Hidden Gems

Tips for Visiting the OC Zoo

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Looking for a zoo near Long Beach that is small, manageable, but still a ton of fun? You don’t have to head to LA or San Diego! Check out the OC Zoo in Irvine for a great zoo at an even better value!

We’re big time zoo enthusiasts. We regularly get family passes to the LA Zoo, and have even been known to get them to the San Diego Zoo and Safari Park. But sometimes we don’t want to have to deal with the LA traffic or make a whole weekend of going to San Diego.

If you’re looking to see some fantastic animals from the Southwestern United States, you’ll find a great collection at the OC Zoo.

Nestled in the beautiful Irvine hills, the OC Zoo is one of our favorite places, that even we tend to forget about!

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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 Hiking with Kids in Long Beach

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Looking to enjoy the great outdoors? Well lucky for us, while Long Beach has all the amenities of a big city, it has a surprising amount of fun – and accessible – hiking opportunities for families! Whether you’re a family that loves the great outdoors or is just dipping your toe in hiking, there’s something for you in Long Beach. Check out these best family hiking spots in Long Beach and try one with your family soon!

I’ve never been super outdoorsy. Then I married an Eagle Scout. So when we had kids he was so excited to get them outside.

Over the past 8 years we’ve loaded our kids up in strollers, double strollers, wagons, and Ergo’s and explored all over Long Beach (and beyond!)

Here are some of our favorite spots we’ve visited.

Did we miss one of your favorite spots? Drop it in the comments so we can check it out and add it to our list!

best kid friendly hikes in long beach, from Long beach Kids

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Visiting the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens

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If you’re looking for a short but fun activity in the heart of Long Beach, look no farther than the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens located inside Cal State Long Beach. These stunning gardens aren’t able to be seen from any major streets and aren’t a major destination for most folks. You could live your whole life in Long Beach and not know about them!

When our first kids were little, we spent a lot of time exploring Long Beach with toddlers. As alums of CSULB, we remembered that there was a nice little Japanese Garden right on campus.

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens were close, not overwhelmingly large, and FREE. This was basically the trifecta for us as new Moms, so we were excited to check it out.

Almost ten years later, this is still one of my favorite places to take my kids.

The Japanese Gardens at CSULB are an amazing hidden gem that your little ones will love. With an easy walking path, lots of benches for snack breaks and a koi pond that will amaze your kids, it’s sure to become a family favorite.

Here’s everything you should know before you head to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens in Long Beach!

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Visiting Rancho Los Cerritos

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If you’re looking for a fun – and free – way to enjoy an afternoon, check out Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach. This hidden gem is a great place to talk a walk and immerse yourself in some SoCal history. Here’s everything you need to know before your visit.

Rancho Los Cerritos is one of those places that you’ve probably always heard of, but never seen. Unless you were actually trying to go there. Tucked away in Virginia Country Club, Rancho Los Cerritos is a little slice of history that you won’t find many other places in the city.

It may not be all flash and wild adventure, but if you’re looking for a peaceful, mellow afternoon Rancho Los Cerritos is sure to fit the bill. From the beautiful historic home to the stunning sprawling grounds and the native plant walk, there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy at Rancho Los Cerritos.

Here’s everything you should know before you head to Rancho Los Cerritos in Long Beach!

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Baker Street Park

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One of my favorite things to do if I have time to kill is open Google Maps and searching for a playground near me. Which is exactly how I happened to find the hidden gem of Baker Street Park in Wrigley.

Located off all major streets, but right behind the 405 and 710 Freeways, Baker Street Park is safe and tucked away while being super accessible! We love that it’s secluded – and we often have the playground all to ourselves!

We hope you’ll explore new parks and try out Baker Street Park in Wrigley too! Here’s everything you need to know for your first visit to Baker Street Park!

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Visiting Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach

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Have you visited Racho Los Alamitos in Long Beach before? This free, hidden gem is the perfect place to take a stroll on a warm day, visit animals, and learn a ton about Southern California’s history. Here’s what you need to know before you go!

When my daughter was young, a friend invited us to come see the giant horses at Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach. We got dressed, got excited, and set out for an adventure.

Aaannndd….we couldn’t find the place.

It took a few more years, and a few more tries, before we were able to actually figure out how to get into Rancho Los Alamitos. And it’s really not so hard- you just have to know what you’re looking for.

And when you do find it, you’re going to be rewarded handsomely. With a historic home to tour, extensive gardens to walk through, and a barn full of farm animals, you and your kids will leave the Rancho very, very glad you came.

Here’s what you should know before you head to Rancho Los Alamitos in Long Beach!

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Tips for Visiting El Dorado Frontier in Long Beach

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You may not have heard of El Dorado Frontier in Long Beach or realized that Long Beach has it’s own mini-theme park! We hadn’t either, so we were thrilled to try out the updated El Dorado Frontier!

Located in the heart of El Dorado Regional Park East, El Dorado Frontier will take you and your kids back to the wild west. From panning for gold to a train ride through history, El Dorado Frontier is a not to be missed hidden gem in Long Beach.

Tips for visiting El Dorado Frontier with kids, by LongBeachKids.com

This post contains affiliate links. You can read more at our disclosures page. Thanks!

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