Visit Us

The refuge is open year-round during daylight hours.  Existing facilities are limited to an isolated, unpaved parking area and several walking trails. Please help keep our trails clean and take your trash home with you. There are no restrooms, drinking water, or picnic facilities at the refuge. While the refuge is open year-round, access is difficult during the rainy season due to mud on the entrance road.

Driving Directions:

From Monterey: Go north on U.S. Highway 1 approximately 11 miles to exit 412 for Del Monte Blvd. (first exit after Reservation Rd.) Go left on Del Monte which becomes a dirt road. The dirt road ends in the refuge parking lot.



From Castroville: Go south on U.S. Highway 1 approximately 3 miles to exit 412 for Marina/Del Monte Blvd. Go right on Del Monte Blvd. which becomes a dirt road. The dirt road ends in the refuge parking lot.

Activities

Hunting
Fishing
Wildlife watching

Trails

The refuge has two main trails that begin from the parking lot - the River Loop Trail and the Warriner Beach Trail.  The Warriner Beach Trail provides access to surf fishing on the beach.  Because of the sensitivity of the habitat and for protection of endangered species, visitors must stay on trails.  Pets are not allowed on the refuge.  This includes dogs and horses.

Other Facilities in the Complex

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex. Other refuges in the San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex include: Ellicott Slough, Don Edwards San Francisco Bay, Farallon Islands, Marin Islands, San Pablo Bay, and Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge. 

The Refuge Complex headquarters is located at 1 Marshlands Rd. Fremont, CA. 94555.

A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.

Learn more about structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs. Typically, a project leader or complex manager oversees the general management of all refuges within the complex and refuge managers are responsible for operations at specific refuges. Supporting staff, composed of administrative, law enforcement, refuge manager, biological, fire, visitor services, and maintenance professionals, are centrally located and support all refuges within the complex.

Adult Santa Cruz long-toes salamander
Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge
Located in the rolling hills of central coast California, Ellicott Slough National Wildlife Refuge protects a unique interface of San Andreas oak woodland, chaparral, willow thickets and seasonal ponds. This increasingly rare community of vegetation combines to create ideal habitat for the...
National Wildlife Refuge
Fremont,CA
White pelican flying over a marsh with a city in the background.
Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge
In the heart of California's high-tech industry lies a wildlife oasis in an urban sea with 30,000 acres of habitat for millions of migratory birds and endangered species. Established in 1972 through local activism, the refuge provides not only critical habitat for threatened and endangered species...
National Wildlife Refuge
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Steep rocky islands surrounded by the ocean
Farallon Islands National Wildlife Refuge
The Farallon Islands National Wildlife refuge is surrounded by one of the most spectacular & biodiverse marine ecosystems on the planet. While created to protect seabirds and marine mammals, the refuge also supports rare bird species and feeding grounds for whales and white sharks. A prime...
National Wildlife Refuge
Fremont,CA
Tree branches in the foreground overlooking open water with a small island and mountains in the background.
Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge
Rising 85 feet above water, Marin Islands National Wildlife Refuge supports the largest heron and egret rookery in the San Francisco Bay Area. Situated in a prime location along the pacific flyway for migratory birds, the refuge provides submerged tidelands, mixed evergreen forest, coastal prairie...
National Wildlife Refuge
Sonoma,CA
Marshland at San Pablo Bay NWR with mountains in background
San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge
Mudflat as far as the eye can see, vast stretches of lush pickleweed marsh, and a sense of solitude in the midst of seven million people best describe San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
National Wildlife Refuge
Sonoma,CA
Antioch Dunes evening primrose
Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge
Historically a shifting riverine sand dune ecosystem, the Antioch Dunes National Wildlife Refuge supports the last known populations of the endangered Antioch Dunes evening primrose, the Contra Costa wallflower, and the Lange's metalmark butterfly.
National Wildlife Refuge
Sonoma,CA

Rules and Policies

There are lots of fun, interesting, and educational things you can do on the refuge. Keep in mind, if an activity is not wildlife related and does not help in the protection or understanding of wildlife or their habitat, there are probably refuge rules governing this activity. Please obey the following regulations which are designed to protect both wildlife and visitors. If you there is an activity that your are unsure about, please call the refuge at 510-792-0222.

Locations

Salinas River National Wildlife Refuge
(510) 792-0222
C/O San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge Complex1 Marshlands RoadFremont,CA94555
Driving Directions

From Monterey:  Go north on U.S. Highway 1 approximately 11 miles to exit 412 for Del Monte Blvd. (first exit after Reservation Rd.) Go left on Del Monte which becomes a dirt road. The dirt road ends in the refuge parking lot.



From Castroville:

Go south on U.S. Highway 1 approximately 3 miles to exit 412 for Marina/Del Monte Blvd. Go right on Del Monte Blvd. which becomes a dirt road. The dirt road ends in the refuge parking lot.