Recreation

Pony Rides in Long Beach

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Looking for some great pony rides in Long Beach? Or wondering if there are any horseback riding lessons in Long Beach? You’re in luck! Across from Long Beach Towne Center, on the Lakewood/Long Beach border, is an amazing equestrian center! Go on a pony ride, take a riding lesson, or have a birthday at this amazing hidden gem of Long Beach!

Anytime we go to a fair or carnival, my kids love to go on a pony ride. But at fair and carnival prices? I say “no” much more often than I say “yes.”

Once you pay for the ride (that’s over in 2 minutes) and then a big upcharge just to take a picture, you’ve spent a LOT of money. Have more than one kid? Forget about it! Pony rides at a reasonable price are hard to find!

So we were thrilled to find affordable pony rides in Long Beach. Whether you’re taking one child or a fun family outing, there’s something for everyone at Ponytime at the Lakewood Equestrian Center!

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Best Bike Paths for Kids in Long Beach

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One of our favorite family activities is taking a neighborhood bike ride. If you’re looking for a place to ride, you’ll love our list of best bike paths for kids in Long Beach.

My family rides our bikes a lot. We ride around the neighborhood, we ride to nearby parks, we ride to close family members homes. We ride so much we had to start looking for new fun places to ride our bikes.

Luckily, Long Beach has a ton of fun recreational opportunities and a surprising amount of green space for a big city. Long Beach also prides itself on being a “Bike Friendly Community” with lots of bike lanes and spaces created for riding bikes.

And while, as adults, we love all the bike lanes, sometimes our kids need something a bit more protected.

From parks to beach paths, to right in your own neighborhood, there are a ton of great places to ride bikes with kids in Long Beach.

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Visiting Bolsa Chica Wetlands with Kids

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Looking for a fun way to get outside in Southern California? Consider visiting Bolsa Chica Wetlands with kids! It’s a flat, easy walk with lots to see. Fun for the whole family!

I’ve lived here in Long Beach for almost twenty years (oh, ew. How am I that old?) and I’ve never visited the Bolsa Chica Wetlands before.

I’d always heard about them, and how beautiful it was, and what a nice walk it was.

But I’d also heard about how terrible parking is, and it was enough to put me off completely.

So when a trip with Cub Scouts forced my hand, I had no choice but to visit Bolsa Chica Wetlands with kids (like, LOTS of them) for the first time.

And it turns out (like so many things) I had nothing to be afraid of, and only wished I’d done it sooner.

If you are also intimidated by the adventure, or are looking to visit Bolsa Chica Wetlands for the first time, here are some pro tips to make the whole thing less scary (and more fun).

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Camping in El Dorado Park in Long Beach

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Wondering if there is camping in El Dorado Park in Long Beach? The answer for whether or not camping is allowed in El Dorado Park is a little more complicated than you might think- but we’re going to clear it up for you right here!

If you’ve spent much time in East Long Beach, you’ve for sure heard of El Dorado Regional Park in Long Beach. It’s got incredible resources, and lots of green space.

But it’s also a SUPER confusing park.

Not only are the one way roads a little tricky (and don’t get us started on the limited entrances!) but people often get it confused with Long Beach’s El Dorado Park, the free-use portion of the park with the same name.

And one of the most common questions we’ve been asked? Is camping allowed in El Dorado Park in Long Beach.

The answer is yes- but also no. Read on for full information!

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Long Beach Concert in the Park

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Long Beach Concert in the park is Back! Check out this list of dates and places you can attend a Concert in the Park this year for some great, free, family fun! Plus, we’ve compiled all our best tips for attending Concert in the Park with kids!

One of my favorite things about living in Long Beach is our summers full of family, friends and Concert in the Park. Growing up, I attended the same park where I now take my kids. And this event has the same excitement today that it still had 30 years ago.

The music is always exceptional and everyone always has a wonderful time making memories. And if you’re lucky, your kids will be worn out from all the running around having fun.

Concert in the Park is a long-standing tradition in Long Beach and one that you’ll want to add to your summer to-do list.

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Summer Camps in Long Beach (2022)

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Looking for summer camps in Long Beach in 2022? Check out this list of different summer camps in Long Beach, offering both whole and half day options!

Finding summer camps can be like an Olympic sport in Summer California. You’ve got to do your research, you’ve got to start early, and you’ve got to show up ON TIME if you want to snag your kids a spot.

But some of us (us, in particular, if we’re being honest) don’t really do THAT. We realize partway into summer that our kids are driving us crazy, and start looking around for summer camps for kids to get them out of our hair.

So we’re compiling this list of summer camps in Long Beach for 2022 for those of you who find yourself in similar positions.

It’s not going to have complete information for every camp, but it should be a solid list of options for you to explore.

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Movies in the Park in Long Beach 2022

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Summer Movies in the Park are back! Check out this list of places to watch movies in the park in Long Beach and the surrounding areas for cheap family fun every week, all summer long!

One of our favorite family traditions each summer is to walk to our local park to watch a movie.

Long Beach goes all out with their Movies in the Park program. They bring in a GIANT inflatable screen, free popcorn, and often a couple of vendors to show family friendly movies three times a week, EVERY week, all summer long!

Not only does the City of Long Beach come correct with their summer movie in the park offerings, but several neighboring cities and local organizations do, too.

So if you’re looking for movies in the park (or on the beach!) this summer, we’ve got the complete list of where to find them (and how to watch them!)

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