SoCal Nature with Kids:
10 Places to Visit with Kids in Southern California
By Melanie Rufener
Raising Little Naturalists in a Concrete Jungle
Back when my older daughters were younger, I used to think about moving somewhere else where there was “more nature,” or easier access to nature. Somewhere I could open the back door and just let the kids run free. We opted to stay put in Southern California, since we do have the best weather all year round, with plenty of sunshine and little rain every year. I decided to take full advantage of the little nature we did have access to, and really get to know the land and places we would frequent together. My daughters are now 11 and 8 years old, and we still visit these places together, as they hold special memories - and as big sisters, they are gladly showing their little sister the ropes!
Here’s a short list of just a few places we like to visit in Southern California:
1. White Point Nature Preserve - San Pedro, CA
This is one of my favorite local nature spots to visit because there’s so much to do within a short distance. We usually like to park inside of the nature center parking lot and then go for a nature walk. When I’m by myself I like to do a full hike up the hill to look at the ocean, and sometimes journal at the bench, but when I’m with the kids we usually just take a short walk to see if any flowers are growing and see what stage the snails are at in their life cycle. During warm early spring days, there is a giant field of Tidy Tips that blooms beautifully with the Pacific Ocean right in the background. We’ve taken many family photos and even some maternity photos here. On Wednesdays and the weekends the nature center is open and buzzing with life! They offer nature classes for young children most weekends and guided tours.
- Parking: the gravel parking lot is open from dawn to dusk and there is plenty of parking on the street.
- Nature Center: the nature center is on the smaller side, but they have events for kids every now and then on the weekends.
- Nature Center Hours: Wednesdays, Saturdays, and Sundays 10am - 4pm
- Website: White Point Nature Preserve
- Certain areas are handicap accessible, including the nature center
2. Bolsa Chica Wetlands - Huntington Beach, CA
This nature center is near and dear to my heart since my own mother took us here growing up for her own exercise classes early on in my youth. I fondly remember looking at the majestic birds over the water on overcast mornings, filled with curiosity and wonder at all the different animals we’d see along the way. My mom was always the type to stop and read the signs too, which I found irritating as a child, but as an adult, I’m glad she showed me the skill of slowing down and being patient, even when your kids are trying to rush you.
The Bolsa Chica Conservancy offers youth summer camps that are perfect for elementary-aged children who love the outdoors. With the new facility, the kids have even more room to learn and engage, complete with full bathrooms now. The events at the BC wetlands have really ramped up the last few years and it’s important to continue to support an organization that has worked to preserve and restore one of the most integral wetlands systems on the west coast.
- Parking: There are two small parking lots that usually have parking on weekdays, but on weekends it’s much harder to find parking unless you arrive early.
- Interpretive Center (Corner of PCH & Warner Ave.): The Bolsa Chica wetlands has a newly updated interpretive center that hosts a variety of taxidermy animals, fish, and snakes! There are now nice restrooms
-
Website: https://bolsachica.org/
3. South Coast Botanic Gardens - Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA
This botanic garden has so much to offer, from a children’s garden, to art sculptures, to night-time lighting events that will leave you speechless! It’s a great place to spend the afternoon or evening, but be prepared for a walk. Once you’ve started the walk inside, it can be a long loop to return to the front in order to see everything. Most of the walk is shaded, but there are sunny parts without shade that can be hot during the summer months. There’s a gorgeous rose garden, fuchsia garden, and plenty of tropical ornamental plants from around the globe. If you’re in the South Coast area, the South Coast Botanic Gardens is worth checking out at least once.
- Parking: Can be crowded on the weekends and for specific events, but otherwise easily accessible.
- Website: South Coast Botanic Garden
4. Huntington Library and Museums - Pasadena, CA
The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens is always worth the drive for us! The very first thing I noticed once we arrived at the Huntington Museum was that even the parking lot had amazing California native plants. This large, upscale museum and botanical garden offers a cafeteria with decent food options and plenty of clean restrooms throughout. Every year we buy a family membership to a local museum or nature center, and the Huntington has been my choice for 3 of those years now because there’s just that much to do and there’s plenty to do for big kids and littles alike.
- Parking: Huge parking lot that even offers valet parking, that’s how bougie it is
- Website: The Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens
5. El Dorado Nature Center - Long Beach, CA
This small, local nature center is where we like to go for short walks on hotter days. It’s nice and shaded throughout the entire walk on each side which is nice.
Pros: Conveniently located in Long Beach (right off the 605). They offer toddler nature classes and summer camps for kids certain weeks of the summer.
Cons: Can be crowded and sometimes hard to find parking during the mornings and especially weekends.
- Parking: Easy parking access close to the entrance of the nature center and trailhead, but can be crowded on the weekends and mornings.
- Website: El Dorado Nature Center Long Beach
6. Colorado Lagoon - Long Beach, CA
Short and to the point. The Colorado Lagoon is the perfect length for my one year old daughter right now, so I feel like we’ve been visiting more often these days, but it’s not quite enough for my 10 and 8 year olds. The new playground is finally finished and we’ve been meaning to check it out (I’ll upload a new photo when we do make it!). The Colorado Lagoon is a local hangout, but the one time I did let my kids swim in the water, I was scolded by a friend who said that water wasn’t great to swim in, so keep the kiddos away from it.
- Parking: We like to park along 6th street, walk the nature trail and across the bridge to the playground on the other side.
- Website: Colorado Lagoon Long Beach
7. Environmental Nature Center - Costa Mesa, CA
The Environmental Nature Center in Costa Mesa is a gem located in the middle of an otherwise concrete jungle. Right in the middle of the “Iron Curtain” of Orange County, the Environmental Nature Center is one of the only nature-based preschools in Southern California!
- Parking: Small parking lot right in front, so it can be hard to find parking on the weekends, but there is also plenty of street parking in a safe and clean neighborhood.
- Website: Environmental Nature Center
8. Gum Grove - Seal Beach, CA
This is our regular nature walk. There are no restrooms, but the walk is relatively short and it’s very easy to just park your car and walk right in. It’s also a short bike ride away from the beach and PCH, and someday I’d like to ride my bike over for a nature walk, but it’s a little more than what I can do with a toddler at home right now.
- Parking: Very easy to simply park on either side, but can be harder to find a parking spot during the holidays because this is a popular photography spot.
- Website: Gum Grove Seal Beach
9. Rancho Los Alamitos - Long Beach, CA
Open Wednesdays - Sundays, 1 PM - 5 PM
We love going to Rancho Los Alamitos since its location is tucked away inside of a gated community and it’s really safe and clean. One downside is that they are only open to the public after 1 PM, so it’s not a morning option to tire out the littles earlier in the day. It IS a nice spot to visit after picking up any older children from school before going home for the day, or just spend some time on a nice day off.
- Parking: Small parking lot but plenty of parking if you’re simply visiting on a weekday evening.
- Website: Rancho Los Alamitos
10. Santiago Oaks Regional Park - Orange, CA
This Orange County regional park is one we like to visit at least once every three or four months. There’s a cute little creek crossing that was once filled with dragonflies, but we haven’t seen any in recent years. There’s a playground, clean restrooms, a nature center, and plenty of hiking and mountain biking trails too. There is a fee of $5 to enter on weekends, or $3 on weekdays, but there is plenty to do for an entire day’s worth of activities, so I feel like the money is well spent.
- Parking: Huge parking lot that has occasional overcrowding on the weekends, but we have always been able to find a spot easily.
- Website: Santiago Oaks Regional Park