El Dorado Park West

Easily one of the better parks in Long Beach for a full day out — there’s genuinely something for everyone here. The water feature keeps younger kids entertained while older ones burn energy on the basketball courts or soccer field, and the bike track gets solid use on weekends. Shade trees and covered seating make the picnic tables actually usable in the summer heat, which locals who’ve been coming here for years know to take advantage of. The lake nearby and surrounding trails give it a more natural feel than you’d expect from a park sitting in the middle of the city. Parking is on-site, restrooms are available, and the open grass fields are big enough that you won’t feel crowded even when it’s busy.