Plan Ahead for Tour Through Seal Beach Wildlife Refuge and Native Plant Garden

On the last Saturday of every month, visitors can see a rare part of California—a Wildlife Refuge at the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge and Native Plant Garden.

“Space is limited, and advanced reservations are necessary,” the National Wildlife Refuge website stated.

The Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is located within the Naval Weapons Station of Seal Beach, at the northwestern most corner of Orange County and Los Angeles County.

“Due to the military mission of storing and handling ordinance (munitions), the Refuge is closed to the public except during special events and escorted tours, held on the last Saturday of the of the month,” the website states.

U.S. Citizens, only, are invited to attend the monthly walking tours.

Friends of the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, and Refuge staff lead tours through the wetlands, set apart to protect the sensitive migrant waterfowl, shorebirds and other water birds who live on the 965-acre refuge.

Inside, saltwater marsh that is the remnant of the Anaheim Bay estuary.

“This reserve is a critical stopover and wintering habitat for thousands of migratory birds every year,” according to the website.

Visitors to the wildlife refuge can see peregrine falcons, ospreys, gray smooth-hound sharks, round stingrays and green sea turtles. Butterflies to microscopic invertebrates call this wetland home.

The monthly walking tours led by the Friends of the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge include a rare view of these creatures that call the wetland home. Tours are different monthly and by season. Summer to fall, there is a good chance of seeing unique marine life here.

"Small rays and sharks may swim in the protected waters of the Refuge during the summer and fall months after the water has warmed," the website states. "Past observations include smooth greyhound sharks, leopard sharks, round stingrays, and even a bat ray."

Guests are docent guided, taken to interpretive stations and taught about bird identification, marsh creatures, and the native plants that grow in the wetlands. Special tours can be arranged.

Volunteer opportunities are also available through the Friends of the Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge. Inquire over their website.

When you go, be sure to plan your visit a month in advance.

“Reservations for June 25 are already sold out,” a volunteer stated.

If you wish to be placed on the list for July, visitors need to apply by the Wednesday before the event by calling the reservations line (562) 598-1024.

The main gate is 800 Seal Beach Boulevard. Tours begin at 8:30 a.m., and conclude at 11:30 a.m.

Comfortable walking shoes, hat, and binoculars are recommended. For more information, visit: https://www.fws.gov/refuge/Sea...