Best Nature and Wildlife Areas in Rancho San Diego

"Located in the southwest corner of San Diego, the Tijuana Estuary is a wetlands area with beach, dune, mudflat, salt marsh, riparian, coastal sage scrub, and upland habitats that are free to explore. Start at the Visitor Center to learn about the trails, flora and fauna (many are rare or endangered), and various things to do during your visit. Kids can earn junior rangers here and they offer a variety of environmental education resources online."

"At the southernmost tip of San Diego is one of the most serene places that few people know about. Where the Tijuana River meets the sea is where you’ll find the Tijuana Slough with over 2,000 acres of wetlands. Over 370 bird species have been observed there with 5 of them being endangered species that are regularly seen."

"Way down in sometimes-forgotten Imperial Beach is found a favorite landscape for many people in San Diego. This Tijuana Estuary is connected to some couple of parks. You are going to find amazing places such as Tijuana River County Open Space Reserve and Border Field State Park."

"Los Peñasquitos (“little cliffs”) is a great beginners’ trail for those who want to enjoy mountain-feel views without having to hire an expedition crew. There are two approaches (east and west), and the trailheads offer a trek of either 6.5, or 5.5 miles, respectively. The terrain is gradual and level, but the trails are surrounded by the sort of views that gave the area its name: scenic rocky outcroppings, and stony formations that ripple with rubble."

"If you’re a San Diego local, you know there’s an abundance of delicious Mexican and Asian cuisine to experience. However, there are some eateries in San Diego that combine both cultural cuisines and offer a unique (but also familiar) Mexican-Asian fusion dish!. The Tabe BBQ Fusion truck takes elements from both popular Mexican and Korean dishes to create an amazing and tasteful meal."

"345 Sixth Avenue, East Village, San Diego, California, 92101Plan A Special Night Here$$$ | Greek Fusion. Open until the wee hours, Meze happily provides amazing Greek flavors to some classic breakfast and brunch plates. Brunch is served Saturday & Sunday until 2 PM."

"Love bringing the office donuts from yum yum! Always such a wide variety in the mornings and no line to wait in!"

"Seen as the entrance point for control of the west by Europeans, Presidio Park remains a place of history amidst the city of San Diego. Interpreting the entire site for guests is the Junipero Serra Museum which houses many artifacts dealing with Spanish and Mexican heritage, colonization, the beginnings of customs within California and showcasing the lives of those who began it all. The presidio, first built to protect colonists from attack, later took on roles as military headquarters and a central outdoor space to remember history."

"You will find grassy greenfields, attractive architecture plus columns. There is also a wooded hilltop overlooking the San Diego Bay from that perfect angle where you can catch the sun setting about everything. What a gorgeous place to have your landscape photography!"

"A historical fort established on May 14, 1769, the Presidio was the first permanent European settlement on the Pacific Coast."

"Throughout the year’s many historical figures have visited the William Heath Davis House. As visitors tour the house, they will see each room is dedicated to a different period in the house’s history, and most of it was restored to its 1850’s glory. Rumor also has it that this house hosts its own ghostly visitors as well."

"The William Heath Davis House, also known as the David Horton House and Gaslamp museum in San Diego, is an antique building situated in the Gaslamp Quarter. The museum offers house tours to preserve the heritage. It is the oldest wooden structure in San Diego and is known as the most haunted house in Gaslamp."

"Within Old Town don’t miss Casa de Estudillo, which is one of the few original buildings (many are reproductions), Whaley House and Museum, which is believed to be haunted and Junípero Serra Museum, literally the place where California began. You can get more information here."

"Built in 1825 to house one of San Diego’s earliest families, the building is reputed to be haunted by the ghosts of prior residents."

"Billing itself an "organic health bar," this little cafe in the heart of La Jolla's village serves natural, organic breakfast, lunch and dinner items. Salads and wraps can be made to order, with customers checking off the items they want; each item comes with a symbol signifying whether it's organic, vegan and/or gluten-free. Specialties include the Acai Bowls, which include the trendy fruit along with strawberries, mango, coconut, granola and soy milk; fresh fruit smoothies; and protein shakes."

"Salads and wraps to die for, plus some delicious protein shakes that will keep you going the rest of the day."

"If you’re looking for raw vegan food in San Diego, Peace Pies is one of the best raw food cafes in the city. All of their food is not only raw, but vegan, gluten-free, and soy free. Their location in Ocean Beach is the perfect casual vegan cafe to grab a healthy lunch at before checking out the hippie neighborhood that surrounds it."

"Peace Pies serves a range of raw, vegan, and gluten- and soy-free foods, including pies, pizzas, wraps, salads, and desserts. Committed to a zero-waste policy, they also compost their food scraps and use environmentally-friendly packaging. Peace Pies has locations in Ocean Beach and Encinitas."

"Peace Pies offers a full menu of raw, vegan, gluten-free, and soy-free foods. Not only will you find the renowned pies, but the eatery offers pizzas, salads, wraps, entrees, dried goods, and chocolates. 4230 Voltaire St, San Diego, CA 92107 (2 miles away)https://www.peacepies.com/"