Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve

Video footage ©William Bay
Drone footage ©Joshua Rittenberry

Experience Southern California's largest coastal wetland

The Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve is one of 30 Reserves in the United States. We preserve, protect, and manage the natural and cultural resources of the Tijuana River Estuary by creating opportunities for education and research while promoting public access for recreation throughout the Reserve. Come experience the beauty and wonder of this natural wetland habitat.

A mother and child overlooking the wetlands at the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve

Explore the Tijuana Estuary

From hiking and biking to birding and horseback riding, the Tijuana Estuary has something for everyone.

Plan your visit

Student researcher Nancy Torres washes and separates the samples she's collected into multiple composites in the Tijuana Estuary.

Our Research

The unique socio-ecological setting of the Tijuana Estuary makes it an ideal "living laboratory" for researchers.

Learn more

Students participate in an educational class at the Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center

Education Programs

The Tijuana Estuary offers a variety of educational programs that celebrate the natural and cultural resources found in the Reserve.

Explore our educational offerings

Current Announcements

Teachers on the Estuary (TOTE) Training

If you are a middle or high school educator looking to provide an enriching on-site experience for your students, we have great news -- Teachers on the Estuary training is back!

TOTE is a teacher training program that explores Authentic Data Literacy and brings coastal research into the classroom. It is designed for middle and high school teachers.

At this training you will:

See and experience science being done at the Tijuana River NERR and learn how you can use it to enhance your teaching.
Interact with Reserve researchers, visit wetland restoration sites, and see the long-term monitoring that is used to manage these projects (living experiments).
Find out how to integrate your training experiences with online nationwide Reserve data and our virtual and in-person monitoring-based field trips.

Training will be June 27th - June 28th from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on both days. If you would like to register to attend training, please click here. The deadline to register is Monday, June 12th.