Discover Cypress through several distinct themes: at the Cypress Nature Park, created by the city, you can observe and connect with native animals and plants. Cypress College offers galleries, theater and other campus amenities; the area's history ranges from the origin of its name to the dairy industry of the 1940s. For planning your trip, nature, art, performances and local history offer different areas of focus to choose from.
Nature Watching at Cypress Nature Park
Cypress Nature Park is located in a flood control basin built in 1965–1966. Nature watching here is therefore connected with the history of a facility whose purpose is flood control. Western fence lizards are often seen basking on the trails. At night, western toads and Pacific tree frogs can typically be heard near the pump house.
Specific wildlife sightings vary by location and how they are observed: fence lizards can be seen on the trails, while the amphibians stand out through their calls near the pump house. The park also offers the chance to observe native plants. This makes it a destination for travelers who want to make nature watching a focus of their time in Cypress.
Art and Visitor Information at Cypress College
The Cypress College Art Gallery presents exhibitions by professional and student artists. Its offerings also include workshops, lectures and projects by visiting artists. The program therefore ranges from exhibitions to events and projects involving different participants. The Gallery can be reached via Valley View Street, which connects to Freeways 405, 91 and 5.
Another art destination is the Edouard de Merlier Photography Gallery. It features ongoing exhibitions by students, faculty and professional artists. The Holocaust Survivor’s Gallery houses photographic portraits by Clifford Lester, professor emeritus of photography. Gateway Plaza was designed as a reception area for visitors to Cypress College.
Stage, Planetarium and Sports Facilities
Each semester, the Cypress College theater offers several college productions in theater, dance and music. It has 580 seats. As the program follows the academic semester, check the current schedule before planning a theater visit.
In spring 2026, the planetarium offered a public program with two rotating shows, open to the campus community and the public. If your visit depends on the planetarium, check the current program. The tennis center also has a clear condition for use: it is open to the public when it is not reserved for campus use. Before visiting, check whether this condition is met. Cypress College also has eight regulation tennis courts. Its track has a rubberized surface and is suitable for walking or running.
The Name and History of Cypress
The area's name comes from rows of cypress trees planted around the schoolyard to protect it from strong winds. These trees inspired the name Cypress. The area's economic past also offers insight into its development: in the 1940s, dairy farming was the leading industry in Cypress, which was then known as “Moo Valley.”
Another historical landmark is Los Alamitos Race Course. This approximately 125-acre property in Cypress is significant because of its connection to the beginnings and success of organized quarter horse racing in California. Along with the story behind the cypress name and the area's former dairy industry, this history reveals a different side of the place from its nature and campus offerings.
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