The San Elijo Lagoon is a really cool place for hikers, runners, nature enthusiasts, and the like. It's only a half-mile from the Cardiff-by-the-Sea-Lodge, and totally walkable. Check out this neat article by Bob Gorden about the Lagoon and its RV visitors:
"Multitudes of RVers are searching for cool summer vacation destinations; locations where they can be comfortable in their RVs and enjoy the sights and sounds of different and exciting experiences. After spending about 5 weeks in the heat of southern Utah and northern Arizona a trip to the California coast has offered pleasant relief. RVing from the Phoenix area to San Diego is a relatively easy trip and the rewards to be received along the Pacific coast certainly make the trip a worthwhile venture.
San Diego County supports more than 40 county parks, recreation areas, community parks and centers, many of which offer RV and tent campgrounds. In addition, there are state parks and picnic areas which give access to the ocean, wetlands, lagoons and tide pools.
Few of the southern California coastal wetlands and lagoons have escaped the destructive hand of man, but the San Elijo Lagoon Ecological Reserve has initiated a reconstruction program that is designed to save the lagoon as an important link in the Pacific Flyway. Six ecological communities are represented within the confines of this 1000 acre preserve that is nestled, and almost hidden, in plain view, between Cardiff by the Sea, Encinitas and Solano Beach. Divided by the PCH, Coastal Railway and I-5 the Lagoon is nearly cutoff from the ocean and, in fact, requires an annual cleanup and dredging to allow tidal flow movement into and out of the lagoon.
The various aquatic ecological habitats ranging from the coastal strand, salt marsh and freshwater marsh yield to the terrestrial riparian scrub, sage scrub and mixed chaparral watershed systems. More than 300 species of plants, of which 18 are endangered, an additional 100+ species of fish, reptiles and invertebrates, (several endangered), 26 mammal and an estimated 300 bird species, including the small, endangered Beldings savannah sparrow, make the Lagoon their permanent home or a stopping point while migrating.
A cooling ocean breeze, many trees and shaded rest areas, the fresh aroma of seasonal flowering plants and leaves contribute to a restful, or invigorating, stroll or hike along 5 miles of well marked trails through the Reserve. The recently constructed Visitor Center boasts recycled building materials, solar heating, low moisture landscaping, recycled sewage water for irrigation and toilet usage and similar energy and water conservation features. www.sanelijo.org
For some RVers the crowded freeways, PCH (Pacific Coast Highway) and alternate roadways present challenges to those driving RVs of most any size and confirguation. However, with careful planning and timing of the routes the greatest congestion can be avoided and an astute RVer can drive directly to the beach and park conveniently on the roadside overlooking the ocean. Note that no parking is allowed along most streets between the hours of 2 and 5 am. It is not clear just where the RVers go during that 3 hour time slot, but they seem to return to their selected sites for the other 21 hours.
In an earlier article the advantages of staying in the San Elijo State Park were described. ( See: 20 neat activities near San Elijo State Park RV Campground, March, '09) Similar advantages are offered at Carlsbad State Park. These are two of the California State Parks that have not yet been closed as a part of the economic crunch."
Cardiff-by-the-Sea Lodge
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