For a Half Day

Long Beach: The city of Long Beach, the second largest in Los Angeles County, is directly south of Downtown LA, an easy drive on the Long Beach freeways (I-710). Alternatively, Metro Blue Line runs from Downtown to the Transit Mall at Long Beach, and from there the Passport Shuttle has free service to the major Long Beach attractions. The charming Long Beach was a popular seaside resort in the early 1900s. The discovery of oil in 1921 sparked a boom of industrial and commercial development, including the construction of a harbour. In the 1990s, the city turned to tourism again, restoring historic areas and developing a host of new attractions along its 9km (5.5 miles) of wide and splendid sandy beach. At Long Beach Harbour, visitors can tour the majestic Queen Mary, the 1934 luxury liner that once carried celebrities and royalty on transatlantic voyages (tel: (562) 435 3511; website: www.queenmary.com). Nearby, the Aquarium of the Pacific (tel: (562) 590 3100; website: www.aquariumofpacific.org) is home to more than 550 species of marine animals in a variety of ocean habitats. Further along the shore are the Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 Ocean Boulevard (tel: (562) 439 2119; website: www.lbma.org), the Shoreline Village shopping centre and Gondola Getaway (tel: (562) 433 9595; website: www.gondolagetawayinc.com), with gondola cruises through the canals of Naples Island. The Promenade walkway from the marina to the business district is lined with restaurants and nightlife venues. Historic walks take in landmark buildings and some of the city’s 50 murals. For more information, visit the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Suite 300, One World Trade Center (tel: (562) 436 3645 or 1 800 452 7829; website: www.golongbeach.org).

For a Whole Day

Catalina Island: Just 35km (22 miles) across the ocean from Long Beach is the idyllic Catalina Island. This peaceful island where no cars are allowed has long been a favourite retreat for stressed-out Angelenos. The Catalina Express (tel: 1 800 481 3470; website: www.catalinaexpress.com) runs a ferry service from Long Beach or San Pedro Port. The journey time from Long Beach is about 1-2 hours depending on the boat and, while the island makes a pleasant day trip, it also rewards a longer stay. Avalon, the island capital, sits in the hills above a crescent-shaped harbour, with a beach. At one end is the landmark Casino, with its grand ballroom, where people came to dance to the big bands of the 1930s and 40s. A visitor centre on the pier books tours of the casino, glass-bottom boat rides or visits to the rugged interior where there is a herd of buffaloes. Relax on the beach or enjoy a variety of watersports. The Catalina Island Visitors Bureau & Chamber of Commerce (tel: (310) 510 1520; website: www.catalina.com) can provide information.

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