Huntington Central Park & Shipley Nature Center
Huntington Beach, CA
Free
By Simir Shah
★★★★★4.6(306 Google reviews)
What parents say
AI summary of 5 Google reviews — not a first-hand visit. How we write these
The nature center is free with a donation box, and reviewers say volunteers hand out maps to identify what you see. Easy trails around a pond and marsh with plenty of benches, and one reviewer's toddler managed it fine. There is a gift shop and classes. Paths get muddy, so leave good shoes at home.
The county's largest city park: a free nature center, a fairy-tale-themed Adventure Playground, dog park, and a lakeside cafe. At 356 acres it's the biggest city-owned park in Orange County, and the 18-acre Shipley Nature Center inside it has logged more than 200 bird species along its 4,000 feet of trails since opening in 1974. The seasonal Adventure Playground takes a hands-on approach kids don't get elsewhere in OC — real tools, scrap wood, treehouses, and a shallow mud pond for building and exploring.
Good for
- Stroller-friendly
- Shade
- Nap-schedule friendly
- Sensory-friendly
- Works for a wide age range
Happening near here
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17851 Goldenwest St, Huntington Beach, CA 92647, USA
Map
What visitors say
- Joe Revette★★★★★
This is one amazing nature center! I loved that even in busy Huntington, you can hear the birds and insects. The views you get of the Pond are pretty spectacular. The marshes are cool. All in all a very enjoyable walk and time spent. And its free! They ask donation but not required. One place you will want to go many times to enjoy over and over again.
5 months ago
- Richard Chau Nguyen★★★★★
This is a wonderful place with more natural animals and plants. This place has many protrusions so pedestrians can go deeper and explore. Volunteers provide full support with documents and maps to identify and confirm objects. Many colorful flowers of many sizes and shapes, with many diffused scents, perennial trees growing in the forest, and nuts. Animals can see most birds, butterflies, squirrels, and insects. This place is suitable for children to explore and learn about nature. There are also many attractive souvenirs if guests need to celebrate
2 years ago
Showing 2 of 5 Google reviews · Read them all on Google Maps
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