Exploring Parks in Long Beach: A Guide to Nature and Recreation in the City of Long Beach

Long Beach, CA is home to some of the most beautiful parks in the country. From stunning coastal hikes to tranquil neighborhood parks, Long Beach offers a variety of outdoor spaces for locals and visitors to explore.

With its mild climate and stunning landscapes, Long Beach is the perfect destination for outdoor recreation. Whether you are looking for a peaceful picnic close to your Long Beach apartment, or an exciting adventure, you can find something to enjoy in these 13 must-visit parks in Long Beach.

ariel view on park in long beach

1. Long Beach City Park

Long Beach City Park is one of the largest parks in the city, spanning over 100 acres of land. The park is home to a variety of recreational activities, including walking and jogging trails, picnic facilities, an outdoor swimming pool, basketball courts, and a playground.

It is also home to the Long Beach Historical Society Museum, a historical museum dedicated to the history of the city. The park is located near a variety of other attractions, such as the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, the Long Beach Convention Center, and the Long Beach Museum of Art.

2. Heartwell Park

Heartwell Park consists of 28 acres of land, with a variety of facilities and activities for all ages. The park includes a lighted baseball diamond, basketball courts, picnic areas, a playground, a lakeside walking path, and a skate park. It also has a large pond and a fishing dock, which is a great spot to relax and enjoy the outdoors.

There is also an outdoor fitness area, which features exercise equipment for all ages. The park also hosts various events and activities, such as concerts, movie screenings, and festivals.

3. Bluff Park

Bluff Park is a public park with 11 acres of grassy meadows and bluffs overlooking the Pacific Ocean. The park includes a playground, picnic areas, and a promenade along the beach.

It also offers a great view of the Queen Mary, the Long Beach skyline, and Catalina Island. Bluff Park is a popular destination for sunbathers, beach-goers, and joggers. The park is also home to the Long Beach Pride Festival, held annually in June.

“Bluff Park is a great destination for those looking to spend a day outdoors,” says Long Beach Black News. “With 11 acres of picturesque landscape, telescopes, monuments, and stunning sunsets, this park is sure to provide an awe-inspiring experience. It is also dog-friendly, so you can enjoy the day with your furry friends. Don’t miss out on this magnificent opportunity.”

4. Signal Hill Park

Signal Hill Park is a 28-acre park in Long Beach. The park is in a residential neighborhood and includes a variety of amenities, such as a playground, picnic area, basketball court, and walking paths. Its most notable feature is its spectacular view of the city and harbor.

The park also offers a variety of recreational activities, such as hiking, biking, and bird-watching. Several educational programs and events are also held at the park, such as nature walks, concerts, and special exhibits. Signal Hill Park is a great place to take in the sights of Long Beach and enjoy the outdoors.

5. Bixby Park

Bixby Park is a public park in an area known as Belmont Shore. The park is surrounded by a residential neighborhood close to the beach and bike path. It is a popular spot for locals and visitors, featuring picnic areas, playgrounds, and a basketball court.

It is also home to the historic Bixby Park Band Shell, which hosts music performances and events throughout the year. The park also includes a beach area, a skate park, and an outdoor exercise area.

6. Naples Canals

The Naples Canals of Long Beach are a network of man-made canals in the Naples neighborhood. The canals are a popular destination for sightseeing and recreational activities.

Visitors can explore the canals on foot or by kayak or take a leisurely gondola ride. The canals are also home to various wildlife, including ducks, geese, egrets, and herons. The nearby Naples Island Park offers a variety of amenities, including picnic areas, playgrounds, and a public pool.

“I think the best-kept secret in Long Beach is the Naples Canals,” shares Lisa Niver, travel expert at We Said Go Travel. “Take your entire family to kayak or paddleboard in calm water. During the holidays, take your sweetheart for a romantic gondola ride that feels like Venice, Italy, while staying in sunny California.”

long beach outdoor recreation

7. Colorado Lagoon Park

Colorado Lagoon Park is a 56-acre park located in Long Beach, near the intersection of Pacific Coast Highway and Colorado Street. The park features a variety of recreational activities, including a boardwalk, a fishing lagoon, picnic areas, a playground, and a nature center.

There are also hiking, biking, and jogging trails, and a boat launch for kayaks, canoes, and electric boats. The park has views of the Long Beach skyline, the Los Angeles Harbor, and the Pacific Ocean. It’s also home to various wildlife, including birds, fish, and ducks.

8. Marine Stadium Park

Marine Stadium Park is located along the shore of the Pacific Ocean, between the Queen Mary and the Belmont Shore pier. It features a variety of amenities, including a playground, picnic areas, a fishing pier, and a beach.

The park also contains several historical sites, including the Marine Stadium, which was built in 1932 for motorboat racing. The stadium is currently undergoing restoration and will soon be reopened to the public. In addition, the park is home to a number of native birds, mammals, and aquatic species.

9. El Dorado Regional Park

Large urban park, El Dorado Regional Park, located in Long Beach. This park covers an area of over 340 acres and offers a variety of recreational activities. It is home to a large lake, picnic areas, a Nature Center, a fishing lake, and several walking trails. The park also includes an 18-hole disc golf course, soccer and baseball fields, and a playground for children. Visitors to the park can also enjoy a variety of bird-watching opportunities, as well as beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.

10. Rosie’s Dog Beach

“Long Beach residents are known for their love of the outdoors, and they certainly live in the right place for it as the city serves the community with 169 public parks,” shares local blogger LifeHacksLA. “Long Beach is also well known for dog lovers, and the city is a pooches paradise with over a dozen official dog parks, including the famous Rosie’s Dog Beach.”

Rosie’s Dog Beach is the first and only legal off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles County. It is located at the east end of Long Beach on the east side of the mouth of the Los Angeles River.

The beach is open year-round from 6 am to 8 pm and is free to use. It’s a great place for dogs to enjoy the sand, sun, and surf in an off-leash environment. It is a great place for owners to relax and enjoy the day with their furry friends.

Rosie’s Dog Beach is well-maintained and provides plenty of space for dogs and their owners to enjoy. The beach also has a designated area for small dogs and a designated area for large dogs. There are also drinking fountains and waste bags available for owners to clean up after their dogs.

LifeHacksLA continues, “if you love the outdoors and you love dogs, it’s pretty hard to beat living in Long Beach.”

11. Heartwell Park

Heartwell Park is a popular park in Long Beach. The park is 15 acres and features a variety of amenities, including two lighted baseball diamonds, a lighted soccer field, a lighted basketball court, a tot lot, grassy areas, a picnic area, and a small pond. The park also has a pavilion and hosts a variety of community events, such as concerts and festivals.

The park is named after former Long Beach mayor E.L. Heartwell, who was instrumental in developing this park in the 1930s.

12. Recreation Park

Recreation Park is 22.5-acres, featuring a 9-hole golf course, two outdoor pools, two basketball courts, two playgrounds, two picnic areas, two volleyball courts, and several BBQ pits. The park also has a running track, a soccer field, and a Frisbee golf course.

It is located at the corner of East 7th Street and Long Beach Boulevard and is open from dawn to dusk.

13. Los Cerritos Park

Located at the northeast corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Los Cerritos Park Road is Los Cerritos Park. The park was established in 1955 and was named after the Cerritos family, who were a prominent family in the Long Beach area.

The park has a variety of amenities, including a large playground, picnic areas, a basketball court, an outdoor fitness area, a full-size soccer field, a horseshoe pit, and a small lake. There is also a nature area with trails and a butterfly garden.

“At Los Cerritos Park, the lush greenery and towering trees create an incredibly calming atmosphere,” says local nonprofit organization itisoverdue. “We enjoy organizing clean-up events here to appreciate the beauty of nature with family and friends. Our canine companions also love the park and wish more parks were as green and clean as this one.”

Parks in Long Beach for kids

“For those looking to play, Long Beach has some incredibly imaginative playgrounds to explore,” says RecWest Outdoor Products. “Recreation Park boasts a dinosaur-themed playground, while Admiral Kidd Park has a WWII naval ship, and Lincoln Park at the Civic Center offers a fun tidepool-themed playground complete with a boardwalk, beach, and a five-foot-tall wave to slide down. Playing on these playgrounds offers many benefits to children, as it promotes physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. So come and play in Long Beach.”

“Parks are traditionally filled with playground equipment and open field spaces for kids to enjoy, which is common in Long Beach,” shares Fitness Design Group. “With the ocean close by and the high demand for outdoor movement in Long Beach, there is a huge opportunity to provide family-friendly and adult fitness structures that are designed to fit in nature.” By taking this approach, adults can keep an eye on their kids while also being able to partake in physical activity themselves.

city of long beach, ca

Find the perfect place to unwind

With an abundance of playgrounds, picnic areas, and walking paths, these parks provide a safe and fun environment for families and individuals to enjoy the outdoors. Whether you are looking to spend a day at the beach, hike in the woods, or simply relax in the sunshine, parks in Long Beach offer something for everyone.