Sweetwater Marsh Unit
An elevated observation platform at the Living Coast Discovery Center provides impressive views of the surrounding salt marsh habitat. Wildlife activity within Paradise Marsh and the F&G Street Marsh can be observed from the public right-of-way that abuts these areas, such as the Bayshore Bikeway or nearby National City Marina.
South San Diego Bay Unit
The Bayshore Bikeway provides the best wildlife viewing opportunities. An observation deck is also located along the Silver Strand on HWY 75. This is also a great spot to view the new breach completed in August 2011 during the Western Salt Pond Restoration Project.  In November 2012, a beautiful outdoor educational sitting area was constructed at the site of "Habitat Heroes" at the north end of 13th Street in Imperial Beach, complete with a viewing scope.

Sweetwater Marsh Unit 

Programs are conducted in partnerships with the Living Coast Discovery Center, National City, several school districts, and various nonprofit organizations. The Refuge provides the outdoor classroom for this program where students study topics such as the tides, water quality, native vegetation, and birds. The Discovery Center also conducts weekly docent-lead nature hikes along the trail system on Gunpowder Point.  

South San Diego Bay Unit 
The South San Diego Bay Unit provides the site for the Habitat Heroes environmental education program. This program provides students from nearby elementary schools to participate in a program that focuses on two significant threats to coastal wetland habitat quality: invasive plant species and storm water pollution. The outdoor components of this program are conducted on the upland areas along the southern boundary of the Refuge Unit, at the end of 13th Street in Imperial Beach.  In the winter, the only opportunity to be on the interior levees of the refuge is during the "Salt Pond Nature Tours" operated in partnership with the San Diego Audubon Society. Please check the event calendar.

The primary bicycle facility in the South Bay is the Bayshore Bikeway, a 26-mile bicycle facility constructed around San Diego Bay. This bikeway consists of combination of bicycle paths, lanes and routes providing convenient and scenic bicycle transportation around the bay. In the vicinity of the Sweetwater Marsh Unit, a segment of the Bayshore Bikeway was recently completed that provides off-road bicycle access from National City, near Pepper Park, to E Street in Chula Vista, skirting around the eastern edge of the Refuge.

Sweetwater Marsh Unit 

South San Diego Bay Unit
Currently, a wonderful boardwalk complete with artistic and interpretive elements, called the "Bayside Birding and Walking Trail" is being designed.  This 0.4 mile trail will extend along the Southern end of the Bayshore Bikeway, from 7th Street to 10th Street in Imperial Beach. It will be wheelchair accessible, and is expected to be completed by 2013.

Hunting is not currently permitted on the San Diego Bay NWR. Within the San Diego County region, waterfowl hunting is currently offered seasonally at Barrett Lake and Lake Sutherland, both operated by the City of San Diego. Opportunities for upland game hunting are available within the California Department of Fish and Game’s San Felipe Valley Wildlife Area and Boden Canyon Ecological Reserve, as well as within portions of the Cleveland National Forest.

Sweetwater Marsh Unit 

Fishing is not permitted within the Sweetwater Marsh Unit, although significant fishing opportunities are available immediately adjacent to the Refuge in San Diego South San Diego Bay Unit.

South San Diego Bay Unit 

The closest fishing piers to the Refuge are located at Pepper Park in National City and Bayside Park in Chula Vista.  

Sweetwater Marsh Unit  

Within the Sweetwater Marsh Unit, open water is limited to the channels that meander 
through the marsh habitat. These waters are currently closed to boating or kayaking. 
South San Diego Bay Unit 
The shallow water depths in this Unit range from 1 - 6 feet at low tide, which limits the type of boats used in this area. No boat ramps are provided on the Refuge. However, public boat ramps are available in Chula Vista at Bayfront Park, near the Chula Vista Marina, and in National City at Pepper Park. Marinas located in proximity to the Refuge include the Chula Vista Marina with 552 slips, the Loew’s Crown Isle Marina with 80 slips, and two marinas in the Coronado Cays that together provide 756 slips.