Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center - Calipatria, California

Address: 906 W Sinclair Rd, Calipatria, CA 92233.
Phone: 603485278.
Website: fws.gov.
Specialties: Nature preserve, Tourist attraction, Wildlife refuge.
Other points of interest: Wheelchair accessible entrance, Wheelchair accessible parking lot, Hiking, Picnic tables, Public restroom, Good for kids, Dogs allowed.
Opinions: This company has 374 reviews on Google My Business.
Average opinion: 4.1/5.

Location of Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

603485278

The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is a must-visit destination for nature lovers and tourists in Calipatria, California. Located at Address: 906 W Sinclair Rd, Calipatria, CA 92233, this attraction is home to a variety of wildlife and offers a range of activities for visitors to enjoy.

One of the standout features of the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is its nature preserve. Here, visitors can explore the unique and diverse habitats of the area, including the Salton Sea itself, which is a major stopover for migratory birds along the Pacific Flyway. The refuge is also home to a wide variety of other wildlife, including desert tortoises, coyotes, and bobcats.

In addition to its natural attractions, the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center also offers a number of amenities for visitors. The center is wheelchair accessible, with a wheelchair accessible entrance and parking lot. There are also hiking trails for visitors to explore, as well as picnic tables and a public restroom. The refuge is a great place for kids, with plenty of opportunities for them to learn about and interact with nature. Dogs are also allowed at the refuge, making it a great destination for families with pets.

The Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center has received rave reviews from visitors, with 374 reviews on Google My Business and an average opinion of 4.1/5. Visitors have praised the center for its beautiful scenery, friendly staff, and range of activities.

Overall, the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center is a must-visit destination for anyone looking to explore the natural beauty of the Calipatria area. With its diverse habitats, range of activities, and convenient amenities, the refuge is sure to provide a memorable experience for visitors of all ages.

If you're interested in learning more about the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center, be sure to check out its website. Here, you'll find more information about the refuge's history, wildlife, and activities, as well as details on how to plan your visit. Don't miss out on this unique and exciting destination – contact the Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center today

Reviews of Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center

Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge Visitor Center - Calipatria, California

Josh Kennedy

5/5

Very interesting spot out in the wilds of non-urban Southern California. The visitor center is currently staffed by a pair of fantastic volunteers. I recommend calling ahead to make sure the VC is open as the hours-days on the website are not quite correct.

Valérie Lent

5/5

The visitor center had excellent displays and very friendly volunteers. When we visited last week, in January, the trail was closed for repairs., but you can still see a few birds from the top of the stairway, and around the visitor center where they have bird feeders.

Benjamin Meyer

2/5

Very long drive to get to. Has limited wildlife viewing unless you have binoculars or scope. Saw snow geese, pelicans and several duck species. Can be dry, hot and buggy if there is no breeze. Ongoing restoration work may make for better conditions in several years.

Stephanie Ross

3/5

Salton Sea is a sad place and the industrialization in this area makes the surroundings unpleasant to the nose and eyes, but the birds were terrific. The nearby Obsidian Butte offered a closer view of the sea, and some interesting rock formations.

Gretchen Mominee

5/5

I visited on a Saturday in early January, and spoke with Brandiele, a volunteer in the visitor center. She was very helpful and knowledgeable and gave me a lot of good information. I didn’t have much time, but walked a bit and saw a number of snow geese flying, a couple of egrets, and several quail near the visitor center. It’s a beautiful place and I hope to get back when I have more time.

gloria Leal

5/5

Awesome place to watch birds and relax. I’m from Imperial County and visit this place several times a year, wish more local families visit this incredible place. Most of the times this bird refuge is empty, mostly visited by photographers and nature lovers. Just visited the refuge las Saturday, April 4, the weather was perfect, all green. I went back to the Refuge on April 21 and took the photos attached.

Gloria Leal

5/5

Best hours to visit: 7:00 to 12:00 noon during spring and summer, too hot after these hours; during winter add the hours from 3:00 to 6 pm if this time works better for you. In November the weather in Imperial County tends to be warm especially after noon. Wear light color clothes and take at least 2 bottles of water. The place is never closed, even when it says "temporarily closed" due to Covid, the reality is that you will always find it open, bathrooms are also left open, and there is always plenty of toilet paper and hand sanitizer. Bring something to eat, there are a couple of picnic tables at the entrance of the place. The place is mainly visited by nature lovers and bird photographers that are not local residents. The place is so quiet that you can even do some yoga, just don't forget your mat. You can also visit the mud volcanoes, about 5 minutes distance from Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge. Photos below were taken during my visit of Nov 22, 2020

David Partridge

5/5

The best months to visit Sonny Bono Salton Sea National Wildlife Refuge are January and February. There are thousands of migratory birds here and at nearby crop fields that the birds may be foraging at during the day.

At the Visitor Center there is a Viewing Tower with a good vantage point of the refuge and normally a number of birds within sight. They have restrooms and drinking water available at the Visitor Center. From here there are several trails that go along the canals and other wetlands of the shores of the Salton Sea.

The Rock Hill Trail takes you up a small mountain with great views of the lake and the surrounding area. Lots of signage telling you what type of birds you may see.