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101* Things to do in (and around) Long Beach California
Important note: All the information provided in this 101 Things list is SUBJECT TO CHANGE.
Please check with the venue before making plans.
You can help to keep this section current by informing longbchrealtor@gmail.com about any outdated information.
| 1 | LETS START HERE! The "100 DAYS OF SUMMER" web site provides a Master Events Calendar from Memorial Day through Labor Day. Many of the following items on this"101 Things To Do" list can also be found on this master Listing: 100 Days of Summer is a partnership between the City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine and the Long Beach Convention & Visitors Bureau to bring you unprecedented access to all Long Beach has to offer this summer, many of them FREE. | |
| 2 |  Don't miss the BOAT. Spend a day at Queen Mary Seaport, exploring the historic Queen Mary, browsing through unique shops and savoring the cuisine in the fine restaurants on board. When your explorations tire you out, be sure to book a room at the art deco, 346-room Hotel Queen Mary. info.: 877-342-0742. Queen Mary Website. |
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| 3 | Capture the romance of the Italian Renaissance with a moonlit gondola cruise across the bay and through the canals of Naples Island. Gondola Getaway: 562-433-9595. Located on the Peninsula at 5437 E. Ocean Blvd. |  |
| 4 | Whale Watching Year Round - Spot a California Gray version of "Free Willy" from December through April, California’s official whalewatch season. May through December, Pacific Blue Whales might be spotted, along with Humpbacks, Finbacks, Minkes and Orcas (killer whales). Landlubbers may observe these mighty migrating mammals by pulling up a beach chair at the Point Fermin Park on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The seaworthy should contact; Harbor Breeze Cruises, 562-432-4900; Newport Landing, 949-675-0551; Davey's Locker Just want to know more about protecting the whales? Volunteers needed: check out The American Cetacean Society. | |
| 5 | Did you miss the whale watching boat? There are other fish in the sea. The mural, "Planet Ocean," by renowned artist Wyland, covers the entire 116,000-square-foot surface of the Long Beach Arena. The mural depicts life-size whales and other marine life, required more than 7,000 gallons of paint, and at 10 stories tall is the world’s largest mural. Long Beach Arena, 300 E. Ocean Blvd. |  |
| 6 | The best view of the Long Beach coastline is from the water! Get wet on a rented personal watercraft, sailboat or Duffy Electric. For Seadoos and Waverunner type boats, try Alfredos Boat Rentals, 888-978-4918; Long Beach Boat Rentals, 562-491-7400. To rent a sailboat call Long Beach Sailing Club, 888-806-2492. For a quiet and comfortable cruise around the bay, try renting an Electric Duffy boat at Pelican Joe's, 562-598-2628. | |
| 7 | Go overboard on World War II history. The S.S. Lane Victory Memorial Museum, formerly an ammunition carrier during World War II, the Korean War and in Vietnam, is now a national historic landmark. The museum ship measures 455 feet long with a 70-foot beam. Located at Berth 49 in San Pedro. Information: 562-519-9545. Official web site. |  |
| 8 | 22 miles across the sea, Santa Catalina is waiting for me. Explore Avalon or Two Harbors, spot a wild buffalo or snorkel in crystal clear waters. Catalina Island is just a one-hour boat trip away. For visitor information call 877-778-8322 or click here. For scheduled boat service from Long Beach call Catalina Express, 800-481-3470; or catch a helicopter to the island instead with Island Express Helicopters, 800-228-2566. |  |
| 9 | See the latest in Hollywood entertainment. From small "Art Houses", to huge Multi Screen complexes, movie theatres are available in every part of the city - it only makes sense, since so many movies have been filmed here. The cities newly restored ART THEATRE[Map] is located in the East Village Arts District at 2025 E. 4th Street. Call 562-438-5435. Near the downtown waterfront is The Cinemark at Rainbow Harbor [Map] 562-435-0353. For the AMC Marina Pacifica complex call 562- 435-4262. Information for many of the other movie houses in the area can be found by calling 1-800 FANDANGO or click here. |
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| 10 | Release the artist within and create personalized pottery at Color Me Mine (562-433-4177) in Belmont Shore. Pottery lovers select unfinished cups dishes and decorations and creatively decorate them any way they wish. [Map] |  |
| 11 | "Beer of the Month Club" members will not want to miss sampling "Long Beach Crude", Long Beach’s own dark beer. Well-known for its microbrewery selection and quality food, the Belmont Brewing Company (562-433-3891) is Southern California's oldest operating Brew Pub. Also touted for its excellent ocean views, BBC, as the locals call it, is located on the sand, right at the foot of the Belmont Pier. . |  |
| 12 | Baywatch comes to life at the Long Beach Lifeguard Museum. The volunteer-run center honors the lifeguard legacy that began in Long Beach in 1908. Long Beach was the first city in the U.S. to staff a full time lifeguard service. Located in the Marine Stadium, the museum is currently open to the public every Thursday evening for summer 2013 - be sure and call for up to date info: 562-570-1360. |  |
| 13 | The waters of Long Beach Harbor and Alamitos Bay heat up during Dinner and Party cruises, whether regular scheduled events or private charter affairs. A perfect evening for boating enthusiasts / party animals. Contact Spirit Cruises (310-548-8080). Hornblower Cruises (888-467-6256). | |
| 14 | Let your imagination take flight. Besides offering the quickest ride to Catalina Island (flights are just fifteen minutes from the Long Beach Heliport to the city of Avalon, see # 8 above) Island Express Helicopters offers exclusive helicopter tours. Take a short tour of the local coastline, fly up the coast to Hollywood, or South to Laguna Beach. Sunset flights are also available. Phone: 800-228-2566. | |
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| 16 | Ole! Alegria, the authentic tapas bar and eatery at 115 Pine Avenue offers "little bites from Spain", or a full menu of Latin American cuisine. Live Flamenco dancing on Friday & Saturday evenings augments your dining pleasure. Call or visit the website for other live entertainment options: 562-436-3388. |  |
| 17 | High seas adventure await you aboard the Tallship American Pride, docked at Shoreline Village. Brunch cruises, charters and educational sailing programs for schools aboard a Three Masted Schooner. 714-970-8800. |
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| 18 | Start your engines. The Annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is held every April on the streets of downtown. The race draws world class drivers and racing fans from around the world. More than a week of additional racing and other activities precede the main event weekend, which includes the popular Celebrity Race. Tickets: 888-82-SPEED, general info:562-981-2600. |
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| 20 | Step back in time. The Historical Society of Long Beach has recently moved into a new facility, located at 4260 Atlantic Avenue. Visitors will get a sense of Long Beach’s place in history at their Gallery and Research Center. See the Website for their regular public hours, or stop in during a "First Friday" Bixby Knolls Art Walk. 562-424-2220. |
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| 21 | To Pedal or Not to Pedal? That is your choice when you rent an Electric Bicycle. Speeds up to 20 MPH under Electric Power, most likely lower speeds when pedaling? Reasonable Hourly or Daily rates. Pedego Electric Bikes is located in nearby Seal Beach. Ask about other current Long Beach locations, or delivery to your hotel. 562-296-5782. |
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| 22 | Forego the battery powered assist (see #21) and just pedal. Bikes rentals are available at several locations throughout Long Beach. Alfredo's is right on the Beach Bike Path, 562-477-6820, the Long Beach Bikestation is downtown near the transit mall, 877-572-BIKE, and Wheel Fun Rentals has locations at El Dorado Park, 562-400-8923 as well as Shoreline Village. *NOTE - Long Beach is an extremely bicycle friendly city. Visit BikeLongBeach.org for safe riding tips, area bike path maps, recommended ride routes and much more. | |
| 23 | One last "BIKE" Rental suggestion. You can ride a bicycle across the waters of Alamitos Bay and through the Naples Canals when you rent a Water Bike from Long Beach HydroBikes. Imagine one of those stationary bikes at your gym, sitting on top of two pontoon floats - something like that? 562-546-2493, |  |
| 24 | Tennis anyone? Billie Jean King is a Long Beach native. If your serve is one only a mother could love, try practicing at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center, across from Blair Field at Recreation Park. 562- 438-8509. |  |
| 25 | The best view of Long Beach (arguably) is from the outdoor dining patio at FUEGO, the beautiful Latin American restaurant and lounge at the Hotel Maya. The hotel is located across the bay from downtown, near the Queen Mary. For cocktails or dinner, live music or a special brunch - call to see what's currently going on, or just stop by at sunset? 562-435-3909. |  |
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