Don Edwards San Francisco Bay National Wildlife Refuge

The refuge spans 30,000 acres of open bay, salt ponds, marshes, and mudflats along the southern part of San Francisco Bay in California.

Founded in 1974 as the first urban National Wildlife Refuge in the United States, local community efforts led to protect the San Francisco Bay ecosystem.

The refuge operates programs connecting urban residents with nature through bird watching, environmental education, and scientific research activities throughout the year.

Visitors can access multiple trails from sunrise to sunset, with the main entrance gate operating between 7:00 AM and 7:00 PM daily.

Over 280 bird species inhabit the refuge, including endangered California clapper rails and salt marsh harvest mice within its fifteen distinct habitat types.

Location: San Carlos

Operator: United States Fish and Wildlife Service

Website: https://fws.gov/refuge/Don_Edwards_San_Francisco_Bay

GPS coordinates: 37.49351,-122.05675

Latest update: March 4, 2025 08:19