MartiniKat

My boyfriend & I will be in Long Beach, CA for 6 days the end of June (in our 50's). Looking for suggestions for things to do. Staying at the Hyatt Regency & won't have a car. Although for our last day, our flight doesn't leave until 11:00 p.m., from LAX & thought about renting a car for the day and then drop it off at the airport. Any suggestions for a day trip? Planning on spending a day at Catalina Island, possibly getting a tour from our hotel to Universal Studios, not sure about the Aquarium since we've been to many around the PA/MD/NJ area. I love fun bars & shopping, he loves mid-priced food (not gourmet) and we both love beautiful scenery. Thanks so much in advance for your help!

Cole2006

Visit the Queen Mary and the Wayfarers Chapel.

http://www.wayfarerschapel.org/

montereybob

Well, if you do get a car, it would be fun to drive south on Pacific Coast Highway and enjoy all the fun beach towns between Seal Beach and Capistrano. You could just go as far or as short as your time allows.

cathyfirstmate

Be sure to walk across the walking bridge that connects Shoreline Village to the hotel area and visit the restrauants and shops at the village. Laguna Beach is a short drive down Pacific Coast Highway, maybe about 45 min. and is one of our most beautiful areas to visit. The locals call Pacific Coast Highway PCH for short. It is Highway 1 and goes right along the coast. You will drive through Seal Beach, Hunnighton Beach,(Surf City USA), then Newport Beach, and soon reach Laguna Beach. You could make this an all day trip or a half day trip.

dbdurand

You can see from the previous replies how involved we Southern Californians are with our cars. I am no exception, but I have had some favorable brushes with public transportation in the LA area. I suggest you consider getting up to LA on the so-called Blue Line, which is light rail starting at First and Long Beach Blvd. and running north to 7th st. in downtown LA. There it connects with the Subway that amongst other places, has stops at Hollywood and Vine, and (guess what) Universal Studios. Post back if you want more thoughts about what to do in and around downtown LA.

Dick Durand

lvk

You will have good restaurants within walking distance of your hotel, both at Shoreline Village and Pine Ave. www.downtownlongbeach.org. In Shoreline Village, I like the Yard House right on the Marina (www.yardhouse.com). On Pine Ave: we like Alegria for tapas and live Flamenco dancing on weekends, King's Fish House for seafood, and L'Opera for Italian Food.

Another great area of LB for dining and shopping is the Belmont Shore neighborhood (www.belmontshore.org), which would be a quick cab ride from your hotel. We recently had a great meal and wonderful service at Sunnin Lebanese Cafe.

Since it concentrates on sealife found in the Pacific Ocean, the Aquarium of the Pacific may be different from the east coast aquariums you have seen.

On your day with a car, I would suggest heading north instead of south, so you will be closer to the airport. You could drive north through the Ports of Long Beach and LA, over the Vincent Thomas Bridge, and around the Palos Verdes Peninsula. There are lots of lookout points with great scenery and several easy, scenic walking trails near the Trump Golf Course and the new Terranea resort. You could then head up through the South Bay beach cities and up to Santa Monica then Malibu. There are plenty of places to shop and dine along the way, before returning your car to LAX.

Either Getty Museum - the Villa in Malibu or the Getty Center near Brentwood would also make a nice stop.

overyonder

I'm surprised no one has mentioned that LB has a really good bus system for getting around town and viewing all there is to do.

http://www.lbtransit.com/services/passport.aspx

Some other suggestions within Long Beach:

Head over to Naples (in Long Beach) and either rent a kayak to tour the canals, or take a gondola ride, or even a nice stroll past the homes is entertaining.
http://www.beachcalifornia.com/naple...a-history.html

Or how about the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens (located on the campus of Cal State Univ Long Beach)
http://www.csulb.edu/~jgarden/, if interested while still on campus you can head over to the Pyramid
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Walter_Pyramid

I guess I will also mention the Long Beach Art Museum
http://www.lbma.org/, or Rancho Los Alamitos http://www.rancholosalamitos.com/, or Rancho Los Cerritos http://www.rancholoscerritos.org/

Places to eat with great views (not mentioned already):
Belmont Brewing Company (make a point to eat outside over looking the ocean)
http://www.belmontbrewing.com/
Schooner or Later (for breakfast)
http://schoonerorlater.com/

If the mood strikes on Sunday morning head on over to the Farmers Market in the marina (everything from fruit, vegis, fish, flowers, breads, and while I don't suggest you do this, this particular visit you can even adopt a new (rescue) pet while you're there).
http://www.goodveg.org/LBSE.html


Now the next beach (headed south) is Seal Beach. It has a great little main street with plenty of eateries, and places to shop. Continue on down towards the ocean and take a walk on the pier.
http://www.sealbeachchamber.org/inde...te/mainstreet/

Hope that helps some and enjoy your visit!

MartiniKat

Thank you so much everyone. You have all been so helpful. We leave tomorrow morning for Long Beach!