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Los Peñasquitos Marsh Natural Preserve and Lagoon West of I-5 and Sorrento Valley Road, East and North of Coast Highway/Torrey
Pines Road, South of Carmel Valley Road Designated a Natural Preserve, under the auspices of Torrey Pines State Reserve, Los Peñasquitos Lagoon contains extensive mudflats, saltpan, salt marsh, and one relic sand dune, with shallow water channels and broad tidal pans. Total watershed is about 60,000 acres, mainly from natural drainage of Los Peñasquitos Canyon, and, during heavy rains, from Carmel and Sorrento Valleys. Reclamation projects are ongoing to return lost marshland. Although water flow within the lagoon is restricted by man-made structures, which cause periodic blockage of the passage of water between the ocean and lagoon, the channel is dredged to prevent stagnation. There are about 30 species of salt marsh plants, 13 major invertebrate species, 15 fish species. Birds are mainly migratory, and can be readily seen from Sorrento Valley Road. Native American kitchen middens are present. Parking: North and South Torrey Pines State Beach Parking lots. Park and Ride at Sorrento Valley Road/Carmel Valley Road/I-5/I-56 Trails: 1 primitive along south edge. Restrooms: North and South Torrey Pines State Beach Parking lots. Fee: For Torrey Pines State Beach parking. |
