Nature reserve · Cardiff-by-the-Sea
San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center
A 979-acre lagoon reserve with 7 miles of easy trails, a LEED Platinum nature center with kid-friendly exhibits, and a rentable balcony and meeting room. A good pick for a nature-themed party or family hike.
Published prices
| Fee | Price |
|---|---|
| Balcony2-hour block. County fee schedule effective Jan 2, 2026. | $325 / 2-hr block |
| Meeting Room2-hour block. Deposits and insurance are not stated. | $110 / 2-hr block |
Bookable areas: Nature Center Balcony (capacity not published) · Nature Center Meeting Room (capacity not published)
At a glance
- Capacity
- Not published
- Setting
- Indoor and outdoor
- Hours
- Nature Center 9am-5pm daily (County). Grounds sunrise to sunset; closed Dec 25 (Nature Collective).
- Parking
- Not listed
- Run by
- San Diego County (Parks & Recreation), with Nature Collective
Amenities
- Restrooms · not listed
- Playground (no)
- Picnic tables · not listed
- BBQ grills · not listed
- Sports fields (no)
- Beach access (no)
- Dogs allowed
- Accessible (ADA) · not listed
Rules
- Alcohol
- Not stated. Unconfirmed.
- Bounce houses
- Not stated. Unconfirmed.
- Amplified sound
- Not stated. Unconfirmed.
- Canopies
- Not stated. Unconfirmed.
- Other rules
- Leashed dogs are welcome on the grounds and trails (Nature Collective). The lot has 19 paved spaces (ADA, carpool and EV) and is open 9am-5pm; parking appears free, but no fee is stated. The lagoon hosts weddings and special events through the County.
How to book
Book through San Diego County Parks. Capacity, deposit and insurance rules are not published.
Location
2710 Manchester Avenue, Cardiff-by-the-Sea, CA 92007 · Pin from the street address. Get directions
Nearby
Sources
We checked these pages in September 2026. Prices change; confirm with the venue before you book. Something out of date? Tell us.