|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
Aquarium of the Pacific – Plan plenty of time
for any visit here. Over 5,500 species, from moon jellies to sharks, in
17 exhibits from the Bering Sea to Southern California to tropical barrier
reef environments. The huge, three-story-high tanks are the most popular
exhibits, but don't miss the Soft Coral Lagoon's Plexiglass underpass: peer
up at tropical fish weaving through the coral and watch divers feeding the
fish. Feet getting tired? Plop down in the theatre for a documentary on
sea life. Click here for more information about children's programs at the aquarium. |
|
|
|
| |
|
If you're visiting in the summer, get in early
so you won't have to hold kids up to see exhibits over the crowds. |
|
|
|
| |
|
Tip: The Aquarium is free with the Go Los Angeles Card. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Rainbow Harbor – Climb on board the tallship Californian, a full scale re-creation of the 1848 Revenue Marine
Cutter, C.W. Lawrence, one of fastest and grandest cutters on the
California coast. Kids jump right into the adventure of clambering around
the riggings and exploring below decks. If you really love tall ships, there
are day cruises and longer available, but make reservations well in advance:
1.800.432.2201. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Shoreline Village – Hub of the most famous local
attractions (Aquarium and Queen Mary), there are lots of little shops, snack
places and a nice outdoor area for strolling here. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
 Shoreline
Pedestrian/Bike Path – Rent bikes or skates at Alfredo's
Beach Rentals or First Place, and cruise the bike path from Shoreline Village
to Alamitos Bay. The path is 17-feet-wide with two six-foot lanes for bikes
and a five-foot lane for pedestrians, perfect for a leisurely ride. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Aquabus
ferry – For a small fee, the most fun way to get around is the
Aquabus ferry to the Aquarium or the Queen Mary; you'll also avoid hunting
for parking spots over and over. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Queen Mary Seaport – One of the main attractions
in Long Beach is this huge ocean liner with its opulent public rooms and
staterooms. Built back when elegance outweighed safety in design, this ship
is one of the glories of the 1930s deco design period with gorgeous woods
used everywhere (even the decks are made of teakwood). Rumor (and guides)
has it that the ship is haunted – maybe you'll spot the wispy lady at the
pool! Tip: The Queen Mary is free is free with Go Los Angeles Card. |
|
|
|
| |
|
The Queen Mary is also a hotel. Spend the night in a first
class stateroom. Family packages are available. For more information, click
here. |
|
|
|
| |
|
Also, check out the Soviet submarine Scorpion, for more legends and stories. Nearby are "Olde English" styled shops
and restaurants to round out the experience. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Harbor cruises and boating – The choices seem
endless in this port town: everything from quickie harbor cruises, to seasonal
whale watching. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Whale
watching – From December to early April, take a cruise to spot
gray whales on their yearly migration. You may see the whales "spyhopping,"
poking their heads above the water a bit, or "breaching," a spectacular
display as the whales propel themselves out of the water and fall back with
a big splash. Pick up cruises from Spirit Cruises (Shoreline Village), Catalina
Cruises (Catalina Cruises Terminal), Pierpoint Landing Sport Fishing (Rainbow
Harbor), Long Beach Sport Fishing (Belmont Pier). Bring your binoculars. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
One
of the most fun options is at Naples Island, where Southern California
gondoliers (looking more like local surfers than Napolitani) pole people
in Italian gondolas through the canals. Ask and you'll even get the
striped-shirted guys to warble a song just like in old Italy. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
If
you want to power your own boat, rent an electric powered boat from
Bay Boat Rentals, and explore the canals of Naples Bay and Alamitos Bay. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Beaches and water sports – Splash around! The
city boasts over 5 miles of sandy beaches, and every imaginable water
sport. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Marina
Park – If you have toddlers, head for "Mother's Beach"
at Marina Park (Appian Way). Lifeguards on duty in summer, sandy beach and
gentle waves, bar-b-ques, grassy areas, and a whale to climb on that spouts
water. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Sea
kayaking is very popular in southern California and lessons, just a
few feet from the sand, can be fun if you don't have a lot of experience.
Smaller kids can go tandem with a parent in a kayak. (Rent kayaks at Kakaks
and Boat Rentals, Shoreline Village.) |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
At
the Colorado Lagoon, kids over 7 can learn to build and sail model
sailboats and race them in weekly regattas at the Model Boat Shop. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Go fly a kite – Palm trees swaying
outside your hotel window? Take advantage of it! Agreat way to enjoy the
beach on a windy day is to buy a kite. Buy a cheap one and toss it when
you're done, or start your own exotic kite collection from different places
you visit. Check out "Up, Up and Away" in Shoreline Village or
Tom Joe's Kite Shop on East First Street. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Museum of Latin American Art – Latino
culture is an instrinsic part of Los Angeles. At the Museum of Latin American
Art, view contemporary art from Central and South America, Mexico and the
Carribean, paintings of myth and folklore. Sunday afternoons, there are
family art workshops and music in the galleries. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
El Dorado Regional Park – The great
800 acre El Dorado Regional Park seems to have something for everybody. Rent a rowboat or pedal boat, take the kids for a pony
or hayride, check out the petting zoo, or put 'em on board the children's train. You can also bring a line (and license) to go
fishing, watch archers perfecting their aim at the archery range, follow
well laid-out hiking trails, bike on the bike path,or just
have a picnic while the kids run wild in the playgrounds. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
Nearby,
the El Dorado Nature Center has streams and lakes and hiking trails
making it a great place to stretch your legs. The Center is set in a meadow
surrounded by trees and is home to everything from turtles to weasels to
rabbits. It's free to walk or bicycle in, but there is a small parking fee.
At the Center Museum, kids will love the hands-on exhibits and workshops. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rancho Los Alamitos – The 7 ½ acre ranch has an adobe
house built in 1800, barns with draft horses, goats, sheep, and other
farm animals set in four acres of gardens, and a working blacksmith shop.
Open Wednesday through Sunday with tours every half hour, this is a great
way to spend a couple hours watching farming demonstrations (you'll get
to take part in some yourselves!) Check the calendar for special events
held all year long. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Rancho Los Cerritos – Originally a
Spanish land grant of 27,000 acres; it has shrunk to 4.7 acres with an 1844
Monterey-Colonial adobe and historic gardens. The most fun thing to do has
to be "Tea with Margaret Bixby." You'll enjoy a Victorian
tea and find out about 19th century ranch life from "Margaret Bixby"
in a living history presentation. There's no fee to visit the Rancho and
there are picnic areas. |
