Salinas River Wildlife Area  (P)

This wetland at the mouth of the Salinas river owes its existence to coastal dunes, part of the Pacific coast’s most extensive dune system.  A trail through an open field leads past a freshwater pond and marsh to the river mouth lagoon. 

Location:  Take Highway 1 north from Monterey about 12 mi. to the Del Monte Blvd. exit.  Cross over the highway and continue northwest 0.7 mi. to a parking area at the end of the dirt road.

Highlights:  Northern harrier, gadwall, avocets, stilts, snowy plover, shorebirds, gulls and terns, pelicans, fall rareties.

Best season:  fall-winter.