Long Beach
Now a mainly industrial and port city, Long Beach
was, in its prime -- at the turn of the 20th century --
the "Atlantic City of the Pacific Coast." There was a
gigantic amusement park, film stars' vacation homes and
scenic dining spots.
Shoreline Drive, a road along 5.5
miles of Long Beach shoreline, still offers some of the
faded ambience of that earlier period, but the main
attraction is the Queen Mary, the world's largest
ocean liner, which sits at a pier in the harbor. Whale
tours are popular, in-season. Some of the old Long Beach
is evident on Ocean Boulevard and Pine Avenue, where the
original art deco and Mediterranean revival buildings may
be seen.
What to See & Do
Shoreline Drive will take you to just about
everything of interest. These include Bixby Park
and the Long Beach Museum of Art, housed in an
historic old mansion built in 1912 as the summer home of
New York philanthropist Elizabeth Milbank Anderson. Known
for its impressive video art program, the museum also
houses exhibits of nationally-known and local artists.
Just east of the museum is Bluff
Park, a neighborhood settled in the early 1900s by
such Hollywood luminaries as W.C. Fields, Fatty Arbuckle
and Pearl White. This fascinating mix of all types of
architecture stretches as far north as Fourth Street. The
Oil Islands -- seen from the bluffs -- are
disguised oil wells. If you continue driving north along
Ocean Boulevard and then follow the Livingston signs,
you'll reach Belmont Shore, a collection of boutiques and
trendy restaurants.
Naples Island, circled by the Rivo
Alto Canal, features Venician-style gondolas which are
available for a tour, offering views of the large homes
from water-side. Another waterfront shopping area,
Seaport Village, is at the north end of the drive.
A Special Place to Stay
Queen Mary
1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach
(562) 435--3511
For a unique, nostalgic stay in Long Beach, the Queen
Mary can't be beat. Staying overnight on the great ship,
moored in Long Beach Harbor, is a one-of-a-kind
experience. The art decor trimmings, the restored
staterooms and suites, and the feeling of being on a real
ocean liner of an earlier age, provide a delightful
visit. Overnight rates are suprisingly low, starting at
about $75 for a small stateroom. Deluxe suites start at
$180. Getaway packages include a first-class stateroom,
bon voyage cocktails in the Observation Bar, continental
breakfast, and a tour of the ship (from $110).
The Queen Mary is reached via Shoreline
Drive and the Queensway Bridge. Tours are
given daily, and you can stay overnight in one of the
great old ship's staterooms or suites. You can also
arrange a ship-board marriage.
