Facilities

The Carpinteria Salt Marsh, also known as El Estero, is a rare salt wetland in Southern California. Nearly destroyed by development, the remaining estuary was restored in the late 1990s by a group of concerned citizens along with the City of Carpinteria, UCSB and the Land Trust for Santa Barbara County. Once completed in 1997, the eight acre portion of the marsh owned by the City of Carpinteria was renamed the Carpinteria Salt Marsh Nature Park.

The park includes walking trails and interpretive signage that provides for casual self-guided tours of the reserve. If preferred, docent led tours are held at 10 a.m. on Saturdays year round free of charge. Tours meet at the park main entrance and sign. To schedule a private tour, please email Carp_Parks@yahoo.com.

The Carpinteria Salt Marsh is home to hundreds of migrating birds and other wildlife. Due to the sensitivity of the habitat, dogs and bicycle riding are prohibited here.