Independence Day

Independence Day is a celebration of America's Independence from the British Empire. We celebrate the freedom we enjoy with fireworks and parties. It is a time to remember those that have served this country to protect that freedom for which we enjoy. It is a day of picnics with family, community parades and fireworks to celebrate the birthday of the United States.

Read Also: Constitution of the United States

At the time of the signing the US consisted of 13 colonies under the rule of England's King George III. There was growing unrest in the colonies concerning the taxes that had to be paid to England. This was commonly referred to as "Taxation without Representation" as the colonists did not have any representation in the English Parliament and had no say in what went on.

With the high cost of gasoline, many Long Beach residents are staying local this July 4^th long weekend. Downtown Long Beach California is full of historic homes, condos and home to many large hotels, necessary to handle the busy traffic created by The Long Beach Area Convention Center. This holiday weekend you have so many wonderful things that you can do in Long Beach from the RMS Queen Mary to the Aquarium of the Pacific but it doesn't stop there!

Here are some fabulous things to do in Long Beach California this weekend:

• Dockside Boat & Bed - Spend the night on a Yacht
• Long Beach California Japanese Garden and Koi Pond
• Romantic Gondola Ride - Naples Island

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Posted on 2008-07-05 @ 12.08:23 am by Laurie.Manny

Things to do in Long Beach California - June 2008

Things to do in Long Beach California - June 2008

March 2-October 5...Rancho Los Cerritos Tours

Times: 2:30 PM - 3:30 PM

Free - Every 1st Sunday at 2:30 p.m.

June 1; July 6; Aug 3; Sept 7; Oct 5; Nov 2

Celebrate the seasons with a guided tour of the Rancho's lush grounds. Learn the history of the gardens as you stroll past vibrant flowers in bloom & delight in refreshing citrus fragrances.

Phone:  (562) 570-1755
Admission:  Free
Location:  Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site

June 1-4...PTCUser World Event 2008 at the Long Beach Convention Center. 

June 6 & June 13...Shark Lagoon Nights at the Aquarium of the Pacific

June 6, 7, 8... Sesame Street Live!  When Elmo Grows Up at the Terrace Theater

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Posted on 2008-05-26 @ 11.31:45 pm by Laurie.Manny

Memorial Day Weekend in Long Beach California

Memorial Day 2008 - in and around Long Beach California

Start Your Engines?

Not!

With the high cost of Gasoline many are planning the holiday weekend closer to home this year.  If you are planning a trip you may find the AAA fuel cost calculator to be a handy tool. 

Long Beach provides many wonderful forms of entertainment making it easier to play close to home. 

Things to do in Rainbow Harbor:

• Rent a speedboat
• Rent a jet ski
• Bicycle Boats
• Rent a Kayak
• Go Sailing
• Fishing
• Whale Watching
• Scuba Dive Charters
• Private Charters
• Yacht Charters
• Harbor Tours
• Harbor Cruises
• Private Charters
• Tall Ship American Pride Educational & Charter Tours
• Romance Charters
• Aqua Link
• Aqua Bus
• Dream Cruises
• Educational Expeditions to Catalina & Channel Islands
• Rainbow Rocket-Ride
• Guest Day Mooring Area
• Dockside Boat & Bed - Spend the night on a Yacht

Things To Do in Long Beach:

• Shoreline Village / Rainbow Harbor
• RMS Queen Mary
• Aquarium of the Pacific
• Harbor Breeze Cruises
• Scorpion submarine
• Comedy Murder Mystery Dinner Cruises
• The Tallship American Pride
• Long Beach Sport Fishing and Whale Watching
• Catalina Express
• The Pike
• Gameworks
• East Village Arts District
• Museum of Latin American Art
• Pine Avenue
• Romantic Gondola
• Luxury Yacht Rental
• Party Cruises
• Romantic Gondola Ride - Naples Island
• Earl Burns Japanese Gardens at UCLB
• Long Beach Museum of Art
• Cohiba Club on Pine
• El Dorado Nature Center
• Long Beach Parks
• Long Beach Fire Department Museum
• Rancho Los Alamitos -Historic Ranch and Gardens
• Rancho Los Cerritos
• Wayfarers Chapel

Local Beaches of Long Beach California:

Alamitos Beach from Alamitos to 15th Place. You can glide, ride or stride along the waters edge on the main beach from Alamitos Avenue on the west to 54th Place on the east on the 3.1-mile, 17-foot-wide Shoreline Pedestrian Bike Path. Two six foot lanes are for bicycle traffic and one five foot lane is for pedestrians. You can rent skates, bikes, umbrellas and beach chairs at Alfredos.

Bayshore Beach at 5415 E. Ocean Blvd. offers access to Alamitos Bay and other diversions such as:

• basketball,
• volleyball
• handball courts
• play equipment for the kids

Belmont Plaza Beach at 4000 Olympic Plaza is close to the bike path and Belmont Pier. Be sure to get a front row seat (bring your own chair!) for exciting California Beach Volleyball Association events.

Belmont Shore Beach from 39th Place to 54th Place, and Peninsula Beach from 54th to 72nd Place offer long stretches of white sand, volleyball courts and beautiful scenery.

Colorado Lagoon at 5119 E. Colorado St. offers calm waters, picnic areas and a nautical themed playground.

Junipero Beach from 15th to 39th Place can be conveniently accessed from Ocean Blvd. on Junipero Avenue which ends at a beach parking lot.

Marine Park at 5839 Appian Way is known as 'Mothers Beach because of its popularity among families with small children. All ages can relax and enjoy the day with shallow, calm waters, a lifeguard station, restrooms and play equipment.

The next chance you have to spend a day at the beach, remember that some of the best ones are right here in Long Beach.

History of Memorial Day

Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states...Read More>>>

Memorial Day Events in Long Beach California:

May 26...Memorial Day Picnic on the Lawn of the Aquarium of the Pacific in Downtown Long Beach 

Times: 11a.m. - 1:30p.m.

Join us for a Memorial Day Picnic on the Front lawn of the Aquarium.  Menu:  Grilled Rosemary Tri-tip, Honey BBQ Chicken, Chipotle BBQ Ribs, Hot Dogs, and much more.  Cost:  Members- Adults - $16, Kids 3-11  $9,  Non-Members-Adult $26, Kids 3-11 $19.  For your reservations and more info call 562/590-3100.

Fly the flag at half-staff from dawn until noon in observance of the holiday. 

Memorial Day Ceremonies, Forest Lawn - Long Beach, Paradise Mosaic Forecourt, Long Beach, CA.

Highlights include color guards, bagpiper, a wreath placement ceremony, roll call of deceased veterans, Presidential Proclamation, a parade of flags by local veterans, and patriotic music.  For more information, call: (800) 204-3131 ext. 4743.  

Going out to Celebrate? 

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Posted on 2008-05-22 @ 10.02:36 pm by Laurie.Manny

Romance in Long Beach - Valentines Day

Romance is in the Air in Long Beach!

Valentines Day seems to turn everyone into a Romantic. Here in Long Beach there are many men that are in a complete panic over February 14^th. To make their lives a little easier here are Ten Romantic Things to do in Long Beach CA this Valentines Day with your Long Beach Sweetheart!

1. Go the traditional route. Take your Long Beach Sweetheart out to dinner. Long Beach is full of wonderful restaurants to select from:

1. Parkers Lighthouse will provide you first class surroundings and award winning cuisine 435 Shoreline Village Drive Long Beach CA 90802
2. Romantic Northern Italian try Christys Ristorante - 3937 E. Broadway Long Beach CA 90803 (866) 919-5774
3. Your Long Beach Sweetheart is a little more exegetic? Try Café Piccolo 3222 E. Broadway Long Beach CA 90803 (562) 438-1316
4. In the mood for a great Steak? Then off you go to Kellys Restaurant - 5716 East 2^nd Street Long Beach (562) 433-4983
5. Talk about Love, How about taking your Long Beach Sweetheart to The Queen of Long Beach CA? The Queen Mary has several dining options for you to select from. 1126 Queens Highway Long Beach CA 90802 (562) 435-3511
6. Do the two of you enjoy Jazz? Try this little romantic spot Nicos Restaurant 5760 E. 2^nd Street Long Beach CA 90803 (562) 434-4479
7. Perhaps a more contemporary American cuisine is what your desire? Then try The Madison 102 Pine Avenue Long Beach CA 90802
8. Want a great view of Long Beach; try The Reef on the Water. 880 Harbor Scenic Drive Long Beach CA 90802 (562) 435-8013
9. Elegant seven course meal how about Delius Restaurant - 3550 Long Beach Blvd. Long Beach CA 90807 (562) 426-0604
10. Your Long Beach sweetheart loves wine, try LOpera Ristorante with an extensive wine list that is sure to please. 101 Pine Avenue Long Beach CA 90802 (562) 491-0066
11. The ultimate romantic evening-dining and dancing at the top of the Breakers at The Skyroom; 40 South Locust Avenue; Long Beach, Ca 90802; 562-983-2703 - Like stepping back in time¦
12. Or my personal favorite in Downtown Long Beach - LaTraviata; 301 Cedar Avenue; Long Beach, CA 90802 562-432-6222

2. On a budget? Romance is not about how much you spend, but the time you spend together. How about taking your Sweetheart to the Aquarium of the Pacific and spend the day together walking hand in hand and enjoying the Aquarium and the sense of wonder¦ Go on a Whale Watch or take advantage of the Valentines Day Dinner.

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Posted on 2008-02-10 @ 11.25:54 pm by Laurie.Manny

About Long Beach California

Long Beach California

Everything You Need is Right Here

Theres a reason that people who live in Long Beach CA tend to stay in here. Everything youll ever need is right here! In Long Beach, youll enjoy 5 ½ miles of wide sandy beach, trendy nightclubs, fine dining and cultural events. Visit the Waterfront District in Downtown where youll find world class entertainment like the Aquarium of the Pacific. Stroll the shops of Shoreline Village. Sip a cocktail at a waterfront café as you slip into the comforting sights and sounds of Long Beach Harbor. Listen as a calming foghorn blows in the distance¦and watch as an inimitable California sunset cast its pinks and blues over the glittering Pacific Ocean.

Climate

Long Beach has an amazingly mild year round average temperature of 64 degrees. You can count on almost every day being sun filled with 345 sunny days annually. Climate doesn´t get much more perfect than that!


Youll Love Long Beach CA

If you like clean air, sunshine, ocean breezes, spectacular vistas, exotic food and cultural diversity¦youll Love Long Beach. Dine on a wide variety of mouthwatering delights in a city where there are great restaurants of every type. Here, quaint Craftsman bungalows line peaceful tree lined streets. Spanish duplexes and fourplexes with classic clay tiled roofs dot the landscape. Are you seeking an estate sized home? Tour the million dollar mansions that run along Bluff Park or enjoy the luxury of a golf course view from your Virginia Country Club Estate. For location, climate, beauty and lifestyle¦Long Beach is 50 square miles of perfection.

From Here to Anywhere

Do you travel for business? The Long Beach Airport is right in town and offers convenient flights to wherever you want to go. The Long Beach Municipal Airport is the west coast hub for Jet Blue Airways. Need more? The city is 25 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport. And John Wayne Airport is just 20 miles south of Long Beach in Irvine. Prefer to drive? Sitting at the edge of Los Angeles County, Long Beach is a handshake away from most Southern California cities. Its easy to get from here to anywhere with major freeways like the 405, 605 and 710 running through town.

Beat Freeway Traffic

Commuting is easy when you live and work in Long Beach. Heading into Los Angeles? Sip a cappuccino and enjoy your newspaper as you ride the Metro Blue Line into Downtown Los Angeles. Is your destination farther out? Amtrak or Greyhound will take you there! Its easy to beat freeway traffic using Long Beachs public transportation system.

Unique Culture

From business suits to bikinis, you´ll see it all in Long Beach. Street murals, trendy and ethnic restaurants, period architecture and the Pacific Ocean all promote the Bohemian feel and allure of Long Beach. Youll find art in our architecture¦and on our buildings too. Since 1985, local buildings have featured exquisite mural displays. All are created by local artists through the Long Beach Mural and Cultural Arts Program. These exhibits promote cultural understanding and unity within the community. And theyre beautiful! View a Gallery of Street Murals

Cultural Diversity

If you enjoy the flair, food and fun of a culturally diverse city, you´ll love Long Beach. Nearly every culture and nationality is represented here! Next to Paris (and excluding Asia), Long Beach boasts the second largest population of Cambodians in the world. There are Central American communities, a small population of Pacific Islanders, especially Samoans, and Long Beach is home to one of the nations largest gay communities. Almost every month of the year, there´s a celebration including a Grecian Festival, Gay Pride Parade, Bayou Festival, Martin Luther King celebration, Scottish Festival and Games, Cambodian New Year and Brazilian Street Carnaval, just to name a few.

Downtown

Theres plenty to do in bustling, busy, colorful Downtown Long Beach. Access the internet from anywhere in the city¦its a Wireless Hot Zone! Do you like art? Tour galleries in the East Village Arts District. Enjoy a late night, European style dinner at one of many fine Pine Avenue restaurants. Take in some waterfront shopping and nationally acclaimed entertainment at the Shoreline Village and Marina. Dont miss the Wyland Whaling Wall, a 116,000 square foot mural painted on the cylindrical shaped Long Beach Convention Center! Read More About Downtown Long Beach

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Posted on 2008-02-01 @ 9.02:08 am by Mary McKnight