Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve

Category: Nature preserve in Huntington Beach, California

Address: 18000 CA-1, Huntington Beach, CA 92648, USA

Phone: +17148461114

Opening hours

Sunday: 6AM–8PM

Monday: 6AM–8PM

Tuesday: 6AM–8PM

Wednesday: 6AM–8PM

Thursday: 6AM–8PM

Friday: 6AM–8PM

Saturday: 6AM–8PM

Reviews

Hongxia Mo

Aug 11, 2022

Go on the hot day, it was great, Because the beach breeze. Is nice to walk along and see all the fish jumping, and hearing from the sea birds. There so many type of birds, don't know what name.

Nancy Le

Jul 18, 2022

Beautiful place for a little sunset walk. There is no trash can at all, so make sure you bring your trash back to your car. There were only 2 portable bathrooms at both parking lots, but they were locked when we were there so we had to cut the walk shorter…

Brenda

Mar 19, 2022

Beautiful place to frequent if you're in the area. There's plenty of parking, and the parking lot is cleaned after. The boardwalk takes you across and onto sand (not paved the rest of the trail, but worth the hike). It doesn't tend to get crowded. Gate closes at 8 the entire week. Lots of wildlife. Great place to relax and go for a stroll.

Paula Stubblefield

Mar 6, 2022

Bring your walking shoes, water bottle and be prepared for awesome views of the wetlands and waterfowl . The terrain is flat in places hilly in others. The toilets are port-a potties. There is no shade there are trails and bridges to cross along with informational boards, and benches strategically place. Pack out your trash. Do not bring your dogs unless it is a Service Dog. Also there was on spot that allowed fishing. Nice two and a half hour walk!

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Questions & Answers

Q: Can I fly my drone here? A: No drones in the preserve. They are very disturbing to the birds. Please respect them. Drone flyers will receive citations.

Austen Frostad | Aug 23, 2021
Jason Baker | Aug 23, 2021

Absolutely no remote or radio controlled vehicles may be used in this wildlife reserve!

Is the parking lot next to the bridge open today?

Robert Richert | Aug 23, 2021
Steve Farnsworth | Aug 23, 2021

I can't say for sure, but I would think so.

Is there a parking fee?

YUNG KIM | Aug 23, 2020
Lawrence Santucci | Aug 23, 2020

No

Can i bring my dog to walk a trail?

crystal anch | Aug 24, 2018
Jake B | Aug 24, 2018

No. Every rule there is to protect the wildlife. Dogs can frighten birds (and worse), and otherwise disturb the ecosystem. There's a dog friendly beach just a mile or two to the south, however.

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is it closed currently due to coivd?

Musty | Aug 23, 2021
Sarkis simonian | Aug 23, 2021

No it is open 7 days a week

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Are there sea otters in bola chica

Allen Aronson | Aug 23, 2020
Gregory Alvarado | Aug 23, 2020

None

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When are the best months to bird the reserve?

Steve Royce | Aug 23, 2020
Thien An | Aug 23, 2020

We come here for birding year round, except the rainy months. Egrets (snowy, great/common, redneck), willets, long billed curlews, godwits, Ospreys, turkey vulture, Gulls, plovers, terms, ducks, coots, comorants, surf Scoters, grebes, mergansers are regular residents. In spring, it's interesting to see the blue herons collecting twigs for their nests on the palm trees. We see skimmers in late spring and summer.

Is this hike stroller friendly?

Zayra Serrano | Aug 24, 2019
Ed Herrera | Aug 24, 2019

Big wheels?

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I can fishing here?

Buscando El pique | Aug 24, 2019
Tracy Charles | Aug 23, 2020

No. It's an ecological preserve. No fishing or collecting, wading or swimming. Stay on the path.

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is the parking area being re paved and closed today?

Jack Williams | Aug 24, 2019
Varun Shastry | Aug 24, 2019

It has 2 different parking areas.. either should be available.. it'd better to call the official phone number.

Is there an entrance fee to walk on the trails? Ellen

Ellen HopeKearns | Aug 24, 2019
JM ZANCHEZ | Aug 24, 2019

No. There's no fee.

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Can kiddo take a dip , is is there fire pits ?? Was told can stay till ten pm

Araceli Martinez | Aug 24, 2018
Erick Meza | Aug 24, 2018

No swimming allowed anywhere and no fire pits. Across the street though there are fire pits on the beach.

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Can you ride/rent bikes here?

Dan Thunell | Aug 24, 2018
PureVentures | Aug 24, 2018

No

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Is there a fee to enter the reserve?

Maggie Evans | Aug 24, 2018
Guillermo Miranda | Aug 24, 2018

No fee and free parking

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Do you recommend for kids?

Francisco Lopez | Aug 24, 2018
Timothy Serrata | Aug 24, 2018

Depending on the age of the children, there are some resources you can check on the website so they can learn about the wildlife that may be there when you visit.

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Are there nice places to eat here, or really near by.?

Bazin Girma | Aug 24, 2018
vxdibby | Aug 24, 2018

Yes, like less than a mile away!

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are there restrooms at the huntington beach wetlands reserve?

Pat Graham | Aug 24, 2018
Timothy Serrata | Aug 24, 2018

In the parking lot there are porta-potties.

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are there dogs allowed?

Dennis Durant | Aug 24, 2018
Vincent Periolat | Aug 24, 2018

They are not. It is a very sensitive ecological area and is protected accordingly (except for all the people of course)

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Are dogs allowed?

La Snuggs | Aug 24, 2018
Steve Sosensky | Aug 24, 2018

Not in the reserve. Be sure to read the signs at the beginning of each trail.

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Can i bring my dog on a leash?

Maria Esther Guzman | Aug 24, 2018
Tracy Charles | Aug 23, 2020

No. And please don't leave your dogs in a vehicle either. It gets too hot.

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Can you fish here?

antonio choi | Aug 24, 2018
Ravi Govil | Aug 24, 2018

No - it is a preserve. But you can fish in the ocean on the other side of PCH highway 1.

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Is there a backyard bird watching project in Orange County?

Hazel Lavender | Aug 24, 2018
James Hill | Aug 24, 2018

The Sea & Sage Audubon Society, a non-profit that promotes understanding of nature in Orange County through conservation, research, and education. Instagram-Adroit000

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