Long Beach CA: Enjoy A Fun Weekend With The Queen Print


Long Beach is a picturesque seaside city about an hour south of downtown Los Angeles. Consider a variety of activities during your visit:

Saturday: Start the day at the Aquarium of the Pacific, a galaxy of the world’s oceans. In addition to exhibits and tours, visitors who are certified divers can experience the Dive Immersive. This incredible scuba adventure explores the huge 350,000-gallon tropical fish habitat, swimming with the more than 1,000 varieties of marine life. Two and a half hour dives are about $350 per participant.

Take the city's free Passport bus to the Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 East Ocean Blvd.) Enjoy lunch at Claire's At The Museum Restaurant, considered one of the best in the city. The open patio features views of the Queen Mary and harbor. Book a harbor-view room at the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel (111 East Ocean Blvd.). For dinner, enjoy wine and selections from the tasting menu at SIP Lounge, the bar and restaurant in the hotel's beautiful lobby space. Costs are about $150 per night.

Sunday: For brunch, head across the harbor to the legendary Queen Mary, where Sunday Champagne Brunch is offered in the ship's Grand Salon at about $55 per person. Champagne flows freely as does live music.

Plan a Sunday afternoon bike ride around the city, arranged by the hotel concierge. Sunday dinner may be enjoyed at Congregation Ale House (201 East Broadway), a local brewpub serving great food and house-brewed craft beers.