Famosa Slough

West Point Loma Boulevard at Famosa Boulevard 619.224.4591 http://www.famosaslough.org

Famosa Slough is a 30-acre urban wetland in San Diego, at the intersection of West Point Loma and Famosa Boulevards.

Originally part of the Mission Bay wetland complex, the slough was gradually isolated by the Ocean Beach trolley tracks, land fill, channelization of the San Diego River, and freeway and road construction.

Famosa Slough is flushed with salt water from the river channel, and collects rainwater and runoff from its 300-acre watershed. Despite its small size and urban surroundings, the slough is a functioning wetland with freshwater, brackish and salt marsh habitats, teeming with small fish, crabs, and mollusks.

It is a significant feeding and resting site for ducks and shorebirds using the Pacific Flyway. Year-round bird life is also impressive, including avocets, stilts, terns and herons. The slough is popular with birders, providing close views of the little blue heron, blue-winged teal, osprey and the occasional rarity.

The Friends of Famosa Slough is a nonprofit organization established to protect and restore the slough as a natural wetland preserve and to promote public awareness of wetlands. The slough was purchased by the City of San Diego in September 1990 and is managed by the City’s Park and Recreation Department.