Nature & Outdoors

  1. A large field of colorful flowers, mainly pink, yellow, and white, stretches toward buildings and palm trees under a clear blue sky.

    The Flower Fields of Carlsbad California

    Every spring, Southern California bursts into color at The Flower Fields® at Carlsbad Ranch — a breathtaking 55-acre display of Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers overlooking the Pacific coastline. Welcoming more than 200,000 visitors each season, The Flower Fields are a must-see seasonal attraction and an annual rite of spring. From...
    Read More
  2. Aerial view of a historic house with people gathered outside, garden plots, tents, and trees surrounding the property.

    Olivewood Gardens and Learning Center

    Our mission is to inspire youth and adults to be healthy and active citizens through organic gardening, environmental stewardship, and nutrition education. Our Core Values Equity – Inclusive and culturally responsive, we are committed to acting with respect, openness, and a desire to understand, value, and support our community.Integrity –...
    Read More
  3. A waterfront park features a circular monument surrounded by trees, with benches facing the water and buildings visible across the bay.

    Pacific Rim Park

    The "Pearl of the Pacific" was created in the summer of 1998, when students from China, Mexico, Russia, and the U.S. came together at the tip of San Diego's Shelter Island to design and construct a gateway park over a period of four weeks. Local community members, volunteer contractors, sub-contractors...
    Read More
  4. Fountain with water jets in the foreground, palm trees and a historic tower in the background at dusk, illuminated by streetlights.

    Forever Balboa Park

    Balboa Park is a San Diego must-see destination, just minutes from downtown. The park is home to 17 major museums, several performing arts venues, 18 free public gardens, and many other cultural and recreational attractions, including the San Diego Zoo. With a variety of cultural institutions laid out among its...
    Read More
  5. View of a coastal wetland with marsh vegetation, winding water channels, and distant boardwalks under a clear sky.

    Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center

    The Tijuana Estuary Visitor Center (part of the Tijuana River National Estuarine Research Reserve) is located at 3rd Street and Caspian Way in Imperial Beach, the most southwestern city in the United States. The Tijuana Estuary is one of the few salt marshes remaining in Southern California. The site is...
    Read More
  6. A garden scene with lush green ferns, cascading hanging plants, red-leaved tropical plants, and clusters of small purple flowers.

    San Diego Botanic Garden

    Established in 1970, San Diego Botanic Garden (SDBG) is an urban oasis located in Encinitas, just north of San Diego. The Garden’s 37-acres and 8, 000 square foot glass Conservatory display more than 5,300 plant species and varieties. Featuring four miles of pathways, SDBG has the largest public bamboo collection...
    Read More
  7. A park ranger wearing a hat looks through binoculars at a dry desert landscape with mountains in the distance.

    Anza-Borrego Desert State Park

    Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is the largest state park in California. Five hundred miles of dirt roads, 12 wilderness areas and many miles of hiking trails provide visitors with an unparalleled opportunity to experience the wonders of the California Desert. The park is named for Spanish explorer Juan Bautista de...
    Read More
  8. A sea turtle swims underwater near the surface in clear blue water, with one flipper extended and sunlight filtering through.

    Living Coast Discovery Center

    The Living Coast Discovery Center is a nonprofit zoo and aquarium uniquely set on San Diego Bay. Visitors enjoy up-close animal encounters with endangered green sea turtles, shorebirds, hawks, owls, sharks, stingrays, jellies, and more. Uniquely located on the Sweetwater Marsh National Wildlife Refuge. The Living Coast offers year-round wildlife...
    Read More
  9. A stone wall spans a shallow stream with foam on the water’s surface, surrounded by trees and grassy banks under a cloudy sky.

    Mission Trails Regional Park

    Everything at Mission Trails Regional Park is free and it is just 12 miles from downtown San Diego. At 5, 800 acres, it is the largest urban open space park west of the Mississipi. The park features 40 miles of spectacular trails for your walking, hiking, mountain biking, birding, and...
    Read More
  10. A sign reading "The Water Conservation Garden" stands behind a bed of colorful flowering plants and shrubs, with trees and a street sign visible in the background.

    Water Conservation Garden

    Conservation has never been as beautiful as the 5-acre botanical showcase that is The Water Conservation. Featuring meandering pathways through a lush, but drought-tolerant plant palette that hails from Mediterranean regions around the world, as well as stunning native plants, The Garden inspires visitors to create a sustainable landscape of...
    Read More