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| There’s always wildlife to be seen at Bolinas Lagoon, a 1,100-acre
tidal estuary. Snowy egrets, blackbirds, warblers, and dozens of other
bird and animal species live in and around this Marin County Open Space
District wildlife preserve. Seasonal avian highlights include ducks in
the winter, herons in the springtime, and pelicans in the summer.
Between April and June, harbor seals and their pups often appear on
Pickleweed Island.
Bolinas Lagoon’s diverse wildlife, pristine marshes, and water-snaked
mud flats make it one of the richest wetlands within the parks. This
bird-watcher’s paradise is bordered by the seaside village of Bolinas,
Highway 1, and the Stinson
Beach sandbar.
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VISIT BOLINAS LAGOON: TIPS AND HIGHLIGHTS
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 Audubon Canyon Ranch Situated adjacent to Bolinas Lagoon, Audubon Canyon Ranch is a
nonprofit, private, thousand-acre wildlife sanctuary and nature
education center. During the spring, over a hundred pairs of great
egrets and great blue herons nest in the tops of the ranch’s redwoods.
The adjacent lagoon provides these wading and fishing birds with ample
food for their young. The nestlings hatch in May and June, which makes
those months the best time for a visit. Several miles of ranch trails
are open to the public mid-March through mid-July. Trail maps are
available at the Ranch. Visiting hours are limited, so be sure to phone
ahead.
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Tips For Visitors
- The community of Seadrift, built into the Stinson Beach sandbar, is
gated and not publicly accessible for parking. Parking is available
along the lagoon off of Highway 1 and in parts of the village of
Bolinas.
- Regular walking boots are suitable in the summer, but rubber boots
are
recommended in the winter and spring.
- Please do not disturb the seals or birds.
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Nature
Harbor Seals
As you drive Highway 1 along Bolinas
Lagoon, look for harbor seals hauled out on Pickleweed and Kent
islands, and on the lagoon’s tidal sandbars. Harbor seals have a
physiological need to come onshore (haul out) almost daily to rest. They
also haul out to give birth and rear their young during the pupping
season. Though Bolinas Lagoon is not a major breeding area, 150 or more
seals and their pups can often be seen on the lagoon’s haul out spots.
The best seal watching months are April through June.
Invertebrates
A muddy lagoon awash with freshwater
runoff and saltwater tides may seem an uncomfortable sort of place to
live. Yet a hardy group of organisms called invertebrates thrives in the
ooze. These tiny, spineless shrimps, worms, and other creatures
regulate their internal salt levels to accommodate constant changes in
salinity. The presence of invertebrates is one reason why estuaries are one
of the most productive types of ecosystems on the planet.
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Maps and Information
For a map, driving directions and satellite views of this park from Google™ Maps, click here.
Please use the links below for more park information:
National Park Service Resources
Additional Resources
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