Overlooking San Pedro Bay on the south coast of Los Angeles County, Calif, Long Beach has one of the most breathtaking downtown areas in the world. Known for its perfect year-round climate and prime location in Southern California, the city boasts a beautiful bay, colorful marinas, a busy harbor, lovely canals, fine hotels and restaurants, and a lively arts community. In many ways, Long Beach is the epitome of the Southern California experience where the casual lifestyle blends with industry and innovation.
Long Beach is also the site of NACo's 25th Annual Employment Policy and Human Services Conference. The conference takes place Nov. 2225. Delegates may want to take the opportunity this year to extend their conference trip into a great family vacation. (See registration form, page ?.) If so, they will find that there is plenty to do in the Long Beach/Los Angeles area and that they and their families can enjoy specially negotiated airline and car rental rates.
United Airlines is offering discounts for delegates to NACo's conference that are less than the lowest fares available. Long Beach is about 20 miles from the Los Angeles International Airport and John Wayne/Orange County Airport. To make your reservations and take advantage of United's special rates, call 800-521-4041 and indicate that you are attending the NACo conference. Please provide the agent with United's reference ID number 507UN.
Hertz is the official car rental company for the conference. Special discount rates are available from one week before through one week after the meeting dates. For reservations, call 800/654-2240 and refer to meeting ID #24220.
Below are some of the sites and activities you can enjoy in the Long Beach area.
Banning Residence Museum: This national historic site was built in 1864 by General Phineas Banning. The 23-room museum houses an extensive collection of Victorian art and furnishings.
BikeStation: A first in the nation, the BikeStation is a full-service, subsidized bicycle storage and rental facility modeled after successful examples operating today in Holland and Japan. The BikeStation offers bicycle rentals; repairs; and enclosed, guarded bicycle parking for $1 per day. Designed to expand options for commuters and also give visitors a unique way to tour the area, the BikeStation is centrally located adjacent to the Runabout shuttle, the Long Beach Transit Mall, the downtown shopping and dining district, and scenic bike paths comprised of more than 33 miles.
Boating/Sailing Adventures: Several local companies offer water adventures off Long Beach's spectacular coastline. These range from a romantic one-hour cruise through the canals of Naples Island aboard an Italian-style gondola to a three-hour whale-watching excursion ... from a ride on the famous Reggae Boat Partycruise to a majestic afternoon sail on the Tallship Californian ... from a luxury dining cruise to a deep-sea fishing adventure. In addition, visitors can rent kayaks, aqua cycles, wind surfers and Jet Skis.
Catalina Island: Only 22 miles off the coast of Los Angeles lies the resort destination of Catalina Island. Among Catalina Island's attractions are the charming mile-square town of Avalon, the village of Two Harbors, the mountainous interior of the island, and clear ocean waters abounding with marine life. The trip to Catalina Island is an easy one - an hour by boat. Many hotels, restaurants and vacation resorts cater to tourists on the island.
Historic ranches: The area that is now Long Beach was first settled as part of a massive Spanish land grant to soldier Manuel Nieto, encompassing the historic 28,000-acre Rancho Los Alamitos and its sister ranch, 27,000-acre Rancho Los Cerritos. Museum buffs can now tour these historic ranches. The handsome Rancho Los Alamitos features a ranch house, four acres of historic gardens and six barns to illustrate life on an early 20th century ranch. The 1844 meticulously restored two-story adobe at Rancho Los Cerritos is furnished to reflect domestic lifestyles of the 1870s.
Long Beach Museum of Art: Housed in a 1912 mansion overlooking the ocean, the Long Beach Museum of Art features one the most extensive collections of fine art on the West Coast, particularly contemporary and video art. The museum boasts a sculpture garden, cafe and museum store.
Los Angeles: Only 22 miles north of Long Beach and connected via the Metro Blue Line, Los Angeles and its many sites are at your fingertips. Visit Disneyland, Universal Studios, the homes of the stars in Beverly Hills and the exclusive shops of Rodeo Drive.
Nightlife: Whether it's live music, fine dining, casual cuisine by the sea, dancing, bars or clubs, Long Beach has a wide range of nightlife activities for everyone.
Performing Arts: Showcasing some of the world's greatest talent, the city has four major performing arts groups. These are the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, led by music director JoAnn Falletta; the Civic Light Opera, which produces four full-scale Broadway-caliber musicals annually at the Terrace Theater; the Long Beach Opera; and the city's Classical Ballet, Southern California's largest professional resident-touring company.
Pine Square/Promenade: Right in the heart of downtown is the primary retail district. Victors can do everything from shopping at major department stores, dining at one of the many cafes and restaurants, or enjoying a "night on the town."
Ports O'Call Village: Cobblestone walkways are lined with 75 international shops and 15 restaurants and eateries. Enjoy dining by the water's edge overlooking the harbor lights.
Queen Mary: Stroll through history on the decks of the historic Queen Mary. This year marks the 60th anniversary diamond jubilee of the Queen Mary's maiden voyage, and the Queen Mary Seaport is hosting a range of events and activities throughout the year to celebrate the occasion.
The Runabout: The Runabout provides free shuttle transportation in downtown Long Beach and modestly priced rides to surrounding areas. The Runabout can also connect visitors with the Metro Blue Line terminal, from which visitors can ride into Los Angeles. To catch the Runabout, just stand near a Runabout stop sign!
Shoreline Village: This waterfront center features 30 shops, restaurants and waterfront cafes, plus an antique carousel and daily harbor cruise. Visitors can enjoy street entertainers and live music almost every weekend.
Street Voices of Long Beach: Long Beach prides itself on its street
murals, which the city considers the most "public" of the visual
arts. The Long Beach Mural and Cultural Arts Displaying Program has been
the guiding hand in the creation of dozens of murals throughout the city,
which colorfully display the different cultures of people who populate the
neighborhoods of Long Beach. Take a walking tour and view the most famous
murals.