State Parks and National Parks

Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge

Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge is a coastal wetland habitat protecting 1,056 acres of open water, tidal salt marsh, beach dunes and upland habitat.

Endangered species protected on the refuge include the California least tern, light-footed clapper rail, the California brown pelican and least Bell's vireo. About 380 species of birds have been identified at the refuge and at the adjacent Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve.

The refuge also administers the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge, the only place in the United States where Palmer's frankenia is found.

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