Golden Shore Marine Biological Reserve

A Pocket of Nature's Past

Situated in Long Beach since 1997, this 6.4-acre haven sits just south of the Golden Shore RV Resort along Queensway Bay's southern shore. The reserve wasn't just a random creation - it actually came about as an environmental trade-off when the Aquarium of the Pacific and Rainbow Harbor were developed in Shoreline Park.

What's fascinating is how this space transformed over time. Once part of Palm Beach Park with its boat ramps and parking lots, it's now a sanctuary where local marine creatures and feathered visitors can thrive undisturbed.

Nature's Comeback Story

The reserve is a mosaic of intertidal and subtidal wetlands - critical ecosystems that serve dual purposes. For migrating birds, it's like a highway rest stop, while for local aquatic residents, it's home sweet home.

What makes Golden Shore particularly special is its preservation of saltwater marshes, which have largely disappeared from Southern California's landscape. Among its notable residents is the tidewater goby - an endangered little fish that makes its living in the challenging intertidal zone where land and sea continuously negotiate their boundaries.

Bird Watcher's Delight

If you're into bird watching, you're in for a treat here. The shoreline attracts numerous coastal birds throughout the year. Since 2008, the experience has gotten even better with the addition of interpretive signs and viewing scopes - all thanks to funding from the California State San Gabriel and Lower Los Angeles Rivers and Mountains Conservancy.

These thoughtful additions make it easier to understand what you're seeing and get a closer look at the reserve's winged residents.

A Natural Escape

There's something remarkable about finding a glimpse of natural California coastline surrounded by urban development. Golden Shore Marine Biological Reserve offers exactly that - a place where conservation and education meet. It's a living reminder of what our coastline once was, and why protecting these vital ecosystems matters for our future.