Published: Oct 10, 2013 | 09:00 AM

Fall is a Great Time to Visit the Marsh

When was the last time you visited the Irvine Ranch Water District’s San Joaquin Marsh? There is no better time than the present to visit this best kept secret in Irvine.

The Marsh is a reconstructed wetlands designed to clean urban runoff from San Diego Creek before it reaches environmentally sensitive Upper Newport Bay. Besides enhancing water quality, the Marsh provides a home to some 230 species of birds and other wildlife in a park-like setting.

Additionally, the Marsh contains 12 miles of meandering hiking trails on 320 acres and is open 365 days a year, dawn to dusk. Best of all, the Marsh is free.

Visitors are encourages to bring binoculars for bird watching. But there are other animals that might be seen, such as bobcats, rabbits, squirrels, field mice and rats. The small rodent population is kept in check by the predatory animals and birds of prey.

The Marsh is located off Campus Drive near University Drive, on Riparian View. Follow Riparian View to the end of the pavement and into the parking lot.

For more information on the Marsh, please visit our website.