This lovely Reserve provides great public access to tidal wetlands and to upland oak savanna. The effects of the daily tides will impact your visit, as will the seasons. In fall, winter, and early spring, ducks, shorebirds, gulls and terns may be close to your trail or be distant, out in Elkhorn Slough, depending whether you are visiting at low tide, high tide, or in between. A small freshwater wetland ("barn pond") near the "big barn" on the map, and few other in the north part of the reserve, will have a somewhat different set of ducks or waders than tidal area, but these birds may be "jumpy" and/or absent when there are lots of visitors, so sometimes visits that are early or late can be better. 

The South March Loop trail, a 2 mile loop, is a favorite hike. It goes out past the "big barn," then across a footbridge over tidal wetlands (can be underwater during very high tides), will eventually lead to to "Hummingbird Island" right adjacent to the main Elkhorn Slough channel. You can retrace your steps or take the loop via oak woodlands back to the Visitors Center.

In season, ducks and waders are the primary highlights. The Reserve is good for raptors, and watch for Red-tailed & Red-shouldered Hawks, migrant Accipiters, Golden Eagle and (rare) Bald Eagle, Osprey, Northern Harrier, and White-tailed Kite, plus Peregrine Falcon and Merlin. Common residents of oak woodlands include Band-tailed Pigeon, Acorn & Nuttall's Woodpeckers, Hutton's Vireo, Oak Titmouse, and Western Bluebird. 

This is a large 1700-acre preserve with tidal wetlands, a few freshwater ponds, oak savanna, chaparral, and grasslands. There is a very nice Visitors Center, and adjacent picnic area and areas for outdoor talks. The Reserve is typically open year-round except for Monday-Tuesday, and some holidays (see visitor information at the link above; sometimes severe weather will close the Reserve). A series of wide trails provide access to most of the Reserve, and a shorter wheelchair accessible trail from the Visitors Center to an overlook that provides panorama views of Elkhorn Slough.

All Reserve trails begin at the Visitor Center. Visitors must check in prior to hiking. There is one paved accessible path that connects the Visitor Center and the overlook. Within the Reserve there are three main trails. Each of the three trails offer views of the oak woodlands, grasslands, salt marsh, and tidal flats. All trails are grass, dirt or gravel, with easy hiking, but expect some inclines. A trail map is adjacent on this page.