Take A Self-Guided Tour!

POLLINATOR GARDEN

Helpful links:
Learn How to Garden with CA Native Plants
Read the Call to Action to Save the Monarch

WATERSHED WALK

Did you know you’re standing in a watershed RIGHT NOW?! Everywhere you are, you are connected by water, and everywhere you go, you’re in a watershed. But what IS a watershed? Click the button to find out!

Helpful Links:
Ballona Creek Watershed and Water Quality

BIRD NERD

Ballona is a part of the Pacific Coast Flyway, where millions of birds migrate each year. Some migrants might be in the park now!

Helpful links:
Buy our exclusive Ballona Bird Guide!
Attract birds to your yard!

MEDICINAL GARDEN

Long before modern medicine, the Gabrielino-Tongva people used the wonders of nature to treat ailments of all sorts. Explore the Medicinal Garden to find local native plants that treat colds, inflammation, sore throats, and more! Some of these plants aren’t in bloom right now, so we added a photo gallery here so you can see their beautiful flowers.

Helpful link:
Learn more about the Medicinal Garden

EXPLORE THE KIIY

Ballona Discovery Park and the wetlands are located on the ancestral lands of the Gabrielino-Tongva people. Throughout the park you will find signage describing the history of Ballona’s original inhabitants. You can sit in the model of a “Kiiy” and listen to some of the tribe’s stories. One of these stories is included below, “How California Was Made,” also known as the Turtle Story.

Helpful links:
Explore Story Maps with UCLA’s Mapping Indigenous LA Project
Gabrielino Tongva Springs Foundation hosts special events

A 360° VIEW!

Experience the bliss of floating on the water in the Riparian Corridor as the birds fly and float by. Can you spot the swooping swallows and the pair of ducks? This is a 360° view, use your curser or finger to move the video around and see the whole corridor!

RESTORATION

Did you know all this nature you’re visiting wasn’t here 20 years ago? Everything you’re standing on was once owned by business tycoon and aviator, Howard Hughes. Ballona has been through a lot - learn about how wetlands damaged by farms and industry were restored back to a thriving ecosystem!

Helpful links:
Learn about Ballona’s Future Restoration
Support the Ballona Restoration Project
Wetland Restoration Examples
Freshwater Wetlands Case Study

RIPARIAN CORRIDOR EAST

Some wildlife is more likely heard than seen and they prefer it that way! When you explore, don’t forget to listen for critters in the wild and in your neighborhood.

Helpful Link:
See photos and learn more

RIPARIAN CORRIDOR WEST

Scientists call the benefits humans get from the environment, including some animal interactions, “ecosystem services.” Birds and bats are our friends! Find out how we can help them and how they can help us.

Helpful links:
Watch “There’s No Place Like Home” - A Tree Swallow Story
Learn how to Build a Bat Box!

CABORA DRIVE TRAIL CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE DUE TO LANDSLIDE

This is the last stop of the Self-Guided Tour! It is also the start of a 4 mile trail that you can take to circle the ENTIRE Riparian Corridor if you want!

Learn about the best ways to use trails while protecting wildlife.

Helpful link:
Learn how to Leave No Trace!