primers, tide pool timing, gear recommendations.
Your Guide

Adriel Hampton, California Naturalist

Certified California Naturalist (2026), active iNaturalist contributor, and Carlsbad resident. I walk Lake Calavera Preserve several times a week. This is the guide I wish existed when I moved here.

More about Adriel →