World Travel Guide

City Guide  - Los Angeles  - Excursions
Excursions

For a Half Day

Long Beach:
The city of Long Beach, the second largest in Los Angeles County, lies directly south of downtown LA. It is an easy drive south on the Long Beach freeways (I-710). Alternatively, the Metro Blue Line runs from downtown to the Transit Mall at Long Beach, and from there the handy Passport Shuttle has free service to all the major Long Beach attractions.

Long Beach was a popular seaside resort in the early 1900s. The discovery of oil in 1921 sparked a boom of industrial and commercial development, including the construction of a man-made harbour. In the 1990s, the city turned to tourism once more, restoring historic areas and developing a host of new attractions along its nine kilometres (5.5 miles) of beach. At Long Beach Harbour visitors can tour the Queen Mary, the luxury passenger liner that once carried celebrities and royalty on transatlantic voyages (tel: (562) 435 3511; open: daily 1000-1800; admission: US$17). Nearby, the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific (tel: (562) 590 3100; open: daily 1000-1800; admission: US$14.95) is home to more than 550 species of marine animals, in a variety of ocean habitats. Further along the shore are the Long Beach Museum of Art (tel: (562) 439 2119), the Shoreline Village shopping centre and Gondola Getaway (tel: (562) 433 9595; open: 1000-2400), with gondola cruises through the canals of Naples Island. The Promenade walkway from the marina to the business district is lined with good restaurants and nightlife venues and there are historic walks to see landmark buildings and some of the city's 50 murals. The Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Suite 300, One World Trade Center (tel: (562) 436 3645 or (800) 452 7829; website: www.golongbeach.org).

For a Whole Day

Santa Catalina Island:
Just 35km (22 miles) across the ocean from Long Beach is the idyllic world of Santa Catalina Island. This peaceful island where no cars are allowed has long been a favourite retreat for stressed-out Angelenos. Journey time from Long Beach is about 1-2 hours depending on the boat and, while the island makes a pleasant day trip, it also rewards a longer stay. Round-trip fares from Long Beach start from US$25.

Avalon, the island capital, nestles into the hills above a crescent-shaped harbour, with a beach for relaxing or getting into watersports. At one end is the landmark Casino, with its grand ballroom, where people came to dance to the big bands of the 1930s and 40s. A visitor centre on the pier can book tours of the Casino, glass-bottom boat rides or tours to the rugged interior where there is a herd of buffalo. Relax on the beach, or enjoy a variety of watersports. The Catalina Island Visitors Bureau & Chamber of Commerce (tel: (310) 510 1520; website: www.catalina.com).



Copyright © 2001 Columbus Publishing
    
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