A friend an I recently went here, what a great place. There are 3 different trails you can choose 1/4 mile, 1 mile, and 2 miles. Most of it is a dirt trail, there is a pond in the middle. We saw lots of turtles sunbathing. There is plenty of shade from the trees. I did not go into the nature center. There are benches to sit and enjoy the serenity. Parking lot can get pretty full, but there seemed to be people coming and going so often I didn't see anyone waiting for parking.

Great place, quiet and terrific trails and nature hikes. Saw all kinds of critters. Lots of shade along the trails and benches for resting, maybe bring water if it is hot. 103 acres of raw nature, saw lizards, birds, butterfiles, turtles, bees. Good place to just get away from the city without leaving the city.

Nothing is planted here - it's all just nature doing it's thing. Unrefined and wild, but with safe, well-maintained paths and a tiny education center and gift shop. There are animals everywhere, and on days when people are not being noisy or too numerous, the animals are more prevalent. You will see plants you may not have seen before, as seasons change, but they are mainly indigenous. There is a 1/4 mile paved trail at the start, and 2 other dirt trails, 1 mile and 2 miles long, which are connected part way. There is a bathroom near the center of those two paths - see the map. So you can put in a good 5 mile walk without running out of beautiful creeks and living things to observe. Turn off your phone (unless you like taking photos) and have a nice escape here. And PLEASE respect the animals - it is THEIR home. Don't bring them food - they are healthier with their own choices abundant in the flora.

Been looking for a forest or woods like this since I moved to California. Scotland we have vast forests some truly amazing to be honest. El Dorado Nature Center certainly hit the spot in more ways than one. Upon arrival after waiting in a short line and paying the $7 fee. Parking spots are a plenty and with staff at the main entrance your safe and so is your car. Opening hours are 8am till 5pm and closed Monday. From the parking spot to the start of the trails is merely a minute walk. Immediately as you start your walk you cross a bridge that leads to a visitor center and you follow the path round to the start of the trail. I believe there is 3 trails 1/4 mile, 1 mile and 2 mile, a walk with plenty of sights to see for every member of a family. I took way too long on the mile trail as was in awe with the beauty that was to be unfolded. I was like a kid in a candy store, having lived in California for 11 years and seeing what I so missed from back home, breathtaking and lost for words and for me that’s saying a lot.... You truly forget that your in this nature reserve? In the middle of Long Beach. I could go on for days will say as you walk your chosen trail you will see signs pointing out the wildlife or insects in that area. Some I’d run a mile if I had seen them, great opportunity to let the kids see some things they normally would not. Awesome pictures to be taken, my next visit I’m bringing my big camera as I fell for El Dorado Nature Center in a big way, wish I had found sooner. The pictures and videos I have are amazing and are truly mesmerizing to me, as not your usual day out. Totally not what I expected. Highly recommend and to say you’ll love every minute depending on your trail, is only the start in my opinion. Enjoy

We paid $8.00 entrance fee to get into the par. Lots of shades and trails are easy so it is a great place for the whole family whether you are young or old. The visitor center opens from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Some informative exhibits inside the center regarding the habitat. The last time to enter the trail is 4:30 pm.

This Park is Amazing with one side being the recreational area and the other is the camping area. The whole park is gated. There's picnic area, kids area, dogs area, basketball courts, bike tracks, 3 man-made lakes to go fishing. Camping available. $6 fee for the entrance and camping has different prices depending on your stay. Not crowded and lots of parking places.

What an amazing hidden gem buried in Long Beach, right next to a freeway. You'll feel transported into the middle of a forest and nature. It's a great walk with so many sites and sounds and smells. Definitely a must-go.

Today , was my first time at El Dorado nature Center and I loved it. I saw beautiful animals, trees , and the atmosphere was amazing and peaceful. I cannot wait to take my son there.

Seriously worth the annual parking pass and then some. Most people are respectful, though the occasional speakerphone, yelling kid, or non headphone user will walk by. Totally worth it. Everyone is friendly and great wetland bird watching!

Wonderful place for people of all ages. I hoped to see some water fowl like herons or egrets, but only turtles and squirrels and lots of pretty dragonflies. Oh and a few lizards.

I almost cried. I haven’t gone out much these past few years, mostly because I didn’t own a car until now. I will 100% recommend this place to my friends and family. It’s so beautiful and don’t get me started on that amazing Earthy sweet smell!! If you guys are planning to jog I recommend you go around the 2 mile trail. The turtles usually come out to bask at around 10-11am. Btw, they have a soft shell turtle in the pond!! I was very surprised by that. Overall a fun and new experience for me.

This park has been all time favorite for me for 2-3 miles walk. Trail closes at 5PM so make sure you enter the park by 4PM. Restroom is available and enough parking spots.

Lovely park-within-a-park with 1 and 2 mile circuit hikes and events multiple times throughout the month. Well used but not overcrowded, with a great nature center for young children. It has a great little gift shop with science-oriented wares. Lots of unafraid turtles in the waterways. Any time I stop through I see visitors from 8 months to 80 years having a great time among the native flora and fauna. Very well maintained, and I even see people walking barefoot on the soft dirt paths. (Don’t harass the turtles. Some are accustomed to humans because, sadly, people abandon their pets here.)

Lots of wildlife, I also liked the fact that you can choose between a 1/4 mile, 1 mile, and 2 mile long loop. By far the star of the show was a mantis I found on the side of the road.

What a fun way to spend a couple hours - great trails, entertaining wildlife, friendly people, and mother nature’s soundtrack!

What a beautiful bit of nature. A great nature walk that is easy with just a little challenge for newbies. It's a great place to bring the whole family, grandparents and kids and all. A bonus is the wild life like turtles, ducks, lizards, squirrels and more. Safe from bears and mountain lions. Have fun 😊

Great park to walk or run! $6 parking on a weekday, which isn’t bad all things considered. Definitely a hidden gem in Long Beach and worth checking out!

Its been some time since I've been there but it was beautiful, very memorable. Lots of ground to cover so bring walking shoes and if you have little ones a stroller or be prepared to stop a lot or be willing to carry. It was peaceful. There is parking but you gotta pay which is t bad. I guess an alternative would be to park in the no charge parking and walk there. The views are breathtaking. Am planning on going back.

I love bringing my kid here! It's nice to feel like you can escape to the forest, even in the middle of the city. We love going in the spring, when all the flowers are in bloom, but it's honestly a good place to go any time of year.

Very clean. We paid $7 for parking. We did 2 mile trail.Very easy trails. I believe there's 3 trails. A 1/4 mile, 1 mile, and 2 mile. Nice and shady. Nature center is small. Really not much to see inside. There's restrooms inside the nature center and by the picnic tables on parking. Benches throughout the trails. You'll see bridges, turtles, squirrels, pond, duck, fish, lizards, and sage! Good place for family.

Nice nature area to hike around, there were many turtles in the lake. Overall, an enjoyable experience and a good place to come on the weekend.

Such an amazing experience and enjoyable trails kid and Family friendly...I definitely will be back

loooooved this little gem in the middle of the city. hard to believe something like this exists so close to everything else that’s going on around it. parking was $6 and we were happy to pay it to support such an amazing natural area. we saw turtles, lots of songbirds, an osprey up close, etc. the trails were very nicely marked and defined and enclosed by the growing trees

Nice place for family relax and good time to spend together, a lots of different sounds of the birds, trees and animals 😊 they have even lake! Just keep in mind: no dogs allowed 🙌🏻

It's a very nice walk there are so many trees, has a lot of shade. It also has a couple of water fountains to fill your water bottle.

While I love this little piece of heaven tucked away in the city, it is always a bummer that we can't bring our dog, or have a small picnic while visiting. You're only allowed to bring in water. That being said, the trails are beautiful, well maintained, and mostly flat. The trails all go in a loop, with the longest being 2 miles. There is normally ample parking as well.

This is a beautiful and awesome place in the middle of a large city where you can enjoy the nature. A calm and peaceful place with lots of greenery, ponds/lakes, birds etc. One of my favorite places in Long Beach to relax and have a nice evening walk.

Very nice place to walk, plenty of trees and shade. Easy 1 or 2 mile loop. The mile loop is paved while the 2 mile loop is a dirt path. Plenty of birds for bird watching, turtles and so many squirrels. Weekend parking is $8.

The 1 mile hike took my toddler and I an hour to complete. It was mostly shaded. The cute turtles and small fish on the 2nd bridge are always a delight to see. There are 1/4 mile and 2 mile trails as well.

Real peaceful. Went on a Sunday and while there were a lot of people, the park did not feel congested due to how big the park is. Cost is $8 for entry unless you bring an RV or trailer. All activities are extra depending on what you want to do. You will however have to look for a restroom. There isn't any signage indicating where you can find them so good luck. Pick a tree I guess. The park is dog friendly, lots of picnic areas. Cool spot for sunset pictures. Lots of open areas, but also not that many shady spots.

The El Dorado nature center is a fantastic destination for families seeking a serene outdoor experience. With its well maintained 0.25 , 1 and 2 mile trails, it offers a perfect opportunity for leisurely stroll or a more extended nature walk.

Nature center always has something for the kids to discover as well being a great place for a quick "hike" where you can choose from a 1 or 2 mile trail and a 1/4 mile wheelchair accesible trail(see attached map) all of them with nice shade from the trees. Please notice the the nature center is on south-west side of Spring Street and El Dorado park is on the north-east side.

Great easily accessible trail for almost anyone. The 2 mile trail is a breeze and there are enough turnouts throughout if you overestimated yourself and can't do 2 miles. There is also a 1 mile loop and a quarter mile paved loop.

I love this Nature Center, easy 1-2 mile loops with so much greenery and cover for shade. Free to enter and cheap parking. A great way to spend a couple hours immersed in nature.

Great 1/4 mile paved trail with a hand rail, making it accessible for more people. They had longer unpaved trails, too. The water was clean enough for lots of fish and turtles. The Nature Center and Gift Shop was great for our homeschoolers! The staff was interested in answering nature questions. The place felt safe and clean. There is a small parking fee

I love going with my family, dates, or with my friends for calm walks. It's also a great place for pics. Never get tired of going so we got the annual pass;D

What a, well designed, beautiful nature center. Wonderfully kept facility with plenty to see. This is a gorgeous and well maintained gem of a nature park. The paths are well marked and it's apparent that they spend good resources on keeping it beautiful. Every time I've visited, the parking lot has looked fairly full and a health number of people are roaming the park. The wildlife look comfortable, with plenty of trees for the birds and squirrels and perches for the turtles. Signs are placed at forks to direct visitors towards the exit, 1/4, 1, and 2 mile paths. Plenty of shade throughout the park and an ample number of benches to rest and just take in the vast beauty. Though it's posted not to picnicking or fish, it's great for a nice stroll or a contemplative sit. I've even visited just to find my center and meditate. I'll be returning for more peaceful relaxation and to take in some amazing nature.

The nature center is great. It is easily accessible and close to the freeway. The kids enjoy it and it is beautiful and shady year round. The trails are beautifully maintained and the wildlife is always putting on a show. We saw varying birds, turtles, and little furry creatures.

Stepping out of the car seemed so far removed from the urban landscape here! I’ve enjoyed stopping by here to take a break with my commute, when to or from the city. It’s also a great addition to any time spent while at El Dorado Park. The Nature Center and park may be a fun learning experience for kids to see! The Center has related art, exhibits, information and a gift shop. Restrooms may be available during operating hours. The Nature Center park is a stream fed sanctuary for plants and animals. The nearby San Gabriel River also helps channel a supply of groundwater to the area, helping to foster an urban oasis, apart from the general water supply. Nature trails wind thru the natural urban forrest for quite a ways, with little notice of the city, except for the occasional distant sound of traffic from the I-605 Freeway. I’ve done a quick hike or jog to the end and back in under 20 minutes. Tho have also taken the time to visit the nature center, stroll the lake and take a meditative walk along the trails in about an hour. After all, connecting with nature may just make my day!