By Jake Reed
Learn about sea life at the aquarium.
Long
beach, a coastal city in Southern California, is the state's fifth-largest city. Long Beach has a wide array of attractions, including an avid beach life, historic sights and a top-notch aquarium.
The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary is a 81,237-ton passenger liner moored in Long Beach Harbor. It was launched in 1936 and retired in 1967 and is now a hotel and tourist attraction. You can do a self tour, but if you opt for the guided tour, you can see places that are otherwise off limits.
Queen Mary
1126 Queens Hwy.
Long Beach, CA 90802
562-435-3511
www.queenmary.com
Beaches
Alamitos Beach, between 4th Street and Ocean Boulevard, has 4.6 acres of ample shoreline. There is a 3-mile bike path between Alamitos Ave and 54th Place. You can also rent chairs, umbrellas and surfboards here.
Marine Beach, also known as "Mother's Beach," offers a more laid-back environment when compared with Alamitos Beach. It gets its name because the waves are considered gentle in comparison to other beaches. There is also an ample shallow swimming area. This beach is located at Appian Way and 2nd Street.
Aquarium of the Pacific
Here you can get a taste of the aquatic life from Baja, the Tropical Pacific, the North Pacific and Southern California. There are more than 12,500 species from 19 major habitats waiting to be viewed. You can catch a 3-D film here as well.
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, CA 90801
562-590-3100
www.aquariumofpacific.org
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens
California State University, Long Beach is home to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens. The landscape is dotted with Buddha statues, pagodas, bamboo forests and waterfalls.
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90815
562-985-8885
www.csulb.edu/~jgarden/
About the Author:
Jake Reed began his freelance writing career in 2002. His work has been published in the "Seoul Times," "Star News," the "Diplomacy Journal" and on various websites. Reed holds a bachelor's degree in political science and philosophy from the University of California at San Diego.
Photo Credits:
A lot of fishes in an aquarium, close up image by YuI from
Fotolia.com
