I went to Knotts and Disneyland with a family group and my 4-yo granddaughter last week. We passed…read morethe carousel at both parks multiple times but the agenda never allowed for my granddaughter to ride the carousel even though she pleaded with everybody. I had my granddaughter all to myself the next two days and remembered there's a carousel at The Great Park in Irvine so I took her. We were there BOTH DAYS! She had a blast! I can't wait for her to visit me again! BONUS the carousel is FREE!!!

Came first weekend in March and carousel was free, which is insane here. What's even more crazy was…read morethat there isn't a huge line, we were able to finish the ride, exit, and jump on the next round. Carousel is in great working condition with all the animals moving up and down. There was also the Great Park Layover going on next door which had a ton of bounce houses available also for free. Great time!

Sprawling park has a Paul Revere theme, with several covered bridges, a harbor with a pretend tall…read moremast boat, the north church tower, all on an island surrounded by a moat of water. Water features attract a lot of fowl including Canadian geese, mallard ducks and so many more duck species, plus of course seagulls and crows, pigeons, and a large number of turtles. Very fun for kids to explore. Slides and climbing are built into the structures. Adjacent to neighborhoods so lots of street parking, as well as a separate parking lot. Playground equipment geared for the 3 to 12 year old kids. Lots of covered sheds and picnic tables- those are available for Cerritos residents to rent, but otherwise are free for use. Also has grills if you want to barbecue. Clean bathrooms, onsite toddler pre-K programs offered. Lots of well maintained grassy areas and shady trees.

Came here with the kids and honestly this park is really nice. Super clean, spacious, and a lot to…read moredo. The playground area is great for all ages my kids had a blast and didn't want to leave. The lake area with the little church in the background is a nice touch, makes it feel more relaxing and not just your typical park. Good walking paths, plenty of grass, and nice spots to just sit and chill. Everything felt well kept and safe, which is a big plus when you're bringing kids. Plenty of room so it didn't feel overcrowded either. Only thing watch out for duck poop on the walkways and grass, especially near the water. Overall, great spot for families. Definitely coming back

Whaley Park in Long Beach turned out to be a really lively and playful place when I visited it. The…read morewhole area felt energetic in a way that teenagers would enjoy a lot, especially since I saw so many teens around the basketball courts, the grassy fields, and even near the playground. It surprised me how naturally the park gave off that youthful atmosphere without trying too hard. The open spaces and colorful areas almost felt like spots made for taking pictures, and they did not cost anything to enjoy, which makes them perfect for teenagers who like hanging out and being creative. It was my first time at Whaley Park, and I did not realize how much there was to enjoy until I walked around. I appreciated how easy it was to relax there without feeling rushed or crowded, even with all the teens playing games, taking photos, and talking with each other. Some parts of the park looked a little older or worn down, which is part of why I am giving it four stars instead of five, but nothing took away from the overall experience. I never doubted that the visit would turn out the way I hoped it would. I have only visited Whaley Park once before writing this review, but it ended up being one of the more enjoyable and energetic parks I have been to in a long time. I would highly recommend that teenagers go there because they would love the open spaces, the sports areas, the photo spots, and the creative vibe. It gives them a place to have fun, take pictures, and feel inspired in a simple and playful environment.

Great park perfect for kids lots of things to climb, do & spin on…read more Theres even shade & instruments for kids to play on. It's a medium to small park but packed with stuff to do & very well maintained.

I absolutely love carousel rides , so finally getting to ride King Arthur Carrousel at Disneyland…read morePark was such a special moment for me! It was my first time riding it, and even though it's a short ride, it's full of nostalgia and charm. The carousel itself is absolutely beautiful and feels so classic and magical. I'm definitely a kid at heart, and it makes it even more fun when my kids want to enjoy rides like this with me. I love it!

One of the best parts of the carrousel is that, because it's so large, it accommodates massive…read moreamounts of people each go around so the wait for the ride is usually so minimal. My younger kids love this ride, often requesting multiple trips and, honestly, because of the minimal wait, I'm always happy to oblige. Not to mention it's always fun to go on one of the original rides of the park. It's fun to think about how many people over 70 years have gone around and around. The ornate decorations of the ride are absolutely stunning. There's so much to look at that I feel like I see something new every time I ride it. Finally, this is a great area to character watch. I've also seen so many of them ride the actual ride. Something that can't be accommodated on most rides. On my last trip we saw Peter Pan goofing off and riding much to the delight of kids (& let's be honest, their parents too). I often feel like a lot of people without little kids just pass right on through Fantasyland because there aren't any thrill rides. But, honestly, it's rides like this with its history and uniqueness that make it a near required ride for me on any Disneyland trip.

I came here with a couple of Korean friends that were visiting our beloved city of L.A. As always,…read morea great time. To make this review longer and more compelling, here are a few fun facts about the Santa Monica Pier: 1. It first opened to the public on September 9, 1909, and was the first concrete pier on the West Coast, so basically when you walk on it, there are over 115 years of history under your feet. It's also the oldest pleasure pier on the West Coast. 2. The Pacific Wheel was converted into the world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel in November 1998. It generates over 71,000 kilowatt-hours from the sun and is conventionally powered when cloudy. 3. The pier was originally constructed to funnel Santa Monica's waste 1,600 feet out into the ocean, but it still became iconic anyways. 4. In 2009, the Santa Monica Pier was dedicated as the official western end of Route 66, commemorated by a Route 66 sign, which makes for a great photo opportunity. That means you're standing at the very end of a 2,400-mile road trip across America. 5. In 1973, the Santa Monica City Council decided it would demolish the pier in favor of a resort hotel and man-made island. After much rage from citizens, they decided against moving forward with the plans, and those who voted against keeping it were not re-elected. The people saved the pier!

We went to the SANTA MONICA PIER, paying a visit to the…read moreGETTY VILLA. It was a short 10 Minute Drive. We had hoped to find a parking spot close to the SMP, but instead found a spot a few blocks away on OCEAN BLVD. It gave us a chance to walk along the raised boardwalk. We got to the pier, and my mind was set on the PACIFIC WHEEL. It is the world's only solar-powered wheel, and gives visitors a panoramic view of the Southern California coastline from more than 130 feet above the Santa Monica Pier. Measuring 85 feet, the Wheel moves at 2.5 revolutions per minute with intermittent stops to pick up passengers. Features more than 174,000 energy-efficient LED lights that display dynamic, eye-popping computer-generated lighting entertainment in the evenings. We walked down the ramp to the main pier, then past the many restaurants, and bars and games. We got there, and I paid the $10.00. HOWEVER,, I had to ride with one of their employees as a single. I rode with EMPLOYEE RYAN!!! It was the highlight of the trip. We went around several, several times. It is definitely worth it!!! I couldn't make it back to the car, so I waited for my partner to pick me up in front of THE IVY RESTAURANT on OCEAN BLVD.

So the train ride is a lot of fun and we love taking our daughter here…read more The conductor Vincent is great. He does a good pace and is very welcoming. The conductor Edgar is not as welcoming and his pace is off. It either is too fast, too slow and can jolt. The main reason the score is not higher is because it is a little run down and scenery is not maintained well.

Such a fun cheap outdoor activity for the family in Griffith Park. It's all by itself now since the…read morepony rides are gone. I wonder if they plan on putting a playground or something in its place. I think that would be a nice spot for a playground so that there's more to do than just the train. The train ride itself is 10-15 mins and they have the area decorated depending on the holiday. We went near Easter and they had bunnies, eggs, carrots, etc all inside. Really nice. If you used to go here as a kid, definitely come back with your kids. Nostalgia will hit and it'll be just as you remembered it.

First time here and it was for a baseball scrimmage for my nephew…read more Baseball fields are really nice. Nice seats and there is some cover and shade from the sun. Whole park is really nice, green, and clean. Huge complex with all kinds of fields for different sports and plenty of parking available. The city did a really good job when they built this place.

Came here for the World Village Festival! Such a nice and amazing park…read more Don't know if I recommend this event, it was cool to look around, but not the most exciting. For the park itself, very clean & the balloon is worth it for the view! Super peaceful.

I recently visited Eldorado Park in Long Beach, and I discovered it after seeing a special exit off…read morethe 605 freeway. The park is easy to get to. you just take the exit, turn right, and there's a parking lot right there. The parking costs $8, but be warned! there's no cash accepted. Make sure to have a credit or debit card, Apple Pay, or Google Pay ready, because the line was pretty slow when I went, and it took almost 10 minutes just to get into the park. Once inside, I was impressed by how beautiful the park was! April was a fantastic time to visit. The grass was lush and green, and the whole atmosphere was really relaxing. I'm not sure if it stays this way year-round, but in April, it was really pristine. I loved how there are special areas for parties. you can reserve them online and they also have spots for grilling and even pitching your own tent. However, I was a bit disappointed with the bathroom situation. For $8 parking, the restrooms were really dirty. I also noticed a few homeless individuals wandering around, and one person was using the restroom for a very long time, which made it even more unpleasant. The city or management really needs to step up if you're charging for parking, you need to ensure better services, like cleaner restrooms or even some water fountains. On the bright side, the kids' playground was really nice, and the park overall felt clean, especially along the trails. I loved that you can bring a bike or rent one, and the trail was perfect for a relaxing ride. So, big shoutout to the staff and management for keeping the park clean overall, but please, if you're charging for parking, improve the bathroom facilities. I'd definitely come back for the scenery, but I hope the logistics get better!

We decided to stop by after a visit to the SPCA Marketplace which we didn't realize shared grounds…read morewith the park. Very cool spot with tons to explore! We came by after the rain which unfortunately meant most of the trails were closed and there was some flooding in the roads, but enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. They have bike rentals with surries and deuce coupes which we ended up taking out for an hour ($29 an hour is a little steep, but we just couldn't resist taking our pup out for a ride!) Great place to walk dogs (though unfortunately the dog park was also closed...check their website for updates before coming). He really enjoyed all the squirrels and birds around the lake, though there are a ton of goose droppings to dodge while you walk. Looking forward to coming back when everything is open again. $8 per car is a little pricey, but it really is a great park worth a visit!

My kids love carousels, and they might particularly love the Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel…read more It's full of colorful animals (or as my one-year-old calls them, "dogs"), a musical merry-go-round that adds extra joy to a day at the L.A. Zoo. My boys are both too small to ride on their own, but they're allowed on with an adult each to accompany them. Tickets cost $3 apiece, but you only need one per rider (adults acting as human seat belts for tiny children ride for free). It's a fair price for how happy the carousel makes the kids, and how cute they look bobbing up and down on their animals. There are all kinds of cool animals on that merry-go-round, but my three-year-old only has eyes for the jumping giraffe (there are two giraffes, but one is stationary). Thankfully his brother is more agreeable, content to ride on the neighboring warthog (which, to be honest, would not be my first choice). Both children are hard to pry loose when the ride is done. My kids love the live animals, but the carousel might well be their favorite part of the zoo. I dread the day when they no longer enjoy the simple pleasure of a merry-go-round. I hope there will be many more rides before then.

Merry-go-rounds are my jammm…read more The Tom Mankiewicz Conservation Carousel is one of the finest ones in a lovely setting. Two peacocks happened to screech and roam in this area next to a pavilion during my visit. Roosters got nothin' on 'em. If you hear them, let them amuse you while you purchase ride tokens at the kiosk. Note: get those tokens *early*. Else the kiosk may not be open. Riding on the Carousel is so nostalgic, cheery and just good old-fashioned fun. All sorts of zoo and non-zoo animals to choose as your trusty steed. For five or ten minutes you go up, down, and round and round, grinning with joy, like a child without a care in the world. Don't we all need to re-capture that feeling sometimes? The Carousel at the Los Angeles Zoo. Just do it. :D One of the Mankiewiczes might even acknowledge your Carousel check-in via Twitter. Check out trivia, stats and fun facts about this wonderful Zoo fixture at: http://www.carouselworks.com/carPages/laZoo.htm