buena vista audubon society & nature center

The center's exhibits are very well done and the volunteers make every visitor welcome. Birders visiting the area can learn a great deal here about what to find and where to go in San Diego County.The degraded condition of the lagoon, with the loss of flow from the ocean and the choking of the system with the reeds should be a lesson brought to the attention of all who go there as an example of how things go awry when natural systems are ignored in the name of progress. The center is closed on Sundays.

It is only a .3 mile round trip walk around the marsh area and through the reeds and out onto the 2 little view platforms but it is worth the visit. The path is a big loop so you will always end up where you started. Picnic tables make it so comfortable for visitors to stop. Go to the visitors center (no admission, contributions are desired however) and prepare to be impressed by the taxidermy collection of birds and small animals which are all very naturally set into their natural environments.If you are going between Oceanside and Carlsbad (maybe on foot, like us), it is an easy turn-off and well worth the trip.Restrooms and a very cordial docent are major plusses.

My girlfriend is a birder and wanted to check out this Audubon Society and Nature Center when we were in Carlsbad visiting some friends. The center appears relatively new with nice displays of birds and other wildlife inside their building. We have never seen a Surf Scoter close up and they had one on display. From the upstairs area there is a viewing deck overlooking the Buena Vista Lagoon. We were somewhat disappointed in the lack of birds in the lagoon. The host at the center said the lagoon was dammed off from the ocean and fed by a freshwater spring causing the reeds to overtake the shoreline. She said there is talk about letting saltwater back into the lagoon which should kill off some of reeds and grasses around the lagoon edge and bring back more wildlife.

The center is a hidden gem located on the Buena Vista lagoon bordering Oceanside and Carlsbad on Coast Highway. Thanks to the hard work and generosity of the community, it has been completely remodeled to provide more and better exhibits, and a wonderful second-floor viewing deck. A small trail enters the wetlands.A huge team of volunteers means the center is always ready to provide a warm welcome and interesting information, especially for children--a focus group of the center. Birders can gather information about the many viewing sites in the county. Teachers can bring their classes for educational field trips on a number of subjects.

Really? A 200 yard hike down a narrow, muddy trail surrounded by 7 foot tall cattails is something spectacular? At a couple of points you could get a glimpse of a pond surrounded by more cattails. Wow, what a letdown. If this is what floats your boat, you'll really be jazzed by some of the numerous neighborhood parks around Oceanside. Completely underwhelmed by this "experience". Save the time and go enjoy a good margarita somewhere, you'll see more "local wildlife".

What a lovely spot in Oceanside! Take in the sounds and sights of this beautiful preserve. Be sure to wear a hat and bring your camera. "get some free exercise in the bargin.

The lagoon and area is well kept. The staff and volunteers are doing a great job of removing the non-native species to help keep this area a natural preserve. Great place for walks -- fund for kids.

Here is a small gem of a nature center offering a short walk in the lagoon area. The displaysinside the center are well done. Families will enjoy an outing here.

The building itself is filled with various stuffed birds and other critters. We so enjoyed just moseying around. The walk through the reeds is quiet and provides a great opportunity to see various birds and reptiles. Very subdued pleasure.

If you are a birder, or like to learn about animals in the area, this is a must! Great for little kids, and adults alike, nice displays of actual stuffed birds and ground creatures who inhabit the area. Good play area for kids and the walk through the reeds is worth it.

In the middle of the hustle and bustle, you can still find a refuge to in the seclusion and sounds of the park like setting. Plan to spend a couple of hours refreshing your spirit and trying to identify the songs of birds that surround you. Very helpful visitors centre and they host lots of interesting and fun events.

This really is a great little spot to take a short, lagoon-view walk if you're in Carlsbad or Oceanside. The views are indeed beautiful. The staff in the shop are helpful and full of information, and this center is perfect for bird lovers. They have lots of taxidermy birds (who died from various natural or accidental issues but are preserved for your edification). We loved our time here (spent about an hour) and will return when back in Carlsbad.

This nature center and its 1/2 mile loop trail through the lagoon make a great family outing. The center had many displays of native birds and animals, as well as a kid's counter, with bones, feathers, rocks, and other natural items to touch and explore - and it's free! The trail is short, but gives you the feeling you are out in nature, with docks out into a section of the lagoon, though right off Coast Highway. Take your family and go, if you haven't!

Nice little building. Good info for grade school kids. Some hands on stuff. Volunteers are very knowledgable. Great BoyScout Eagle project on premisses where they propagate native plants for the center.

tucked away on the NW corner of the Buena Vista Lagoon bordering Oceanside and Carlsbad is the Audubon Nature Center. They have lectures and classes. See their website for info on when these are offered. Too bad the State doesn't allow the removal of some of the encroaching cat-tails and vegetation that would afford a view of this beautiful lagoon. I understand that the Nature Center is considering building a raised deck to better see this North County wonder.