The Turtles at Cal State Northridge Orange Grove and Pond
DETAILS:
Location: Cal State Northridge - 18111 Nordhoff St, Northridge, CA 91330
Hours: daily - sunrise to sunset
Parking: free parking structure nearby
Cost: Free!
50 cents (two quarters exactly) for turtle feed machine
Time Commitment: 1 hour
A visit to the orange grove and pond at CSUN is one of those wonderfully random adventures that feels like you’ve stumbled onto a secret. Tucked among the trees, the pond is home to a surprisingly lively population of turtles, making it a fun spot to wander, slow down, and watch them sun themselves on the rocks or paddle around the water, especially now that it’s turtle mating season since they become noticeably more active as they search for a mate.
The best part is that you don’t have to just stand there and admire them. You can actually feed them as well! There’s a little 50-cent feed machine nearby where you can grab food and toss it toward the turtles, which immediately turns a peaceful pond visit into a surprisingly entertaining feeding frenzy. Watching a bunch of turtles slowly lumber, paddle and jockey for position over a tiny snack is oddly satisfying, especially when you realize these guys have absolutely no shame about fighting for their dinner.
It’s not exactly the kind of attraction you need to devote an entire afternoon to, but that’s what makes it so charming. Pair the turtles with a stroll through CSUN’s orange grove, bring a handful of quarters, and you’ve got a cheap, quirky little outing that feels completely different from the usual LA sightseeing routine. Just remember to enjoy the turtles from a respectful distance, don’t feed them any “human” food, let them carry on with their turtle business and enjoy!
