• Gondola Getaway, 5437 E. Ocean Blvd. (Naples), ☎ ''+1-562'' 433-9595, [17]. Seven days a week, 11 AM - 11 PM, Closed holidays. Romantic gondola boat ride along the canals in Naples. Crackers and cheese are provided. Bring your own beverage. Make reservations at least one day in advance (3 weeks is recommended). Reservation office hours 9AM - 5PM daily. 2 to 6 people: $75 for two people and $20/additional person; 7 to 19 people: $25/person; 20 to 64 people: $20/person.  edit

• Catalina Express, 320 Golden Shore (downtown Long Beach), ☎ toll free ''+1-800'' 481-3470, [18]. Daily departures, varies with season. Boat service to Catalina Island. Reservations are recommended. Note that each passenger is allowed 2 pieces of luggage, no larger than 21×24x36 inches (53x61x91 cm) and weighing no more than 70 pounds (31 kg) each as well as one carry-on bag. Round trip fares: Adult - $60.00 adult, Senior (55+) - $54.00, Child (2-11) - $46.50, Infants (under 2) - Free. Bikes and surfboards - $6.00.  edit

• Long Beach Armada Baseball, 4700 Deukmejian Drive (Blair Field), ☎ ''+1-562'' 434-7161 (fax: ''+1-562'' 434-7175), [19]. Minor league baseball. June thru August. edit

• Long Beach State Athletics (49er's), 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, ☎ ''+1-562'' 985-4949, [20]. The 49er's compete in NCAA Division 1 collegiate sports, including baseball (the "Dirtbags"), softball, basketball, volleyball, water polo, and women's soccer and tennis. Venues include the blue Walter Pyramid , one of three true pyramids in the United States and Blair Field. edit

• Recreation Park Golf Course 18, 5001 Deukmejian Drive, ☎ ''+1-562'' 494-5000, [21]. daybreak - 9:00 PM. A Billy Bell-designed 18-hole layout with rolling terrain and various types of trees lining the fairways. Non-Resident: M-F - $29.00, Sa-Su and holidays - $37.00.  edit

• Recreation Park Golf Course 9, 5000 East 7th Street, ☎ ''+1-562'' 438-4012, [22]. A nine-hole executive course. edit

• Skylinks Golf Course, 4800 East Wardlow Road, ☎ ''+1-562'' 421-3388, [23]. 6 AM-9:30PM. A championship 18 hole Scottish links tyle course with hilly lies on either side of the fairway. The course was redesigned by Cal Olsen in 2004. 18 Hole Non-Resident M-F - $42.50, Sa-Su and holidays - $54.00.  edit

• El Dorado Park Golf Club (El Dorado Park Golf Course), 2400 Studebaker Road, ☎ ''+1-562'' 430-5411, [24]. sunrise - sunset. An 18 hole Ted Robinson, Sr. designed course with challenging water hazards and mature tree lined fairways. M-F - $15.00, Sa-Su and holidays - $17.00.  edit

• Heartwell Golf Course, 6700 East Carson Street, ☎ ''+1-562'' 421-8855, [25]. 18-Hole Par 3 course designed by William F. Bell. 18 Holes Non-Resident: M-F - $14.00, Sa-Su and holidays - $16.00; 9-Holes Non-Resident: M-F - $10.00, After 12pm Sat-Sun and holidays - $11.00.  edit

• Belmont Plaza Pool, 4000 E Olympic Plaza Drive (At the foot of Termino Avenue, near the Belmont Shore pier), ☎ ''+1-562'' 570-1805, [26]. Hours vary depending on age and activity. See web site for schedule.. An Olympic-sized indoor pool frequently used for swimming events. Parking metered, 8 AM - 6PM, $1/hour. Adults - $3, youth (17 and under) and Seniors (50 and over) - $2..  edit

• Long Beach Performing Arts Center (includes the Terrace Theatre), 300 Ocean Blvd, ☎ ''+1-562'' 436-3661, [27]. Performances of International City Theatre [28], Long Beach Symphony Orchestra [29], and other events. edit

• Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway; +1-562 435-3511, [11]. Daily 10AM-6PM. The Queen Mary is a historic Cunard White Star ocean liner whose past includes being a troop transport in World War II and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Several different tours of the ship are offered including a Ghosts and Legends tour. The Queen Mary also boasts a hotel, several restaurants and a shopping promenade. General Admission (includes Ghosts and Legends Tour, Self-Guided Queen Mary Shipwalk Tour and access to all open exhibit areas): Adult - $22.95, Senior/Military* - $19.95, Child (5-11) - $11.95. There are several other tour packages including a Combo ticket with the Aquarium of the Pacific. (Pay parking)

• Russian Foxtrot Submarine: "SCORPION", 1126 Queens Highway (next to the Queen Mary); 432-0424, Fax: (909) 336-5938, e-mail: russianscorpion@charter.net, [12]. Daily 10AM-6PM. A self-guided tour of a Cold War Soviet submarine. A retired Russian submarine officer is at the submarine five days a week to answer questions. Call ahead for days and hours he will be available. Be aware that the passageways and hatches are very small, so this is not for those who are claustrophobic. Adults - $10.95; Seniors (55+), Children (3 to 11), Military (With ID)- $9.95; Under 3 are Free. (Pay parking)

• Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way; +1-562 590-3100, Fax: +1-562951-1629, e-mail:aquariumofpacific@lbaop.org, [13]. Open 9AM-6PM every day of the year, except December 25 and during the weekend of the Grand Prix of Long Beach. The Aquarium of the Pacific is one of the largest aquariums in the United States. Its nearly 1,000 species fill 19 major habitats and 32 focus exhibits and take visitors on a journey throughout the Pacific Ocean's three regions: Southern California/Baja, the Tropical Pacific, and the Northern Pacific. General Admission: Adult - $20.95, Child (3-11) - $11.95, Senior (60+) - $17.95. General Admission Plus Behind-The-Scenes Tour (ages 7 and up only): Adult - $31.95, Child (7-11) - $23.95, Senior (60+) - $29.95. There is also a Combo package with the Queen Mary. (Pay parking)

• Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard On the campus of California State University Long Beach, +1-562 985-5930, e-mail:jgarden@csulb.edu, [14]. Tu-F 8AM-3:30PM, Su Noon to 4PM, Closed Sa,M. Please call to verify hours as university events sometimes require early closures. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a 1.3 acre Japanese garden with a traditional tea house and koi ponds. A self-guided tour book is available for $1. Tours for groups of 10 or more may be arranged by calling the garden office at +1-562 985-8420. General Admission: Adult - $3.00, Senior (60+) - $2.00, Child (under 12) - Free.

• Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 East Ocean Boulevard; +1-562 439-2119, fax: +1-562 439-3587, [15]. Tu-Su 11AM-5PM, Closed M, December 25 and January 1. A small art museum featuring 20th Century art and decorative pieces with a focus on California artists. Admission: Adult - $7.00, Senior (62+)/Students (with ID) - $6.00, Child (under 12) - Free. Every Friday is free for all ages.

• Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Adobe, 4600 Virginia Road, +1-562 570-1755, fax: +1-562 570-1893, [16]. Open W-Su 1PM-5PM except holidays. Rancho Los Cerritos is a two-story Monterey-style adobe home built in 1844. A National, State, and Long Beach Historic Landmark, the site includes historic gardens and a research library. Docent led tours on weekends, 1pm to 4pm, self guided tours Wednesday to Friday. Groups over 10 should reserve two weeks ahead. Special events listed on the website. Free, donations welcomed.

By plane

Long Beach Airport (LGB) 4100 Donald Douglas Dr., Long Beach, +1 562 570-2678, Fax: +1 562 570-2603, [3]. Alaska Airlines (Seattle), US Airways Express (Phoenix), Delta (SkyWest) (Salt Lake City) and JetBlue Airways serve Long Beach Airport. Jet Blue has their Southern California hub at LGB with nonstop flights to Oakland, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Las Vegas, NYC/JFK, Chicago O'Hare, Boston, DC/Dulles and Ft. Lauderdale. Rental cars are available for hire at the airport (Avis, Budget, Hertz, Enterprise, National). Long Beach Yellow Cab + 1 -562 435-6111 serves the airport, approximate fares to downtown hotels $19 OW. Long Beach Transit Route 111 connects the airport to downtown Long Beach, fare 90 cents, and to the Blue Line at the downtown Transit Mall. [4].

Orange County/John Wayne Airport SNA [5]

Los Angeles International airport LAX [6] is about 25 miles away. It is fairly easy to take the Metro Rail from LAX to Long Beach, although you may require a short taxi ride or transfer to another bus to reach your final destination. Look for the LAX Shuttle & Airline Connections sign on the Lower/Arrival Level islands in front of each terminal, and board the free "G" Shuttle which terminates at the Aviation Green Line Metro Rail Station. Purchase a two-segment ticket from the automated kiosk ($2.50). You will take the Metro Green Line, exit at the Imperial/Wilmington/Rosa Parks Station, change levels, and transfer to the Blue Line southbound to Long Beach. Overall travel time from LAX is about one hour. It is not recommended to take this line late at night. The Long Beach Transit Mall in downtown Long Beach is the southern terminus of the Blue line.

Two shared van services (Supershuttle or PrimeTime Shuttle) provide door to door service from LAX. Advise the representatives that you need a ride to Long Beach, and they will flag the appropriate van. Fare is approximately $28 one way, taking about one hour. This is most convenient if you have heavy bags, are arriving at night, or your final location is not near a Blue Line station.

By rail

Long Beach is linked via the Metro Blue Line/Red Line light rail service to downtown Los Angeles and Hollywood.

• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) [7], Toll free +1-800 266-6883 See below, Get Around.

Amtrak and Metrolink service Union Station in downtown Los Angeles. To reach Long Beach from Union Station, take the Metro Red Line to the 7th St./Metro Center station then transfer to the Blue Line into Long Beach. Note: the Blue Line goes through some inner city locations (Watts and Compton) and there are not dedicated security guards on the trains. It may be discomforting to take this line late at night.

By car

From the west (LAX, Santa Monica) or from Orange County, take the San Diego (405) freeway. Connect to the southbound Long Beach freeway (710) if your destination is dowtown Long Beach. From the north, the Long Beach freeway (710) runs along the western city boundary, and the San Gabriel Freeway (605) along the eastern boundary. From the coastal areas of Orange County, a scenic and convenient route is Pacific Coast Highway (Rte 1).

From Orange County

There are several easy ways to get to Long Beach from Orange County if you don't have a car. The most direct way is to take Orange County Transit Authority's Route 50 bus servicing Katella Avenue, which passes between Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center. The western terminus of this route is Cal State U-Long Beach. If you are in the Beach Cities, take Route 1 servicing the Pacific Coast Highway and also terminating at CSULB. Alternatively, you can also take Amtrak's Pacific Surfliner or Metrolink's Orange County Line to LA Union Station and transfer to Metro Rail as already described.

A car is the most convenient way to get around Long Beach. Most areas of Long Beach have free parking but be aware that much of Downtown Long Beach has pay parking lots.

There are several transit agencies with bus routes in Long Beach.

• Long Beach Transit [8] +1 562 591-2301. Fares - Regular: $0.90; Seniors (62 and older), Medicare, Disabled: $0.45; Children 4 and under, Legally blind, persons in wheelchairs: Free. Long Beach Transit also offers a Day Pass - Regular: $2.50; Seniors (62 and older), etc., $1.50. Transfers: $0.50. The Red Passport bus routes connect tourist and shopping sites, including the Queen Mary, Aquarium, California State University, and Los Altos shopping center. Downtown connections are free.

• Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro) [9] Toll free +1-800 266-6883 (includes Blue Line light rail to downtown Los Angeles and Green Line to LAX). Fares Regular $1.25, each leg (transfers within the MTA system are not free); Seniors (62 and older), Medicare, Disabled: $0.55; Two children under age 5 may travel free with each fare-paying adult. Metro Day Pass Regular $5, valid on all MTA Bus and rail lines. Transfers to other systems, $0.30.

• Orange County Transportation Authority (OCTA) [10] 1-800 636-7433. Fares - Regular: $1.25; Seniors (62 and older), Medicare, Disabled: $0.50. OCTA also offers a Day Pass - Regular: $3.00; Seniors (62 and older), etc., $1.00. See the website for multi-day passes.

Belmont Shore pedestrian district, Second Street in Belmont Shore. Bars, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and national store outlets such as the Gap and Peet's Coffee and Tea.

Downtown Long Beach - Acres of Books, 240 Long Beach Blvd, ☎ ''+1-562'' 437-6980 (jackie@acresofbooks.com), [38]. M-F 10 AM-6PM, Sa 10AM-9PM, Su 10 AM-5PM. "The best bookstore in California" according to Ray Bradbury. One million used books in stock, a destination for book lovers from around the world. edit

Los Altos Shopping Center. Bellflower and Stearns, Los Altos neighborhood. Stores include Target, Trader Joe's, Big Lots, Rite Aid, Golden Spoon Yogurt, Sears, Bristol Farms gourmet food store +1-562-430-4134 (7AM-10PM, includes cafe, Thursday wine tastings 5:30-7:30, $23), Border's Books and Music, Baja Fresh Mexican Food, See's Candy [39](across Bellflower). On the Passport bus route to Cal State and downtown Long Beach.

Formerly known as "Iowa by the Sea", but now populated by a diverse community, Long Beach has a full range of dining options.

American

• Hof's Hut (Los Altos location), 2147 Bellflower Blvd., ☎ ''+1-562'' 597-5811, [40]. A Long Beach based chain known for burgers, homestyle meals, and pie. edit

• Hof's Hut (Bixby Knolls location), 4251 Long Beach Blvd., ☎ ''+1-562'' 424-0390, [41]. A Long Beach based chain known for burgers, homestyle meals, and pie. edit

• Hof's Hut (Marina location), 6257 E. 2nd Street, ☎ ''+1-562'' 598-4070, [42]. A Long Beach based chain known for burgers, homestyle meals, and pie. edit

• Jongewaard's Bake-n-Broil, 3697 Atlantic Avenue (Bixby Knolls neighborhood), ☎ ''+1-562'' 595-0396. A local secret known for homebaked pies, desserts, soups, and comfort food. Inexpensive (and popular so expect a wait). edit

• Lucille's BBQ (Belmont Shore location), 4828 E. 2nd Street, ☎ ''+1-562'' 938-7427, [43]. Su-Th 11AM - 10PM, F-Sa 11AM - 11PM. Great smoked tri tip, ribs, and southern style meals. edit

• Lucille's BBQ (Long Beach Town Center location), 7411 Carson St. (A stand-alone building behind the main theatre complex.), ☎ ''+1-562'' 434-7427, [44]. Su-Th 11AM - 10PM, F-Sa 11AM - 11PM. Great smoked tri tip, ribs, and southern style meals. edit

• Polly's Bakery Cafe (Bixby Knolls location), 3490 Atlantic Ave., ☎ ''+-562'' 595-5651, [45]. 6:30AM-10PM. Local chain known for site-baked pies especially fresh strawberry and ollalieberry in season. Roast turkey and chicken dinners. Inexpensive.  edit

• Polly's Bakery Cafe (Los Coyotes location), 4680 Los Coyotes Diagonal, ☎ ''+-562'' 597-6076, [46]. 7AM-10PM. Local chain known for site-baked pies especially fresh strawberry and ollalieberry in season. Roast turkey and chicken dinners. Inexpensive.  edit

Mexican

• Enrique's, 6210 E Pacific Coast Highway, ☎ ''+1-562'' 498-3622. In addition to the usual combination plates, menu includes specialties such as pork shank, stuffed pasilla chiles, and bread pudding. Very popular, be prepared to wait. edit

• Holé Molé (West Side Location), 5209 Pacific Coast Highway, ☎ ''+1-562'' 985-1005, [47]. Fast serve Baja style fish tacos, shrimp ceviche, breakfast burritos. edit

• Holé Molé (Obispo Ave. Location), 421 Obispo Avenue, ☎ ''+1-562'' 439-2555, [48]. Fast serve Baja style fish tacos, shrimp ceviche, breakfast burritos. edit

• Holé Molé (Belmont Heights Location), 1327 East 4th Street, ☎ ''+1-562'' 437-0878, [49]. Fast serve Baja style fish tacos, shrimp ceviche, breakfast burritos. edit

• SuperMex (Downtown location), 732 E. First Street, ☎ ''+1-562'' 436-0707, [50]. Burritos, over 30 years in Long Beach. edit

• SuperMex (North Long Beach location), 5660 Atlantic Ave., ☎ ''+1-562'' 428-7144, [51]. Burritos, over 30 years in Long Beach. edit

• SuperMex (Belmont Shore location), 4711 E. Second St., ☎ ''+1-562'' 439-4489, [52]. Burritos, over 30 years in Long Beach. edit

• SuperMex (Cherry Take-out location), 3401 Cherry Ave. - Ste. D, ☎ ''+1-562'' 283-0481, [53]. Burritos, over 30 years in Long Beach. edit

Cambodian

• Sophy's Thai & Cambodian, 3720 E Anaheim St., ☎ ''+1-562'' 494-1763. Small place with Thai and Cambodian dishes. edit

• Siem Reap, 1810 E Anaheim St., ☎ ''+1-562'' 591-7414.  edit

• New Paradise, 1350 E Anaheim St., ☎ ''+1-562''218-0066.  edit

Vietnamese

• Benley, A Vietnamese Kitchen, 8191 E Wardlow Rd. (at Norwalk Blvd), ☎ ''+1-562'' 596-8130. Closed Sunday. Chic and casual tiny neighborhood cafe in a strip mall. Excellent pho, shaken beef, buttermilk panna cotta with Key Lime anglaise, cassava cake. Free corkage. edit

French

• Frenchy's Bistro, 4137 E Anaheim Blvd., ☎ ''+1-562'' 494-8787 (chefandre@frenchysbistro.com), [54]. Lunch: Tu-F - 11:30AM-2:30PM, Dinner: Tu-Su - 5:30PM-9:30PM, Closed M. Since 1996, traditional French bistro menu. Also has a wine bar menu with small plates. edit

Upscale

• Tracht's, 111 E Ocean (Downtown Long Beach in the Renaissance Hotel), ☎ ''+1-562'' 499-2533 (fax: ''+1-562'' 499-2512), [55]. Lunch: M-F: 11:30am-2:00pm; Dinner: Su-Th: 6:00PM-10:00PM, F-Sa: 6:00PM-10:30PM; Lounge: Su-Th: 11:00PM-Midnight, F- Sa: 11:00AM-1:00PM. Steaks, roasts, braised specialties by the creator of JAR. $31.00-50.00.  edit

Aboard the Queen Mary

• Sir Winston's, ☎ ''+1-562'' 435-3511, [56]. 5:30PM-10:00PM. Features Continental and California cuisine. Semi-Formal attire requested and Reservations are required. $31-.00-78.00.  edit

• Promenade Cafe, ☎ ''+1-562'' 435-3511, [57]. Sa-Th: 6:30AM-10:00PM; F: 6:00AM-10:00PM. American Cuisine $9.95-$36.00.  edit

• Champagne Sunday Brunch, ☎ ''+1-562'' 499-1606, [58]. Su - 9:30AM-2:00PM. Includes a Carving and Entree Station with a selection of cooked meats; an Oriental Station with stir-fry; a Pasta Station with a selection of gourmet pastas and sauces; a Dessert Station with such delectables as chocolate covered strawberries; and a Mexican Station featuring foods from south of the border. There is a special buffet island just for children. Adults - $37.50, Children (5-11 years) - $12.00.  edit

• Chelsea, ☎ ''+1-562'' 435-3511, [59]. W-Su: 5:30PM-10:00PM. Seafood specialties $24.50-47.00.  edit

• Observation Bar, ☎ ''+1-562'' 435-3511, [60]. M-Tu - 12:00PM-12:00AM; W-Sa - 10:00AM-2:00AM; Su - 10:00AM-12:00AM.  edit

• Tibbies Cabaret, ☎ ''+1-562'' 499-1757, [61]. Show times vary. Check website for details. All prices include show. Adult - $61.95; Senior (65+) and Military with ID - $56.95; Child (12 and under) - $30.95.  edit

• Joe Jost's, 2803 E. Anaheim Street, ☎ ''+1 562'' 439-5446 (joejosts@joejosts.com), [62]. M-Sa 10 AM - 11PM, Su 10 AM - 8PM. Long Beach Classic--Opened in 1924, one of the oldest family operated taverns in the West. Schooners of draft beer, "Joe's Special" (Polish sausage on rye, with Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickle), fresh roasted peanuts, and pickled eggs. Turn of the century pool tables in the back room. $1.35-$4.65 draft beers, $2.65 Special.  edit

• The Yard House, 401 Shoreline Village Dr., ☎ ''+1 562'' 628-0455 (fax: ''+1 562'' 435-5544), [63]. Su-Th - 11:00AM-12:00AM, F-Sa - 11:00AM-2:00AM. View of Shoreline Village Marina, dockside seating, eclectic uspcale casual menu, 100+ beers on tap, wine by the glass, specialty martinis. Happy Hour M-F 3-6 PM, Pints $3.25, Martinis $5.25, half-price appetizers. Food: $8.95-30.45.  edit