Shipley Nature Center

Shipley Nature Center is an 18-acre natural area located in Huntington Beach, California. Situated within Huntington Central Park, the nature center is not only a sanctuary for the local wildlife, but it is also a haven for the residents and visitors of Orange County. The Center includes 4,000 feet of well-maintained trails that meander through several habitats, including oak woodlands, Torrey pines, meadows, and Blackbird Pond, a natural freshwater wetland with mature willows and sycamores. Within the Nature Center is a 1,500 sq. ft. Interpretive Building with exhibits on local wildlife and ecology. Things to do: Self-Guided Trails Enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of Shipley’s 18 acres of restored California native habitat through a self-guided tour of the grounds. Feel free to explore and wander along our 4,000 feet of well-maintained walking trails that meander through a number of unique plant communities surrounding Blackbird Pond. If it is your first visit, please borrow a printed Trail Guide obtained at the entrance of the Interpretive Building. Interpretative Center The Interpretive Center is the first stop on the Shipley Nature Center visit. A docent is available to answer questions and direct visitors to trails and sights of particular seasonal interest for an enjoyable visit. Entering the Interpretive building, you will find the Shipley Gift Shop. Animal finger puppets, books on gardening with California Native Plants and composting, garden gifts, nature guides, greeting cards and many other nature gift ideas are available. We also feature The Mystery of Blackbird Pond, a book all about the animals who call Shipley’s own Blackbird Pond home. Along the wall, exhibit panels illustrate the history from the Ice Age to present giving visitors a visual sense of Huntington Beach then and now. The diorama reaches out from the Blackbird Pond mural showing birds and animals that may be sighted along the trails.