Name: North Beach Trail
Rating: 5.0

“A beautiful undeveloped coast line along the Tijuana Estuary.”

— Kathleen Schwartz

GPX File

Features Birding · River/Creek · Swimming · Views · Wildlife

Family Friendly Children will enjoy playing in the sand and waves (no lifeguards).

Areas off the trail in the Estuary are closed to protect the plant and animal habitats. The area is patrolled, but not lifeguarded.

Description

This trail extends along the coast line with waves crashing on the sandy beach on one side and the natural beauty of the Tijuana Slough National Wildlife Refuge on the other. You can hike along the rocky path to get both views or along the sand. There are views of Mexico and the Coronado Islands in the distance.

This is a very unpopulated section of the coastline; even on hot summer days there are not many people except for a few hikers and intrepid surfers. The trail ends where the Tijuana River meets the Pacific Ocean. It is tempting to wade/swim across the river to extend the hike along the South Beach Trail, but it is not recommended; the Tijuana River has had sewage contamination problems and one is never sure of the current contamination levels.