Inside Long Beach

Although Long Beach's most famous tourist attractions are the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific, there is much more to this second largest city in Los Angeles county. Shopping on Second Avenue, shopping and dining on Pine Avenue, beach volleyball at Belmont Shore and visiting art galleries all around town are some of the best highlights. If you enjoy car races, the Toyota Grand Prix occupies the streets of downtown in the spring each year, too. There is a very diverse community of many cultures, so expect to be exposed to something new and exciting when you visit.

Quick Tips:

The best route to Long Beach is the Los Angeles Airport, as the Long Beach Airport is very small, with limited flights.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you can, rent a car at the airport, then take the 405 (San Diego) Freeway south. Otherwise, if you don't have a lot of luggage (carry-on only), try taking public transportation for only .35 - see the Green Line/Blue Line journal entry for details

This is a very popular family owned and operated small restaurant. They have great pies, great home-style meals and great service. Aside from the wait (because of popularity) this is your best bet for some good ol' american cooking.

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'Jeet?' Shell some peanuts for a snack.

This is the best down home southern cooking I've had in ages! Have some Fried Green Tomatoes with those ribs. This is the real thing... not like those fancy places that try to be hillbilly. You've gotta try it!

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When you land at the Los Angeles Airport, go to the island marked with a black sign for the free 'G' shuttle bus to the Green Line's Aviation Station. These shuttles run approximately every 15 minutes. When you arive at Aviation Station, you can purchase a $1.35 one-way ticket from one of the machines before taking the escalator or elevator up to where you will meet the train. Before to hold on to your ticket, which is your only proof that you have paid the fare. If an officer asks to see it, just take it out of your pocket and show it.

Board the Green Line train heading for Cerritos, and exit at Rosa Parks station. At Rosa Parks station, take the stairs or elevators down one level, then take change to the next set of stairs or change elevators to get down to the Blue Line's Imperial Station. Be careful to take the train marked 'Long Beach,' which will take you directly to downtown Long Beach, where the major hotels are just a short distance from First Street Station. Welcome to Long Beach!

Along the way, you will ride along the newest freeway in California, see the famous Watts Towers, pass a real California Casino with a Slick Track in the parking lot, cross the Los Angeles River and probably be fascinated by the other people on the train. All for less than $2.00! What a great way to be introduced to the Los Angeles area!