Posts

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!

family-friendly cities in Southern California

Top 5 family-friendly cities in Southern California

/in /by

Southern California is a heavenly place and it’s no surprise why so many people come here to enjoy the beautiful weather, the ocean-side views, the sightseeing, and the local cuisine. But it is more than just a fine vacation place. It is also a perfect place to raise your family. If you are thinking of moving to Southern California for good and you wonder which city would be the best for your family, we have the answer.

Top 5 family-friendly cities in Southern California

What are the criteria for choosing a good place to raise a family?

People have different needs and desires, which means one place might seem good for some and not preferable for others. The main points most people take into consideration when choosing are:

  • Housing costs. Probably the first thing one would be looking at is the cost of housing in California. There are indeed places in Southern California where housing can be affordable for families.
  • Education. Any parent wants the best for their children and education is at the top of the list. Receiving a good education would come from the kindergarten and school the kid attends, (since for college the child can decide to move as far as the other side of the country or even go abroad).
  • Commute time. Transportation can be a hustle when living in a crowded area. No one likes spending hours in traffic on the way to work or taking the kids to school.
  • Surroundings and entertainment.This might not seem as an important factor in the beginning but if you don’t consider it you will start regretting it very soon. How you spend your free time is what makes the difference between having an exciting life and having a boring life. When choosing a place to spend the rest of your days, always think about the places you can go and the things you can do to have fun.

Top 5 family-friendly cities in Southern California

  1. Rancho Santa Margarita

Rancho Santa Margarita is located in Orange County -between Los Angeles and San Diego. It is home to almost 50,000 people. The city is mainly composed of planned residential neighborhoods. There are, however, many places to work, shop and dine. This smaller city prides itself on being beautiful and safe. There are plenty of parks for hiking or simply walking the dog. Compared to some of the other cities on this list, housing is more expensive; however, it is balanced out by local salary rate which is also higher.

  1. Poway

One of the best location for exploring the beaches along the coast as well as hiking trails. There are tons of parks for biking, hiking, and playing. The city is for families who enjoy spending time outdoors. The adults won’t have to worry about how early they would need to wake up and get going to work so that they are not late due to traffic. Homes are indeed more expensive, but the price tag is well worth it.

  1. Moorpark

Moorpark is considered to be one of the safest places to live-in as it has the lowest crime rates in Ventura County. This family-oriented city hosts a lot of small-town events such as the annual Apricot Festival and Country Days. It also has highly ranked schools. It is located close to the Happy Camp Canyon Park – the perfect place for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

  1. Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach’s homes are among the priciest in the region. The School District ranks third overall in the state. The parents have the choice of enrolling their children either in public or private schools. In addition to the area’s stunning surroundings, The Manhattan Beach community values family. The experience will not disappoint.

  1. Long Beach

Long Beach CA, located in Los Angeles County is another destination favored by many outdoors-loving families. The options for activities do not end with the world’s biggest ocean at your finger tips. There are plenty of parks in and around the city that are perfect for biking, horse riding, and dog walking. The schools in the area are among the highest ranking for the district. The prices of the homes in this area do not differ much from the other places on this list.

With so many great looking cities in Southern California, it might be hard to decide which one you’d want to call “home”. Moving to a new place is a huge step. Carefully analyze the advantages and disadvantages of every city. Consider the needs and preferences of every family member, pets included. And once you settle in your new home – enjoy it!

Awesome hikes around Long Beach CA | Hiking Spots

8 Awesome hikes around Long Beach CA

/in /by

Long Beach CA offers a number of beautiful hikes. Whether you live here or are just visiting, take some time to take in the sights.

Awesome hikes around Long Beach CA | Hiking Spots

Dominguez Gap Wetlands

The Wetlands are situated in Long Beach along the LA River. The trails are great for hiking, biking, bird watching, and horseback riding. If you want to bring your dog with, you can. You don’t have to go to the zoo when you can find animals such as red-tailed hawks and turkey vultures at Wetlands.

This Dominguez Gap Wetlands is actually a 2008 river project. $7 million were invested with the aim to restore the important ecological functions of water quality improvement, wildlife habitat, and aquifer recharge to the urban lower Los Angeles River.

Forrestal Ecological Reserve

32201 Forrestal Dr Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Forrestal Ecological Reserve is located about 12 miles away from Long Beach CA. It is a 25-minute drive to get to the reserve by car and it takes about an hour and a half by bike. Rocky hills on one side and the ocean on the other, it is a great place to go hiking, enjoy nature, and even take some cool pictures.

Ocean Trails by Trump National Golf Course

1 Ocean Trails Dr Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

As the name suggests, it is located just by Trump National Golf Course. It is a coastal hiking destination with a breathtaking view. Hiking is not the only great activity you can enjoy. Other activities include paragliding and enjoying the beautiful picnic spots on the trail. Spring would be a great time to visit this place to enjoy more greenery and even see the whales if you are lucky.

Gum Grove Park

Crestview Ave & Avalon Dr. Seal Beach, CA 90740

Gum Grove Park has a relatively flat landscape and is pretty small (about a mile in length) so it is a great place for an easy hike. If you plan on going there with your dog, watch it closely as there is a chance of coming across coyotes. There are even signs all around the park asking to not feed the coyotes.

Bandini Canyon Trail Park

N Bandini St Los Angeles, CA 90731

This Park is another coastal hiking destination, located about 7 miles away from Long Beach CA. The trail and views are amazing.You can enjoy the view of the sea and cliffs, while hiking the sandy trail. There are some cactuses on the sides, so be careful, especially if you are hiking with kids.

The park dates back to1931, when Mr. George Peck, real estate developer and benefactor, donated most of the Park’s 4.8 acres. The land has been designated as open space since this time.

Willow Springs Park

2745 Orange Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806, USA

If you do not have a way to get out of town or simply do not have the time to spare, this park is for you. The trails are great and the surroundings are rocky and sandy. Small animals such as rabbits can be seen. Plus, the park is open 24/7.

Admiral Kidd Park

2125 Santa Fe Ave, Long Beach, CA 90810, USA

If you are taking kids along on your hike, this is the perfect place. Admiral Kidd Park is situated between two schools. It offers sports fields & courts, a recreation center with youth programs and a playground.

The park is open everyday between 6AM-5PM.

Wrigley Heights Dog Park

3401 Golden Ave, Long Beach, CA 90806, USA

Bring your dog here for a run or simply let it play with other dogs.

Wrigley Heights is open every day between 6AM-10PM

If hiking isn’t your thing, there are lots to do and amazing places to visit in Long Beach, California.