State Parks and National Parks

Sweetwater Marsh refuge protects San Diego Bay's last remaining salt marsh, and its adjacent upland habitat, for more than 215 bird species.

The California tern, light-footed clapper rail, Belding's savanna sparrow and western snowy plover, as well as one endangered plant — the salt marsh bird's beak — are found here. It is the only place in the United States where yerba reuma (Frankenia palmeri) grows naturally.

A visitor center offers educational and interpretive programs, and there are limited hiking trails. The rest of the refuge is closed to public use.

The City of Chula Vista operates a nature center on the refuge. The center offers environmental education programs, docent and volunteer programs, teacher-in-residence and school programs. For information, call the Chula Vista Nature Center at 619-422-2481.

Nature trails and wildlife-viewing platforms offer opportunities to observe wildlife and salt marsh habitats, as well as views of San Diego Bay and Gunpowder Point.

The refuge is home to great egrets, snowy egrets and northern harriers. Brants, red-breasted mergansers, surf scoters and buffleheads are seen on the open water of the bay.

Migratory shorebirds in the mudflats include willets, long-billed curlews, western sandpipers and plovers.

Upland shrubs and marsh harbor western meadowlarks, black and Say's phoebes and many spring and fall migrants.

Photo credits in order: Photo by Phil Roullard, courtesy of Sweetwater National Wildlife Refuge.