Batiquitos Lagoon is located on the coast about 30 miles north of San Diego. It is in the city of Carlsbad and just north of the city of Encinitas.
The Lagoon is bordered by the ocean on the west, steep hills on the south, gentle slopes to the north, and, on the eastern end, San Marcos Creek, the connection between the Lagoon and most of its drainage basin (or "watershed") further east. Carlsbad Blvd. (Old 101) crosses the westernmost end of the Lagoon at the opening ("mouth") to the ocean. The southern bank of the lagoon is formed by a steep coastal ridge, with La Costa Avenue on a narrow track between the lagoon and the steep slopes. The northern banks rise gently from the shore and are now covered with eucalyptus trees lining a large development and golf course (Aviara). The Four Seasons Hotel sits high on the north side providing a view of much of the lagoon. El Camino Real goes by the easternmost end of the Lagoon, between the lagoon and La Costa Resort. The lagoon itself has been crossed by three bridges: Carlsbad Blvd. on the coast, the railroad tracks just inland, and further inland, Interstate 5.
Accumulated silt has been filling up Batiquitos Lagoon, and the lagoon was expected to fill up within 50 years. Instead, a large dredging and enhancement project was begun in 1994 to open the lagoon to the ocean's tidal changes and flows, thus slow down the filling of the lagoon with silt. This project, completed in 1997, was funded by the Port of Los Angeles and managed by Carlsbad.
The lagoon itself consists of 610 acres with a drainage basin of about 55,000 acres. The watershed basin includes the cities of Carlsbad, San Marcos, and Encinitas, with its primary freshwater tributaries being San Marcos Creek from the east and Encinitas Creek which flows north along Green Valley, entering the lagoon under El Camino Real and La Costa Avenue, respectively.
The lagoon can be seen and experienced from a nature trail (link to trail map with access and parking locations) on the north side. The public walking and hiking trail is about 2 miles long. It starts just east of Interstate 5 at the end of Gabbiano Lane and goes most of the way to El Camino Real on the east end of the lagoon. There are five public parking lots providing access to the trail, one by the Nature Center and four on Batiquitos Drive. Horses and bicycles are not allowed. Take the Poinsettia Lane exit from I-5 and head east. See the map for trail access locations.
Nature Center: 7380 Gabbiano Lane, Carlsbad, CA 92009
P.O. Box 130491,
Carlsbad, CA 92013
Info: 760 931-0800