El Dorado Nature Center

We just revisited El Dorado Nature Center as a family, and once again it did not disappoint. We walked all three trails — short loop, quarter-mile, and the full two-mile loop — and the experience was peaceful, immersive, and beautifully maintained. This place may be tucked inside a bustling part of Long Beach, but once you’re in, it feels like you’ve entered a different world. Lush native habitat, shaded paths, wooden bridges, flowing streams, and quiet wildlife make it an ideal escape for both adults and kids. We spotted ducks, turtles, squirrels, and even a blue jay — all within a short walk. What stands out most: • The paved sensory trail is great for strollers and accessible walking. • The educational signs about plants, birds, insects, and local ecology make it a perfect learning walk for kids. • The park is exceptionally well preserved — quiet, clean, and clearly cared for by the city and community. • Even the small things like benches, railings, and signage are thoughtfully placed and well-integrated into the landscape. This is our second visit in a few years, and it’s even better than we remembered. While the center isn’t huge, it’s so well designed that you can easily spend an hour or two wandering without getting bored. It’s a great spot for reflection, gentle exercise, or just introducing kids to nature in a safe and curated way. Highly recommend for families, nature lovers, or anyone looking for a peaceful break close to the city. We’ll absolutely be back again.

A well maintained nature center with nice trails and a visitor center. Open Tuesday - Sunday (close Monday), until 5pm. Beautiful and tranquil lakes with benches to sit and enjoy the quiet moments with clear reflection and to watch ducks and turtles. 3 clearly marked trails at 1/4, 1, and 2 miles with progress markings along the way. The dirt trail is clean and pretty easy to walk, mostly shaded, with many squirrels along the way. Tips: $8 for parking on a Saturday, credit cards only!! Tips: if you go in the mid-afternoon, you need to plan your time, and be aware the parking closes at 5pm sharp. After that , the volunteers told us you have to call the police to unlock the gate and you may be fined for trespassing.

Great place to walk or hike to enjoy nature. I saw lizards, squirrels, turtles, dragonflies, and even bass! There is a 2-mile, 1-mile, and 1/4-mile (paved) trail. The nature center there has some souvenirs to purchase, as well some great information about the history of the area and it's native animals. There is a fee to get in and the fee varies depending on what day you go. There are plenty of benches on each trail and alot of it is shaded.

Great place to get exercise outdoors, in a more controlled environment. Had turtles and plenty other thing's to see including a mini museum!. Entrance fee is $7 per car.

Nature in the Middle of Long Beach My husband and I recently spent half day exploring El Dorado Nature Center Trail in Long Beach with friend’s family, and I honestly didn’t expect to enjoy it this much. It really felt like a secret little oasis tucked right into the city. The entrance is shared with Long Beach Animal Care Services. If you’re going to the animal shelter, just let the parking attendant know, and you can make a left right away into their small lot for free. However, if you are here for the Nature Center, just pay at the entrance and the fee was $6 on a weekday, $7 on Fridays, $8 on weekends, and $9 on holidays per car. No cash accepted. Two parking areas are in different locations and fenced off from each other. If you don’t want to pay for parking, you can try finding a spot nearby and just walk in. Once we started walking the trails, I immediately felt like I’d escaped the city. The Nature Center is over 100 acres, with beautiful trees, a gentle creek, and two lakes. I spotted squirrels, turtles, ducks, birds, and even a rabbit just chilling in the grass. It’s super quiet and peaceful, with lots of signs along the way sharing cool facts about the local wildlife and plants. There’s also a little gift shop located at the beginning of the trails. It actually has mini exhibits inside and we took some time looking around and got relaxed on bench before heading out to the trails. There are three trail options: * A ¼ mile paved path that’s stroller and wheelchair-friendly * A 1 mile dirt path A 2-mile dirt path that loops deeper into the woods We firstly walked the ¼ mile and it was easy. And then we walked deeper for 1 mile ones to feel more out in nature. The 1 mile trail gave off that rustic, foresty vibe while still being easy to walk on. The 2-mile trail was closed at the time we visited. Here are some heads-up: • No pets allowed on the trails • No food or picnicking inside the Nature Center. There is a El Dorado Park right across the street. It’s great for picnics, dogs, and an archery range is available. The entry fee is the same, or you can buy an Annual Parking Pass for $65 which covers both the Nature Center and the park. I’m seriously thinking about getting one. Also nearby: • El Dorado Park Golf Course • The El Dorado Frontier Theme Park, a small western-style amusement spot for families with kids If you’re looking for a quiet, nature-filled break without driving far, I highly recommend spending a couple hours here. I left feeling refreshed, and definitely will be back soon. El Dorado Nature Center Trail 📍 7550 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90815 ⏰ Open Tuesday–Sunday, 7am–5pm (Closed on Mondays)

Beautifully maintained, and great people here. The trails are so pretty, and there are benches along the way to rest or take in the beauty. What a treasure! I highly recommend buying the annual parking pass.

Not many animals to see but this place had a lot of shade and it was free entry. Parking was $8 and two restrooms available. One outside parking and one inside the center.

Really peaceful. Lots of shade. Not a lot of wildlife but a few ducks in the lake. I found a turtle shell and really vibrant mushrooms. The mushrooms are called false turkey tail and are bright orange. Half of the reserve and trails were closed off for no apparent reason. I noticed some litter that looked like it had been there for a while. I heard birds of prey and lots of nature sounds.

El Dorado Nature Center is directly across the street from the entrance to El Dorado Park. The cost to enter on the weekend is $8 per vehicle. However, it's free to enter if you're on a bicycle or on foot. After visiting, I decided to buy the yearly parking pass, which also covers the entrance to El Dorado Park. It's an amazing, location with 1 to 2 mile trails that put you in the middle of nature. There are benches throughout if you're just looking for a place to relax or read a book. No food is allowed inside, but benches are located outside of the nature center to enjoy your lunch before you enter. Also, no dogs are allowed inside the nature center. The turtles bathing in the sun were entertaining along with the ducks taking a nap amongst them. This spot is definitely worth a visit if you're in the area and looking for a walk amongst nature. If you plan on visiting, keep in mind that they are closed on Monday.

Today it's 8.00 cash or card to come in. We really enjoy coming for a stroll. With pavement areas and non paved. Really enjoy a little nature close to home.

Great neighborhood park for hikes. There is a larger park on the other side for picnics, bike rides etc. $6 vehicle entry.

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!

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.

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.

Who needs treadmill when you can walk this gorgeous place!? I love it here! I do the 2 mile loop twice and it never gets old.

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.

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

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!!

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!!!

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.

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.

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

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

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!

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

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.

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.

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!