Colorado Lagoon is a 29-acre tidal wetland, ecological reserve, and city beach park located at 5059 E Colorado Street in the Belmont Heights and Park Estates neighborhoods of Long Beach, California. Once part of the vast historical Los Cerritos Wetlands system and famous as the site of the 1932 Olympic diving trials, the lagoon connects to Alamitos Bay and the Pacific Ocean via tidal circulation channels. Visitors and local families come to Colorado Lagoon for its calm, wave-free sandy swimming beach, wooden pedestrian bridge, restored coastal sage scrub and salt marsh habitats, and its historic summer Model Boat Shop.
What to Expect at Colorado Lagoon
Divided into a Western Arm dedicated to wildlife conservation and an Eastern Arm geared toward public recreation, Colorado Lagoon balances marine ecology with family beach amenities. The southern shoreline features a wide, gently sloping sandy beach with calm brackish water free of ocean surf and rip currents, making it a popular swimming and wading spot for young children. During the summer season, Long Beach lifeguards staff the main beach area, and floating swim docks are anchored offshore. Along the northern and western banks, decomposed granite walking trails wind through restored native coastal dunes, pickleweed marshes, and eelgrass beds where ospreys, great blue herons, snowy egrets, and harmless leopard sharks and round stingrays thrive.
Spanning the water near the center of the lagoon is a pedestrian pontoon and timber bridge that allows walkers and joggers to complete a scenic loop around the water while observing tidal marine life below. On the eastern shore at 5119 E Colorado Street sits the Colorado Lagoon Wetland and Marine Science Education Center, alongside the historic Model Boat Shop, a Long Beach tradition since the 1950s where youth build and sail wooden model sailboats between mid-June and early August. Shaded grassy lawns, picnic tables, and a modern children’s playground line the southern park perimeter along Colorado Street.
- Calm Sandy Swimming Beach: A sheltered, wave-free shoreline on the southern edge of the lagoon with shallow water ideal for wading, swimming, and family beach days, monitored by city lifeguards during summer hours.
- Pedestrian Lagoon Bridge & Walking Loop: A wooden footbridge crossing the water and connecting to flat perimeter paths lined with interpretive signage detailing local birdlife, native flora, and tidal wetland restoration.
- Wetland and Marine Science Education Center: An interactive educational facility on the eastern bank featuring touch tanks, native habitat displays, and docent-led programs coordinated with Friends of Colorado Lagoon.
- Historic Summer Model Boat Shop: Operating seasonally from mid-June through early August, this beloved city recreation program teaches kids how to craft, paint, and sail traditional wooden model boats on the lagoon.
- Playground & Shaded Picnic Areas: A nautical-themed playground structure set in the sand alongside grassy park lawns, mature trees, public restrooms, outdoor showers, and picnic tables.
Colorado Lagoon at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 5059 E Colorado St (Education Center at 5119 E Colorado St), Long Beach, CA 90814 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Belmont Heights / Marine Stadium Area, East Long Beach |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 6:00 AM – 10:00 PM (Lifeguards and Model Boat Shop operate seasonally in summer) |
| Admission / Price Range | Free admission and free street parking ($) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 3 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Long Beach Transit Bus Routes 91, 92, 93, and 111 on Bellflower Blvd or Ximeno Ave; free street parking along E Colorado St and 6th St |
| Official Website & Phone | longbeach.gov | +1 562-570-3215 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For birdwatching and quiet nature photography along the western wetland trails, arrive between 6:30 AM and 9:00 AM when herons, terns, and double-crested cormorants are actively foraging and morning winds are calm. Families planning a summer beach day should arrive before 10:30 AM on weekends to claim shaded picnic tables and convenient curb parking along East Colorado Street. Because harmless round stingrays inhabit the warm, shallow muddy bottom, swimmers and waders should always practice the “stingray shuffle”—sliding their feet through the sand rather than taking high steps. Note that dogs are not permitted on the sandy beach or inside the sensitive wetland habitat zones to protect nesting shorebirds.
Reaching Colorado Lagoon by car is straightforward via Pacific Coast Highway (CA-1) or 7th Street, turning south onto Bellflower Boulevard or Park Avenue; free parallel street parking borders the southern and eastern edges of the park. Long Beach Transit buses stop within a five-minute walk at Colorado Street and Bellflower Boulevard. The park is wheelchair and stroller accessible via flat concrete sidewalks along Colorado Street, paved ramps leading to the restrooms and Marine Science Education Center, and level compacted-earth wetland trails. After visiting the lagoon, walk five minutes south across Eliot Street to Marine Stadium—built for the 1932 Olympic rowing events—or head 1.5 miles south to the restaurants and boutiques along 2nd Street in Belmont Shore and the Naples Island canals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the hours of operation at Colorado Lagoon?
Colorado Lagoon and its surrounding park grounds are open daily from 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM year-round. City lifeguards are on duty at the swimming beach during the summer season from mid-June through Labor Day, and the youth Model Boat Shop runs from mid-June to early August.
Is there an admission fee or parking charge at Colorado Lagoon?
Admission to Colorado Lagoon, the sandy beach, the walking trails, and the Wetland and Marine Science Education Center is completely free. Free parallel street parking is available along East Colorado Street, 6th Street, and adjacent residential avenues, though spaces fill quickly on sunny summer weekends.
How much time should I budget for a visit to Colorado Lagoon?
Visitors walking the perimeter wetland trails, crossing the pedestrian bridge, and observing birdlife typically spend 45 to 75 minutes at the park. Families coming to swim, picnic, and use the playground usually stay between 2 and 3.5 hours.
Can you swim in Colorado Lagoon, and is it family-friendly?
Yes, swimming is permitted in the designated roped swimming area on the southern sandy beach, where the tidal water is calm and free of ocean waves. The shallow entry, summer lifeguard supervision, playground, outdoor showers, and accessible restrooms make it one of Long Beach’s most popular spots for families with young children.
When planning your Long Beach travel guide or comparing verified attractions and parks in Long Beach, pair this stop with standout local spots including King's Fish House, AMMATOLI, Phil Trani's, and Long Beach Lifeguard Museum (1.0 km away).
