Читать книгу 50 Best Short Hikes: San Diego онлайн

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Reverse your route to return to the intersection with the service road, then continue west to reach the best vistas of East Basin. Benches are strategically placed at several vantage points. As you approach I-5 with a few more ups and downs over eroded hills, you come to a T. Turn right to traverse the top of a flood-control dike leading north to the Manchester Avenue pedestrian gate. The dike helps maintain these wetlands and provides great access for up close birding. Turn around at this point to return to Santa Helena by the same route.

The trail connection between the East and West Basins is closed due to highway improvements and is not expected to reopen until 2021, when the project is complete.

Note: If you don’t have much time, you may want to take the short, looping interpretive trail that originates from the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center on Manchester Avenue, 0.5 mile west of I-5. You’ll enjoy direct access to the north shore of West Basin. It’s the place to go not for exercise, but rather (arguably) for the best chance to see the greatest variety of birds.