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.

This park is located in Old Town Seal Beach, south of main street. It goes all the way to Electric…read moreand Ocean. This park doesn't have any play grounds but does have lots of trees, a nice walk way, dog poop cans, and is always groomed. Most people that are here on a daily basis walk their animals, have yoga circles, climb trees, play catch or just lay in the grass under the tree. There have been sightings of coyotes at night that attack little animals but they usually won't go after people. I am here a couple times a week as its right across from my home, and we walk our cat lol. We get a lot of people stopping and staring but it's still fun. Everyone is really friendly and the park is always clean.

This is a nice park with lots of trees and grass. There are plenty of benches to sit and relax…read more Check out a book from the library and spend the afternoon here relaxing. The park is very clean with lots of trash cans and stations with bags to pick up after your pets.

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.

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

Food, folks, and fun! Eateries near by and the beach in front of you, bathrooms are plentiful and…read moreusually clean. :)

nice small park next to the beach, perfect spot to enjoy lunch. we went during the week so parking…read morewas plentiful on the street. The pier is not dog friendly

Seems like a good park for older kids, but it's just okay for toddlers…read more Pros: Plenty of parking. Quiet, safe neighborhood. Large grassy areas. Clean. Picnic benches. Interesting play structure with tons of climbing (almost like a mini ropes course) for older kids. Cons: No bathroom. No shade. The playground says it's for ages 2-12, but there's hardly anything there for a 2-3 year old, so you quickly run out of things to do. The toddler play structure is tiny, and the older kids' play structure is inaccessible for toddlers because of all the climbing required to get on it.

First time at this park and it's quite fun for the kids. Toddler area available and it's clean! I…read morelike that it's got tar mat for the flooring and not sand. Some benches with shade for parents to sit and observe the kids. Ropes course. Quiet and peaceful. I'd consider coming back.

Quiet neighborhood park, behind Sprouts Shopping center…read more Sand, two play structures, climb the fish and swings. Lots of grass and COVERED picnic tables. Nice exercise tips/stations throughout the park. Remodeled bathrooms.

Nice park but... the climbing side of the big kid structure brings you to a very narrow platform…read moreand with lots of kids deciding on crossing the wobbly bridge I see it as a very dangerous possibility. If someone gets pushed they will fall down and possibly break their back, neck or limbs on the poles before hitting the bottom.

OVERALL This is a great playground for families with small…read morechildren. ENVIRONMENT The Seal Beach Pier Playground is - you guessed it - right next to Seal Beach Pier. The playground is enclosed by an adorable brick and mortar fence with hand painted tiles circa 1993 by nearby residents. There are two gates, one being a bit larger for strollers. The playground itself is small, however, it suits younger children just fine. My 7 and 8-year-old enjoyed the swings & playing tag with other kiddos on the structure and around the two life-like seal sculptures. There are baby swings too. The restaurants here are low-key and there are kid's menus at several of them. I suggest just taking a walk down the pier to watch the sunset. SERVICE There are not any staff members on watch duty nearby. There is always an officer driving around checking cars for paid parking. You've been warned. Lol. MY FAVORITE PART... How close to the beach it is... Take turns with the other parent so they can take a peaceful walk with their toes in the sand. NOT SO FAVORITE PART... I've heard that the restrooms nearby can get dirty fast. PARKING There is some free street parking nearby, but it is a trek with kids. There are also lots on either side of the pier that you'll need to pay at the kiosk before adventuring. Bring lots of coins or cards are accepted. Snap a photo of your license plate if you don't already have it memorized because you'll have to enter it when you pay.

A cool little park tucked in right by the pier. Well kept and walled in with gated exits, this…read moreplace will keep your young ones active and having fun for a good while. There's seating place around for parents, and you get plenty of sun and ocean while knowing your kids are safe and enjoying the day. :)

The photos that I saw made the park actually look somewhat nice but it was a long dirt road to the…read morebaseball field. The parking lot is also dirt and very bumpy. It was a walk back down that dirt road to the little garden area to get to the bathroom- which was just one dirty porta potty. The people at the park were nice though and it wasn't sketchy, plus there were passionfruit growing on the chain-link fence between the parking lot and the bike trail. No entrance to the bike trail from there by the way!

Very nice little park, good for relaxation and just enjoying a bit of nature. It's conveniently…read morelocated near the freeway for easy access. I've been there several times and have been able to just chill and take my mind off things for a short while.

I've only been here a couple of times with my two dogs, but it's such a nice change from our usual…read moreneighborhood walks, the Naples canals, or Marine Stadium. It's a great little road/trail--peaceful, scenic, and perfect for getting in a longer walk. There were a few other people out when we went, which was nice. I did notice some dogs off-leash (which I personally don't mind), but with coyotes in the area, I kept my small pups leashed just to be safe. A couple things to note: when I went around 4pm, there were quite a few mosquitoes--probably because it had rained recently and there was some standing water along the road/trail side. Also, parking was a bit confusing since there aren't marked stalls. I wasn't sure if I should park at an angle, perpendicular on the hill, or parallel, so that could definitely be clearer. It did feel a little quiet and slightly eerie when we first arrived since no one else was there, but there are homes along the top of the trail, so you're not completely isolated. Overall, I really enjoyed it and will definitely be back--especially once everything is dried out. Looking forward to more calm, serene walks with my pups!

This is my happy place. Whenever I am stressed or sad, I come here, and all is well again…read more My dog loves this place. She gets to roam around and explore the urban wilderness. As the saying goes, I am happy when my dog is happy. The best part of being here is that there is always shade, no matter what time of the day or season. There are three trash cans to hold those poop bags, and fallen tree trucks to serve as rugged furniture for an impromptu picnic. Parking is never an issue. The dirt lot can accommodate many cars, but the dirt can be bumpy.