El Dorado Nature Center

I’ve been going here with my family since I was a child. It’s axfun getaway from the city even though you’re in the city. It is amazing. A nice place to go with the family on the weekends. From ducks to turtles and everything in between. You need to watch your footing and keep your children close. It’s easy to get lost.

Little slice of heaven. It’s really nice feeling like I’m away from the city, even though it is next to the freeway. You wouldn’t even know it.
It gets pretty crowded after 10, but I can’t wait to take my son back, I’m definitely getting a parking pass.

I visited the Nature Center on a hot day with stroller, baby and all. What I loved about this recreation area is the signs pointing at the different lengths of trails. The options ranged from 2 miles, 1 mile and ¼ mile. Since I had been off my hiking game for a while, it was comforting to know I wasn’t going a strenuous 3 mile hike.
Let me clarify this is no hike though. Trails are flat and pretty wide. Trees lining the trails provide lots of shade while was really nice! A lot of older folks and parents with little ones seem to frequent this little place.
Make sure you bring a little cash if you are going to park right in front, it’s $ 5 during the week and $ 7 on Saturday and Sunday. Cyclists and pedestrians are free so if you’re on a budget or wanna be cute you can park across the street and walk a tiny bit. I sure will next time!

I am a hiker myself and I love the outdoors. This is one of the best places to visit for a nice relaxing walk or to just «chill.» The trails are safe; not steep (almost to flat). Great for elders and little ones. If you get tired along the way, no problem. They have drinking fountains and plenty of benches built along the side for you to rest.
–Rachel :)

A hidden oasis in the a city of concrete. We have been here a number of times before, but this was first time we took out son with us. He had a great time in the nature trail, learning about the animals and history of the place. Definitely a must for people who want to get away for an hour or two from their daily grind. Parking is not free, but the entrance to the trail is.

El Dorado park features a nature center with a nature walk of 1&2 miles. The nature walk also features little joys like mini waterfalls and creeks that allow you to spot animals in their natural habitat.

This place is like an oasis in the desert! If you want to be in nature that’s not too far from where your normal city activities are, come to the nature center for a stroll. There’s plenty of foliage, streams, ducks, rabbits, benches but few people.
You need to pay to get in here, but if you live in the area, an annual pass for an affordable price is available. The opening hours and rates vary a lot.
Trails:
Tue-​Sun, 8am-​5pm
Museum:
Tue-​Sun, 8:30am-4pm
Vehicle Entry Fees:
$ 5 Monday-​Thursday
$ 6 Friday
$ 7 Saturday & Sunday
$ 8 on Holidays
Buses:
School $ 30
Other $ 35
Annual Vehicle Pass:
$ 60 regular
$ 35 senior (50+)/disabled
There are a 2-​mile, 1-​mile and a ¼-​mile (paved) trail. The ascent on the 2-​mile trail is minimal, just like walking up a windy slope back and forth maybe 4 – 5 times that will take you in the woods. The other two trails are all flat.
Great way to spend the day for some fresh air and a relaxing walk!

I think that this is park has a good balance between wild park, and a park where you can feel safe and secured. There aren’t many marked trails, which I think is good, and the whole park is easy for walk, so you don’t need to worry about accessibility.
The park is beautiful, with lots lots of squirrels free birds and ducks. If you are like me, that sometime just need to walk, but nothing too hard, just to free the mind for a while, this park will be a great place to do that if you live near Long beach.
Great for kids. Be ready to pay for parking.

There is just something about being outside, one with nature, that just brings a smile on my face. Although I only had 20 mins here, This place is great! Fun place for the family to enjoy, walking trails all over the center, ponds, signs for information on the creatures that live in the area, and a recreation center for kids learning.
I came to assist the man for some amateur photo shoot of his friend, his pregnant wife and one year old. There was a sign that if you are doing a professional photo shoot, you’ll have to check in at their office.
I look forward to exploring the place more in the future. Although the park is free to enter, parking is $ 7 cash and it’s a small lot.
Enjoy.

Always clean, and beautiful. Great place to take little ones for a nature hunt. As well as just to get away momentarily. Free to get in, but you’ve gotta pay for parking though.

An oasis of wilderness in the middle of the city with wildlife, flowers, trees, lakes, and streams. While hiking on either the ¼ mile, 1 mile, or 2 mile trail you honestly get lost in the tranquility of the wilderness and forget you are literally between two highways and in the middle of the city. It is so beautiful and peaceful in here and a wonderful escape. My 2 year old son loves to come here and run the trails while stopping to look at the ducks, turtles, squirrels, and lizards on the way. The only downside is that there is a charge for parking since it is part of the El Dorado Park System… but if you live nearby, the annual pass is a wonderful investment.
I highly recommend coming here for a nice, peaceful stroll through the wilderness!!!

In my opinion, this park is a little jewel in Long Beach. It’s such a nice contrast from all the concrete and asphalt. I enjoyed the scenery and the beautiful pathways, it’s a great place to come and walk.
I took the two mile trail and just wandered aimlessly until I made it back to the beginning. I saw and heard plenty of squirrels rustling through the surrounding greenery, and some beautiful little birds too. The park has a lot of places to sit and relax, if you want some peace of mind.

I still love to come here every chance i could. You can get a yearly parking pass for 60.00 (?) and if you are over 50, it costs 43.00. It’s worth it to get a yearly pass because you it’s already 6.00 to park there and 8.00 for holidays.
There is a pet adoption center nearby, i like to go there to check out the cute dogs and cats. I adopted my sweet cat Vespa there.

E l D o r a d o (in the stoner voice.) Every time i say this name it reminds me of that movie Pineapple Express.
This place is pretty easy to find but there is a parking fee of $ 7.00 which is lame! There is no street parking anywhere that i saw. I was pretty bummed that parking was so expensive.
The wife and I wanted to do like a 4 mile walk and according to the map we could do it. We walked all around it and it was just like Mile Square Park but just a little better maintained. I didn’t like that they didn’t have trail signs that were easy to follow. My wife and I go lost a few times and they really didn’t have any hills or any rough terrain just smooth pathways. They did have bathrooms though which was nice for my wife. They had fish and turtles and squirrels. I was a little disappointing in this place but you can’t know until you go.
When we were walking around we noticed a lot of families and small children so this place is better for taking the kids out and looking at the ducks. This isn’t a good spot if you want to exercise or get a workout.
Good experience but probably not gonna come here again. Wasn’t worth the drive and the $ 7 bucks.
Thanks,
Matthew Y.

If you love turtles and squirrels but hate holding onto seven heavy dollars, this is the place for you.

Love this place but wish it was more runner friendly. There’s a sign that says no jogging probably because there are alot of people on the trails but i still like it alot. Parking is only $ 6 friday and $ 5 weekdays.

What a quaint trail. Lots of shade, bridges, archways created by trees and branches, and ponds. Animal appearances by turtles, ducks, geese and SQUIRREL!
Parking is $ 5 and trail closes at 5 p.m., which is really early.

I went on an adventure with my sister to Long Beach and we came across this place, which exceeded my expectations. To be honest, I expected a small area with some plants, which, I guess, would have sufficed for «nature.»
But no! This place has ponds, and walk ways and beautiful trees with wildlife crossing your path more often than you’d expect. It’s absolutely serene here and made me so happy. There are loads of turtles by the water and the egret literally chills on the same exact spot and it’s so cute.
They have a ¼mile trail, which I don’t consider a legit trail because it’s made of concrete and the view is middling at best. They have a 1 and 2 mile path, which is much more visually appealing and somewhat exhilarating (imo). My sister and I just kept walking and talking for about 5 miles.
**There is a $ 5 fee for parking, though. But we have to sustain this place somehow. Totally worth it.

El Dorado Nature Center is truly one of those hidden gems that can be found in N. Long Beach (heading southeast).
From the outside of the El Dorado Parks, it’s hard to imagine how such a nature haven can exist. There is loads of wildlife that can be found here including: humming birds, turtles, geese, fish, and more. The hike is serene and beautiful and it is .25 — 2 miles of trails (choose your own adventure) that can be easily traversed by anyone.
The trail itself is well maintained and is quite clean. There are benches placed randomly around and a lake and several streams. This is a good place for anyone wanting to hone their photography skills. I carried a wide angle lens (16−35mm) and was able to get inches away from a family of geese, squirrels, and hummingbirds to take photos.
Tip 1: Trail is open from 8−5pm and is free to enter.
Tip 2: The price of parking varies, but you can park outside in the streets and take a brisk walk to the nature center.
Tip 3: There is an actual large gateway entrance to the center, be on the lookout for it.
Tip 4: Be wary of poison oak. I found a good amount that can be easily overlooked.
I would definitely be coming back and introducing others to this nature trail.

This is such a great place to come spend quality time with somebody (kids, parents, a bff or significant other) while getting some fresh air. I have really enjoyed bringing my little niece here to walk and explore the trails. She loves seeing the turtles, ducks, squirrels and bunnies so much! Though, we’ve never had luck seeing any of the fish, she always leaves just as happy.
There are a couple of trails to choose from here (the longest being about 2 miles). The trails are clean and very well maintained. I’ve never seen trash laying around outside of a trash can, and that’s a big plus for me! There is plenty of shade along the trails, and benches to sit and rest, or have a quiet conversation. I’ve always come on a weekday and have never experienced heavy foot traffic so I recommend coming between Tuesday and Friday if you are looking for peace and quiet (closed Mondays).
Tips:
*Don’t forget your $ 5 – 8 cash if you’re planning on parking in their lot. Otherwise, park on Studebaker and plan on a long walk over.
*Food is not allowed on the trails but its nice to bring lunch and have a picnic right outside the nature center after a 2-​mile or so walk.
*If coming with kids, make sure they use the restroom before they start the walk… especially if taking the longer trail!

I’ve come here 3 times in the past 3 months for the 2-​mile trail and each time, it feels like I’m in a storybook forest. I love how the trees grow into arches that frame many parts of the trail. I also like the really unique and huge knotty trees with gnarled roots along the trail that are very intriguing to look at.
Other favorites about this trail: the sunning turtles at the beginning of the trail, the many short bridges, and the calming smell of eucalyptus.
The ¼ mile paved trail is a single loop that has a really lovely tree canopy overhead. You’ll usually run into a couple of people taking family or engagement photos here because it’s a photo-​worthy spot.
Since I always come with someone who has an annual pass, which is really worth it if you live in the area. The annual pass is $ 50 and it gives you access to access to 3 areas. I’ve only been to Area I (the nature center) so far but hope to check out the other parts of the park next time!

«I thank you God for this most amazing day, for the leaping greenly spirits of trees, and for the blue dream of sky and for everything which is natural, which is infinite, which is yes.» –E.E. Cummings
In the middle of busy city life, El Dorado Nature Center is an oasis of peace, quiet, and beauty. There are many nature trails in which to wander about, a few benches to sit and think, huge trees to help you escape from the metropolitan scene, and an amazing museum for kids to learn about the local plants, animals and environment.
There are a number of different choices for trails as well. There are a ¼ mile trail, a 1 mile trail and a 2 mile trail that meander through mysterious tree tunnels, over lovely bridges, beside babbling brooks, and near serene lakes where you often see turtles sunning themselves, ducks and geese swimming, and dragonflies buzzing about.
I’ve posted a few pictures, and will continue to add a few more. Please take a moment to browse them if you want to see what the trails are like. I hope you get a chance to visit soon! It’s a great place to take kids as well.
Stuff you need to know before you head over (as taken from their website):
Nature Center Hours:
Closed Mondays, July 4, Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year’s Day
Trails:
Tue-​Sun, 8am-​5pm
Museum:
Tue-​Sun, 8:30am-4pm
Vehicle Entry Fees:
$ 5 Monday-​Thursday
$ 6 Friday
$ 7 Saturday & Sunday
$ 8 on Holidays
No smoking (duh), pets, or bikes.

A nice little nature walk to get away from the busy suburban life. Very easy trails that branch off into 1 – 2 mile walks; considering that the terrain is majorly flat, I wouldn’t recommend it for those looking for a serious hike.
The scenery is definitely worth mentioning and if you’re the kind of person that likes to walk through trees and sit near lakes, this place is for you. Not much wildlife this time around, just a few squirrels and a couple ducks being their boring selves. The trails are also very easy to follow and you should have no problem finding your way around. It gets a little more crowded towards the afternoon, I would recommend going in the morning so parking doesn’t become a hassle. Parking is $ 7 on the weekends, which isn’t too bad if you have a group (the money goes to the park, so I don’t mind paying the parking fee.)
Bring the family, take a walk, get some brunch. I’ll definitely be coming back during Spring.