Stand on the Grand Avenue overlook, and you rapidly get a
glimpse of the wildlife species that probably populated the San
Dieguito Lagoon centuries ago. As the tide flows in, California
corbina, mullet and other fish flow with the onrush of seawater.
Fiddler crabs congregate on the muddy shoreline as cliff
swallows dart above. A snowy egret silently glides by. The
overlook at Grand Avenue, off San Dieguito Road a few hundred
yards south of the Del Mar Fairgrounds, is part of a growing
network of trails and observation platforms at the restored
lagoon. Rangers with the San Dieguito River Park have a simple
message for the public: Please, stay on the trails and out of
sensitive habitat. As the $86 million restoration of the San
Dieguito Lagoon and surrounding wetlands nears completion,
people are beginning to flood into the area to explore the
wetlands off designated trails, fish and even kayak. All are
prohibited and could result in hefty fines, rangers say. Hikers
must also keep their dogs on leashes. Rangers