Batiquitos Lagoon

The one thing that spoils this beautiful place is the incessant roar of the adjacent I5 freeway which crosses over the western end of the lagoon on a restricting embankment.

Otherwise, Batiquitos Lagoon is a very interesting and worthwhile hike taking in a variety of environments associated with tidal salt marshes. It was a warm day too, with temperatures in the high teens while we learned of snow and freezing temperatures in the UK, especially the South East.

The Pacific coast hereabouts has a number of these lagoons, formed by glacial meltwaters and then filled in by sediment. They have been under pressure from development but in recent years have been protected and opened up as public trails. The interpretive trail here was very interesting, informing you not just about the abundance of wildlife but also about the native people who lived in the area thousands of years before the Spanish explorers passed through the area in 1769.

We went shopping first thing this morning then travelled over to Carlsbad Village for coffee and a browse around the store there then drove down the coast road to the Lagoon.

We often get talking to people when out and about. When I was looking in a estate agent’s window a lady came out to talk to us and was interested in why we were here and how house prices compared with the UK. A volunteer at the Visitors Centre at the Lagoon was also very informative and we had a very pleasant chat with an elderly man walking the trail.

The day ended nicely with Chris, De’Shaun and Landon coming over to our place for dinner. It appears Landon may be cutting his first tooth. There’s certainly much dribble and his fingers are constantly in his mouth!