There is parking off of Hollister Avenue at (34.4331, -119.9158). From here, walk down the path to the beach. Along the path there is some scrubland (chaparral-style); check for sparrows and other passerines.

Walking the beach, you can find shorebirds, although off-leash dogs sometimes scare them off. If you have a scope, you can see shearwaters offshore during the right season, and sometimes jaegers.

There are two creeks, one associated with Tecolote Canyon (west of the pathway) and the other one with Bell Canyon (east of the pathway). The mouths of both can have ducks, shorebirds, and migrant passerines, as well as Marsh Wren, Sora, and Virginia Rail. The Tecolote Canyon creek can only be observed from the beach, but you can walk up along the Bell Canyon creek a little ways. Do not wade into the creeks themselves since it can disturb fish and other sensitive fauna.

From the path between the parking and the beach, you can also turn west. Here, there is a bridge crossing the creek, and you have good views of the riparian habitat, which attracts various passerines. There is a little bit of scrubland further west, on the way to the Bacara Resort.

Shorebirds on the beach, especially early morning before the off-leash dogs arrive. Shearwaters and jaegers over the ocean. Passerines, rails, ducks, and shorebirds at the creek mouths. Passerines in the riparian area at the bridge crossing Tecolote Creek. Wrentit and other scrubland birds in the chaparral.

Haskell's Beach has attracted some rarities, including White Wagtail (on the beach), Northern Waterthrush (Bell Canyon), and American Redstart.

In October 2020, a Big Sit took place at Haskell's Beach, recording a total of 72 species during the day.