El Dorado Nature Center

This place is magical. I can't tell you how many times I said, "Wow!" Parking is kind of expensive, but if this is the experience it supports, it's fine. We brought lunch to eat there. There's no food allowed inside, which makes sense, but at the end of the parking lot is a large lawn and shaded picnic tables. It was the perfect place to enjoy our food and then head in. The restroom building is also there. There are no restrooms inside! Go with enough time to slow down, enjoy the views, breathe in the air, and unwind. This place is a gem.

A great family spot to come for a nice walk and be immersed in a bit of nature! We had a great time identifying birds and squirrels. There are lots of signs and seating areas and everyone there was friendly. The parking was rough but when you enter you can also make a right and park in a long line of cars which I felt was easier than fighting for parking in the main lot. It is a great play to spend a free Saturday morning!

Wonderful place for a walk. $7 parking on weekdays. $8 parking on weekends. No pets, no food, no collecting. Fair enough. Let's keep this place clean.

I've been meaning to go here for years. The trails are really easy and people had strollers on them. They were nice, quiet, and extremely shady. Visit the animal shelter while you're there and see the cute kittens and dogs waiting to be adopted.

Every year there is a Halloween Festival and there are exhibits. I go to help out with the Long Beach Beekeepers Club each year. We bring more nature to the El Dorado Nature Center! Kids seem to love Bees 🐝🐝🐝

I love to come here with my fiance and take a walk that is close to home and feels like you far away from the city. Come to relax, meditate, read a book, or bring the kids. As a photographerI love coming to take some unique nature photos. Be aware that photoshoots are not allowed in the park.

$6 entrance to enter the park. No food on trail and don't feed those cute creatures. After the bridge, 1 mile easy path to the right. 2 miles dirt trail to the left. Did both. Spring blossom wild flowers. Tranquility away from the city a bit. Squirrels came to us waiting for food but we can't feed them. Take notices of trees growing weird and wild, abstract art.

Great place to relax by little stream or to hike with family and friends. Shady and quiet with the chance of dragonflies, turtles and squirrels.

This place is magical. I can't tell you how many times I said, "Wow!" Parking is kind of expensive, but if this is the experience it supports, it's fine. We brought lunch to eat there. There's no food allowed inside, which makes sense, but at the end of the parking lot is a large lawn and shaded picnic tables. It was the perfect place to enjoy our food and then head in. The restroom building is also there. There are no restrooms inside! Go with enough time to slow down, enjoy the views, breathe in the air, and unwind. This place is a gem.

A great family spot to come for a nice walk and be immersed in a bit of nature! We had a great time identifying birds and squirrels. There are lots of signs and seating areas and everyone there was friendly. The parking was rough but when you enter you can also make a right and park in a long line of cars which I felt was easier than fighting for parking in the main lot. It is a great play to spend a free Saturday morning!

Wonderful place for a walk. $7 parking on weekdays. $8 parking on weekends. No pets, no food, no collecting. Fair enough. Let's keep this place clean.

I've been meaning to go here for years. The trails are really easy and people had strollers on them. They were nice, quiet, and extremely shady. Visit the animal shelter while you're there and see the cute kittens and dogs waiting to be adopted.

Every year there is a Halloween Festival and there are exhibits. I go to help out with the Long Beach Beekeepers Club each year. We bring more nature to the El Dorado Nature Center! Kids seem to love Bees 🐝🐝🐝

I love to come here with my fiance and take a walk that is close to home and feels like you far away from the city. Come to relax, meditate, read a book, or bring the kids. As a photographerI love coming to take some unique nature photos. Be aware that photoshoots are not allowed in the park.

$6 entrance to enter the park. No food on trail and don't feed those cute creatures. After the bridge, 1 mile easy path to the right. 2 miles dirt trail to the left. Did both. Spring blossom wild flowers. Tranquility away from the city a bit. Squirrels came to us waiting for food but we can't feed them. Take notices of trees growing weird and wild, abstract art.

Great place to relax by little stream or to hike with family and friends. Shady and quiet with the chance of dragonflies, turtles and squirrels.

The trail was beautiful. It was nice to have options of what distance of trail we wanted to walk. Great for small kids and older people.

I used to walk here regularly when I lived nearby bc I had the annual pass. Now that I live further away, I haven't had the chance to visit as often as I like to but fortunately, I was in the area & I stopped by today to get my steps in. Weather was perfect today & I was able to capture scenic spots of the nature center & take photos. This is a hidden gem if you're looking to walk in nature with a shaded area & an easy stroll that runs close to 2 miles. You do have to pay for parking that costs $6 tues-fri, $7 on fri & $8 on weekends.

El Dorado Nature Center is such a nice place for hiking and light photography. There is a variety of plants, animals, and even an interactive area to look at insects close up, touch real animal fur, and listen to recordings of animal sounds that you may interact with at El Dorado. Near the entrance, there's also a Free Library / Exchange. Education also doesn't stop there because once you enter there's a sign describing the timeline for the decomposition of familiar items. My favorite part about El Dorado Nature Center was the option to whether choose a 1-mile or 2-mile trail. Additionally, parking close to the site was easy. On the way back to the car, there was even a squirrel nibbling on a pine cone. What a sight! Recommended: Not sure if there's a list of all easier to find animals / plants, but it'd be fun for the kiddos to have a scavenger hunt to see if they can photograph everything on their visit!

A really special place for getting away from the city. Even though you're right near the 605 and spring street, it feels like a world away. The nature center is protected from any real landscaping or interference. There are leaves and sticks and rocks and the paths are rough, except for the 1/4 mile paved, accessible trail. You won't find bikes or pets or strollers (I've seen it, but not often). No picnics inside this area. The little nature center building has a couple hands on activities for kids, and grab a scavenger hunt little paper handout for fun.

The park is great and the trails are nice and easy but the volunteers are crap. The old lady bothered some woman who wasn't bothering anyone and was just on her phone. She came over and very rude and condescending started to tell her to be quiet and to give peace to the people around her. My wife and I were the people around her, so I told to Karen to leave her alone that's when her husband threatened to come over and bopp me as he put it. They ran away with their tails between their legs when I told the old man I'd beat him and toss in the river. Besides that it was a very pleasant day

Time to see spring wild flowers. Emerge myself with the city forest. Easy trail of 1 mile and dirt 2 miles. Once I cross the 1st bridge, im entering the enchanted forest full of Ca natural wonders. A restroom is inside the natire center center.

Entrance to the El Dorado Regional Park is free, but there is a fee to park your vehicle. However, they offer annual passes to seniors, disabled citizens, and veterans. Spread over nearly 100 acres of land, El Dorado Regional Park preserves over 150 species of wildlife species and plants. It's a hidden sanctuary where you can easily spot turtles sunbathing on an island and squirrels that aren't afraid to approach you. I think they have been conditioned to believe that we have food for them, so they're not afraid of us. The Nature Center has several paved trails that are perfect for a leisurely stroll. I came here after lunch with a family and their kid, and it was exactly what the kid needed to blow off some energy before his nap. Once you're on the trail, you forget about the busy urban scene. I have to say that there was a sense of tranquility in my walk, surrounded by lush plants and trees, tiny creeks, and lakes in the park. We initially did a quarter-mile loop and found it too short, so we did another half-mile loop. Overall, it was time well spent. If you have a bicycle, you can park your vehicle at El Dorado Park and bike your way inside for free. Just make sure to carry a bike lock.

Affordable local spot to feel like you've gotten away from the city to a more secluded area. The hiking trails are easy and family-friendly, and if it's not crowded it's nice and quiet. Some areas are pretty exposed, but a lot of the trail is shaded. The downsides I've experienced: parking can fill up quick on a weekend or holiday, and the trails sometimes get closed down after a rainy day. There's a small exhibit and gift shop near the front of the park that are good for kids. It's nice that they have some interactive stuff (pictured: my toddler especially enjoyed the puppet show area). Workers are friendly. The only thing missing there is some indoor seating.

I came here for a school assignment thinking it would be El Dorado Park but I was so happy to discover everything else the nature center had to offer. This place is beautiful! The air is fresh, the grounds are clean, there are turtles, ducks, squirrels, many different birds and insects. Lots of trees and plants. I even got a chance to see birds hunting and catch in fish at one of the ponds inside, squirrels and ducks also came up to me but be careful because there are signs stating the squirrels bite, so don't touch no matter how cute they are! It's a very nice and well kept place. $6 on weekdays for parking, $7 on Friday, & on Sat/Sun. This will be my new go to place for a quick hike and whenever I just want to disconnect.

I absolutely love places like this! Being able to escape the city and be in nature for a few hours is so much fun. The nature center itself is small but informative. The staff working the center weren't the friendliest but maybe we caught them on an off day. The surrounding lake and trails were well maintained and easy to navigate. Parking is easy in their main lot. Avoid weekends for a more peaceful experience. We will be back!

Always a lovely respite on the east side of Long Beach. They've made a lot of nice improvements over the years such as a gathering performance space, new wheelchair accessible paved trails, and handrails. But the main trails remain familiar and lovely bringing flowers in spring and dew in winter. People of all ages are pretty respectful of the serenity of the place so all can enjoy. It's worth the fee of the annual pass to me.

This review is for the current art exhibit inside the Nature Center until the end of July- BLOOM, an Art Show by Rainbow Wang! Cute, nature-inspired watercolor paintings that evoke joy and nostalgia. Come check it out and bring home some original artwork to brighten your day! Plenty of parking! $8 per car on weekends, $7 on Friday, and $6 on weekdays. They're open 8:30am - 4:00pm Tuesdays - Sundays. After your visit to the art show, you can check out the gift shop or take a walk - they have 2 miles of dirt trails and a ¼ mile paved trail that winds around two lakes, a stream, and forested areas. Don't miss it!!

Great place to walk if you choose the right time and path. I like quiet walks, so I opt for off-peak hours/days. Love that they have paved/dirt path options. The paved one's beautiful: forest, benches, shaded. Good for those with mobility challenges. The other trails are not designed for physically challenged visitors. They can get bumpy. There are inclines and in some spots a small tree pops up in the center or low-hanging branches span the path. The 2-mile path works best for quiet walks. The 1-mile path gets too busy with cell phones on speaker and kids in need of less sugar. There are restrooms. Best one's in the visitor center. Otherwise, you get the standard outdoor beach/park restrooms outside the grounds in the picnic area or way back on the 2-mile trail. Lastly, the staff: the entrance kiosk greeters are great. The people tasked with rounding up visitors at closing time are great. The only negative employee I've encountered is a very sullen, rude young man who just sits behind the counter in the Learning Center staring at his phone. Perhaps he just wants an outdoor job.

The trails are a beautiful walk. They have several animal information station during your walk for site views. Depending on the time of years you can see the beautiful blooming flowers along the trails. Great place to talk the family or yourself on a nature walk. My grand daughter loved it.

This was a very cute walk! Not a lot of elevation gain so it was fairly easy. I recommend this place to new hikers, children, and families looking for an outdoor adventure.

I went here with my mom, and it's a really tranquil nature center with a lot of easier / shorter trails for when you're looking for an escape into nature. We saw many families with younger children, and it seems geared towards that. There's a nature center itself with some instructional exhibits which is nice to peek through, as well, and some turtles that like to hang out in the water, which are cute to see. Has really straightforward parking and a fair amount of it. No picnicking inside the park, I saw a few families get reminded of this as they tried to start unpacking their food near the front, so eat either before or afterwards. In short, a nice oasis in the middle of LBC. I just don't know how often I'm going to pay a parking fee to see it as a solo girl when there's lots of free nature around, but if I had a family with little ones, I think it'd be a good investment for an annual pass.

This place is perfect for kids! The trails are super easy and doable, and it has a lot of area for shade. I like that it's scenic, and you'll most likely encounter ducks, birds, turtles, or geese. Make sure to visit the nature center at the end, they have a gift shop and some educational things for kids!

Great place to get some fresh air and be in nature. It does cost to park inside the nature center but it's worth it. Great for kids and families to walk.

Came here for a hike/walk. Parking was $8 for weekend, and $6 for weekday. I came here around 1:30pm. There were plenty of parking spaces available. Staff was friendly. There is a small gift shop in the beginning of the trail. The trail is well maintained. It did not have a lot of dry leaves or dirt on the trail. It was not overly crowded. I had a very pleasant walk. Be ware of squirrels and do not feed them as there were signs everywhere that they might bite. Will be back for another enjoyable walk when I am in the area.

A little slice of nature! Recently visited and can't wait to go again. Watch out for the squirrels though. When the staff tells you to not feed them, please be respectful and take heed for their sake as well as your own. Those little critters can be a bit aggressive, lol. The nature center has three loops - 1/4 mile, 1 mile and 2 miles so there is something available for pretty much any and everyone. It almost feels like you are walking through a forest. I say almost because unfortunately you can still hear the traffic speeding by.

Beautiful in my opinion, perfect for a walk with kids or with out. Spending to do close to home. My favorite trails to walk to.

Horrible racist experience here. I arrived here around 3:30 (1.5 hours before closing) with my husband and our 4 month old. For context we are a black and Mexican family. We opted for the easy 1 mile stroll and about every 10 minutes we're approached by the all white group of employees that kept reminding us of the closure time. Then with about 3 minutes left to complete the trail, the woman pictured told us we could get in trouble for my husband having a camera and us using an umbrella to shade our 4 month old. I was dumbfounded that she would say we couldn't shade our baby on a hot day. We passed about 15 people on the trail many of which we're taking pictures of the scenery and had sun hats on but we seemed to be the only ones targeted. I'm including the picture of there "rules" and nowhere does is state you can't use an umbrella or have a phone/camera out. Be aware visiting this park if you are not white.

I love how much there is to do here! There are hiking trails there are dog parks, two different large ones, and lots of parking

My favorite place to walk through the forest and get away from everything. I'm so glad I found this place.

Beautiful walking trails in a mountain setting. Lots of shade , pretty easy even for older walkers . Scenic lakes and creeks crisscross the walking paths , you'll see ducks , turtles and rabbits and more. Restrooms and water fountains along the trail , help out , too. Try it out , you'll love it.

What an amazing little gem this is inside of El Dorado Park in Long Beach! The Nature Center/Walking Trail is across the main entrance to El Dorado Park. It's a great place to walk around, and take in the beautiful sights and sounds with your little ones. There's a paved walkway with different trails depending on the distance you want to walk. There's also plenty of natural shade throughout the walkway which is awesome! It truly does feel like you are in the forest and you almost forget that it's adjacent to a busy street. Overall, I highly recommend checking out the Nature Center if you're visiting El Dorado park- you can access it with your general entrance pass to the park. I will definitely be coming back! FYI- furry four legged companions are not allowed.

First time visiting and it won't be my last. What a beautiful spot to get outside, walk and be in nature. Nicely marked trails, paid parking,bathrooms and a nature center available. The Nature center has QR codes for a map of the Nature Center and El Dorado Park across the street which is great and no paper waste. When I arrived it was grey and overcast, so it was pretty quite bird wise, but then the sun came out and the birds and turtles did too. Look forward to my next visit.

Loved this place. We came face to face with a cute baby skunk, saw a few squirrels and a lot of turtles. This is a great place for little kids, they can run and run. The shorter trails (1 and 2 miles) were beautiful and mostly under the full shade of tall trees. Also, under the trees we found it nice and cool and enjoyable. My 4 year old grandson did a mile with ease.

Once upon a time, the Wl Dorado Nature Center was calling. A slice of the wild in the heart of El Dorado park. If you are seeking respite from the outside world, this is a good start - except Sundays when everyone seems to walk the trails with their tiny ones. Bring your quiet self for a 1/4 mile, 1 mile, or 2 mile walk. There are so many lovely stops, with benches, along the way. A piece of peace.

Lovely way to bath in nature in the middle of the city. I appreciate the name postings of various flora and fauna. While you hike, pause, listen, and watch. For cars: $6 parking Tuesday - Thursday . $7 on Fridays. $8 on weekends. $9 on holidays. You can purchase an annual pass.

A gem among the urban jungle. Parking fills up by 9:00. Likely see turtles, ducks, dragon flies, geese, egrets/herons. Very photogenic trees! Get the annual pass ($60), one can access the regional park across the street with it, too. Super well maintained. Perfect for barefoot walking, earthing, as there is no risk of sharp sticks, stones. The 2-mile loop is my fave. No jogging or posed photography allowed (no tripods, dress changes, etc.) Serene. Been going for 5 years now. Thank you, Team ElDo!

BEAUTIFUL!!!!! Definitely should go if you love nature or just want a piece of mind. I will be going back

What a beautiful little hidden gem in Long Beach. I can't tell you how many times I've been to El Dorado Park in Long Beach, but never ventured over to the Nature Center before. Well now I have another reason to go back to enjoy this breathtaking area. The trees provided ample shade from the sun and the trails are easy to maneuver. Im a fan!!!

This place is such a hidden gem! It's located in the middle of Long Beach and it's like a mini forest with hiking trails. They do charge for parking here, it was $8 which is not bad. There's an option to purchase an annual pass which is worth it if you plan to come here often. This is a good spot to go to take a break from big city life or to destress. Everytime I come here, I forget that I'm in Long Beach as I find myself fully immersed in nature. There are two hiking loops, one was a mile and the other two miles I believe. You can do both in one day and you'll spend a decent amount of time here. The only downside for me is the lack of bathrooms. Overall, this is a good place to come if you have nothing to do if you're in the area.

I am sure many people are disappointed that Nature Park is usually closed on holidays. This morning, a 9-year-old daughter and I found it closed for Martin Luther King Day. Previous couple of experiences like this make me question why the park has to be closed on holidays. In the general opinion, a park is open space that doesn't require the same maintenance as city buildings. Perhaps it could remain open, allowing people to enjoy it without a full crew. Many working citizen have busy work schedules limits visits to holidays, and I am sure many other also wish they would reconsider their holiday closing policy.

I was told about this park/hiking lol..( described as a hard workout, a challenge, I drove 1hr to check it out,, lol. I end up next to a super dirty lake/dump loooking like lake. it's a beautiful tree line shaded place though for senior citizens.. ( wheelchair Older folks) Expectations kill dreams! Older folks this is an amazing place to meet friend and enjoy your beautiful free of responsibilities

Natural sceneries. Tails varies from short to medium to long and very tailor made for people

No fish in the first or second lake. Beautiful day park is still as nice as I remember it. Large crowds but not around the lakes. Now we know why...no fish!! June 8th 2024‍

Off of spring street with a private parking lot Parking fees will vary pending time of the week or holiday This place is amazing! Magical! Serene! Lots of trees and shades! Dogs are not allowed unless it is a service dog. There is 1/4 trail, 1 mile trail, and 2 mile trail. Plenty of signs, very clear distinct paths, easy to walk, and many markers to indicate what type of wildlife, plant life, etc that can be seen. Many bridges throughout along with turtles, squirrels, Lizards, ducks, geese, fish and so forth. There are streams and creeks area along with a lake that can be wandered. These trails are good for any age and did see a few folks with strollers as well. Very clean location with water fountains located along the way along with restrooms. Lots of areas to sit on benches logs overlooking the trees and water. Hours are typically open 8-5. Many wore masks and maintain their social distance. A place worth while to visit that is hidden from the city!

Nice area for a stroll to enjoy nature! It costs $8 for parking, so make sure to make the most of your time here! There's a visitor center with some exhibits, and a few trails (1/4 mile, 1 mile, and 2 mile). The trails were peaceful, but not too much to see. Would be nice to have more flowers and to see more wildlife!

This place is beautiful. A lot of trees all around during the trail, so it feels like you're in the forest away from city life. I took the 2 mile's trail, and came across birds, different types of flowers, some squirrels, ducks, lizards, bees and butterflies! Don't forget about the turtles near the entrance, too. I came in the afternoon and heard birds throughout my walk there, it was very peaceful and calming. They charge for parking so keep that in mind. I actually park close by near a neighborhood for free and it took me 10 minutes to get there. I definitely would come again!

This is a beautiful trail around a lake with turtles and nature ! A few trails to choose from shaded and you can get a yearly pass. I enjoy coming here

Grew up in Orange County. This is my go to park. Great for kids. The nature park with a 1 and 2 mile hike are perfect for all their energy. The nature center at the beginning of the hike is always fun for some nature education. The other side of the park is absolutely beautiful for picnics. There is all kinds of fun stuff like archery, rc planes, and boats. Very pleasant place to spend the day and find some peace of mind.

Came here with my second graders on a field trip. Nice and easy walk but it's a whole different story when you're taking care of 30 children lol!

I absolutely love this place. This Nature center feels like one of those hidden gems you almost don't want others to know about. Once you're in the nature center and walking the trails, you don't even feel like you're in the city or even in LA! Their are 3 different trails. A 1/4 mile which is paved. A one and a two mile dirt trail as well. All of them are nicely maintained so you won't have any problems negotiating them. Even with small children. So for a relaxing and distressing walk through nature in a convenient near by place check out the El Dorado nature center. It just might become one of your favorites too. Enjoy!

Excellent place to walk. Small enough (short distance) to walk 2-3 loops all the way through. I love the variety of plants and wild life. Excellent terrain to being children and elders because there are not steepness or incline. I believe you have to pay for parking. It used to be cash only, but now they take credit cards.

A lovely piece of nature located in the suburbs. This gorgeous landscape is covered in trees, lakes and streams. There is a 1/4 mile paved path, and a 1 or 2 mile dirt path loop with benches to sit on to rest and nature watch. No food or pets allowed to keep it clean and natural for the wildlife. We saw lists of lizards, squirrels, red eared sliders and various species of ducks. It was a beautiful place to come to unplug for a bit and I will definitely be back! Parking is $8, but it gives you access to the nature center and the other parts of the park like archery, bike paths, and dog park.

We did the two mile trail after walking at the park across the street for a few hours. I'm so glad we did this hike - it's pretty flat, goes around a small pond/river/lake (not sure, I didn't have time to stop), and it leads you through a plethora of flowers, butterflies, and berries!

El Dorado Nature Center is a lovely place for a family walk or picnic. There is a 1/4 mile trail, a 1 mile trail, and a 2 mile trail. All of the trails seem relatively easy to me, meaning your kiddos can join you on these trails. There is a small gift shop/nature center, too. This hike has lots of natural wildlife (mostly birds, squirrels, lizards, and dragonflys) and lots of different types of trees. There are a lot of benches along each of the trails for anyone who needs to sit frequently. There are some cool ampitheaters at the entrance to the nature center. Walking on the trail is free, however, parking is not. I went last week and parking was $6. There is plenty of parking in the lot if you are willing to pay for it. It's getting to be more and more crowded now that more people are aware of this hidden gem. However, I haven't found it to be too crowded yet. The El Dorado Nature Center is near the Long Beach Community Gardens and a large pet adoption facility.