Golden Shores Marine Preserve

Nice park. The marine preserve is very nice but after any wind or when the waves come up, the trash pushing in over/​under/​around the boom. The Eco group tries to keep up with the clean ups but there is so much trash they are constantly fighting it. I give them props for fighting the fight against the trash. They need to find a better way to keep the trash out.

I love this little park. It’s amazingly peaceful considering the location at the foot of the Long Beach Freeway sandwiched between the Port, an upscale RV park and the CSU Chancellor’s Office. It’s a nice window on what the area looked like before development changed it forever. The landscape is apparently attractive not just to humans, but to numerous waterfowl as well.
A great place to go, sit quietly, and regain a sense of perspective when the pressures of work and city life get to be a bit much to handle.

This is really more a review of the lagoon area near the Hyatt next to the Aquarium. The sign along the bike/​foot path here said Golden Shores so that’s where I checked in. Don’t know much about the geology of the area other than the sunset view over the the little foot bridge on this day was awesome! Anyhow cool peaceful place to people watch and take in the sites :-)

Farmers market Wednesdays! weeee! :)

This park contains a small salt marsh that was built as mitigation for wetlands destroyed in Long Beach Harbor. Located at the mouth of the LA River, it’s surprising to see such a large natural area right in the heart of downtown Long Beach.
Although the Los Cerrritos wetlands in east Long Beach are much bigger, those wetlands are restricted access, so Golden Shores is really the largest salt marsh accessible to the public.
The wetlands include several different salt marsh grasses (like California cord grass and salt grass), as well as pickelweed. Mudflats and open tidal channels provide a diversity of habitats that provide foraging grounds for many different birds.
This is a great place to watch egrets, herons, ducks, terns and a variety of shorebirds. You can watch these birds through the fence that keeps you out of the marsh.
This fence is kind of ugly, and it clearly tempts the uncivilized elements of our city to dump their trash into the marsh. I’ve called the city of Long Beach to report about this illegal dumping. There are plans to remove the fencing and improve the upland areas, as part of the LA River Greenway.
There are some interpretive signs that inform you about wetland ecology and wildlife.
The upland areas are landscaped with a mix of native and non-​native plants.
The LA River Bikepath goes right around the perimeter of the park, and the Passport Bus stops nearby at Catalina landing, so it’s easily accessible without a car. There’s a nearby parking lot too, if you must drive.
Also: This is a great place to get a view of the Queen Mary. Most people never view her from this angle.