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Locations in San Diego County, California

Species in San Diego County

Common Species in San Diego County

Showing 15 most frequently observed species out of 100 total documented species.

Paralabrax clathratus

Paralabrax clathratus

Sea bass

Very Common1,686 obs.
No image

Semicossyphus pulcher

California Sheephead

Very Common1,376 obs.
No image

Oxyjulis californica

Very Common1,195 obs.
Eriogonum fasciculatum

Eriogonum fasciculatum

wild buckwheat

Very Common975 obs.
Sceloporus occidentalis

Sceloporus occidentalis

Pacific blue-bellied lizard

Common967 obs.
Halichoeres semicinctus

Halichoeres semicinctus

Rock wrasse

Common921 obs.
Haemorhous mexicanus

Haemorhous mexicanus

House Finch

Common884 obs.
Melozone crissalis

Melozone crissalis

California Towhee

Common882 obs.
Apis mellifera

Apis mellifera

Western Honey Bee

Occasional849 obs.
Calypte anna

Calypte anna

Anna's Hummingbird

Occasional793 obs.
Larus occidentalis

Larus occidentalis

Western Gull

Occasional761 obs.
Hypsypops rubicundus

Hypsypops rubicundus

garibaldi

Occasional744 obs.
Otospermophilus beecheyi

Otospermophilus beecheyi

California ground squirrel

Occasional703 obs.
Buteo jamaicensis

Buteo jamaicensis

Red-tailed Hawk

Rare683 obs.
Sayornis nigricans

Sayornis nigricans

black phoebe

Rare679 obs.

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Natural Areas & Wildlife Locations in San Diego County

Explore 145 documented locations in San Diego County, California. Each area offers unique wildlife viewing opportunities with varying biodiversity levels.

🌿 High Biodiversity Hotspots (19 locations)

San Diego

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

San Diego County

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Carlsbad

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Oceanside

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Escondido

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Chula Vista

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

San Marcos

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Coronado

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Poway

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Encinitas

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Del Mar

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Vista

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

La Mesa

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

National City

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Santee

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Imperial Beach

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Solana Beach

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

North Island

Near Coronado

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton

A significant biodiversity area with 100 documented species. This location offers excellent wildlife viewing across multiple habitat types and seasons.

100
species

🦅 Wildlife Viewing Areas (20 locations)

Lake Murray Reservoir

Near San Diego

A productive wildlife area hosting 90 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking diverse wildlife experiences.

90
species

El Cajon

A productive wildlife area hosting 88 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking diverse wildlife experiences.

88
species

Vacation Isle

Near San Diego

A productive wildlife area hosting 63 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking diverse wildlife experiences.

63
species

Lake Hodges

A productive wildlife area hosting 59 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking diverse wildlife experiences.

59
species

Kumeyaay Lake

A productive wildlife area hosting 53 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking diverse wildlife experiences.

53
species

Loveland Reservoir

A productive wildlife area hosting 52 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking diverse wildlife experiences.

52
species

Fiesta Island

Near San Diego

A productive wildlife area hosting 50 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking diverse wildlife experiences.

50
species

Famosa Slough

A productive wildlife area hosting 49 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

49
species

Pond 23

A productive wildlife area hosting 35 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

35
species

Santee Lake #4

A productive wildlife area hosting 35 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

35
species

John Muir College

Near San Diego

A productive wildlife area hosting 34 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

34
species

University Center

Near San Diego

A productive wildlife area hosting 33 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

33
species

Sweetwater Reservoir

A productive wildlife area hosting 32 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

32
species

Santee Lake #6

A productive wildlife area hosting 27 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

27
species

Pond 20

A productive wildlife area hosting 24 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

24
species

Santee Lake #1

A productive wildlife area hosting 22 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

22
species

Lake Miramar

Near San Diego

A productive wildlife area hosting 22 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

22
species

Lake Poway

Near Poway

A productive wildlife area hosting 22 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

22
species

Lake Cuyamaca

A productive wildlife area hosting 20 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

20
species

Pond 10

A productive wildlife area hosting 20 documented species. Great for nature enthusiasts seeking focused wildlife experiences.

20
species

🌱 Emerging & Specialized Areas (50 locations)

Santee Lake #2

A specialized habitat with 18 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

18
species

Thurgood Marshall College

Near San Diego

A specialized habitat with 18 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

18
species

Agua Hedionda Lagoon

A specialized habitat with 16 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

16
species

Lake Henshaw

A specialized habitat with 16 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

16
species

Pond 10a

A specialized habitat with 15 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

15
species

Pond 12

A specialized habitat with 15 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

15
species

Pond 11

A specialized habitat with 13 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

13
species

Santee Lake #3

A specialized habitat with 13 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

13
species

Enchanted Isle

Near San Diego

A specialized habitat with 12 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

12
species

Eagle Scout Lake

A specialized habitat with 11 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

11
species

Pond 22

A specialized habitat with 11 documented species. Perfect for targeted wildlife observation and unique ecosystem exploration.

11
species

Model Yacht Pond

An emerging wildlife area with 10 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

10
species

Big Laguna Lake

An emerging wildlife area with 8 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

8
species

Pond 15

An emerging wildlife area with 7 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

7
species

Santee Lake #7

An emerging wildlife area with 7 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

7
species

Water Of The Woods

An emerging wildlife area with 7 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

7
species

Lemon Grove

An emerging wildlife area with 7 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

7
species

Chollas Reservoir

Near San Diego

An emerging wildlife area with 7 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

7
species

Discovery Lake

Near San Marcos

An emerging wildlife area with 7 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

7
species

North Campus

Near San Diego

An emerging wildlife area with 7 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

7
species

Pond 14

An emerging wildlife area with 6 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

6
species

Grossmont Reservoir

Near La Mesa

An emerging wildlife area with 6 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

6
species

Doane Pond

An emerging wildlife area with 5 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

5
species

Ski Island

Near San Diego

An emerging wildlife area with 5 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

5
species

Earl Warren College

Near San Diego

An emerging wildlife area with 5 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

5
species

Morena Reservoir

An emerging wildlife area with 5 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

5
species

Science Research Park

Near San Diego

An emerging wildlife area with 5 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

5
species

Whelan Lake

Near Oceanside

An emerging wildlife area with 5 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

5
species

Shepherd Pond (seasonal)

An emerging wildlife area with 4 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

4
species

El Capitan Reservoir

An emerging wildlife area with 4 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

4
species

Lake Jennings

An emerging wildlife area with 4 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

4
species

Sweetwater River

Near Chula Vista

An emerging wildlife area with 4 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

4
species

Buena Vista Lagoon

An emerging wildlife area with 3 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

3
species

Dishwasher Pond

An emerging wildlife area with 3 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

3
species

Olivenhain Reservoir

An emerging wildlife area with 3 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

3
species

Government Island

Near San Diego

An emerging wildlife area with 3 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

3
species

Revelle College

Near San Diego

An emerging wildlife area with 3 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

3
species

Upper Otay Reservoir

An emerging wildlife area with 3 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

3
species

Fenton Pond

An emerging wildlife area with 2 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

2
species

Pond 13

An emerging wildlife area with 2 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

2
species

Dixon Lake

Near Escondido

An emerging wildlife area with 2 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

2
species

Little Laguna Lake

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

Middle Pond

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

Pond 21

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

Sand Hill Pond

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

South Lake

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

Campus Services Complex

Near San Diego

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

Eastlake Reservoir

Near Chula Vista

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

Lake San Marcos

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

San Vicente Reservoir

An emerging wildlife area with 1 species documented. Ideal for discovering less-visited natural spaces.

1
species

📍 Additional Locations (56 locations)

California Vernal Pool

Explore for wildlife potential

Covered Reservoir

Explore for wildlife potential

Covered Reservoir

Explore for wildlife potential

Duck Pond

Explore for wildlife potential

Eagle Peak Pond

Explore for wildlife potential

Eastlake #9 Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Heritage Pond

Explore for wildlife potential

Hollister Pond

Explore for wildlife potential

Hubbert Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Kid's Fishin' Pond (james Louis Baptiste Memorial).

Explore for wildlife potential

Lake Bernardo

Explore for wildlife potential

Lake Virginia

Explore for wildlife potential

Libby Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Mallard Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Manta Rays Pool

Explore for wildlife potential

Mount Helix Reservoir

Explore for wildlife potential

Pacific Isle Pond

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 20a

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 24

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 25

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 26

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 27

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 28

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 29

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 30

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 40

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 41

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 42

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 44

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 45

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 46

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 47

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 48

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 51

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 52

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 53

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond 54

Explore for wildlife potential

Pond On Eastlake Country Club Hole #5

Explore for wildlife potential

Price Center Fountain

Explore for wildlife potential

Ranch #9 Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Ranch #9 Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Turtle And Koi Pond

Explore for wildlife potential

Upper Pond

Explore for wildlife potential

Vineyard #5 Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Lake Oneill

Near Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton
Explore for wildlife potential

Lake Ramona

Explore for wildlife potential

Lake Sutherland

Explore for wildlife potential

Lake Wohlford

Explore for wildlife potential

Los Arboles

Near Escondido
Explore for wildlife potential

Mission Park

Near Escondido
Explore for wildlife potential

Old Escondido

Near Escondido
Explore for wildlife potential

Palo Verde Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

Red Mountain Reservoir

Explore for wildlife potential

San Dieguito Reservoir

Explore for wildlife potential

Westside

Near Escondido
Explore for wildlife potential

Windmill Lake

Explore for wildlife potential

About Wildlife Data

Species counts represent documented wildlife observations from citizen science contributions. Higher counts often indicate areas with diverse habitats, active monitoring, or significant ecological importance. Each location offers unique opportunities to connect with San Diego County's natural heritage.

Favicon Attribution: Graphics from Twemoji by Twitter, Inc and contributors Licensed under CC-BY 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ Source: https://github.com/twitter/twemoji