You can also stay overnight in one of the many cabins and staterooms on the elegant ship, with surprisingly reasonable rates for overnight time. It is impossible to miss the stately ship looming over Long Beach, as it is open for self-guided tours. Long Beach is probably best known as the home of the RMS Queen Mary, one of the largest and most luxurious cruise liners ever to set sail. However, it feels more like a cutting-edge, West Coast city than a traditional cruise ship destination. Long Beach is the second-largest city in LA, directly south of downtown LA and with a population of 462,257.
The Pacific Aquarium in downtown Long Beach, located on the waterfront, offers a fascinating exploration of the diverse ecosystems of the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can marvel at the amazing display of 350,000 gallons of frigid waters from the Bering Sea, showcasing tropical coral reefs. Admission for adults is $30 per day.
You can also take a look at the “Wyland Whaling Wall,” which used to be the largest mural in the world, located outside of Long Beach Arena. It features a painting of migrating gray whales. Additionally, you can visit the self-proclaimed “Skinniest House” in the USA. It is located on Gladys Ave, 708. Inside the main concert hall on the CSU Long Beach campus, you can find a collection of memorabilia related to the pop singers Karen and Richard Carpenter, who attended school there.
If you are looking for an inexpensive base to explore downtown Los Angeles, especially the downtown area, the Best Western Long Beach is the perfect option. It is located directly across from the Blue Line train stop downtown, and you can easily ride the Blue Line north to connect to everywhere else in LA. Additionally, the Best Western Long Beach marks the southern end of LA’s reborn transit rail system. Contact them at $99, 562/599-5555 or visit 1725 Western Blvd.
Huntington Beach
Along the Pacific coastline, in Orange County, California, lies the town of Huntington Beach, which is renowned as one of the best surfing spots in the mainland United States. Incorporated in 1909, it has developed into one of the largest communities in the county, with a population of 189,992. Serving as a significant stop along the legendary “Red Electric Car” interurban railway network, Huntington Beach also attracts visitors with its small-craft marinas and a beautiful series of marshlands along the coast. It is located to the east and south of Long Beach, with Hwy-1 winding its way through the area.
In the heart of downtown, two blocks away from the lively district, is the fantastic Olive Ave. Pier. Open from 12pm-5pm, Tues.-Sun., The 411 Museum of Surfing International showcases the creation of surf music and surf movies by local heroes Dale, Dick, and Fender Leo. The museum also highlights special collections that depict the culture and history of West Coast surfing, with examples of surfboards from different eras. Although contemporary surfers now use high-tech foam-core boards to ride the waves, the museum includes examples of the original long wooden boards used by Hawaiian surfers. These solid wooden boards, weighing around 150 pounds and measuring 15 feet long, demonstrate the sport’s origins. Huntington hired Hawaiians to demonstrate the sport and attract Angelenos to his new town. Even today, Huntington Beach remains a popular spot for surfers to ride the waves.
Long Beach Travel Map
Anaheim and Disneyland
Disneyland (714/781-4565), the self-proclaimed “Happiest Place on Earth,” is an ideal location to construct the ultimate escapist fantasy. In essence, it represents a predominantly affluent and homogeneous depiction of suburban America on a large scale. Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Orange County exemplified this description, primarily consisting of white and well-off individuals, while being utterly unremarkable. However, as time has progressed, it has gradually assimilated into the fast-paced and creatively diverse cultural blend of Los Angeles. Consequently, the demographic makeup of the region has significantly transformed in the past few decades. It used to evoke a sense of being in an entirely distinctive world, akin to a small piece of middle America transplanted onto the southern periphery of Los Angeles, specifically in inland Orange County.
Enhance your pleasure by being present in the presence of grateful children aged 8 to 12. If you choose to go during a less popular time, arrive early to avoid the large number of people, and fully engage in the outgoing and carefree happiness that Disneyland offers, it can be an enjoyable experience. However, it is worth noting that the concept of Disneyland has been extensively analyzed and criticized by various social commentators.
If you haven’t been before, here are some useful tidbits of information about Disneyland: The park is open daily from midnight until the park closes in the summer. Admission includes rides, which cost up to $112 per person per day. From the freeway, you can see the Matterhorn as you take the Anaheim exit off I-5, about 30 miles south of downtown LA.
Both allow access to Disneyland and Disney California Adventure, but Disney California Adventure is distinct from Disneyland. Route 66 replicates a high-speed race featuring the 40-mph Radiator Springs Racers based on the animated Pixar film and is the main attraction. The Golden State, spanning from Yosemite Falls to the Malibu beaches, offers an aerial tour through the impressive Soarin’ Around the World motion simulator, while the Incredicoaster provides thrilling rides in this billion-dollar park. Disney California Adventure, a theme park more geared towards adults and smaller in size, was established in 2001. Over the years, a whole city has emerged around it, whereas Disneyland, which opened in 1955, initially had no surrounding developments.
The Sheraton Park Hotel is a highly recommended place to stay while visiting Disneyland. It is located just a block away from the park and offers modern and spacious rooms, as well as a nice pool. The hotel is part of an upscale resort complex that includes the entire Disneyland ensemble. It is worth staying overnight, as you can easily walk back to the hotel after enjoying the nightly fireworks show. Additionally, there are several motels in the surrounding area if you prefer a more budget-friendly option.
