DAY TRIP El Dorado Nature Center

El Dorado Nature Center is part of the El Dorado East Regional Park and provides a quarter mile worth of paved trails and two miles of dirt trail around two lakes and a stream for visitors to enjoy.

The 102.5 acre center was opened to the public in 1969 and offers a place for visitors to see various wildlife, like coyotes, ground squirrels and hawks as well as extensive plant life.

The nature center began as a barley field, but was soon turned into a ranch by Spanish settlers in 1772. After exchanging hands numerous times over the next century, the ranch was finally purchased by the city of Long Beach in 1952.

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GETTING THERE

Take the I-405 North for about 11 miles and then exit onto the I-605 North for about a mile. Exit East Willow Street from the I-605 and merge onto Katella Avenue. Continue onto Willow Street and turn right at Studebaker Road. Turn right at Spring Street.

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HOURS

Trails at the El Dorado Nature Center are open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. The museum is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Friday, and from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.

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ADMISSION

The Nature Center offers various educational, adult, family and special events that range in price. Educational Badger Tours are $4 per person. The Beatle Brigade for ages 3 to 5 is $3 per person. Discovery tours are by reservation and are $4 per person. The adult nightlife walk is $3 per person. The Drawing in Nature – Spectacular Spring Program is $25 per class. Remaining adult programs range from $3 to $5 per person. Most special events are free and open to the public unless otherwise stated.

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SPECIAL EVENTS

The El Dorado Nature Center offers a number of special events that excellent educational opportunities for parents and their children. Some upcoming events include:

May 3, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – The Turtle Show

May 10, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – International Migratory Bird Day

May 10, 10 a.m. to noon – Rollin Down the River bike tour of San Gabriel River

June 7, 7:30 p.m. – Liars, Thieves and Chocolate – An Evening of Storytelling ($5 donation)

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VOLUNTEER

The El Dorado Nature Center offers volunteer stewardship opportunities. The center offers training sessions to prepare persons to be apart of the Trail Stewards volunteer program. To become a steward one must complete the minimum three training sessions. Stewards then are involved in and help lead community service projects, coastal and wetland cleanups, meetings, and other hands-on activities. For more information, call Susan Ettinger at (562) 570-1749.

— Daniel Tedford