To the south-east of Los Angeles, there is one more gem of South California – the coastal city of Long Beach. This is a diverse cultural center in the United States of America. Don’t be surprised to meet people of different nationalities here. Long Beach is home to Latin American, African American, Asian people, as well as other ethnic groups. Frankly speaking, the city itself looks more like a settlement in Midwest rather than a Californian settlement. Tourists visit this place to relax, enjoy beach recreation, admire the collection of the museum of art, and visit the aquarium that has gained worldwide recognition.
In 1881, a town named Willmore City appeared at the shore of the Pacific Ocean. However, the settlement soon changed its name to Long Beach because of a big number of spacious beaches. The name of the town precisely described this peculiarity. Long Beach has retained this name until modern times.
All beaches in Long Beach are located parallel to the port haven. Belmont Shore is widely recognized as one of the best recreation areas in the area. It lies in the south of Long Beach. Tourists, who decide to visit this neighborhood, should take into consideration the fact that there are no hotels near the recreation area. That is why visitors can enjoy sunbathing all day long. The beach has soft sand and shallow coastal water. It also might be interesting to visit local shops that offer many interesting souvenirs or relax in one of the cozy restaurants that offer a striking view of the Long Beach waterfront.
Another popular recreation area shares its name with the city. It is situated in the port area, so it is not rare to see port workers pass this beach by. Do high waves annoy you? In this case, Long Beach is exactly what you need. There are almost no waves here because a pier was installed nearby after World War II. This pier protects the coastal area from high waves. However, if you like surfing you will feel bored here. This beach is more suitable for beginners and people who only learn how to surf. By the way, they can get special surfs here.
A bicycle ride is a pleasant and suitable way to explore the waterfront in Long Beach. There is a bicycle rental near the beach. A special road for cyclists which heads to Belmont makes it very comfortable to ride a bicycle. As the beach is situated in the port area, some parts of the coastal area are polluted. Water is not crystal clear as well, so it is better to stay at some distance from the pier. Vacationers do not need to worry about their safety or safety of their children because there is always a rescue team on duty.
Besides beach recreation, tourists have an opportunity to get themselves familiar with local attractions. One of them is particularly popular with foreign guests. This is a giant aquarium – the Aquarium of the Pacific – that is home to almost a thousand of different underwater creatures. Visitors can see the flora and fauna that are typical for Southern California, tropics, and north. The aquarium is divided into nineteen main parts and thirty-two sections with exotic creatures of the Pacific.
Besides the aquarium, tourists can explore the real ocean cruise ship that was a military transportation unit during World War II. Queen Mary – this is the name of the ship – is currently a popular attraction. Everyone is welcome to visit it and explore the ship independently. Besides walking on deck, guests are welcome to visit the local restaurant and shops that are open directly on the ship. These shops sell many memorable souvenirs that will remind you of the happy days spent in this charming city on the coast of the Pacific Ocean.
To get to Long Beach in California, you need to arrive at any of the five airports in Los Angeles. Each of these airports serves international flights from many countries of the world. After that, tourists can get to the resort city from the airport by metro. Simply use the blue line for this purpose. Besides this, there are daily ferries to Long Beach provided by the Carnival Cruise Company. These ferries connect Baja California and Mexican Riviera.
