More Things to Do in Long Beach

Last time, I talked about the nice little places Long Beach locals know about, but don't tell too many tourists. This time we're going BIG. These places each have a large strolling area for plenty of sightseeing and relaxation. You won't find all of these in many travel brochures, but they make for a great visit.

1) Koi Pond at CSULB- While Honolulu and Los Angeles might boast of Japanese gardens, Long Beach offers a charming koi pond for a grand, quiet moment in the city. This attraction is as easy to find as the university, just north of the Pacific Coast Highway and Bellflower intersection. Enter the campus, and follow the signs. Once inside, you'll find benches, arched wooden bridges over the pond, and pleasant grassy spots where you can sit, read, or even just meditate, enjoying the calm surroundings. There is even a gazebo at the far egde of the garden, for added shade where the trees can't reach. Less than every minute you'll hear a clear, flat,"THUNK" of a small bamboo deer-scare as it fills up, and then empties itself of water at regular intervals. It seems everyone comes here sooner or later, as you'll probably see parents, children, grandparents, fellow travelers and the occasional art student strolling about and chatting quietly with each other. Yet, it is never crowded at the pond. The atmsphere is very relaxed as the grownups enjoy the quiet, and kids enjoy feeding the huge carp as they frantically leap over each other for snacks. Admission is free, but make sure you bring parking meter money, and plenty of change for the fish-pellet dispensers. Oh, and keep in mind they are closed on Mondays. For a comfortable pause to catch your breath and refresh yourself, the koi pond is a wonderful choice.

2) Long Beach Town Center - Okay; usually, you don't plan to look for the mall when you are on vacation. But the locals love this location as a great family outing place. Unlike other malls that might be contained in a single building cluster, this Town Center is on a huge, sprawling property that may need a once-around drive for a first-look survey. It's not as big as the more famous Del Amo Fashion Center, so you won't get lost (or tired!) as easily. Spread out over the area are a large bookstore, a chocolatier shop, a gigantic Asian buffet, a steakhouse, discount shoe retailers, and many more shops, practically anything that might catch your fancy.

The focal point of the main entryway is a unique, beautiful ow tabletop fountain, which has long, continous ribbon of cascading water on all four sides, simulating a crystal curtain. Just off to the side is a ground-fountain, which is a short pathway with embedded outlets that shoot water from randomly-sequenced nozzles. This is a great heat-buster for kids on a hot summer day! Make sure you bring a towel (or buy one at a nearby store) before playing with this one.

And in the central plaza, just beyond the charming cart kiosks, is a very large, circular dynamic fountain whose patterns change every few minutes, treating you to towering displays of water-artistry throughout the day, and with added colorful lighting effects in the evening. This is always something dramatic to watch as you exit the 26-screen movie theater at the far end. Just wear your jacket when you step out into windy weather--and watch out for that spray!
The only downside of this place is the parking, or lack thereof, in the afternoons and evenings. You can plan ahead and come early on a weekday, or do what we did after a few weekends: park a bit further away, by a fast-food place or the hardware store, or even the bookstore on the other end of the lot.

3) El Dorado Park - This park is enormous! This is definitely one park where you can get lost. Because the park is privately owned, there is an admission fee per vehicle (ask ahead of time for a day pass in case you forget something and need to leave the park temporarily), and last time we checked it was $4 per car.
Very few parks in Southern California can rival the effect you get at El Dorado. You are spoiled for choice as to which manmade lake to set up your picnic table and barbecue. Surrounding the lakes are landscaping specifically designed to attract the countless local flora and fauna, so you are continuously treated to seeing flocks of teal ducks, white-billed ducks, solitary white herons taking flight and swooping over the water while you enjoy your meal. You might even find the occasional hare or squirrel passing by and giving you and your food a look. Here and there you will see families having birthday parties, with giant, inflated jumpers set up for the kids and plugged in at the hidden electrical outlets by each table. On some days you will even find rentable two-passenger paddle boats trolling about in the middle of the water. At the edge of the lakes you will also find countless locals with fishing poles and tackle boxes, trying their hand at the day's catch. This might prove a bit too quiet for the kids, and they may want to try to take in the short mini-train ride instead.

For both the boats and train ride, you can consider purchasing a birthday package for a large group, consisting of pre-paid tickets to hand out to the kids.
Make sure you get there early, tables get snapped up fast in the summer. And when it begins to get dark, park rangers will make rounds to remind everyone El Dorado closes at dusk. On your way out, you might even try following the ranger vehicles to find the nearest exit before it gets too dark-- like I said, this place is enormous!.

4) Green Field Brazilian Restaurant - If you have never been to a Brazilian churrascaria, and you are feeling like a ravenous carnivore at the end of the day, you have got to go to this meat-lover's heaven on Pacific Coast Highway, just south of Traffic Circle. Yes, there is also a salad bar inside, but the real star is the meat! For a set lunch or dinner price, you and your party are seated at a table, but you are not given a menu. Instead, you are given a cylinder, painted red and green at each end. While you leave the cylinder standing with the green end up, the constantly moving waiters will continue to bring giant skewers of roasted lamb, pork, beef (several different cuts), chicken, duck rabbit, all slowly barbecued in slow, juicy Brazilian style. The dessert bar is equally wonderful, but unless you have a serious sweet tooth, you would hardly notice it. But do try the Brahma beer and Guarana soda while you're there. Before I forget, make sure to turn the cylinder to correctly indicate that you're done eating!

The staff have a very labor-intensive job, so please try to show your appreciation with a very nice gratuity. Also bring some valet parking money, unless you have a local friend who can drop you off, or lend you their nearby driveway for the evening.

A big pond in the morning, large mall, an gigantic park, and a grand restaurant for dinner. These popular attractions are surprisingly not found near the top of most brochures, but should be. Half a million local residents can't be wrong. This should make for a great day the next time you and your family are in Long Beach.