Big Marsh, Safe Birds, Easy Trails

The view from the observation tower at Chula Vista Nature Center takes in San Diego Bay, the Silver Strand, Coronado Island and downtown San Diego. Chula Vista, San Diego County’s second-most populous city, gateway to Mexico, surprises with its sprawl.

There is another nice view, for bird-watchers anyway: the native and migratory waterfowl in Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, San Diego Bay’s largest remaining wetland. About 90% of the bay wetlands have been developed or degraded, so the refuge is valuable habitat for birds and wildlife that feed and breed there.

The 316-acre preserve was established in 1986.. One rare and endangered species is the California least tern, the smallest of terns. During the birds’ April to August nesting season, they can be glimpsed foraging for food at the mouth of the Sweetwater River.

The city of Chula Vista, in cooperation with the nonprofit Bayfront Conservancy, operates Chula Vista Nature Center. A portion of Sweetwater Marsh is accessible by a network of short trails that leave from the center. Getting there can be part of the fun. From Chula Vista’s Bayfront Station, a main stop on the San Diego-Tijuana Trolley line, a free shuttle bus carries visitors to the nature center. Admission to the center is $3.50 for adults, $1 for children 6 to 17 and free for children 5 and under.

Directions to trail head: From Interstate 5, seven miles south of downtown San Diego and seven miles north of the Mexican border, take the E Street exit in Chula Vista. Go west one block to the parking lot and trolley stop. You can also head east a block on E Street to the Bayfront Trolley Station and Visitor Information Center.

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Center, Cottonseed, Coyote Trails

WHERE: Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge.

DISTANCE: 1/2 mile round trip.

TERRAIN: San Diego Bay’s largest remaining wetland.

HIGHLIGHTS: Excellent bird-watching, nature center.

DEGREE OF DIFFICULTY: Easy.

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Chula Vista Nature Center, 1000 Gunpowder Point Drive, Chula Vista, CA 91910; tel. (619) 422-2473. Chula Vista Bayfront Visitor Information Center; tel.(619) 425-4444.