the view period ,and the the peace you feel is so therapeutic to soul,its like a reset.read more

If you drive up the hill, you'll find plenty of parking spaces, and there's a public restroom for…read moreconvenience. (always have your own wipes In hand) It's such a wonderful place for picnics with a stunning view of the city, and there are many beautiful trails to explore. And honestly, at night, it feels especially special and peaceful with that city view.

Reservations are needed for this lovely little garden tucked into the middle of the CSULB campus,…read moreso we made ours the night before and grabbed a 12:00 PM Sunday spot. One thing to know before you go: check the operating hours. The garden was closing at 1:00 that day, so our visit was shorter than we would have liked. About 15 minutes before closing they started rounding everyone up, which was completely understandable, but next time I'd definitely book earlier. We brought Billy's mom and dad with us, and his father is 92 amazing years old, so we're always paying attention to how much walking, stress, parking drama, or general nonsense an outing involves. This one was about as easy as it gets. There's paid parking right next to the garden. I think we paid around $6.50, and the payment system was simple enough. Once you're inside, it's just beautiful. Little bridges, waterfalls, colorful koi everywhere (bonus! tons of baby koi this time!) lilies on the pond, flowers, and these bright red dragonflies flying around that completely caught my attention. There were families, students, people sketching, people feeding the fish, just a really nice mix of people quietly enjoying the space. What I especially like is that you don't have to make a whole production out of it. You can stroll, sit for a while, watch the koi, cross a bridge, look at the water, and just enjoy being somewhere pretty. Small, peaceful, easy, and genuinely lovely. It makes for a really nice family outing, and it's one of those places that's good to keep in your back pocket when you want to do something without committing to an entire day.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a peaceful hidden gem tucked inside California State…read moreUniversity, Long Beach. I walked into a space that is smaller than some larger Japanese gardens, but the layout feels carefully planned with winding paths, traditional landscaping, a koi pond, waterfalls, bridges, and quiet corners throughout. It is the type of place where taking your time matters more than trying to see everything quickly, and the smaller size actually makes the experience feel more intimate. The garden feels like a world apart from the campus surrounding it, and the transition from the university grounds to the garden is immediate and effective. The koi pond is easily the centerpiece of the garden and one of the most enjoyable parts to spend time around. I found myself lingering by the water, watching the fish move through the pond as the sunlight filtered through the trees. The fish are large and active, and the surrounding greenery, stone features, and water elements create a very relaxing atmosphere. The garden does a good job balancing natural scenery with traditional Japanese design, with each section offering a slightly different view and feeling as I walked through. The bridges and stone lanterns add to the sense of place, and the sound of the waterfalls creates a calming background that stays with you as you move through the space. What I liked most about this garden is how calm it feels despite being located on a college campus. It feels separated from the surrounding area once you enter, making it a nice place for a quiet walk, photography, or just taking a break. The landscaping is well maintained, and the entire space has a slower pace that encourages you to actually stop and appreciate the details rather than rushing through. The garden's design rewards a slow approach, with each turn in the path offering a slightly different perspective on the pond, the plants, and the stonework. The visit is fairly quick since the garden is compact, but it works well as a relaxing stop rather than a destination that takes up an entire afternoon. Reservations are required, so it is worth checking availability before going. Admission is free, although parking is an extra cost and can be the main inconvenience, especially during busy campus hours. The garden's location on campus makes it accessible, but the parking situation can require a bit of patience. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a beautiful spot if you are looking for a peaceful escape rather than a large attraction. The koi pond, thoughtful design, and quiet atmosphere make it a place worth visiting, especially on a nice day when you can take your time walking through the garden. It offers a brief but meaningful pause from the surrounding city and campus life, and the care that has gone into maintaining the space is evident in every corner.

I mean, the name says it all: Shoreline Park. A beautiful park right on the shoreline!…read more Great waterfront views, plenty of space to walk around and relax, and just an all-around gorgeous part of Long Beach. Definitely worth stopping by. One tip: bring a jacket! It can get surprisingly cool and breezy by the water. Beautiful views, great atmosphere. Five stars. Duh!

A nice sunny afternoon at the park calls for a little picnic. The old days are completely different…read moreat this park. Decades later, it's a whole new place. Still nice but with a major upgrade. It's part of the aquarium of the pacific just along the harbor. There's a parking lot that's part of it but the payment situations was a bit of a mess. Paying with credit card on the machine was a hit or miss. Which i also found out from someone else there. It's probably easy just to do it from your phone. It's a decent size parking lot but there's also parking at the structure just next to the aquarium. It's a cute rolling hill park that looks out to both the queen mary, shoreline village and the harbor. Depending on what side you are. It's a cute little walk around with the lighthouse on top. There's benches scattered throughout the park for seating. There's even a little beach like path along the harbor. Regardless which side you are, the view is quite beautiful. There's also fishing that you could do on the pier. You'll see people about and about walking, picnicking, walking with their dogs or a stroll. Long Beach has its hidden gems and this place was one of them.

First time visiting this park with my dog after trying to check out new parks and city to explore…read more Did not disappoint! Located off the main street of Carson it appears to expand into 4 sections. Plenty of street parking off the road and found a parking lot off Carson and bellflower. Also borders residential area and the homes were well kept pretty to look at historic and it's own unique character. Did arrive around 630am and opted to wait for the sun to pop out a bit more - sunrise view was beautiful and gorgeous! I stepped out with my dog around 640am and sure enough as soon as there was more light, more people appeared in vehicles walkers joggers group dog folks just out of the wood work! Paths were easy to follow and that also twisted and turn or simply just walking the open fields / so many trees and for the amount of space hardly any litter - plenty of people said good morning and acknowledge Community center, restrooms, and library in the area. Free parking - street and lot No entrance fees Soccer field Basketball courts Workout stations spread throughout Baseball field Lake / large pond with various birds So many trees throughout Benches tables located in many places Dog friendly but didn't see any bags so please come prepare Stroller friendly Bicyclists friendly Walker runner jogger friendly paths and on pavement or grass Great for family group of pals time to think for yourself I would only say to wait until a bit more light appear before wandering as it was quite dark when I first arrived so I am glad to wait the extra minutes Super glad to venture this place and a must return!

Beautiful place to enjoy nature. There are a lot of squirrels that are not afraid of humans. The…read moreduck pound has tons of activities going on depending what time of day you visit. Ducks, turtles, and sometimes fishing. Tons of walking, biking, pet strolls, picnics, workouts, baseball and soccer sport.. Great place to relax.

Whaley Park is a busy, lively park across from Cal State Long Beach. If you're looking for a place…read morewhere kids can burn off approximately a million calories, this is it. The playground is modern and well equipped, but the real standout is just how much there is to do. Baseball and softball fields, basketball courts, tennis courts, volleyball courts, a soccer area, and even a roller hockey practice court? This place does not mess around when it comes to sports. With 13.5 acres to explore, there's plenty of room for families, athletes, and anyone who just wants to get outside. The downside is that weekends can get pretty hectic, with youth sports leagues and birthday parties competing for space. Parking is free, but the lot entrance is surprisingly easy to miss, tucked at a traffic light between Bellflower and Palo Verde. Street parking is another option. Whaley Park has a lot going for it, especially if you have active kids or enjoy a good game of pickup basketball. Just don't expect a quiet, empty park on a Saturday afternoon!

Grandkids loved it, playing on all the equipment. Had benches, trees and clean. Close to walk toread more

Amazing spot to sit a minute and take in the wind, the view, and the people! Long Beach loves one…read moreanother and it shows. Thank you park people!

Went here to see a summer July Queens Coverband concert. Great evening vibe! Bring your chairs…read moreand your choices of beverages to the park and enjoy the great ambiance by vibing to the music. Its a hill, so beware to the older folks, take caution while going up and going down. Can be difficult due to the grade of hill. They have hotdog vendors with soda to serve for purchase. But one dissapoint about this park are the restrooms. To my understanding the restrooms are locked in a certain time. I believe 5pm, even when the concert finishes by 830pm. You are stuck with no restrooms. Park Rec should take notice with activities. Leave them OPEN! Overall, cool park. Clean and family friendly.

Walked around the area which used to be my shortcut until they started this 18 month construction…read morethat's been happening for like 5 years. Noticed they have a new pickleball court and tenis on the other side. Very nice and clean. Also a playground nearby. You can sign up for pickleball classes or play

Marina Vista Park is a great community space. There is plenty of green space, a playground, and…read moretennis and pickleball courts. Restrooms are available and are well kept with sinks (but no soap, BYO). There's also a water fountain which even has a dog bowl for your furry friends. The Marina Vista Pickleball group plays here most mornings and offers free lessons to new players twice a week as well as daily open play. Lots of fun and a great way to get out and meet new people.

Los Cerritos Park is a lovely neighborhood park with rolling hills, big shady trees, and plenty of…read moreroom to spread out. The treehouse themed playground is the main attraction, with hillside slides, a zipline, a rock wall, rope bridge, and jungle gym. There are separate play areas for toddlers and older kids, so it's a great spot for families. Beyond the playground, you'll find open grassy areas, picnic tables, barbecue grills, and two lighted tennis courts. It's a nice place to bring lunch, let the kids burn off some energy, or just relax under the trees. The shade is a real bonus on warm Southern California days, and the park has a fun, welcoming feel that fits the neighborhood. It can get busy on weekends and during summer concerts, so parking may take some patience. Dogs are welcome on leashes, too, so bring your best buddy for a nice sunny day of fun! Overall, Los Cerritos Park is a pretty, well-kept spot with lots to do without feeling like you need to plan an entire day around it.

My kid and I love this park. We especially love coming here during the summer when they have their…read morefree jazz/music concerts.

Nice park with lots of shade. Parking on street. Close to 2nd st where there's restaurants and…read morecoffee shops. Lots of toys that people donate. It's gotten more full throughout the years. There's a few benches to sit and there's tables like maybe 4. There's a younger area to play and an older area for older kids. There's sand to play in and for the most part cement and soft turf. Two swings, no restrooms.

This is a very nice playground. No dogs are allowed, so there is no poop (left behind by some…read moreowners). There are sand-areas that have some toys left by some parents for all the kids to play. We like this little playground. There are trees for shade.

I went on a hike here a few weeks ago and it's so beautiful! The beach is a short walk from the…read moreparking lot, but even from the lot, you get an amazing view of the peninsula. Walking down is a pretty steep decline, so be sure to watch your step. When you get down to the beach, you'll notice how clean and clear the water is and I was amazed by the number of tide pools there were! I was able to see so many crawfish, little baby crabs, and even a starfish! I've never seen so many sea creatures up close and personal so it was definitely a cool experience. It's really easy to spend a few hours here just taking everything in. We came at around 12pm on a Saturday and the trail wasn't too crowded. The trail itself is also very clean and not difficult; the most physically demanding part is walking back up to the parking lot from the beach because it's all incline, however, I think it's doable for most people. There is a parking lot that costs $12 for parking the entire day.

Still closed as of last week. Looking forward to when the place opens up again. From the top it…read morelooks great. If you still want a hike the ocean trails reserve is nearby and has a trail to hike to the water