 | Long Beach, CA: Pacific Tides & Water
Rides Go with the flow for a few days filled with sun-drenched activities
by the water's edge. | Last Minute Deals - Check availability from $232 | | | The Long Beach experience is generally more
down-to-earth than what takes place beneath the sprawling angel-city wings
of L.A. to the north. But this is Southern California, so miles and miles
of heavenly beaches bedecked with volleyball nets, long boards, and lifeguard
stations beckon beneath that famous Golden State sunshine. | | Let the ocean set the tone for your getaway, and start with
a visit to the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, where you can
come face-to-face with marine creatures without getting wet. After, step
onboard the legendary Queen Mary, impossible to miss from its grand harbor-side
throne. . | | If you're feeling adventurous, take to the waves yourself.
You can put on a wetsuit and windsurf on Alamitos Bay. Take a surf lesson,
or, if you're up for a day trip, ferries depart several times daily for
Catalina Island, which sits about 20 miles off the shore. It only takes
about an hour to get there, and when you do, it's like arriving in another
world. In contrast to the rest of Southern California, cars on Catalina
are extremely limited, and the best ways to get around are by bike, kayak,
and golf cart. | | Editors Picks: | Catalina Island Day Cruise
Long Beach Port
Phone: 800.481.3470Taking the ferry to Catalina is a special way to
appreciate the bounty of the Pacific. The ride takes a little more than
an hour, and you'll enjoy seaside views of Los Angeles along the way.
Keep your eyes peeled, and you might even see swimming sea lions or pelicans
diving for their dinners. There is both indoor and outdoor seating on
the ferry. The ferry travels round-trip from Long Beach to Avalon, Catalina's
only "city." Advance reservations are recommended. Be sure to
check the schedule for departure times. | Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Phone: 562.590.3100See--and sometimes even touch--more than 12,000 ocean
animals representing over 550 different species. The building's architecture
was designed to mirror the fluid and dynamic nature of the Pacific Ocean,
and the inside enclosure contains 17 major habitats and 30 smaller exhibits.
You'll be able to see the broad spectrum of marine life endemic to Southern
California and Baja, the northern Pacific, and the tropical Pacific. In a "touch pool," you can feel the slippery texture of skates,
rays, and other marine critters. The marine-themed Kids Cove playground
utilizes fun and educational exhibits to demonstrate what the animals
eat, where they live, and what types of family structures they have. | Mitaki Restaurant
200 E. 4th Street (in the City Place Center)
Phone: 562.432.3220What's a trip to SoCal without some sushi? Eat ?chicken
of the sea? and other ocean offerings at this quick and fresh Japanese
restaurant. Visit for breakfast and have the "samurai combo"
or go for dinner and try teriyaki and tempura. Be sure to sample some
of that famous Pacific seafood, including yellow tail, salmon, unagi (eel),
and spider rolls (soft shell crab), or go with a big group and order a
platter, which lets you sample practically everything. Whatever you do,
don't forget to wash it down with some hot sake, or a Japanese beer. | Queen Mary
1126 Queen's Highway
Phone: 562.435.3511Bigger than the Titanic, the Queen Mary allows a
chance to travel back in time to the golden age of cruising. Aside from
the stint when it carried troops during wartime, the ship played host
to the glitterati of the early 1900s, carrying the likes of Clark Gable,
Greta Garbo, and various world dignitaries. Today, it functions as a floating
museum, and is even listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A fully operational hotel allows guests to literally sleep on a piece
of history, and the ship still hosts a lively calendar of social functions.
Whether you take a guided behind-the-scenes tour or opt to explore on
your own, keep your eyes peeled for paranormal activity. Many believe
the ship is haunted, and sightings of ghosts have been recorded everywhere
from the first-class swimming pool to the engine room. |
|
