Ballona Creek Wetlands is one of the last remaining coastal wetlands in Los Angeles County, encompassing a riparian corridor, freshwater marsh, and saltwater marsh habitat along Ballona Creek. The venue includes Ballona Discovery Park, an open-air museum with interpretive and tactile exhibits, as well as the Bluff Creek Trail and Riparian Trail. Admission to the park and surrounding trails is free for all visitors. Ballona Discovery Park is ADA-compliant and wheelchair-accessible, with well-marked accessible parking areas and paved pathways through the Sports Park section. The center of Discovery Park features a large tactile representation of the wetlands and surrounding area, and a replica Tongva kiiy includes audio recordings of Native American Tongva Gabrielino stories. A self-guided tour is available through informative and tactile exhibits throughout the park.
Area A of the Ecological Reserve is open to the general public Wednesday through Saturday (except state holidays) from 8 AM to 1 PM. Area B is open the first Saturday and second Sunday of every month (except August) from 9 AM to noon via events hosted by Nature Nexus Institute. The Ballona Creek Bike Path is a paved, flat multi-use trail running along the north bank of Ballona Creek connecting to the beach bike path. Accessible picnic tables with firm and stable surfaces and 27″ or greater knee clearance are located at Discovery Park near the main entrance, along the Bluff Creek Trail, and at the Riparian Trail at the Sports Park. Service animals are welcome throughout. The freshwater marsh can be viewed from a walking path along Jefferson and Lincoln Boulevards, which has been recently rehabilitated and reopened.
Visitors report that early morning is the best time for birdwatching and for fewer crowds. The Ballona Creek Bike Path is largely flat, making it accessible for most fitness levels, though some sections of the Bluff Creek Trail are composed primarily of decomposed granite and may be challenging for wheelchair users. The main trailhead entrance to Discovery Park is not fully accessible, but an alternate accessible entrance is available approximately 400 feet further along Bluff Creek Drive. During heavy rains, some sections can become muddy or washed out, forming obstacles for some visitors.