Dodging misty weather in Los Angeles, Barbara and I headed south to explore Long Beach's biggest "natural attraction" as described in John McKinney's 1994 hiking book, Walking Los Angeles—Adventures on the Urban Edge. What. A. Treat. El Dorado Nature Center demonstrates how progress and conservation CAN work together. When the 605/405 interchange was constructed in the mid-1960s, portions of the millions of cubic yards of earth were moved to a "municipal weed patch"—an old bean field south of Spring Street—to form a 103-acre, man-made wildlife sanctuary. The center opened in 1969 and stands today as a true "oasis in the midst of the metropolis." Two lakes, a cattail-lined stream with a baby waterfall, seven bridges, and three trails in a natural preserve with several ecological zones emphasizing native California flora. The trails are linked, so Barbara and I hiked all three. The  paved 1/4-mile trail (perfect for strollers and waddling toddlers) wound through coastal sage scrub, an oak woodland, and a riparian path, well-marked with informative signs along the way. The One-Mile Trail circled North Lake and followed the stream under an awning of trees and meadows of wildflowers including cattails, Matilija poppies, passionflowers, and more. The Two-Mile Trail circled South Lake and led us through more meadows of flora, including berries on the vine and a glorious California buckeye tree. We also met a few of the local residents: squirrels, ducks, geese, hummingbirds, and turtles. The One and Two-Mile trails link midway at the stream, where we were met up with a red-eared slider turtle (looking for food, of course. Sorry, bud.) Before leaving, we visited the Nature Center Building, a satellite museum of LA County's Natural History Museum, on an island in North Lake. I know Long Beach is a looong drive for a short hike, but El Dorado Nature Center is a remarkable place and well worth a visit, especially for children. An awesome, informative, and healing morning with nature.