The Birding Hub
The Birding Hub

Birding Near San Diego, CA

30 birding locations within 50 miles

California · United States

30

Locations

71+

Species

9

Habitats

3

Peak Seasons

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Birding Locations Near San Diego

a small bird sitting on top of a metal pipe

California

4.6 mi away

Moderate

Famosa Slough

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 261 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
A group of american flags flying over a cemetery

California

5.3 mi away

Easy

Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (no birding 8a-5p)

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 323 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
A flock of birds flying over a body of water

California

5.3 mi away

Moderate

San Diego River mudflats (including Robb Field & Quivira Way)

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 290 recorded species.

River/RiparianGrasslandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

5.5 mi away

Moderate

Cabrillo National Monument

Desert birding hotspot in California with 290 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

6.0 mi away

Moderate

San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge - Sweetwater Marsh Unit / Living Coast Discovery Center (limited access)

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 222 recorded species.

WetlandCoastalFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

6.7 mi away

Moderate

Kendall-Frost Marsh Reserve

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 227 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

8.5 mi away

Moderate

Lake Murray - southeast side

Lake birding hotspot in California with 236 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

9.7 mi away

Moderate

Sweetwater Reservoir

Lake birding hotspot in California with 232 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

9.9 mi away

Easy

Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge - Visitor Center/North McCoy Trail

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 243 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
A drone shot of the Pacific Ocean and the La Jolla seaside neighborhood in San Diego, California, on a cloudy day

California

11.4 mi away

Moderate

Point La Jolla - seawatch

Desert birding hotspot in California with 259 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

11.4 mi away

Easy

Mission Trails Regional Park - Northeast Region

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 200 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
a mountain with yellow flowers

California

12.0 mi away

Easy

Tijuana River Valley - Bird & Butterfly Garden (Myers Ranch)

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 259 recorded species.

River/RiparianUrban ParkFallWinter
Canyon birding habitat

California

12.3 mi away

Easy

Border Field State Park & Goat Canyon

Canyon birding hotspot in California with 257 recorded species.

CanyonGrasslandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

12.5 mi away

Moderate

Dairy Mart Ponds

Desert birding hotspot in California with 268 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

13.2 mi away

Moderate

Santee Lakes

Desert birding hotspot in California with 248 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

14.9 mi away

Moderate

Lower Otay Reservoir - south arm & boat ramp

Lake birding hotspot in California with 205 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

16.1 mi away

Moderate

Los Penasquitos Lagoon - mouth & beach

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 235 recorded species.

WetlandCoastalFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

17.3 mi away

Moderate

Lindo Lake

Lake birding hotspot in California with 223 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

18.1 mi away

Moderate

San Dieguito Lagoon - Southeast & Dust Devil Trails

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 216 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Desert birding habitat

California

18.6 mi away

Moderate

Del Mar Public Works

Desert birding hotspot in California with 215 recorded species.

DesertChaparralFallWinter
River/Riparian birding habitat

California

18.6 mi away

Moderate

San Dieguito Sports Fields & Riparian

River/Riparian birding hotspot in California with 200 recorded species.

River/RiparianFallWinter
a body of water surrounded by trees and bushes

California

21.2 mi away

Moderate

San Elijo Lagoon - west

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 291 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

24.0 mi away

Moderate

Lake Hodges - east end (footbridge, lakebed, scrub)

Lake birding hotspot in California with 227 recorded species.

LakeChaparralFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

24.1 mi away

Moderate

Lake Hodges - Del Dios area (west end)

Lake birding hotspot in California with 204 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

25.6 mi away

Easy

Kit Carson Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 205 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Wetland birding habitat

California

27.1 mi away

Moderate

Batiquitos Lagoon - north side trails

Wetland birding hotspot in California with 242 recorded species.

WetlandFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

28.0 mi away

Easy

San Diego Zoo Safari Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 229 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter
Coastal birding habitat

California

36.4 mi away

Moderate

Oceanside Harbor & San Luis Rey River mouth

Coastal birding hotspot in California with 230 recorded species.

CoastalRiver/RiparianFallWinter
Lake birding habitat

California

37.0 mi away

Moderate

Lake Morena

Lake birding hotspot in California with 209 recorded species.

LakeFallWinter
Urban Park birding habitat

California

37.3 mi away

Easy

Guajome Regional Park

Urban Park birding hotspot in California with 225 recorded species.

Urban ParkFallWinter

Top Species Near San Diego

Notable birds found at locations within 50 miles:

American WigeonMallardBuffleheadAllen's HummingbirdAmerican CootLittle Blue HeronRock PigeonMourning DoveYellow-crowned Night HeronBlack-crowned Night HeronOspreyBlack PhoebeWhite-crowned SparrowAmerican CrowWestern BluebirdDark-eyed JuncoYellow-rumped WarblerNorthern ShovelerGadwallCommon GallinuleHutton's VireoSemipalmated PloverLong-billed DowitcherWilletHudsonian Whimbrel+46 more

Habitats & Seasons

Habitat Types:

Wetland8 locations
Lake7 locations
Urban Park6 locations
Chaparral6 locations
Desert5 locations
River/Riparian4 locations
Coastal3 locations
Grassland2 locations
Canyon1 location

Best Seasons:

Spring30 locations
Fall30 locations
Winter30 locations

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the best birding spots near San Diego, CA?▼
Top birding locations within 50 miles of San Diego include Famosa Slough, Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery (no birding 8a-5p), San Diego River mudflats (including Robb Field & Quivira Way), Cabrillo National Monument, San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge - Sweetwater Marsh Unit / Living Coast Discovery Center (limited access). These spots offer wetland, urban park, river/riparian habitats.
What birds can I see near San Diego?▼
Birders near San Diego can spot species including American Wigeon, Mallard, Bufflehead, Allen's Hummingbird, American Coot, Little Blue Heron, Rock Pigeon, Mourning Dove. The area's 9 habitat types support diverse birdlife year-round.
When is the best time for birding near San Diego?▼
The best seasons for birding near San Diego are Spring and Fall and Winter. Spring migration is particularly rewarding. Fall brings migrating raptors and songbirds.
How many birding locations are near San Diego?▼
There are 30 documented birding locations within 50 miles of San Diego, CA, ranging from 4.6 to 37.3 miles from the city center.

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