Santee Recreational Lakes

 

Santee Recreational Lakes is a 190-acrea privately owned park and campground run by the Padre Dam Municipal Water District. The park is made up of seven lakes that are filled with recycled water from a water treatment plant nearby. There is plenty of parking along the loop road that runs around the property. Lakes 1-6 have flat paved concrete sidewalks next to the roadway. 

Dogs are not allowed in the day use area of the park. Between Lakes 6 and 7 in the north there is a limited  dog walk area accessible on the west side. 

The campground offers cabin rentals and RV sites for pricing and availability check there site 

I originally found out about the Santee Recreational Lakes through the Palomar Audubon Society website. I was looking for birding groups in my area and joined them on a walk of Santee Lakes. I have since been pack many times on my own and have scene a variety of both native and transient birds at the lakes. 

Lower Otay Lake Reservoir Boat Launch Area

2165 Wueste Road

Chula Vista, CA 91915

Things to do: Birding, walking, bike riding, fishing, boating

The gate to the Lower Otay Lake Reservoir Boat Launch area is open Saturday and Sunday sunrise to sunset and on some Wednesdays see website for current schedule. In addition to the boat launch and floating pier for fisherman, there are walking and biking trails that start from north west corner of the parking lot. The condition of the trails ranges from gravel road, dirt path to muddy and slippery paths if it has recently rained. 

The main service road is made up of crushed gravel and it meanders from the boat launch parking lot to the skull boat house, which is closed to the public. You will find smaller dirt trails that depart the service road in all directions. Some dirt paths make their way up towards Wueste Road while others head to towards the lake shoreline. For the most part the trail is open and exposed to the sun. There are no water fountains. Keep yourself and dog if applicable well hydrated. Dogs on leash are permitted on trails. 

Zoo & Animal Rehabilitation at Big Bear Lake , CA

Big Bear Alpine Zoo

Website: https://bigbearzoo.org

The Big Bear Alpine Zoo (formally Moonridge Animal Park) opened its doors in 1959 after a devastating wildfire roared through the San Bernardino National Forest. Originally, it was not a zoo, but a safe place for injured animals to rehabilitate and get a second chance back in the wild. For some, returning to the wild was not an option as they had been imprinted by their human caretakers or were too injured to take care of themselves. The first animals in the zoo’s care were a black bear and two bobcats.

In 1960, a 50 year lease was obtained and allowed the zoo to grow to be the zoological facility that it is today. The zoo is currently home to animals and birds representing over 85 species and is located in San Bernardino County, the largest County in the contiguous United States. Our primary objective is to rescue, rehabilitate and release wild animals. The Big Bear Alpine Zoo is the “go to” facility for injured and imprinted animals. Local, county, state and federal entities as well as other non-profit organizations and the public turn to the Big Bear Alpine Zoo to help animals in need.

Photo Tip: Bring the fastest zoom lens you have in your kit. The animal enclosures are ringed with chainlink fencing and nylon netting to prevent predators from attacking injured and recovering animals as well as preventing escape for those unable to be released. A lens with a fast aperture of f4 or f2.8 will be able to focus past the  barrier.