Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge: What to Expect

Please note that this website is in no way affiliated with the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, the Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge non-profit, or the Seal Beach Naval Weapons Station. For more information, visit their website directly: https://sealbeachnwrfriends.org/home/tours-and-visits/

Spanning over 900 acres, the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge provides a vital habitat for a variety of wildlife, including endangered species.

The refuge features a mix of coastal wetlands, salt marshes, mudflats, and uplands, making it an ideal location for migratory birds and other wildlife that thrive in these rare Southern California habitats.

For those interested in exploring the refuge, guided tours are offered once a month, typically on the last Saturday. These tours, offered by the non-profit group Friends of Seal Beach Wildlife Refuge, provide a rare opportunity to access the restricted area, with knowledgeable guides leading visitors through the ecosystems and highlighting the rich diversity of plant and animal life.

The tour usually lasts about two hours and is free of charge, but advanced reservations are required due to limited space and security requirements. You must be a US citizen to attend.

The general format of the tour is as follows:

Meet in the parking lot in front of the Naval Weapons Station (parking is free)
You will be shuttled to the Friends of Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge building (~5 minute ride)
There is a short tour of Shirley’s Garden, which contains many plants native to California
Then, you will watch a short film on the history of the refuge
Then, you are taken to an observation point where you have the opportunity to view the environment and see a few artifacts
You are shuttled back to the parking lot