el dorado nature center

tripbhb

I was born in L.B. Sad to say I waited too long to visit this wonderful place. My wife and I played hooky from our responsibilities to come here. Great trees...water...walkways..and birds and animals. peaceful place right in the middle of sprawl. Good place to get easy exercise and enjoy the walk and nature. Sorry we missed this before...take time from your busy life and take a relaxing walk thru here...no need to travel to the ends of the earth for a little peace.

nycchen

Excellent scenery full of ducks and birds, turtles and rabbits. Lots of shady trees--and not so many shady people.

MarlysS_12

This is a huge park in the heart of an urban area. It costs $5/car Mon-Thurs, $6 on Fri, $7 on Sat-Sun, and $8 on holidays. The fee is per car, so bring your friends and family. If you head for the Nature Center itself, you'll also be next to the Animal Shelter. It's a clean, modern, humane facility. We enjoyed visiting the animals and struggled to remain firm in our resolve not to take one home. Across the parking lot there is a paved, 1/4 mile handicapped accessible path, and a 1 and 2 mile path that's dirt, but fairly easy to walk. (I was in a cast and mostly managed it fine.) There's not a lot of wildlife, mostly ducks, but we did see a cormorant. It's a great place for kids to race around, and there are quite a few benches along the path. We visited in December, but the path is heavily shaded, so it should be comfortable in the summer, too.

Ronrecycle

Along with the Japanese Garden at Cal State Long Beach (free) this is another secret nature hideaway. But it costs $5 or so, which sucks, but it's based on the car, so pack a bunch in one and check it out. There is a 1-mile and 2 mile trail, and a 1/4 mile or so handicapped trail, concrete, for people in wheelchairs.

nanaonabike

It's a sweet place to spend time in nature away from the cars and the hustle of crowds. Walk among the turtles, ducks, squirrels and birds and stop off to sit and enjoy the beautiful trees and plant life.

GlobalGypsy_13

This urban park has a $5.00 parking fee and concrete walkways that work well for strollers and wheelchair access. So birders and lovers beware that quiet and solitude is lacking in this urban oasis.

gojojogo

Very nice walking trails. An escape from the city. Children love to explore this environment. They will be delighted to see turtles and squirrels and insects. There are two lakes, a stream and a small forested area. They also have a visitors center containing educational materials and books and gifts to purchase.

ShannonG164

Quiet nature paths wind amongst tall trees and gurgling streams as dragonflies flit about and birds pass amongst the trees. A relaxing, educational great time. I highly recommended it for outdoorsy types who want to step back from the hustle and bustle, especially with little ones!

TrinaSchoon

The first time at El Dorado Nature Center was such a surprise. I had no idea anything like this lovely spot existed in Long Beach. Beautiful lake with turtles sunning themselves on the rocks, blue heron posing lakeside, trails with native California vegetation. Just a wonderful place for families, for outings with friends or even for solitude to enjoy the quiet and the natural beauty.

mmsjas

El Dorado Nature Center gets better with age. A beautiful place to spend a quiet hour of stress free walking. Quiet, serene, running water, flowers, rabbits, herrons and The Best, the Turtles. Park at the El Dorado Library and take a short walk through the Park and East on Spring Street. Save the Parking Fee and have a great walk. Take the one mile or two mile walk, disabled take the disabled path which is wheelchair accessible. Check the website for great activities during the day and evening. If you Park at the Nature Center, there is a Parking Fee. Once you leave the Center walk to the Animal Shelter and see the animals ready for adoption or just look they are so cute!Maria, Long Beach, Ca .

ChrisB814

....and believe you're in the middle of the wilderness. There are 1 and 2 mile hiking trails that wind through the park, with plenty of wildlife and beautiful scenery to take in. Dogs are not allowed on the nature trail (squirrel territory), and parking is $7 on weekends, so come prepared. Entrance is on the South side of Spring St.

ANonyMouse45

Take the kids for a stroll through authentic nature trails and wildlife. You can't beat the experience. Quiet and remote-feeling but inside the city. Reasonable entrance fee, lots of free parking.

alex21alex

People often thing of Los Angeles as a concrete jungle, a system of freeways, an urban mess and greenery desert. The opposite is true. There are parks and mountains, trees and ponds/lakes. There are dozens of types of birds, hundreds of types of plants, plenty of space, classes, a lake, and lots of natural beauty.Go, see, explore, and go again, and again, and again.

Mamakulaka

My husband and I hike 2 miles here every day except Monday when they are closed. It is an excellent workout with beautiful scenery. We always see squrirrels, egrets, and turtles and enjoy the solitude.