The Chula Vista Nature Center located on San Diego Bay offers children's programs along with guided walking tours. Kids can view native plants and animals that represent the local ecosystem. Species include the American Kestrel, Great Horned Owl and Ruddy Duck to name a few. The marine life exhibit features the gray smoothound shark, round stingray and California scorpion fish. A shallow-water touch tank gives children a close look at sharks, rays and the visitor favorite, moon jellyfish.
The Madrona Marsh Nature Center located in Los Angeles County offers educational children activities which include guided "tyke hikes," children's art and birding workshops. Children will learn through observations about the seasonal habitats; from distinguishing coots and Western meadowlarks, Valley Pocket gopher and the California King snake to the Pacific Tree Frog.
Chula Vista Nature Center
1000 Gunpowder Point Drive
Chula Vista, CA 91910-8222
619-409-5900
chulavistanaturecenter.org
Madrona Marsh Nature Center
3201 Plaza Del Amo
Torrance, CA 90503-7137
310-326-2774
friendsofmadronamarsh.com
Local tide pool curators at Laguna Beach's Treasure Island offer insight about the sea life and plants found in the local tide pools. Guests peer into rocky depressions and shallow waters to find flowery anemone, sea urchins, sand crabs, sculpin fish and tube snails, among other creatures. Children should not disturb the sea life and plants to preserve the fragile ecosystem. Other notable tide pools in Southern California include La Jolla and Cabrillo in San Diego County or the White Point in San Pedro along the Palos Verdes peninsula. Cabrillo tide pools offer ranger walks when possible. Visitors should call local parks to learn the best time to explore tide pools.
For hands-on opportunities and interactive displays, families can visit the Birch Aquarium, Monterey Bay Aquarium or the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach.
Laguna Beach Visitors and Conference Bureau
381 Forest Ave.
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-497-3311
lagunabeachinfo.com/visitors/beaches
The train collection at the Orange Empire Railway Museum (OERM) in Riverside County focuses on Southern California's railroads history. According to OERM, the museum has the "West's largest collection of railway locomotives, passenger and freight cars, streetcars, interurban electric cars, buildings and other artifacts dating from the 1870s." Children can ride on the classic trolleys, passenger trains and other railway equipment. The railway operates every weekend with visitors riding as often as they wish with an initial ticket purchase.
The Southern California Live Steamers located in Wilson Park is one of several Live steam railway clubs across the United States. It is voluntarily run by a club of train aficionado-experts to promote interest in railroad history. Young train enthusiasts will learn about steam and diesel locomotives in addition to enjoying free train rides on the first Sunday of every month.
Orange Empire Railway Museum
2201 South a Street
Perris, CA 92570
951-943-3020
oerm.org
Southern California Live Steamers
Wilson Park
S.C.L.S., Inc.
2100 Washington Ave.
Torrance, CA 90510
310-328-0236
southerncalifornialivesteamers.com
