Lake Henshaw Scenic Overlook
by TourGuideTimLocation: Santa Ysabel (75 Miles / 1.25 Hours Northeast of Downtown San Diego)
Hours: Always Open
Cost: Free
Features: One of the top Birding Spots in San Diego overlooking the local mountains, grasslands, and Lake Henshaw.
Lake Henshaw Scenic Overlook Highlights: The Lake Henshaw Overlook is a favorite spot for birds of prey. A thermal updraft provides warm ascending air allowing large birds to ‘float’ with minimal effort as they eye their prey in the grasslands below. (It also means you will find the lookout point a bit windy.)
The scenic overlook is quite popular for raptors during the winter months. The area is surrounded by the Cleveland National Forest providing a quiet refuge for the birds. Large displays describe the type of birds you may see in the area. They include Turkey Vultures, White-Tailed Kites, Ferruginous Hawks, Northern Harriers, Cooper’s Hawks, Swainson’s Hawks, Red-Tailed Hawks, Red-Shouldered Hawks, Golden Eagles, Bald Eagles, American Kestrels, Prarie Falcons, and Peregrine Falcons.
Even without the birds, the views of the landscape from this quiet spot are worth the visit, especially if you are visiting nearby attractions such as Warner Springs Resort, Lake Henshaw Resort, Palomar Observatory and the Himalaya Tourmaline Mine.
Information on Visiting the Lake Henshaw Overlook
Directions from Google Maps to the intersection of East Grade Road and Henshaw Road in Santa Ysabel, CA 92070. Continue north from this intersection up East Grade Road. You will see large signs for the overlook on your right side one mile north of the intersection.
Traffic – The Lake Henshaw Overlook is in a remote area of well-paved two lane roads. Don’t plan on much traffic unless you get stuck behind a slow vehicle but do plan for driving up hills and around curves to reach the Lake Henhaw Overlook.
Transit – There is no transit service to the Lake Henshaw Overlook.
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