Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Protected wetland area in Huntington Beach, United States.
Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve is a 1,300-acre coastal estuary containing multiple habitat types including saltwater marshes, freshwater wetlands, sandy beaches, and tidal flats. The reserve features shallow water channels, islands that serve as nesting grounds, and dunes that separate the reserve from the developed coastline.
Indigenous peoples including the Acjachemen and Tongva inhabited this land thousands of years before European settlement, leaving behind evidence of their presence. In the 19th century, the area became a private hunting club before being transformed into a protected nature reserve.
The site has served as a meeting place for hunters and nature watchers for generations, drawing people who sought both sport and connection with the natural world. Today, this dual heritage is reflected in how visitors experience the land—some following historical hunting traditions while others come purely to observe wildlife.
Two parking areas provide access to the reserve, with one near Warner Avenue and the other along Pacific Coast Highway for convenient entry. A network of trails connects different sections, allowing visitors to move between the various habitats and observation points.
The reserve supports more than 300 bird species, including rare and threatened species rarely seen elsewhere in the region. This exceptional biodiversity makes it one of Southern California's most important destinations for bird watching.
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