The only access to birding sites is via two well-maintained trails: the Warriner Beach Trail and the River Loop Trail (see more details below). The Beach Trail passes by a "saline pond" that is often entirely dry in summer or fall drought periods, but the "saline pond" becomes a larger pond with rains and can be very good for ducks in winter and spring. In Aug-Oct, when the pond has broad muddy edges, it can be very good for migrant waders, but not much happens when it dries out fully. A scope is useful to view the far side of the pond (the only public access is on the Beach Trail).

The River Loop Trail follows the west bank of the Salinas River were there are short stands of willows that are good for migrant landbirds spring and fall, and has viewing points over the Salinas River. In fall and winter, there can be lots of waterfowl present.

NOTE: there is a waterfowl hunting season daily from mid-October to mid-January -- dates vary annually -- when much of the River Trail is posted as "closed except to hunters." When hunters are not present, a scope is often needed to look at waterfowl downstream towards the river mouth.

Freshwater ducks and migrant shorebirds, in season, on the saline pond.  Saltmarsh species year-round, including Marsh Wren, Savannah Sparrow, Northern Harrier, White-tailed Kite. In winter, at dawn or dusk, there’s a chance for Barn and Great Horned Owl, and the rarer Short-eared Owl. Waterfowl on the Salinas River include ducks, coots, herons, and occasionally Common Gallinule. Large gulls and terns head to the Marina Landfill upstream and return to the ocean downstream when the landfill closes. Migrant landbirds and raptors in spring and fall migration. Flocks of sparrows, goldfinches, and House Finches in the grasslands and scrub. Oceanic shoreline waders as present in season: Sanderlings, Whimbrels, and others, plus gulls. In fall, Elegant Terns and Parasitic Jaegers are sometimes seen from the beach. The beach fore-dunes are the breeding habitat of endangered Snowy Plovers, and much of these dunes are roped off in breeding season to protect nesting sites.

This National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1973, but the hunting season is operated by California Dept. of Fish & Wildlife. There are interpretive signs and maps on the two major trails. The Beach Trail was recently re-named the Warriner Beach Trail in honor of the late John & Ricky Warriner, who as a volunteer couple achieved much in protecting Snowy Plovers at this and nearby sandy beaches.

Access to this National Wildlife Refuge from Highway 1 near Marina is at the Del Monte Blvd. exit# 412 - the first exit south of the Salinas River.
Be aware that exits to Del Monte Blvd. exist farther south on Hwy 1 near Monterey; this exit is 11 miles north of Monterey. 

Unfortunately, there is only a dirt access road to the dirt parking lot at the Refuge. This dirt road goes through agricultural land which gets watered during crop management. At times the road is blocked by agricultural equipment or can be too muddy to drive in an ordinary car. Further, winter rains often render the access road impassable for days. The mud in this floodplain is rich and thick: if you try to drive it when wet, you risk getting stuck at a spot that is not near any services. In addition, when the road dries out, it can be left very rutted and the parking lot full of potholes. Because of its isolation, cars are sometime broken into by thieves. Consider safety when visiting alone. 

Access to the birding at Salinas River NWR is via two well-maintained trails: the Warriner Beach Trail and the River Loop Trail.

The Warriner Beach Trail is a spur trail off of the River Trail. Start to the left of the parking lot and walk west through grassland until you reach the Warriner Beach Trail. Turn left onto the Warriner Beach Trail, which will end on a sandy beach at the edge of the ocean (trail length 0.37 mi). On your hike to the ocean, you will pass salt marsh, a saline pond, vegetated back-dunes and then sandy fore-dunes that open onto sandy beach.

The River Loop Trail starts to the right of the parking area, heads past a kiosk that provides waterfowl hunting information and regulations, and continues east to the Salinas River. The trail then leads hikers north west along the edge of the river through uplands to a salt marsh where it turns south west to join the Warriner Beach Trail (at 1.15 mi from the parking lot). To finish the 1.2 mile loop, turn left at the Warriner Beach Trail and walk through the grassland until you reach the parking lot. 
When the grasses are high, this trail can be full of ticks.

A motorized wheelchair might be able to navigate the Warriner Beach Trail up to the saline  pond. Fisher people and picnickers pull their wagons on this trail.