#182: El Dorado Nature Center

This weekend's adventure took us to the El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach. There's nothing like clans of sunning turtles, tunnels made of trees, and flowers in full bloom to make you appreciate our beautiful SoCal weather. Entry into the center is free and parking is $5 ($7 on weekends).

duck, duck, duck, turtle!

The center has a kid-friendly visitor's center with live tarantulas, snakes and hissing cockroaches on display. Grab a hiking guide and trail map there, and then choose from three trails: a 1-mile paved trail, a 1-mile dirt trail, and a 2-mile dirt trail. We chose to do the 2-mile one, which splits off from the 1-mile dirt one after about half a mile.

This largely shaded hike took us through a forest, past lakes, and alongside a river. On the way, we saw ducks, squirrels, butterflies, birds and turtles. Tons of turtles.

Room for one more?

The Nature Center wasn't very crowded on a Saturday morning which made it a relaxing and quiet walk. The trails are well marked, and there are water fountains and a bathroom along the way.

If you're looking for more nature in the area, 365 L.A. reader Laura suggests the Dominguez Gap Wetlands Project as another great place to walk in Long Beach. Can't wait to check that one out-Thanks Laura!

Have you been to El Dorado Nature Center? What did you think of it? Leave me a comment below!

El Dorado Nature Center

Subscribe to 365 LA

#84: Aquarium Of The Pacific

Garden of Eels

Well it's the first day of December and we're gonna kick it off in the LBC. A couple of weeks ago Brad had a weekday off and we decided to take a trip down to the Aquarium Of The Pacific. Luckily, we had two friends who were off of work too, so we all headed down in one car for some r+r (rays and reef sharks).

The aquarium is deceptively large. We spent over two hours looking at the displays. My favorites were the shark lagoon where you can pet rays and small sharks, the sea lions, the giant sea slug, garden of eels, and the jelly fish.

Brad and sea slug having a moment

There was also an outdoor section called the Lorikeet Bird Forest, which was thrilling.. Yes, I think that's the best word to describe it. The birds were so pretty to look at, and it was fascinating getting close to them. However, when one of the birds landed on Arthur's finger, it started to bite him (and it wouldn't stop!).

the bird plotting its attack

Arthur wasn't the only victim. As I stood at the exit to the forest, every little kid rushed out with a look of fear in his or her eyes. There was even one teary eyed boy sobbing that a bird flew into his eye. Yeah, birds are crazy.

Aquarium Of The Pacific

Brad petting the sea creatures

Petting ray

#11: Kayaking in Long Beach

The place: Kayaks on the Water in Long Beach.

Our destination : Jellyfish grounds.

I am usually not the outdoorsy type, but once you prod me, I will begrudgingly get off the couch and do some "exercise". In this case, "exercise" consisted of me sitting in a two person kayak taking pictures while the other person paddled like crazy. Thanks Brad ;)

It didn't take very long to paddle out to the jellyfish grounds--about 20 minutes. When we got there, I was astounded; there were hundreds of jellyfish all around us!

Now who would have thought that you could actually hold a jellyfish? The species of jellies that live here don't sting, though they do make your hand feel a little tingly.

Fran with the jellyfish

After some great photo ops and witnessing one of the kids near us capsize while he was trying to grab a jellyfish, we finally decided to head back.

Kayaking in Long Beach was an amazing experience. You get wet, you may even sweat a little, and in the end you leave with a smile on your face and the memory of a tingly hand.

Kayaks on the Water