The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge protects a rich diversity of endangered, threatened, migratory, and native species and their habitats in the midst of a highly urbanized coastal environment. The Refuge encompasses approximately 2,620 acres of land and water in and around San Diego Bay. The Refuge consists of the Sweetwater Marsh and South San Diego Bay Units. What remains of San Diego Bay’s historic coastal salt marsh and intertidal mudflat habitat is preserved within these two Refuge Units.
Public Notices & Alerts
  • There is limited access at the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego Bay NWR. Refuge visitors can catch a free shuttle from the Living Coast Discovery Center to access refuge trails. Check the LCDC website for days and times when the service is available. When the Center is closed, we recommend taking a walk on the north end of 13th or 10th streets in Imperial Beach or at Tijuana Estuary.

  • View the Public Notice and Community Health and Safety Plan for the additional collection of contaminant samples at Operable Unit 3 at the F&G Street Marsh.

Visit Us

This refuge has two distinct areas you can enjoy some of the most beautiful and unique wildlife in San Diego Bay. Each area is connected by the Bayshore Bikeway. Whether you're riding your bike, the bus, or driving, accessing the refuge is easy. You just have to know where to go!

Location and Contact Information

      Limited Access at Sweetwater Marsh Unit

      There is limited access at the Sweetwater Marsh Unit of the San Diego Bay NWR. Refuge visitors can catch a free shuttle from the Living Coast Discovery Center to access refuge trails. Check the LCDC website for days and times when the service is available. When the Center is closed, we recommend taking a walk on the north end of 13th or 10th streets in Imperial Beach or at Tijuana Estuary.

      About Us

      The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge protects a rich diversity of endangered, threatened, migratory, and native species and their habitats in the midst of a highly urbanized coastal environment. The Refuge is situated at the south end of San Diego Bay and is surrounded by the cities of National City, Chula Vista, San Diego, Imperial Beach, and Coronado. Established to protect endangered and threatened species, the Refuge encompasses approximately 2,620 acres of land and water in and around San Diego Bay.

      Tours

      Monthly tours of the South San Diego Bay refuge are available to the public as well as tours during the wintertime led by the San Diego Audubon Society. Email sdaudubon@sandiegoaudubon.org for more information.

      What We Do

      To help plants and wildlife, refuge staff use a variety of habitat management techniques to maintain, recover or enhance plant and wildlife values. Refuge staff carefully considers any management techniques and employ them in varying degrees according to the situation. 

      Our Species

      The San Diego Bay National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect wildlife species that were threatened and endangered, and provide exclusive habitat just for them. Sweetwater Marsh provides habitat for four endangered or threatened species, and over 200 species of birds have been seen here. The Refuge is broken up into two distinct areas: the Sweetwater Marsh Unit and the South San Diego Bay Unit.

      Projects and Research

      Wildlife and habitat management programs focus on the recovery of the endangered California least tern, endangered light-footed Ridgway’s rail, threatened western snowy plover, and the endangered salt marsh salt marsh
      Salt marshes are found in tidal areas near the coast, where freshwater mixes with saltwater.

      Learn more about salt marsh       bird's beak plant.