2026 San Diego Bird Festival Trips
*Subject to change*
Full listing of the San Diego Bird Festival trips for 2026 listed by day. Hover over a title to reveal basic trip details. Click through to view full details.
101
Wed 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
How to Festival
102
Wed 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Hours
103
Wed 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Happy Hour at the Uncommon Saloon, sponsored by Vortex
104
Wed 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Live Painting Demo
105
Wed 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Low Tide Estuary Walk
106
Wed 4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Opening Reception
107
Wed 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
San Diego Bird Festival Opening Keynote with Jason Hall
201
Thu 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Breakfast
202
Thu 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Lunch Pickup
203
Thu 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Birding the Border I with Red Hill Birding
204
Thu 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
100 or More I with Sabrewing Nature Tours
205
Thu 6:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Dancing with Grebes Bus Trip
206
Thu 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Birding the Border II
207
Thu 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM
North County Birding Hotspots
208
Thu 6:30 AM - 3:30 PM
100 or More II
209
Thu 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Rocky Shores
210
Thu 7:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Cabrillo/Point Loma
211
Thu 8:00 AM - 9:30 AM
Flock Printing: Bird-Inspired Block Printing Workshop
212
Thu 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tecolote Canyon Walk
213
Thu 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Birding for Beginners Day 1: What is a Bird and what makes You a Birder?
214
Thu 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Birding by Bike
215
Thu 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Birding by Bike (BYOBike)
216
Thu 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Short Walk at San Elijo Lagoon
217
Thu 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Walk, Roll and Stroll: Accessible Birding Outing
218
Thu 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Famosa Slough
219
Thu 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Kayak Trip Mission Bay
220
Thu 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Walk with Swarovski Optik
221
Thu 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Birding Beyond Binoculars: A Nature Journaling Masterclass- Classroom component
222
Thu 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Tree Trek- Balboa Park
223
Thu 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
Gulls for Everyone with Jason Hall
224
Thu 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
A Walk with the Raptors from Sky Falconry
225
Thu 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM
Pelagic Birding: Know Before You Go
226
Thu 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Photographing Birds in Flight
227
Thu 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Birding Beyond Binoculars: A Nature Journaling Masterclass- Field trip component
228
Thu 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Hours
229
Thu 1:45 PM - 5:00 PM
Short Pelagic Trip with Swarovski Optik
230
Thu 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Principles and Pifalls with Kenn Kaufman
231
Thu 2:30 PM - 4:00 PM
The Latest and Greatest Spotting Scopes with Swarovski Optik
232
Thu 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Happy Hour at the Uncommon Saloon, sponsored by Vortex
233
Thu 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Kimberly Kaufman program TBD
234
Thu 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Low Tide Estuary Walk
235
Thu 4:30 PM - 6:00 PM
The Amazing World of Shorebirds
237
Thu 1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Gulls for Everyone Field Trip
238
Thu 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
El Monte Park
301
Fri 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Breakfast
302
Fri 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Lunch Pickup
303
Fri 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
Sunrise Bird Photography at Santee Lakes with Alexander Eisengart
304
Fri 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Birding the Border I with Red Hill Birding
305
Fri 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
100 or More I with Sabrewing Nature Tours
306
Fri 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Hawk Alley with Rockjumper Worldwide Expeditions
307
Fri 6:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Dancing with Grebes Bus Trip
308
Fri 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Birding the Border II
309
Fri 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM
North County Birding Hotspots
310
Fri 6:30 AM - 3:30 PM
100 or More II
311
Fri 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Rocky Shores
312
Fri 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Pelagic Trip with Swarovski Optik
313
Fri 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Photo Stroll at La Jolla Cove with the SDBA Photo Club
314
Fri 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tecolote Canyon Walk
315
Fri 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Drawing Birds as Living Animals with David Stump- a two part workshop- part 1
316
Fri 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Birding for Beginners Day 2: How Birds Vary
317
Fri 8:30 AM - 11:00 AM
Kayak Trip South Bay
318
Fri 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Birding by Bike
319
Fri 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Birding by Bike (BYOBike)
320
Fri 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Short Walk at San Elijo Lagoon
321
Fri 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Famosa Slough
322
Fri 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Walk with Swarovski Optik
323
Fri 10:30 AM - 12:00 PM
The Art and Science of Bird Photography
324
Fri 10:30 AM - 12:30 PM
A Walk with the Raptors from Sky Falconry
325
Fri 12:30 PM - 1:30 PM
Lightroom 101
326
Fri 1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Hours
327
Fri 1:30 PM - 2:30 PM
Wake Up and Smell the Conservation!
328
Fri 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Movie screening: the Hawkwatch Documentary
329
Fri 2:45 PM - 6:00 PM
Sunset Bird Photography at San Elijo with Alexander Eisengart
330
Fri 3:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Nature Sketching with Desiree Hanau
331
Fri 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Happy Hour at the Uncommon Saloon, sponsored by Vortex
332
Fri 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Low Tide Estuary Walk
333
Fri 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Birdsong to Brushstroke: Birding to Fuel Art & Creativity
334
Fri 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Bird Photography Beginning Tips with OM System
337
Fri 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Bird Joy! Birding with Dexter Patterson and Jason Hall
401
Sat 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Breakfast
402
Sat 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Lunch Pickup
403
Sat 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Birding the Border I with Red Hill Birding
404
Sat 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Salton Sea Overnight Trip- Saturday-Sunday
405
Sat 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Salton Sea Overnight Trip- Saturday-Sunday- Single Supplement
406
Sat 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
100 or More I with Sabrewing Nature Tours
407
Sat 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Hawk Alley with Rockjumper Worldwide Expeditions
408
Sat 6:15 AM - 9:30 AM
Sunrise Bird Photography at Mission Trails with Alexander Eisengart
409
Sat 6:15 AM - 11:00 AM
Dancing with Grebes Bus Trip
410
Sat 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Birding the Border with the Kaufmans
411
Sat 6:30 AM - 3:30 PM
100 or More II
412
Sat 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Pelagic Trip with Swarovski Optik
413
Sat 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Rancho Jamul
414
Sat 8:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Olivia Canyon
415
Sat 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tecolote Canyon Walk
416
Sat 8:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Drawing Birds as Living Animals with David Stump- a two part workshop- part 2
417
Sat 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
The Big Sit
418
Sat 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Binoculars and Optics Show and Tell with Land, Sea and Sky
419
Sat 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Birding by Bike
420
Sat 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Birding by Bike (BYOBike)
421
Sat 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Birding with WorldBeat Center at Chollas Lake
422
Sat 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Walk, Roll and Stroll: Accessible Birding Outing
423
Sat 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Famosa Slough
424
Sat 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Kayak Trip in Mission Bay with Habitat Restoration on West Ski Island
425
Sat 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Walk with Swarovski Optik
426
Sat 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Tree Trek- Kate Sessions Park
427
Sat 10:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Live Painting Demo
428
Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Painting miniatures with Off The Shelf Games
429
Sat 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM
Wingspan Tournament
430
Sat 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Hours
431
Sat 10:30 AM - 11:15 AM
Light Pollution and its Harmful Impact on Birds
432
Sat 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Community Conservation and Ecotourism Initiatives in Uganda
433
Sat 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
The Wonders of Birding in Portugal & Spain
434
Sat 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Birding for Beginners Day 3: Birds and Habitat
435
Sat 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Argentina, 1000 Birds and More!
436
Sat 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
Birding in Thailand, Egypt and Sri Lanka
437
Sat 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Birds, Butterflies and Biodiversity of Mexico
438
Sat 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
What's new at the ABA?
439
Sat 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
How Focal Length Affects Your Photography
440
Sat 3:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Happy Hour at the Uncommon Saloon, sponsored by Vortex
441
Sat 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Birds & More - Photo Journey through Scotland and Ireland
442
Sat 3:30 PM - 4:30 PM
Low Tide Estuary Walk
443
Sat 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Canopy Tower title tbd
444
Sat 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Flocking Together--A Journey to Save Species and Spaces
445
Sat 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM
Kite Optics title tbd
448
Sun 7:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Rancho Jamul
501
Sun 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Breakfast
502
Sun 5:30 AM - 7:30 AM
Lunch Pickup
503
Sun 6:00 AM - 9:00 AM
The Art and Science of Bird Photography Field Session
504
Sun 6:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Birding the Border I with Red Hill Birding
505
Sun 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
100 or More I with Sabrewing Nature Tours
506
Sun 6:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Hawk Alley with Rockjumper Worldwide Expeditions
507
Sun 6:30 AM - 2:30 PM
Birding the Border II
508
Sun 6:30 AM - 3:30 PM
100 or More II
509
Sun 7:00 AM - 10:15 AM
Dancing with Grebes-Meet You There version
510
Sun 7:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Rocky Shores
511
Sun 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Pelagic Trip with Swarovski Optik
512
Sun 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Tecolote Canyon Walk
513
Sun 8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Nature Journaling with Christina Baal or Drawing 10,000 Birds
514
Sun 8:30 AM - 11:00 PM
Kayak Trip South Bay
515
Sun 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Birding by Bike
516
Sun 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Birding by Bike (BYOBike)
517
Sun 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Famosa Slough
519
Sun 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM
Walk with Swarovski Optik
520
Sun 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM
Accessible Bird Outing at Ventura/Bonita Cove
521
Sun 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM
Exhibit Hall Hours
524
Sun 11:15 AM - 12:00 PM
Stump the 2026 Festival Keynotes
526
Sun 12:30 PM - 1:00 PM
Let's Talk Parrots!
527
Sun 12:45 PM - 1:15 PM
Learn How to Draw a Bird
528
Sun 1:15 PM - 1:45 PM
If You Love Birds, You've Got To Love Bugs!
530
Sun 2:00 PM - 2:30 PM
Avian Aces with Avian Behavior Conservancy
531
Sun 2:30 PM - 3:00 PM
Music TBD and Bird Day Cake in the Courtyard
532
Sun 3:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Target Trip Planning Discussion
533
Sun 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM
Festival After Hours: Extremely Accurate Bird Songs with Tommy Siegel and Billy Libby