Posts

Long Beach CA Tips for Visitors

/in /by

If you are planning a trip to California, make sure to include the city of Long Beach in your itinerary. This coastal jewel has a lot to offer to its visitors. Enjoy the great atmosphere of the city at any time of the year and participate in different sports or cultural events held regularly at Long Beach CA.

Long Beach CA Tips for Visitors

1. When to visit Long Beach CA

The best times to visit Long Beach CA are in spring and fall when the city offers its best weather and a lot of attractions. In summer, the onshore marine layer can make the days gray and misty and that’s why the locals named the period “June Gloom”. Be aware that Long Beach is overcrowded in April during the annual Toyota Grand Prix. If you plan to visit the event, book your stay well in advance. If you want to avoid the crowd, plan your trip before or after the event.

2. What to see in Long Beach CA

Long Beach CA offers many attractions to please visitors with different tastes.

  • No doubt, first on your list should be the Aquarium of the Pacific, which is the largest aquarium in southern California, and the ocean liner Queen Mary, docked in Long Beach since 1967 when it stopped cruising the seas. Now it offers a great view and one of the most romantic restaurants in the USA – Sir Winston. As an added bonus, you can also sleep aboard.
  • You can also enjoy several walking tours downtown Long Beach. One great option is the Art Tour, which also features the Museum of Latin American Art. There is also a Food Walking Tour, which allows you try several restaurants and cafés or you can simply go shopping.
  • Don’t miss the Naples Gondola Ride – a cruise that is offered from mid-day to midnight and you can even request a gondolier who can sing to make the journey even more romantic.

3. Best Long Beach CA events

  • The annual Toyota Grand Prix held in April. Make sure to book your stay and event tickets well in advance, as this is the most visited event.
  • The Belmont Shore Christmas Parade is held during the first weekend at December. It is quite old-fashioned and much loved by both locals and visitors. The Naples Boat Parade is held a week later.
  • During the summertime, there are numerous festivals that celebrate local art and culture. Visitors can enjoy performances by local artists and taste local food. An example is the First Fridays Street Fair.

4. How to travel to and around Long Beach CA

  • The Long Beach Airport (LGB) is the closest airport to the city. You can also drive to Long Beach. If you want to visit the city from Los Angeles, though, it is better to take the metro, since getting around Long Beach is pretty easy without a car.
  • The Passport buses offer free rides in Long Beach downtown to most of the attractions located there and can take you to other parts of the city at a very affordable price.
  • There are also two options to travel by water – the Aquabus and the Aqualink, which are also price-worthy.
  • There are Uber services and taxis in Long Beach CA that are easy and convenient to use and won’t cost you much.

5. Where to stay in Long Beach CA

There are plenty of places in Long Beach CA, where you can stay. The city offers different types of accommodations – from small boutique hotels to large international hotel chains, renowned for their services. The city is known as pet-friendly, so many places allow pets – just check in advance. If you want a romantic weekend getaway, then it is better to book a hotel near the shore or why not in the Queen Mary itself?

 

5 Great Sporting Events in Long Beach CA

5 Great Sporting Events in Long Beach CA

/in /by

Long Beach, California is a city that attracts many people as a result of an excellent combination of location, weather, and unique beauty.

If you are a sports lover, you won’t be disappointed either, since Long Beach CA is also famous for its sporting events. Here are our favorites.

1. Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

5 Great Sporting Events in Long Beach CA

One of Southern California’s unique events – the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, will be held from April 13 to April 15 this year. The event spreads over three days and 2 nights and features six spectacular races, non-stop family fun, and exciting concerts.

The concerts are free for the race ticket holders. The Family Fun Zone is located in the Long Beach Arena section of the Lifestyle Expo and offers video games, racing simulators, rock climbing walls and much more. The ticket prices vary from $27 to $290 depending on how many days you want to attend and which events within the Grand Prix you want to visit.

2. Long Beach Marathon

Long Beach Marathon

There is a running marathon held in Long Beach CA every year and the event for 2018 is scheduled for October 6 and 7. You can choose to participate in a full marathon or in the half marathon depending on your preferences.  The course of the marathon is USATF Certified and an Official Boston Qualifier.

In addition to that, there is a 5-km running and walking event called “Run Forest Run”.

3. Long Beach Triathlon

Long Beach Triathlon

In case you prefer something more than simply running, then the Long Beach Triathlon is the sporting event for you. The competition includes a swim inside the Long Beach breakwater, a bike route that includes Shoreline Drive, the Queensway Bridge, and views of the Queen Mary, and a running course adjacent to Shoreline Village and the Marina.

The event is usually held in September and further details are still to be announced on the official site of Long Beach Triathlon for the 2018 event.

4. Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival

Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival

It comes as no surprise that there are several boating events held at Long Beach CA. One of the most attractive ones is the Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival. If you want to experience a mixture of fun, art, food, dances, and competition, visit the Festival on July 28 and July 29 at Marine Stadium.

In addition to the dragon boat competition, both visitors and participants can witness traditional Chinese art demonstrations and dance, Chinese Acrobats as well as other performances with lots of music and dancing.

5. Catalina Ski Race

Catalina Ski Race in long beach

Catalina Ski Race is one of the greatest water ski competitions held in Long Beach CA. The race day is July 21, 2018, and the competition is open both for novice and seasoned participants. This year marks the 70th anniversary of Catalina Ski Race. Hotel Maya – a DoubleTree by Hilton is once again the host hotel for the event.

The route of the ski race is 62 miles long. It starts and finishes near the Queen Mary and participants race to Avalon and back.

Whether you are an athlete yourself or you simply love watching sports, these events are a must-see. So, if you are planning a trip to Long Beach CA, choose dates that allow you to visit at least one of these 5 great events.

Coolest Long Beach CA Day Trips

Coolest Long Beach Day Trips

/in /by

Here are our 3 favorite Long Beach CA day trips.

Coolest Long Beach CA Day Trips

A 50-miles round trip to Manhattan Beach

If you decide to head west from downtown Long Beach CA, you will find yourself on a picturesque road that will take you through several different places before reaching the upscale community of Manhattan Beach. For such a short distance, you can enjoy a great variety of views. First, you will drive through the combined ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles and then the scenic coastal road around the Palos Verdes Peninsula will take you to the port town of San Pedro. While driving, you will pass two span bridges that will allow you enjoy a view of tankers, cruise ships,and long-shore equipment. Once in San Pedro, you will be driving along palm-lined streets. The town offers two main attractions – the Friendship Park, dedicated to the peaceful relationship between the USA and South Korea, where you can see military barracks, sea defenses, and a Coast Guard Watch Facility. If you are traveling with your children, you can stop at the kid-friendly Point Fermin Park. Then, you continue your drive along the picturesque California coastline that resembles the Italian Amalfi Coast.

The peninsula is famous for its whale-watching and fishing spots, while the Rolling Hills Estates are home to many movie stars and other famous people.

Your next stop is the beautiful town of Redondo. It’s a great place for lunch here since the place is famous for one of the most delicious and freshest seafood on the West Coast.

Take the coastal road that will lead you to the town of Hermosa, known for its surfing beaches and finally to Manhattan Beach. Once you have finished admiring the beauty of the beach, you can take Interstate 405, the San Diego Freeway, and reach Long Beach Airport in less than 30 minutes. During rush hour, be prepared for an hour and a half drive.

A Wine-tasting trip to Temecula

If you are a wine lover, then a day trip to Temecula is the best getaway for you. Only an hour and a half drive from Long Beach CA takes you to this beautiful historic place. There are more than 30 wineries, which you can visit on your own or take a guided tour. Some of the attractions include grape stomping. You can also visit the old town and the Temecula Valley Museum or get into a hot air balloon to experience the view from the skies.

Enjoy the Dutch atmosphere of Solvang

If you want to experience a different atmosphere, then this 2-hour drive to Solvang is the perfect choice. The town was founded by the Danish and bears the Dutch atmosphere, despite the fact that there aren’t many Danes living there. What you will find, however, are wooden windmills, breweries and pancake cottages. There is even a replica of Copenhagen’s Round Tower, along with Christmas shops, Hans Christian Andersen’s Little Mermaid trinkets, and Danish bakeries. The Elverhol Museum is a must-see for history lovers and for those who love adventures. OstrichLand, known as the Jurassic Park for ostriches, is located just on the outskirts of the town.

Have you tried these Long Beach CA day trips? Let us know your experience in the comments!

Getting Around in Long Beach CA | Transport Options

Getting around in Long Beach CA

/in /by

Long Beach is the sixth largest city in California and is well organized. It’s relatively easy to get around.

Whether you live in Long Beach CA, are moving here or simply coming for a visit, it is good to know what options you have for getting around the city.

Getting Around in Long Beach CA

Public transport in Long Beach CA

Long Beach CA offers excellent public transport options and there is even a free service for those who are staying Downtown and want to visit some of the attractions: You can use:

  • Long Beach Transit Passport bus – a free service that takes you to several attractions Downtown. The Passport C line goes to the Queen Mary. Passport A goes to Los Alamitos Bay and Passport D goes to Cal State, starting from Catalina Terminal. Note that once the bus leaves Downtown, the service is paid  90 cents per ride.
  • The Pine Line shuttle also operates for free from Long Beach Plaza to Shoreline Village
  • Long Beach Transit offers a ride for $1.25 or a daily pass for $2.50
  • The Metro Blue Line train is yet another option for $1.75

During the summer months, you can enjoy water rides. Just note that the daily pass is not valid for them:

  • Aqualink with $5.00 for one-way trips to or from Alamitos Bay Landing
  • Aquabus charges $1.00 each time you board

There are no discounts for the water taxis and only kids under 2 ride for free.

Uber services in Long Beach CA

As elsewhere in the country, Uber services in Long Beach are very dependable and comfortable. All you need to do is determine the size of your group and the luggage you have and thus select the best option that suits you. You can choose between:

  • UberLUX– luxury service for 4 people. The initial fee is $20, the fee per minute is $0.60, the fee per mile is $5.06 and cancellation fee is $10. There is no service fee.
  • UberSUV– high-end SUVs that seat 6. The initial fee is $15, the fee per minute is $0.55, the fee per mile is $4.31 and cancellation fee is $10. There is no service fee.
  • UberBLACK– high-end cars for 4 people. The initial fee is $8, the fee per minute is $0.45, the fee per mile is $3.61 and cancellation fee is $10. There is no service fee.
  • UberSELECT– excellent cars at good rates that seat 4 people. The initial fee is $5, the fee per minute is $0.40, the fee per mile is $2.41 and cancellation fee is $10. The service fee is $2.35.
  • UberXL– suitable for groups of up to 6 people. The initial fee is $1, the fee per minute is $0.30, the fee per mile is $1.61, and cancellation fee is $5. The service fee is $2.35.
  • WAV – seats four people. There is no initial fee, the fee per minute is $0.15, the fee per mile is $0.96, and cancellation fee is $5. The service fee is $2.10.
  • UberASSISST– same service as UberX with additional assistance for 4 people. There is no initial fee, the fee per minute is $0.15, the fee per mile is $0.96, and cancellation fee is $5. The service fee is $2.10.
  • UberX – everyday rides at great prices, for 4 people. There is no initial fee, the fee per minute is $0.15, the fee per mile is $0.96, and cancellation fee is $5. The service fee is $2.10. The same service is also available in Spanish as UberEspanol.

You can request Uber to pick you up at Long Beach Airport as well and get you to your final destination at a very affordable price.

Cab services in Long Beach CA

Cab services in Long Beach CA are most often used by those traveling to and from the airport. There are several companies that you can choose from and the rates to popular destinations are as follows:

The fares between the companies may differ and the final amount can also depend on the traffic. The initial fare is around $3.00 and there is a 15% tip included in the final price. There is one other option – to get a taxi for a flat fare.

  • Low-Cost Taxi offers a flat fare service of $100, which also includes any stops if you need to go to a shop or you want to see something (as long as you don’t take too long). There is an option to get this as a deal for $89 using a voucher.

There are various shuttle and limo options as well, depending on the type of service you need.

No matter which of the options you will choose, you can be sure that your travel around Long Beach CA will be safe and pleasant.

Fantastic Long Beach Hotels to Stay In

Fantastic Long Beach Hotels to Stay In

/in /by

Long Beach is a wonderful coastal city in Greater Los Angeles area, California. It is a great place for a vacation and has tons of activities to offer. Tourists in Long Beach CA can visit the Aquarium of the Pacific and enjoy a behind-the-scenes tour, dine at Sir Winston restaurant aboard Queen Mary or visit many of the street festivals throughout the year to celebrate local culture, music, food, and art.

Fantastic Long Beach Hotels to Stay In

We’ve lined up a list of fantastic hotels you can stay at when visiting Long Beach.

Oceanfront hotels

No doubt, the most fantastic hotels are those on the oceanfront. Here are the highest-rated ones.

This urban jewel is voted number one in Long Beach CA and there is a reason for that. The 3-star hotel combines style and affordability and has quite a history. Guests can choose between different types of rooms and award-winning complimentary guest services such as wine tasting. The continental breakfast that awaits you every morning and the fast internet connection are not a luxury but an everyday convenience.

Fitness lovers can continue with their regular workout even during the vacation by taking advantage of the discounted rates at Long Beach Gold’s Gym, which partnered with Varden hotel for guest convenience.

This fantastic hotel is one of the best waterfront getaways in California. It successfully combines the vibes of Latin America with the style of Southern California and offers its guests an unforgettable experience. Hotel Maya sits amidst 400 palm trees on 11 acres. It offers a fantastic view of Long Beach harbor and is only 30 minutes away from LAX. You will enjoy the large renovated rooms full of amenities.

One of the distinctive features of the hotel is the excellent setting of a seaside resort in an urban environment successfully combining indoor and outdoor architecture.

There is a lot to say about this Marriott Lifestyle Hotel as it has it all – from a heated rooftop pool, plush bedding and a full-service business center. The Renaissance Long Beach Hotel has two attractive features – it is completely smoke-free and it is pet-friendly, which makes it one of the most preferred hotels by guests. The hotel has 374 rooms, spacious work desks and free fast Wi-Fi for those who are in Long Beach for business.

The hotel offers Italian cuisine in its restaurant, state-of-the-art fitness center, and a hot tub. It is easy to see why tourists love it so much.

Romantic Hotels in Long Beach CA

If you are planning a romantic getaway in Long Beach, choose a romantic hotel to stay in.

The Queen Mary

This 3-star boat hotel has been ranked the 9th best hotel in all of Long Beach CA by TripAdvisor. In addition to that, it is the third most popular romantic hotel for couples. Whether you are newlyweds or are celebrating your 20th anniversary together, the amenities offered will mesmerize you. You will be able to dine in one of the top 100 most romantic restaurants hosted by Queen Mary – Sir Winston. The liner offers attractions and a one-of-a-kind experience that you cannot find elsewhere. Each room is unique and by staying in it you can see what transatlantic travel felt like back in the 40s or 50s. You can enjoy different attractions, spa, shops and the marvelous panoramic view. Check for the special packages offered that feature trips to Hollywood and many more.

January is the cheapest time to stay in Long Beach, while October is the most expensive. So, if you want to book a room during the busy season, choose one of the hotels above.