Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve — Attraction in San Diego

Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve (TRNERR) is a protected area located in the southern part of San Diego County, California, near the border with Mexico. It encompasses a diverse coastal ecosystem and serves as an important habitat for numerous plant and animal species.

The reserve is situated along the Tijuana River, which flows from the mountains of Mexico into the United States and eventually reaches the Pacific Ocean. TRNERR covers approximately 2,293 acres (929 hectares) of wetlands, mudflats, salt marshes, and upland habitats.

One of the key objectives of TRNERR is to protect and restore the estuarine environment and the associated natural resources. The reserve plays a crucial role in supporting scientific research, monitoring, and education programs focused on coastal ecology and conservation.

TRNERR is home to a rich biodiversity. It provides habitat for migratory birds, including numerous species of waterfowl, shorebirds, and raptors. The wetlands and mudflats are important feeding and resting areas for these birds during their long journeys along the Pacific Flyway.

Additionally, the reserve supports various fish and invertebrate species, such as tidewater goby, California killifish, and numerous crustaceans. The diverse plant life found in TRNERR includes saltgrass, pickleweed, cordgrass, and other vegetation adapted to the estuarine environment.

The reserve offers opportunities for outdoor recreation and environmental education. Visitors can explore the trails and interpretive exhibits to learn about the local ecology, wildlife, and ongoing conservation efforts. There are also guided tours and educational programs available for schools and community groups.

The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve serves as an important sanctuary for coastal wildlife, a site for scientific research, and an educational resource for visitors. It highlights the significance of preserving and appreciating the delicate balance of estuarine ecosystems and their contribution to the overall health...

Well it certainly looks like a nice place to visit. I would encourage people to check out the border and see the friendship park. The ocean view from there is nice. I like looking north at San Diego. You can see Navy ships come and go. But why the 2 stars? Well unfortunately the Tijuana River is the most polluted in the US. All the raw sewage and chemicals from Mexico flow through and out to the ocean. It's a health risk and sometimes the smell is so bad that you have trouble breathing. There is a concern that the air quality is causing health issues but I can't say for certain. California is working on reducing the pollution but don't swim at this beach. And God forbid don't fish nearby. Go further north.

Also keep in mind the migrants cross and smuggle all across the the border but you see dozens cross here every day. Also be aware that the area immediately surrounding the border wall is federal land and Border Patrol may be watching you and wondering if your going to do anything shady so don't be surprised if one asks you some questions. Their usually pretty friendly and your allowed to be their most of the time but just be aware of it.. oh and yes the cartel is right there too. Don't mind the occasional gun shot and don't be surprised to see the Mexican military on the other side.

I still think you should visit at least once and actually see the border. This is also where the wall meets the water.. sometimes the migrants don't make that swim across.....

This place was our 1st time coming and was just an adventurous risk we took since we had never seen the place in person before renting a spot. To top it off we showed up late at night, 9:30pm, and didnt know we had to check in. Thank goodness there was someone available to check in with. The down side is the fire has to be put out by 11pm. We didn't like that about the place and then the spots are pretty close to your neighbor so it's not so private. We were okay with it, we just felt bad cause we got there late so we hammered our tent in place made quite a bit of noise and people were already trying to sleep. It was fun though. You can hear the ocean waves at night and you can see the lighthouse which is on the Mexico side of the ocean. Very interesting sights in the day too. Very close to the mountains that you can see the fence that separates the border from U.S. and Mexico!. Highly recommend this place. Just don't make the adventurous mistake we made and show up late at night lol. It was funny. Oh and they have showers and clean bathrooms!. High thumbs up on...