(Thomas Guide:  1156-C5 / GPS: 33.040154, -116.593526) Rating: Moderate to Hard (roads, dirt trails, parts rocky, parts steep incline) Directions: From Escondido take Hwy 78 east (from San Diego take Hwy 67 east) to Ramona, then Hwy 78 toward Julian, past Santa Ysabel.  After the town of Wynola, start looking for the sign on your right for William Heise County Park (1 mile west of Julian). Turn right on Pine Hill Road and drive south for 2 miles to Frisius Road.…

(Thomas Guide:  430-B5 / GPS: 32.853641, -116.435702) Rating: Moderate to Hard (dirt trails, parts rocky, parts some incline, cross a stream) Directions: We will meet at the old parking area for Agua Dulce Creek Group camp. Driving east on I-8, and after Pine Valley, look for signs indicating the Sunrise Highway Exit and Laguna Mountain Recreation Area.  Go north on Sunrise Hwy. (S-1) approx. 8 miles to Wooded Hill Road, the first road on the left and directly across the road…

(Thomas Guide:  429- L3 / GPS: 32.95947,-116.57924) Rating: Moderate to Hard (roads, dirt trails, parts rocky, parts steep incline) Directions: From San Diego, take I-8 east and exit north on Hwy 79.  Continue approximately 12 miles to the Paso Pacacho Campground on the left.  From the North County, take Hwy 78 (or Hwy 67) to Ramona, and then continue on Hwy 78 just past Julian, to Hwy 79. Take Hwy 79 south approximately 10 miles to the campground on the right where…

Rating: Moderate (uneven mountain trail, elevation climb) (Thomas Guide: 409-G7 / GPS:  33.341822,-116.901355) Directions: This field trip will start from the parking lot at Doane Pond. Leave the Escondido area before 7 a.m. From I-15, take Highway 76 east to Highway S6, north to Palomar Mountain. Or from Escondido, take Highway S6 to Palomar Mountain. At the mountaintop, at the S7 intersection stop sign, turn left and continue for 3 miles on State Park Rd. to the Palomar Mountain State Park…

(Thomas Guide: 1250 E-6 / GPS: 32.790891,-117.046076) Rating: Easy to Moderate (Dirt & Paved city park trails) Directions: Take I-8 east to the Lake Murray Blvd. Exit and proceed 1 mile north (right turn) to Baltimore Drive. Turn left and drive about 1 mile to Jackson Drive. Turn left again, proceed ¼ mile and make another left turn on Golfcrest Drive. Continue about 1 mile on Golfcrest Drive to the Mission Trails Regional Park entrance on the left. Meet in…

(Thomas Guide:  1349-F1 / GPS: 32.575333,-117.125695 ) Rating: Moderate (Paved, boardwalk, and dirt trails) Good location for Yellow-crowned Night-heron and Ridgway's Rail.  Bring scope if you have one. Directions: Travel south on I-5 from San Diego and exit west on Coronado Avenue, which becomes Imperial Beach Blvd. Turn left on 3rd Street to Caspian Way, turn left and then right to the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center parking lot. Restrooms at Visitor Center, but none on the trails. Will bird around the…

(Thomas Guide:  1067-D7 / GPS: 33.246225,-117.270774) Rating: Moderate (Grass and dirt trails) Directions: From Highway 78 in Oceanside, exit north on College Boulevard, and drive 4.4 miles north to Highway 76.Make a right turn on Hwy 76 and continue east about ½ mile to Lake Guajome Rd. Turn right (south) and drive up the hill past the park entrance. We usually convene on this road beyond the park entrance since we gather well before the park opens. Expect warm weather.…

(Thomas Guide:  1268  F2 / GPS:) Rating: Moderate (dirt trails) This is a great spot for finding both resident and migrating birds.  Rarities often show up here.  Expect warm weather. Directions: Depending on your starting location, travel to the I-5 freeway. From the I-5 in San Diego, exit east at the Seaworld Dr./Tecolote Rd. off-ramp – away from Mission Bay. Continue on Tecolote Rd. to the end and park at the visitor's center. Restrooms at Visitor Center. Photo:  Tecolote Canyon…

(Thomas Guide: 1267-J5 / GPS: 32.755448,-117.241741) Rating: Easy We will visit two locations along the San Diego River Floodway to look for early migrant and returning shorebirds, often still in breeding plumage, and post-breeding dispersal Elegant Terns. Directions: From North County, take Hwy. 163S to I-8W and drive toward Ocean Beach. Make a slight left at Sunset Cliffs Blvd. and then stay in the right lane. Turn right onto W. Point Loma Blvd. and then right at Bacon St. Drive…

(Thosmas Guide: 1167-E6 / GPS: 33.003535,-117.272469) Rating: Moderate (Dirt Trail, some hills) Bring a scope, if you have one, and water and plan for warm weather. Directions: Take I-5 to Lomas Santa Fe Drive. Go west to North Rios Ave. Turn right (north) and go all the way to the end of North Rios Ave. Park and meet at the end of the street near the barricade. No restrooms.   Photos: San Elijo Lagoon Further Information on Location - Here  

(Thomas Guide:  1231-A5 / GPS: 32.846928,-117.00423) Rating:Easy to Moderate (Flat paved walkways and grass) Directions: From I-15 go east on Hwy 52. Exit at Mast Blvd. Continue east on Mast Blvd. to Fanita Parkway. Turn right and continue south to the entrance to Santee Lakes on your right. Car entry fee is $5.  OR from Mast Blvd, turn left on Fanita Parkway, and continue north to Lake Canyon Dr. Turn right, park and walk in the open gate for free.…