Shipley Nature Center
Shipley Nature Center
  • Huntington Central Park
  • Address: 17851 Goldenwest Street
    Huntington Beach, CA 92647 www.shipleynature.org
  • Phone: (714) 842-4772
  • Acreage:18 acres
  • Map: Link to map
  • Amenities: School tours for grades K-6, birding, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, walking trails, Redwood trees, meadows, Sycamores, Blackbird Pond and interpretive center

Opened in 1974, the Shipley Nature Center is an 18-acre fenced natural area within Huntington Beach Central Park. Named after former Mayor Donald D. Shipley, the center is owned by the City of Huntington Beach. The Nature Center includes 4,000 feet of trails that meander through several habitats, including oak woodlands, Torrey pines, meadows, and Blackbird Pond, a natural freshwater wetland with mature willows and sycamores.


Fun Fact:

  • Each area in Shipley Nature center is organized by habitat.
  • Run by the Friends of Shipley Nature Center, a non-profit organization, who manage, operate and take care of the natural landscape.
  • At least 22 animal species have been spotted at the nature center.
  • In the year 2002, the nature center was overgrown with invasive non-native plants which had taken over the habitats killing the Redwood trees and choking the pond. The Friends have worked hard to restore the natural California native environment.