Ballona Freshwater Marsh

Grigory Heaton

This park is frustrating. It's awesome that it's being preserved and restored, but public access is really lacking. Almost all of the reserve is off limits to the public despite there being a loop path all the way around the freshwater marsh. Half of this loop is inexplicably blocked off. The one part that is public, basically just the path adjacent to Lincoln and the end of Jefferson, is half homeless encampment and half a fenced off path that doesn't allow many views of the actual marsh. The first time I went here I was quite impressed with the preserve, turns out that some maintenance workers had left a gate open and I had actually (and accidentally) been in the off-limits section opposite the pond from Lincoln. So yeah, that part is nice, but apparently it was supposed to be closed off for some reason, so you can't actually enjoy it. There's some nice spots for duck photography there ... oh well Parking is possible on Jefferson but said encampment blocks off 90% of the spaces, so be aware. If it's full over there, you can park on Bluffs rd but be aware of street sweeping day. Overall, not really worth the drive through traffic to get here. Malibu lagoon is a much more accessible marsh with a very similar array of birds if you live far from both like me. I hope the state, who apparently owns the entire reserve, allows for more public access in this unique area.

Patti Pearson

Beautiful place in nature... So very close to the city! An oasis... Great opportunity for a peaceful walk!

x

Lame. The trail is restricted! Any reviews claiming it's awesome are trespassing or on guided tours because the highlight of the public trail around the algae filled marsh is being 4ft away from an 8-lane highway! Oh, how intimate! How we loved reveling in nature on the shadeless path next to PCH after driving forever to get to the on-street parking as we tried to peek at the far away water. Google Maps is wrong. The only public paths are next to the road. The internal areas are blocked. Don't let the other reviews fool you. This is a private reserve for members of the clique friends of Ballona. Trespassing warnings, fences and condescending signs about the purpose of fences keep what could be a nice walk miserable.

Stephanie van de Water

A lovely circular trail around a marshland. There wasn't any place to park my bicycle safely, but I had no problem taking it with me. The birds are fantastic. I didn't spend enough time here.