Nature Centers

Los Angeles Metropolitan Area

Tree People
This organization raises trees to be planted throughout Los Angeles, by volunteers. The headquarters contains paths in a small forest located between Beverly Hills and the San Fernando Valley. You can hike the easy paths and meanwhile look out over the Valley.
Address: 12601 Mulholland Drive (at Coldwater Canyon Road North)
Phone: (818) 753-4600

Chavez Ravine Arboretum
In Elysian Park (near Dodger Stadium)
Location: Chavez Ravine Road, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: (213) 485-5054

Brand Park Japanese Garden
Address: 1601 W Mountain St, Glendale 91208
Phone: (818) 548-3782

Exposition Park Rose Garden
Near the Natural History Museum, and California Science Center
Address: 701 State Dr, Los Angeles 90037
Phone: (213) 763-0114

Ferndell Nature Museum
Off Ferndell Drive near Los Feliz Blvd, in Griffith Park
Address: 5375 Red Oak Drive, Los Angeles
Phone: (323) 666-5046

Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden
Native and exotic plants, paths, herbarium.
Location: On the UCLA Campus, near Le Conte Ave and Hilgard Ave.
Phone: (310) 825-1260

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Pasadena / North-eastern Areas

Eaton Canyon Natural Area
Address: 1750 N. Altadena Dr., Pasadena 91107
Phone: (626) 398-5420

Arboretum of Los Angeles County
127-acre horticultural and botanical center
Address: 301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia 91007
Phone: (626) 821-3222

Peck Road Water Conservation Park
Address: 5401 N. Peck Rd., Arcadia 91006
Phone: (626) 334-1065

Whittier Narrows Nature Center
Address: 1000 N. Durfee Ave., South El Monte 91733
Phone: (626) 575-5523

San Dimas Canyon Nature Center
Address: 1628 N. Sycamore Canyon Rd., San Dimas 91773
Phone: (909) 599-7512
(For more information, see San Dimas Canyon Nature Center Association)

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San Fernando Valley

Orcutt Ranch Horticultural Center
Address: 23600 Roscoe Blvd, West Hills, CA 91304
Phone: (818) 346-7449

Sepulveda Basin Wildlife Reserve
Address: 6350 Woodley Ave, Van Nuys, CA 91406
Phone: (818) 756-9710

Tujunga Ponds Wildlife Sanctuary
Location: Tujunga Wash - 210 Fwy and Wentworth
Phone: (661) 944-6881

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Santa Clarita Valley

Placerita Canyon Nature Center
Hiking trails and picnic facilities
Address: 19152 Placerita Canyon Rd., Newhall 91321
Phone: (661) 259-7721

William S. Hart Park
Picnic facilities, historical monuments
Address: 24151 Newhall Avenue, Newhall, CA 91321
Phone: (661) 254-4584

Vasquez Rocks Natural Area Park
Address: 10700 Escondido Canyon Rd, Agua Dulce, CA 91350
Phone: (661) 268-0840

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South Bay / Long Beach

El Dorado Regional Park and Nature Center - This expansive park has a number of attractions that both parents and kids will enjoy. The Nature Center is the most visited portion of the park and provides "touch tables" where kids can feel animal skins, bugs, and other "natural" things. The nature center also provides puppets so kids can create their own show. In addition, the park boasts hiking trails and a pond with turtles and large fish. A perfect place to go when you've had enough of museums!
Address: 7550 E Spring St, Long Beach 90808
Phone: (562) 570-1745

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Topanga (near Malibu)

Trippet Ranch Nature Center
Topanga State Park
At the end of Entrada Road off of Topanga Cyn Rd
4.6 miles north of Pacific Coast Hwy; 7.5 miles south of Hwy 101
Picnic facilities, call park for hours and availability
Phone: (310) 455-2465

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Antelope Valley / Pearblossom / Wrightwood

Antelope Valley California Poppy Preserve
Open during Spring. Accessible.
Address: 15101 W Lancaster Rd, Lancaster 93536
Phone: (661) 724-1180

Grassy Hollow Visitor Center
Open Saturdays, Sundays and holidays
Location: Angeles Crest Hwy (Highway 2), six miles west of Wrightwood
Phone: (626) 821-6737

Jackrabbit Flats Wildlife Sanctuary (No facilities)
Location: SE corner of 116th East and Avenue T, Pearblossom
Phone: (661) 944-6881

Devil's Punchbowl Natural Area Park
Address: 28000 Devil's Punchbowl Rd., Pearblossom 93553
Phone: (661) 944-2743

Phacelia Wildflower Sanctuary (No facilities)
Address: 200th St. East and Ave. D, Antelope Valley
Phone: (661) 944-6881

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San Bernardino National Forest

Big Bear Discovery Center
Address: 40971 North Shore Dr. (Hwy 38), Fawnskin, CA 92338
Phone: (909) 866-3437

Heaps Peak Arboretum
(Arboretum, gardens, nature trail, at 6000 feet elevation)
Location: Highway 18, San Bernardino National Forest
Phone: (909) 338-4163

 

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Short link to this page: LAtourist.com/NatureCenters --OR-- inLA.us/NatureCenters

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