National wildlife refuge

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is a 19,000-acre national wildlife refuge in Sonoma County, California, established in 1974, run by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. There is no entrance fee. It is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

Check current closures and fire restrictions for San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge on the managing agency's own page.

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge map

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge boundary from USGS PAD-US or the managing agency, simplified for display. Not for navigation or legal boundaries.

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Fire restrictions

Fire restrictions change with the season and can start or lift within days. Check the current orders for this area before any campfire, stove, smoking, target shooting or off-road driving.

Common questions

: Yes. San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.
: No. There is no entrance fee at San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.
: Yes. Hunting is allowed on San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.
: Yes. Fishing is allowed on San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.
: Yes. Dogs are allowed on San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge on a leash. Leashed pets allowed on signed trails and roads unless posted otherwise.

Hours, fees, and visitor center

San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge is open from sunrise to sunset, year-round.

There is no entrance fee at San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge.

San Francisco Bay NWR Complex HeadquartersOff the refuge, in town.1 Marshlands Road, Fremont, CA

What visitors do here: an auto tour route, birding, environmental education, fishing, hiking, hunting, photography, wildlife viewing.

Sources: fws.gov/refuge/san-pablo-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29; fws.gov/refuge/san-pablo-bay, checked 2026-09-28.

Wildlife

BirdMigratory birds

Hunting

Hunting is allowed on San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge for waterfowl and upland game birds. Where, per the refuge: Follow refuge-specific regulations and state seasons; see refuge hunting page. Seasons, limits and methods are set by the refuge regulation and Nevada Department of Wildlife rules, which change every year: read them before you go.

Hunting rules for San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge

Source: fws.gov/refuge/san-pablo-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.

Fishing and boating

Fishing is allowed on San Pablo Bay National Wildlife Refuge with a Nevada fishing license. Where, per the refuge: Allowed only in designated areas per refuge fishing page.

Source: fws.gov/refuge/san-pablo-bay/visit-us, checked 2026-09-29.