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Like a Local

Like a Local: Long Beach

Many of you probably associate Long Beach, California with the iconic Queen Mary. The ship has actually been in the harbor since 1967. And yes, every year more than 1.5 million people come and visit it. But as many Southern Californians know (as do a growing number of visitors), there’s much more to Long Beach than a historic ocean liner. I’m going to show you Long Beachlike a local

 

Welcome to Long Beach, California. A frequent tourist location here is the iconic Queen Mary. It’s actually been here since 1967. And every year, more than 1.5 million people come and visit it. You’ve probably done it, or you probably will, but I’m going to show you a different Long Beach, like a local.

Long Beach is located about 20 miles south of Los Angeles. Many people mistakenly think Long Beach is just a quiet city, known mostly for its port, which is one of the largest in the world. And then there’s the Queen Mary. However, the locals know long Beach is much more than that.

Once you venture out to the rest of the harbor, you’ll discover that Long Beach is an active community. Locals enjoy kayaking, riding in duffy boats, and bike riding.

Just a short bike ride away from the Queen Mary, you’ll find the Aquarium of the Pacific.

Opened in 1988, it’s the fourth most visited aquarium in the U.S. Over 11,000 animals call the aquarium home. Here you don’t just get to observe the creatures. You actually can interact with them.

One of the cool things about the aquarium is if you ask, you get to do a special penguin encounter. You even get to feed them. These little guys were definitely hungry, but these penguins weren’t the only ones looking for their next meal.

I got to help feed another one of the animal residents and go behind the scenes. I met Brooke, the aquarium’s oldest female southern sea otter.

After exploring the aquarium and making new friends, those animals weren’t the only ones who were hungry.

One of the many benefits to being one of the most culturally diverse cities in the U.S., is that Long Beach has a food selection for any palate.

There are places like George’s Greek Cafe. The initial location was established by the Loizides family in 1990, and it quickly became the Long Beach locals’ go-to for Greek food. You’ll find all of the staples like gyros and dolmas.

You’ll also find its specialty saganaki or “the flaming cheese”. The kasseri cheese is lightly floured and fried in the kitchen. Then in the same pan, it’s doused in brandy, lit on fire and served with kalamata olives.

Saganaki isn’t the only interesting culinary offering you’ll find in Long Beach.

One of the great local secrets of Long Beach can be found along the Pacific Coast Highway. In fact, you can find it throughout Long Beach. Strip malls look unimpressive at first glance with coin-operated laundry places and stores that sell reptiles, but they also have a surprise. It’s a donut place. It’s not just the donuts: it’s who’s making them.

Starting back in the 1980’s, Cambodian immigrants found sweet success in the donut industry, thanks to the low cost entry point, and no need for traditional education. It proved, and still proves, to be a lucrative business.

Of course, I had to try them out for myself and found the perfect apple fritter.

After getting this afternoon treat, I headed down the highway to a destination that the locals here definitely take advantage of.

One of the coolest things about Long Beach is the airport itself. You want to see a crowded airport in Long Beach? Well, this is it. In fact, it’s the oldest airport in the state of California. It will soon celebrate 100 years. What I really love about this airport is that it is old school. If you are looking for a jetway or long lines, you won’t find it. You board the plane going up and down the stairs. You get in easy, and you get out easy.

Long Beach is a large aviation community, which translates into people not just wanting to ride in an aircraft, but wanting to fly the aircraft!

My eyes were set on a helicopter. Before flying, I had to go through special training at Anthelion Helicopters. After a roughly 30 minute lesson, I was ready to take flight. As our journey above Long Beach got underway, I took over the controls.

We neared the end of our flight and got to pass over the Queen Mary, which from above, was a much better view.