Los Angeles Nature and History
El Segundo Butterfly Preserve: A Ghost Town Turned Sanctuary
Los Angeles, California, United States
By the Wicked Cool Places editors · Published
Why it’s cool
This wildlife sanctuary sits atop the remains of a forgotten beachfront neighborhood where Hollywood legends once lived. Now, it serves as a critical habitat for thousands of rare blue butterflies.
Tucked between the runways of LAX and the Pacific Ocean, a stretch of coastal dunes holds the memory of a vanished neighborhood. While the roar of departing jets dominates the skyline, the ground below belongs to a delicate, endangered species.
This fenced-off sanctuary represents a rare intersection of aviation history, Hollywood glamour, and environmental conservation.
Why It Stands Out
The land beneath the preserve was once the site of Surfridge, an exclusive beachfront community that thrived in the early 20th century. During its peak, the neighborhood served as a retreat for cinema icons like Cecil B.
De Mille and Mel Blanc. As the neighboring airport expanded, the noise and fumes eventually made the area uninhabitable for people.
The homes were cleared away, leaving behind a grid of empty streets and foundations that nature has slowly reclaimed. Nearby, the Heritage Square Museum also preserves historic architecture from the city's past.
Today, this ghost town provides a vital refuge for the El Segundo Blue Butterfly. Conservation efforts have successfully revived the population within these protected dunes.
During the peak of the late summer season, the air fills with an estimated 125,000 of these rare insects. Visitors can observe the transformation from the outside, looking across the fences at a landscape where suburban ruins and native flora coexist.
The Old Zoo Picnic Area is another local site where ruins and nature meet.
Before You Go
The interior of the preserve is strictly off-limits to protect the fragile habitat, but a four-mile trail follows the perimeter. This path offers a unique vantage point to see the remnants of the old Surfridge streets while watching planes ascend from the nearby runways.
The most vibrant butterfly activity typically occurs during the warmer months of late summer. Parking is available in the lots at Dockweiler Beach or along the curbs of Waterview Street and Vista Del Mar.
Questions worth answering
Can we walk through the old neighborhood streets?
The interior stays closed to the public to keep the habitat intact. You can see the old foundations and road grids from the four-mile perimeter trail.
When is the best time to see the insects?
Late summer is when the population peaks. We estimate about 125,000 butterflies fill the air during these warmer months.
Who used to live in this area before it became a sanctuary?
This land was once Surfridge, a beachfront retreat for cinema figures. Cecil B. De Mille and Mel Blanc both kept homes here before the airport expansion.
Where should we leave the car?
Dockweiler Beach has lots to the west. You can also find curb spots on Waterview Street or Vista Del Mar.
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