Focus on Activities: Bolsa-Chica Wetlands

Cultural Significance: The Bolsa Chica Wetlands have a rich cultural history that dates back over 8,000 years to the Native Americans. Within the Bolsa Chica wetlands and mesas linger the artifacts and people of early California, with the most impressive find of an 8,000 year old village and burial ground.

The wetlands have become even more important as a second nearby archeological site was lost to housing development. 

Activity: The Bolsa Chica Wetlands are very easy to find and parking is FREE and readily available. 

The beginning of the trail is a little odd as you can enjoy the lush green grass around you, you can see the wetlands and the many birds... but there is also the Pacific Coast Highway to your right, which makes it very difficult to become fully engulfed in your surroundings. As you move deeper into the wetlands, you move further away from civilization and get the full experience. 

Once you get to the end of the main trail, there is a large lookout with photos of the many birds and mammals that are part of the natural habitat of the wetlands. At that point, you have the option of turning right (towards PCH) or left (up the hill). 

If you turn left, you will find these two signs that provide you with information on the indigenous people of the wetlands. 

Tip: Read these signs and start a conversation with your family about what it must have been like to live there 8,000 years ago. What they may have eaten (fish?), how did they live, what were they afraid of? There is a specific artifact found called a "cogged stone". It is not clearly known what they were used for. Maybe you and your family can come up with some ideas!

As you continue to explore, I highly recommend that you continue up the hill and back down into the deepest areas of the wetlands. Between the eerie beauty of the trees popping up out of the water and the sounds of the birds, this is an adventure that you will never forget!