kid friendly – Exploring San Diego

Elegant Terns in Imperial Beach and the South Bay Salt Flats

Imperial Beach birds, Imperial Beach terns, Tijuana Estuary, Tijuana River Estuary, Elegant Tern, Royal Tern, San Diego birding, San Diego bird photography, Imperial Beach bird photography, salt marsh birds, Southern California birding, San Diego wildlife photography

If you spend enough time exploring the wetlands and shoreline of San Diego’s South Bay, you begin to notice that certain birds seem to have favorite places.

One of those birds is the Elegant Tern.

I’ve been seeing Elegant Terns around the salt marsh in Imperial Beach, where large flocks can gather over the wetlands and surrounding waterways. I’ve also seen them farther north around the South Bay salt flats, showing just how closely these birds are associated with the coastal wetlands and salt ponds of the region.

For a bird photographer, seeing a large flock of Elegant Terns moving through the South Bay is an impressive sight.

A Familiar Summer Visitor

Elegant Terns are sleek, long-winged seabirds with a shaggy black crest, pale gray back, white underparts and a distinctive orange bill. They are closely associated with the Pacific Coast and are particularly noticeable in Southern California during the warmer months.

The birds are known to use bays, estuaries, mudflats and coastal waters after the breeding season. A recent City of San Diego biological report describes Elegant Terns as post-breeding visitors to Southern California’s coast, with birds frequenting bays, estuaries, mudflats and lagoons. San Diego Bay also supports a small nesting colony.

That makes the South Bay a particularly interesting place to look for them.

From Imperial Beach to the Salt Flats

The salt marsh around Imperial Beach and the salt ponds farther north are part of a much larger coastal wetland system.

The Tijuana Estuary is one of Southern California’s remaining salt marshes and provides feeding, nesting and stopover habitat for hundreds of bird species.

The South Bay salt ponds provide another important piece of habitat. The ponds are part of the San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge and support a remarkable variety of birds. The highly saline water produces brine organisms that provide food for birds, while the pond levees provide nesting habitat.

So when Elegant Terns appear in the Imperial Beach marsh or around the South Bay salt flats, they aren’t simply passing through a random patch of habitat. They’re using a connected network of coastal wetlands that has supported terns for generations.

The South Bay’s Long History With Elegant Terns

The connection between Elegant Terns and the South Bay goes back decades.

Elegant Terns first nested in California at the San Diego Bay salt works in 1959. Historical records also describe the South Bay salt ponds as one of the few nesting locations for Elegant Terns in the United States.

That history makes seeing them around the salt flats today even more interesting.

The salt ponds may look industrial at first glance, but they have become an important part of the South Bay’s wildlife landscape. The combination of shallow water, mudflats and extremely salty ponds creates unusual habitat that attracts birds looking for food and places to rest or nest.

Why We Don’t Walk Past the Wetland Signs

When you’re photographing birds, it’s tempting to get just a little closer. A better angle, a clearer shot, or a photograph of a tern taking flight can make you want to step beyond a fence or posted sign.

But around the Imperial Beach wetlands, those signs are there for a reason.

The salt marsh is a living ecosystem. What may look like an empty patch of mud or vegetation can be feeding, resting, or nesting habitat for birds. Walking into these areas can disturb wildlife, damage vegetation, and cause birds to use valuable energy flying away from people.

This is especially important when large flocks of terns are present. A person approaching a flock can cause dozens or even hundreds of birds to suddenly take flight. While one disturbance may seem insignificant, repeated disturbances from visitors can keep birds from feeding or resting.

There is also another reason to stay on the designated paths: wetlands can be fragile and surprisingly easy to damage. Salt-marsh plants and the muddy surface help form an ecosystem that has developed over many years. Foot traffic can create unofficial trails and damage vegetation that provides habitat for birds and other wildlife.

For photographers, staying behind the signs is part of responsible wildlife photography. A longer lens, binoculars and patience can often give you a better experience without getting closer.

The goal isn’t simply to get the closest photograph.

The goal is to photograph the birds while allowing them to continue doing what they came here to do.

So when you visit the Imperial Beach salt marsh or the South Bay salt flats, pay attention to the signs and stay on designated trails. Give the birds room, respect protected areas and let the wetlands remain a place where wildlife can thrive.

Sometimes the best wildlife photograph is the one you take without disturbing the wildlife at all.

2026 Xavier “The X-Man” Cruise for the Cause Car Show

Few events capture the spirit of Southern California’s automotive culture quite like the 2026 Xavier “The X-Man” Cruise for the Cause Car Show. Held at Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista, this annual gathering once again transformed the shopping center into a vibrant showcase of classic cars, muscle cars, hot rods, custom trucks, motorcycles, and modern performance vehicles—all while supporting an important charitable cause. The 24th annual event took place on Sunday, August 2, 2026, welcoming enthusiasts and families from across San Diego County.

Few events capture the spirit of Southern California’s automotive culture quite like the 2026 Xavier “The X-Man” Cruise for the Cause Car Show. Held at Otay Ranch Town Center in Chula Vista, this annual gathering once again transformed the shopping center into a vibrant showcase of classic cars, muscle cars, hot rods, custom trucks, motorcycles, and modern performance vehicles—all while supporting an important charitable cause. The 24th annual event took place on Sunday, August 2, 2026, welcoming enthusiasts and families from across San Diego County.

A Sea of Automotive Excellence

Walking through the rows of polished vehicles, visitors were treated to an impressive display spanning nearly every era of automotive history. Beautifully restored American classics sat beside vintage pickups, while late-model Corvettes, Mustangs, Camaros, Mopars, imports, and custom builds reflected the incredible diversity of Southern California’s car community.

While the automobiles were certainly the stars of the day, the event offered much more than rows of spectacular vehicles. Live entertainment, local vendors, food, raffle prizes, and family-friendly activities created an atmosphere that welcomed enthusiasts of every age.

One of the most rewarding aspects of the Cruise for the Cause is its focus on giving back. The event brings together the local automotive community to support charitable efforts, proving that a shared passion for cars can make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.

Discover Scripps Pier: Where Science Meets the Sea

Discover why Scripps Pier in La Jolla is one of San Diego’s most photographed landmarks. Learn its history, photography tips, wildlife highlights, and nearby attractions.

A Pier Built for Science

Unlike many California piers, Scripps Pier was never intended for amusement rides, restaurants, or fishing. Officially known as the Ellen Browning Scripps Memorial Pier, it serves as a working research facility for the Scripps Institution of Oceanography at the University of California San Diego.

The original wooden pier opened in 1916 thanks to a generous gift from philanthropist Ellen Browning Scripps. After decades of serving scientists, it was replaced in 1988 with the modern reinforced concrete structure that stands today. At 1,084 feet long, it remains one of the world’s longest active research piers.

High Tide vs. Low Tide

Both tides offer unique perspectives.

Low tide reveals more of the pilings and creates excellent reflections.
High tide allows waves to crash dramatically around the supports for dynamic images.

Western Grebe Babies Bring Summer Life to Lake Wohlford

Every spring and early summer, one of the most heartwarming sights at Lake Wohlford is the appearance of Western Grebe chicks riding on the backs of their parents. For birders and photographers, these fuzzy youngsters provide some of the most memorable wildlife viewing opportunities in North County San Diego.

The Western Grebe (Aechmophorus occidentalis) is one of North America’s largest grebes, known for its elegant black-and-white plumage, striking red eyes, and spectacular courtship displays. Lake Wohlford has long been a favored breeding location for these birds, with photographers documenting their famous “rushing” behavior—when pairs appear to run across the water during courtship.

After nesting season begins, the real stars of the show emerge: the chicks. Newly hatched Western Grebes are covered in black-and-white stripes and are surprisingly mobile. Within minutes of hatching, they are capable of climbing onto a parent’s back, where they spend much of their first weeks sheltered from predators and cold water. Both parents participate in raising the young and take turns carrying them around the lake.

Watching a grebe family cruise across the calm waters of Lake Wohlford can feel like something out of a nature documentary. Often only a few tiny striped heads are visible peeking out from beneath a parent’s wings. As the chicks grow, they become more adventurous, swimming alongside their parents and eagerly begging for small fish.

The breeding cycle of Western Grebes depends on floating nests constructed from aquatic vegetation. These nests are anchored among emergent plants and can support clutches of two to four eggs. Once the chicks hatch, they leave the nest quickly and begin their remarkable back-riding behavior.

For wildlife photographers, early morning is often the best time to observe these families. Calm water creates beautiful reflections, and the soft light highlights the chicks’ distinctive striped plumage. A telephoto lens allows photographers to capture natural behavior without disturbing the birds.

Beyond providing wonderful photographic opportunities, the presence of nesting Western Grebes is an indicator of healthy aquatic habitat. These colonial nesting birds require a combination of open water for feeding and sheltered vegetation for nesting. Across western North America, breeding populations depend on suitable lake habitat and protection from disturbance.

A visit to Lake Wohlford during chick season offers a reminder of how remarkable bird life can be right here in San Diego County. Whether you’re an experienced birder or simply enjoying a morning walk around the lake, spotting a Western Grebe carrying its striped youngsters across the water is an experience that is hard to forget.

Birding Tip: Bring binoculars and scan the quieter coves of the lake during the morning hours. Look for an adult grebe sitting unusually high in the water—there may be several chicks hidden on its back.

At Lake Wohlford, visitors can rent fishing boats, including rowboats and small motorboats, from the lake’s concession area. The lake has long offered boat rentals for anglers who want to reach deeper water or fish away from the shoreline

Famosa Slough is one of San Diego’s last remaining coastal wetlands and estuaries. It sits between Ocean Beach and Point Loma near the San Diego River channel, surrounded by dense urban development, which makes it especially unique. The slough covers about 37 acres and includes tidal marsh, mudflats, shallow channels, and nesting habitat for birds

Historically, the area was part of the much larger Mission Bay estuary system, once called “False Bay.” Over the 1900s, development projects — including river channelization, trolley tracks, land filling, and wartime construction — cut the slough off from much of the original wetland system. By the 1970s, parts of it were even being filled with rubble for development projects, which triggered local activism to save it. The City of San Diego eventually purchased much of the land in 1990 for preservation and restoration.

Today, the slough is famous among birders and nature photographers because more than 180 species of birds have been recorded there, including:

black-necked stilts

snowy egrets

avocets

pelicans

kingfishers

yellow-crowned night herons

migrating ducks and shorebirds along the Pacific Flyway.

The wetland also serves as a nursery habitat for fish and marine life because tidal seawater mixes with freshwater runoff, creating a brackish estuary environment. Native plants like pickleweed dominate the marsh and turn bright red in fall.

A major reason Famosa Slough is considered important is that roughly 95% of California’s historic wetlands have been lost to development. Local volunteers and the Friends of Famosa Slough continue restoration work, invasive plant removal, habitat enhancement, and educational programs.

The slough is also protected as a California marine conservation area where taking marine life is prohibited.

If you visit, there are short walking paths, viewing benches, and excellent birdwatching especially around sunrise and high tide. It’s often described as a “hidden gem” because it feels surprisingly quiet despite being surrounded by city neighborhoods.

A Walk Around Lake Miramar: San Diego’s Scenic Reservoir Escape

Officially known as Miramar Reservoir, the lake offers a peaceful blend of recreation, wildlife, and wide-open scenery just minutes from busy neighborhoods and freeways. Originally constructed as part of San Diego’s water supply system, the reservoir today serves a dual purpose. While it continues to store drinking water for the city, the surrounding recreation area has evolved into a popular local escape where visitors can enjoy nature without leaving urban San Diego behind.

One of the biggest draws of Lake Miramar is the nearly five-mile paved loop that circles the reservoir. The trail is mostly flat, making it accessible for casual walkers while still offering enough distance for runners and cyclists looking for a good workout. Early mornings are especially popular, when cool air settles over the water and the rising sun reflects across the calm surface of the lake.

Wildlife is another major attraction around the reservoir. Birdwatchers regularly encounter ducks, grebes, cormorants, herons, and gulls on the water, while hawks and kestrels patrol the nearby hillsides. During migration seasons, unexpected visitors sometimes appear, rewarding patient observers with memorable sightings. Despite its popularity, Lake Miramar still manages to feel surprisingly peaceful. A weekday morning walk can bring long stretches of quiet shoreline, interrupted only by birds calling across the water or the distant splash of fish near the surface.

Inside the Tropical World of the Parker Aviary at the San Diego Zoo

For bird photographers and wildlife lovers, it is one of the most immersive experiences in the zoo.

Tucked within the lush Lost Forest section of the San Diego Zoo, the Parker Aviary feels less like an exhibit and more like stepping into a living rainforest. The moment visitors walk through the doors, the sounds of rushing water, echoing bird calls, and rustling leaves replace the noise of the city outside.

A Walk-Through Rainforest

Unlike traditional bird enclosures, Parker Aviary is designed as a free-flight aviary where birds soar overhead, perch near pathways, and interact naturally within dense tropical vegetation. The exhibit focuses primarily on species from Central and South America, creating the feeling of wandering through a humid jungle canopy.

The aviary’s winding paths, wooden bridges, and shaded foliage create endless opportunities for photography. Soft filtered light pours through the leaves while birds appear suddenly from the greenery, often at eye level.

Among the species visitors may encounter are:

Andean cock-of-the-rocks
Toco toucans
Curl-crested aracaris
Blue-crowned motmots
Inca terns
Sunbitterns
Crested oropendolas

The bright orange Andean cock-of-the-rock is often the star attraction, drawing crowds with its bizarre crest and glowing plumage. Its color almost looks unreal against the deep green surroundings.

The Golden Lion Tamarins

One of the most unique aspects of Parker Aviary is the addition of golden lion tamarins — small endangered primates that share the exhibit with the birds. According to the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, this is the only place in the zoo where guests can walk through an exhibit alongside free-moving primates.

The tiny monkeys leap through vines and branches overhead while birds move through the same space below. The combination creates a constantly changing rainforest scene where something interesting is always happening.

Visitors and photographers frequently describe the aviary as one of the highlights of the zoo experience. On Reddit, several guests called the aviaries “beyond incredible” and praised Parker Aviary for its immersive atmosphere and close-up wildlife encounters.

A Paradise for Bird Photography

Parker Aviary is especially popular among photographers because the birds are often much closer than they would be in large open exhibits. The thick foliage creates beautiful natural backgrounds and soft bokeh effects that help portraits stand out.

Patience is rewarded here. Sit quietly near the stream or along the railings, and eventually a toucan may glide overhead or a motmot may perch nearby long enough for a portrait.

Morning hours are often the best time to visit, when the aviary is quieter and the birds are more active.

Conservation Through Connection

The San Diego Zoo has long been recognized for its bird conservation programs and one of the most diverse bird collections in North America.

Parker Aviary helps introduce visitors to species many people would never otherwise encounter. By creating an immersive environment rather than a simple viewing area, the exhibit encourages visitors to slow down, observe behavior, and appreciate the incredible diversity of tropical bird life.

For many guests, it becomes one of the most memorable stops in the entire zoo.

Whether you are a birder, photographer, or simply someone looking for a peaceful corner of the zoo, Parker Aviary offers a chance to disappear into the rainforest for a little while — without ever leaving San Diego.

Konoids is a public art installation by sculptor Kenneth Capps located at Bayside Park (often referred to as Chula Vista Bayfront Park) in Chula Vista, California.

Installed in 1985 as one of the Port of San Diego’s first public art pieces, the work consists of three distorted, welded steel forms that resemble inverted cones.

Key Features of “Konoids”Artistic Intent: The three forms are designed to have a “dialogue” with one another, framing expansive views of the San Diego Bay toward Point Loma.Material: The sculptures are made of painted steel alloy.Location: You can find them on the grass near the walking paths overlooking the yacht harbor

@socal_exposure
Konoids is a public art installation by sculptor Kenneth Capps located at Bayside Park (often referred to as Chula Vista Bayfront Park) in Chula Vista, California. Installed in 1985 as one of the Port of San Diego’s first public art pieces, the work consists of three distorted, welded steel forms that resemble inverted cones. Key Features of “Konoids”Artistic Intent: The three forms are designed to have a “dialogue” with one another, framing expansive views of the San Diego Bay toward Point Loma.Material: The sculptures are made of painted steel alloy.Location: You can find them on the grass near the walking paths overlooking the yacht harbor #art #sandiego #chulavista #sculpture #artwork
♬ sidewalks and skeletons goth – Trendformusic

USS Recruit: The “Ship” That Never Sailed

Tucked away in San Diego’s rich naval history is one of the most unusual vessels ever “commissioned” by the U.S. Navy—a ship that never touched water. Known as the USS Recruit, this full-scale wooden battleship stood firmly on land, yet played a critical role in preparing sailors for life at sea.

A Ship Built for Training

Constructed in 1941 at the Naval Training Center San Diego, the USS Recruit was designed to simulate the experience of serving aboard a real naval vessel. Nicknamed the “USS Neversail,” the structure was a two-thirds-scale replica of a destroyer, complete with deck guns, signal equipment, and compartments that mirrored those found on active ships.

This wasn’t just for show—new recruits trained on the Recruit to learn shipboard routines, terminology, and discipline before ever setting foot on an actual vessel. At a time when the United States was entering World War II, the Navy needed to prepare thousands of sailors quickly and efficiently. The Recruit became a vital stepping stone in that process.

Life Aboard a Ship on Land

For many young sailors, the USS Recruit was their first introduction to Navy life. They practiced everything from standing watch to navigating tight quarters and responding to simulated drills. The goal was simple: eliminate the shock of transitioning from civilian life to the demanding environment of a warship.

Though it never left its concrete “pier,” the Recruit offered a surprisingly immersive experience. Recruits marched across its deck, handled equipment, and learned to function as part of a coordinated crew—skills that would soon be tested in real combat situations across the Pacific.

A Symbol of Innovation

The USS Recruit represents a creative solution to a wartime challenge. Instead of relying solely on active ships for training, the Navy brought the ship to the sailors. This approach not only saved time and resources but also allowed for consistent, controlled instruction.

It also reflects San Diego’s longstanding identity as a military hub. Facilities like the Naval Training Center helped shape generations of service members and contributed to the city’s deep ties to the Navy.

What Happened to the USS Recruit?

After decades of service, the USS Recruit was decommissioned and eventually dismantled in 1969. While the structure itself is gone, its legacy lives on as a fascinating chapter in naval history.

Today, the former Naval Training Center has been transformed into Liberty Station, a vibrant waterfront district filled with shops, parks, and cultural spaces. Few visitors realize that beneath the modern development once stood a “ship” that helped train thousands of sailors during one of the most pivotal times in history.

Why It Still Matters

The story of the USS Recruit is a reminder that not all important ships sail the seas. Some, like this landlocked training vessel, quietly shape history from the shore.

For photographers, history enthusiasts, and locals exploring San Diego, it’s a compelling example of how hidden stories can exist in familiar places—waiting to be rediscovered.

Elephant Valley Opens at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park

A major new wildlife experience has arrived in San Diego. On March 5, 2026, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park officially opened Denny Sanford Elephant Valley, a massive new habitat designed to bring visitors closer than ever to African elephants while highlighting conservation efforts around the world.

Spanning more than 13 acres, Elephant Valley is the largest and most transformative project in the history of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. The immersive savanna landscape was created to mimic natural elephant environments and encourage guests to see these animals not just as zoo residents, but as essential ecosystem engineers in the wild.

Walking Among Giants

Elephant Valley is home to a herd of African elephants, and the design allows visitors to observe their natural behaviors up close. Elevated bridges and winding pathways give guests unique vantage points where elephants can even walk beneath them, creating an unforgettable perspective on the world’s largest land mammals.

The habitat encourages elephants to roam, forage, and socialize across the landscape. Timed feeders and watering areas stimulate movement and natural activity throughout the day, while redesigned pools and gentle ramps help the animals safely cool off and explore.

Visitors may see elephants swimming, splashing, or interacting with one another across the expansive savanna. According to park officials, the exhibit was built to help guests feel as though they are sharing the same landscape as the herd, rather than simply observing from a distance.

A Focus on Conservation

Beyond its impressive scale, Elephant Valley is also meant to tell a larger story about elephant conservation. The exhibit highlights partnerships between the Safari Park and organizations in Kenya working to protect elephants and support communities living alongside them.

This message is especially important as African savanna elephants are listed as endangered, with an estimated population of about 415,000 remaining in the wild. Threats such as habitat loss, poaching, and conflict with humans continue to challenge the species’ survival.

By combining research, education, and immersive design, Elephant Valley aims to inspire visitors to care about the future of elephants and the ecosystems they shape.

Dining With a View

At the heart of Elephant Valley sits Mkutano House, a two-story restaurant overlooking the habitat. The dining complex includes multiple venues and menus inspired by African culinary traditions blended with global flavors. Guests can enjoy a meal while watching elephants gather near a watering hole below.