This is a fun little attraction, especially if you have young children. One of the best surprises…read moreis that the carousel is now free to ride--it used to require a fee, so that's a nice bonus. The music creates a pleasant atmosphere, and it's a charming place to stop and enjoy for a few minutes. That said, the carousel could use some maintenance. Many of the animal figures are showing their age, with paint peeling and visible wear in several areas. A few tips before you visit: The carousel is only open Thursday through Sunday, so be sure to check the operating days and hours before making the trip. Parking right next to the carousel can be difficult, especially during busy times. There is another parking lot about a 5-minute walk away that usually has more available spaces and is much easier to use. Overall, it's a nice family-friendly attraction and worth a visit, especially since the rides are now free. Just manage expectations regarding the condition of the carousel and plan ahead for parking.

I went to Knotts and Disneyland with a family group and my 4-yo granddaughter last week. We passed…read morethe carousel at both parks multiple times but the agenda never allowed for my granddaughter to ride the carousel even though she pleaded with everybody. I had my granddaughter all to myself the next two days and remembered there's a carousel at The Great Park in Irvine so I took her. We were there BOTH DAYS! She had a blast! I can't wait for her to visit me again! BONUS the carousel is FREE!!!

I walk my dogs here almost daily. Great park Originally built for the Bicentennial. Just as good…read more50 years later!

Came here with the kids and honestly this park is really nice. Super clean, spacious, and a lot to…read moredo. The playground area is great for all ages my kids had a blast and didn't want to leave. The lake area with the little church in the background is a nice touch, makes it feel more relaxing and not just your typical park. Good walking paths, plenty of grass, and nice spots to just sit and chill. Everything felt well kept and safe, which is a big plus when you're bringing kids. Plenty of room so it didn't feel overcrowded either. Only thing watch out for duck poop on the walkways and grass, especially near the water. Overall, great spot for families. Definitely coming back

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

Whaley Park in Long Beach turned out to be a really lively and playful place when I visited it. The…read morewhole area felt energetic in a way that teenagers would enjoy a lot, especially since I saw so many teens around the basketball courts, the grassy fields, and even near the playground. It surprised me how naturally the park gave off that youthful atmosphere without trying too hard. The open spaces and colorful areas almost felt like spots made for taking pictures, and they did not cost anything to enjoy, which makes them perfect for teenagers who like hanging out and being creative. It was my first time at Whaley Park, and I did not realize how much there was to enjoy until I walked around. I appreciated how easy it was to relax there without feeling rushed or crowded, even with all the teens playing games, taking photos, and talking with each other. Some parts of the park looked a little older or worn down, which is part of why I am giving it four stars instead of five, but nothing took away from the overall experience. I never doubted that the visit would turn out the way I hoped it would. I have only visited Whaley Park once before writing this review, but it ended up being one of the more enjoyable and energetic parks I have been to in a long time. I would highly recommend that teenagers go there because they would love the open spaces, the sports areas, the photo spots, and the creative vibe. It gives them a place to have fun, take pictures, and feel inspired in a simple and playful environment.

We got Mary's horse...IYKYK! Always a great and nostalgic time on this attraction (even in the…read morerain)!!!

King Arthur Carrousel is a classic Disneyland attraction located in Fantasyland and has been…read moredelighting guests for generations. With its beautifully restored horses, charming music, and storybook atmosphere, it captures the timeless feel of a traditional carousel found at classic fairs and theme parks. This attraction is suitable for guests of all ages and can be enjoyed whether you're riding solo, with friends, or making memories with family. It's especially fun for younger children who enjoy picking out their favorite horse and taking a spin around the carousel. As simple as the ride may be, it's part of the nostalgic charm that makes Disneyland special. The location in the heart of Fantasyland also makes it a great attraction to enjoy while exploring the surrounding area. One thing to keep in mind is that the ride continuously spins in a circle. If you're prone to motion sickness, dizziness, or nausea, you may want to skip this attraction or ride with caution. For everyone else, it's a fun and relaxing Disneyland classic that's worth experiencing at least once.

If you are ever in Santa Monica you must go to the Santa Monica Pier. It is clean, it is fun, it is…read morewell patrolled. They have so many things to do there. Park in the pier parking lot, for a fee, and you will see stairs taking you up to the pier. There are great places to eat from fine dinning to cheap hot dogs. It is all great. They have a Bubba Gump's there which is great. They have rides for little to adults, that is an extra fee. Getting on the pier is free. The views are wonderful at sunset and the beach and then ocean is right under you. It is just fun. Kids love it. It has a great boardwalk and a ton of arcade games. I like it at sunset during the summer, but I like to avoid the heat. The service at the eateries or at the games is just so great. They are nice and will help you. They also have a small Santa Monica police place there, in case there is a problem or you lose your kid. It is great fun.

This review is based on an event that was held here this past weekend. A perfect weekend with…read moreamazing weather sure does bring people trekking down to Santa Monica and of course the pier and beach in particular. The last time I was here, construction was happening on the bridge that leads you down to the boardwalk. It's still blocked off so no cars are allowed down and only one side of the pathway is open. Anyways, not sure how long that would go on for. This past weekend, the boardwalk hosted the Thai fest by the Beach event on the pier. A nice weekend of amazing Thai food, vendors and of course entertainment. It was held on the side where the parking would normally be and next to the amusement park area. Slightly blocked off on the side of the rides but still accessible. The event was free and welcoming everyone. Mainly a lot of booths but majority of them were food and drinks. You're greeted with the sweet smell of fresh homemade Thai dishes. Pretty much each booth had a line. Some did move faster than others while some were a VERY long wait just to order and then more waiting for your item. Regardless wherever you went, the food was great. Some stalls did have your traditional Thai souvenirs, clothing and trinkets. While others were a mixture of everything. Not a lot as mainly they were food stalls. Right in the middle was the stage that hosted different performances with dancing, singing and so on. They did have tables set up just in-front of the stage area but very limited. Also the seating, there was a good amount in-front of the stage but limited as well. All in all, I would say the event was very successful. Food wise, we did get some of the skewers and boat noddles which were quite tasty. Skewers, 10.00 for 5piece of pork or chicken and the boat noodles came up to 18.00 a bowl. It was quite delicious. Besides the event, there were loads of things happening on the pier. Of course the amusement park area was very lively and busy. Both with visitors and people that came to attend the festival. And then you have the arcade area which was also very busy. The pier as it's a well known tourist spot does being in loads of visitors daily. Even if you come for a stroll along it and catch the waves and people watch, it's great. Theres a few snack booth but you have the main restaurant as you come in, Bubba Gump. If you haven't been, it's something that's a must in Santa Monica.

Such a fun cheap outdoor activity for the family in Griffith Park. It's all by itself now since the…read morepony rides are gone. I wonder if they plan on putting a playground or something in its place. I think that would be a nice spot for a playground so that there's more to do than just the train. The train ride itself is 10-15 mins and they have the area decorated depending on the holiday. We went near Easter and they had bunnies, eggs, carrots, etc all inside. Really nice. If you used to go here as a kid, definitely come back with your kids. Nostalgia will hit and it'll be just as you remembered it.

So the train ride is a lot of fun and we love taking our daughter here…read more The conductor Vincent is great. He does a good pace and is very welcoming. The conductor Edgar is not as welcoming and his pace is off. It either is too fast, too slow and can jolt. The main reason the score is not higher is because it is a little run down and scenery is not maintained well.

Came to the Great Park for the first time to try out a ride on the big orange hot air balloon & it…read morewas very easy and fun! We arrived around 8:25pm. At first we didn't really know where to park but through apple maps we scoped out the parking lots and ended up in Lot 2! (parking lot closest to the balloon) We decided to walk around and stumbled upon a carousel. This is a very nice place to take family & kids out as many people were riding their bikes/scooters, enjoying time together listening to some music which was being played on speakers. Right in front of that was a visitor center with a big sign in front stating we were able to purchase balloon rides tickets inside. They were $10 each (no cash or credit cards accepted btw!!! only debit cards) and had to sign out an online waiver. They have plenty of vending machines with snacks and clean bathrooms with changing stations outside and around the corner. Not to mention the people at the front desk were super nice and friendly!!! We received a ticket after purchasing, informing us what time our ride was ready, so we decided to make our way towards the benches right next to the balloon. Once the time on the ticket came, we hopped in and enjoyed the view! It was around a 15 minute ride. You're able to walk around and take in the view from any side. Super laidback and nice experience overall!

+ Pleasant place to run and bike around. + Plenty greenery…read moreall around. + Several public sand volleyball courts. . Can't wait for their upcoming many pb courts! Our county needs hundreds more pronto. + They still operate the big orange balloon ride, - but according to Irvine website it's $10/adult now. Glad I went when it was still free. + Amicable, family-friendly ambience. + Numerous ample parking lots. + Adjacent Wild Rivers.

I recently visited Eldorado Park in Long Beach, and I discovered it after seeing a special exit off…read morethe 605 freeway. The park is easy to get to. you just take the exit, turn right, and there's a parking lot right there. The parking costs $8, but be warned! there's no cash accepted. Make sure to have a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay ready, because the line was pretty slow when I went, and it took almost 10 minutes just to get into the park. Once inside, I was impressed by how beautiful the park was! April was a fantastic time to visit. The grass was lush and green, and the whole atmosphere was really relaxing. I'm not sure if it stays this way year-round, but in April, it was really pristine. I loved how there are special areas for parties. you can reserve them online and they also have spots for grilling and even pitching your own tent. However, I was a bit disappointed with the bathroom situation. For $8 parking, the restrooms were really dirty. I also noticed a few homeless individuals wandering around, and one person was using the restroom for a very long time, which made it even more unpleasant. The city or management really needs to step up if you're charging for parking, you need to ensure better services, like cleaner restrooms or even some water fountains. On the bright side, the kids' playground was really nice, and the park overall felt clean, especially along the trails. I loved that you can bring a bike or rent one, and the trail was perfect for a relaxing ride. So, big shoutout to the staff and management for keeping the park clean overall, but please, if you're charging for parking, improve the bathroom facilities. I'd definitely come back for the scenery, but I hope the logistics get better!

Men's room has one toilet without a stall & no urinal Not…read morevery private This toilet is located on 7 st not spring

My kids love carousels, and they might particularly love the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel…read more It's full of colorful animals (or as my one-year-old calls them, "dogs"), a musical merry-go-round that adds extra joy to a day at the L.A. Zoo. My boys are both too small to ride on their own, but they're allowed on with an adult each to accompany them. Tickets cost $3 apiece, but you only need one per rider (adults acting as human seat belts for tiny children ride for free). It's a fair price for how happy the carousel makes the kids, and how cute they look bobbing up and down on their animals. There are all kinds of cool animals on that merry-go-round, but my three-year-old only has eyes for the jumping giraffe (there are two giraffes, but one is stationary). Thankfully his brother is more agreeable, content to ride on the neighboring warthog (which, to be honest, would not be my first choice). Both children are hard to pry loose when the ride is done. My kids love the live animals, but the carousel might well be their favorite part of the zoo. I dread the day when they no longer enjoy the simple pleasure of a merry-go-round. I hope there will be many more rides before then.

Merry-go-rounds are my jammm…read more The Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel is one of the finest ones in a lovely setting. Two peacocks happened to screech and roam in this area next to a pavilion during my visit. Roosters got nothin' on 'em. If you hear them, let them amuse you while you purchase ride tokens at the kiosk. Note: get those tokens *early*. Else the kiosk may not be open. Riding on the Carousel is so nostalgic, cheery and just good old-fashioned fun. All sorts of zoo and non-zoo animals to choose as your trusty steed. For five or ten minutes you go up, down, and round and round, grinning with joy, like a child without a care in the world. Don't we all need to re-capture that feeling sometimes? The Carousel at the Los Angeles Zoo. Just do it. :D One of the Mankiewiczes might even acknowledge your Carousel check-in via Twitter. Check out trivia, stats and fun facts about this wonderful Zoo fixture at: http://www.carouselworks.com/carPages/laZoo.htm