El Dorado Nature Center, Long Beach, CA
Not too long ago my good friend Sara took me and our 4 kids to
El Dorado Nature Center, located just off of the 405 in the fine city of Long Beach.
It was a gorgeous day during the week, it wasn’t too crowded and we enjoyed a fabulous, couple hours hike through the woods - stopping occasionally for lizard, animal, bird and insect sightings (we saw Blue Heron flying over one of the lakes, an owl high up in the trees, lots of turtles and ducks and the prettiest, most sparkly, jade colored beetles imaginable), vistas of the lake, and unusual and not so unusual plant life. I remember it smelling so good out there, and even though you could hear the freeway, it seemed to melt away with every step you took on the trail, until you were in this glorious place completely surrounded by nature. Not something I take the time to do every day, but I am going to try and make a new habit of that. There is nothing like a good hike to change your outlook on things. Even if you are in a great place in your life, I believe it’s always a good thing to get close to nature on a regular basis to maintain balance between all of the many facets of our lives.
The Nature Center gives you the whole package. You can pick from either a one or two mile dirt trail or a 1/4 mile paved path. There is a museum and visitor center, with some interesting dioramas and interactive exhibits, and of course they have a nice little gift shop that the kids will like. There is a broad expanse of land just beyond the parking lot, outside of the trail area where you can picnic at tables, throw a ball around and find some beautiful trees for shade. They offer many volunteer programs, community classes for kids and adults alike and special events, such as their upcoming Evening Campfire on April 18, or Earth Day Celebrations on Saturday, April 19, and Sunday, April 20.
You can find more information on their website at www.longbeach.gov/naturecenter
7550 East Spring Street
Long Beach, CA 90815
(562) 570-1745
Make sure you check their hours online before you make the trip.
They are closed on Mondays.