Alamitos Bay Walking
The city of Long Beach, south of Los Angeles, wraps itself around a smaller portion of the harbor area for Los Angeles County. While many visitors flock to the downtown area around Shoreline Village, close to the Queen Mary, the Alamitos Bay region’s picturesque beauty also draws visitors. This is an outdoor experience, but since this is Southern California, sunshine is practically guaranteed!
This area’s boundaries are marked by Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) and Second Street, which connects the Naples area to Alamitos Bay. Make your way to East Marina Drive, which borders the Alamitos Bay Marina. The plethora of parking lots, which provide the only blot on the area’s beauty, ensure that you will park easily. Make your way to the walking path, decide on a direction, and begin your walk.
The one mile path reaches from the intersection of Marina and 2nd Street to a peninsular tip jutting out into the bay. It meanders around eight different boat slip basins. Grassy knolls and benches pop up at various places along the route for rest breaks. Pelicans and other shorebirds, along with the ever-present gulls, fly overhead; out in the harbor, pleasure boats and kayaks dot the waves. It’s relaxing to simply walk, take in the different views along the sinuous path, and breathe in the salt air. Because the area is flat, families can stroll part or all of the walk, and much of it is stroller-friendly (although there are places where you will need to cross parking lots to continue.)
Dining choices can be found at several points. Schooner or Later is a long-standing breakfast and lunch spot; while you will wait in line for a table, the hearty fare and scenic outdoor patio make this a very popular choice for locals, Long Beach State students, and visitors to the area. The Crab Pot is somewhat more upscale, with a larger indoor but smaller patio area. Beer lovers will want to check out Ballast Point, an outpost of the San Diego brewpub offering sandwiches, tacos, snacks, and close to fifty different beers on tap.
Knitters and crocheters are in luck here: the Alamitos Bay Yarn Company, located close to Ballast Point, is one of the best “local yarn shops” in the Los Angeles area. Browse the many different brands of yarn, check out the craft magazines and books, and outfit yourself with buttons as well as knitting and crochet notions. Enjoy picking up supplies for that next project!
On Sunday mornings, stop by the Farmer’s Market which takes place across the street from the Whole Foods Market. Enjoy chatting with vendors as you stock up on fruits, vegetables, and other comestibles. This is another great opportunity for people watching.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the sites listed in this article. All of the following places are in Long Beach, CA.
Schooner or Later, 241 N Marina Drive
Ballast Point, 110 N Marina Drive
The Crab Pot, 215 N Marina Drive
Alamitos Bay Yarn Company, 174 N Marina Drive
Long Beach Southeast Farmer’s Market, East Marina Drive
This area’s boundaries are marked by Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) and Second Street, which connects the Naples area to Alamitos Bay. Make your way to East Marina Drive, which borders the Alamitos Bay Marina. The plethora of parking lots, which provide the only blot on the area’s beauty, ensure that you will park easily. Make your way to the walking path, decide on a direction, and begin your walk.
The one mile path reaches from the intersection of Marina and 2nd Street to a peninsular tip jutting out into the bay. It meanders around eight different boat slip basins. Grassy knolls and benches pop up at various places along the route for rest breaks. Pelicans and other shorebirds, along with the ever-present gulls, fly overhead; out in the harbor, pleasure boats and kayaks dot the waves. It’s relaxing to simply walk, take in the different views along the sinuous path, and breathe in the salt air. Because the area is flat, families can stroll part or all of the walk, and much of it is stroller-friendly (although there are places where you will need to cross parking lots to continue.)
Dining choices can be found at several points. Schooner or Later is a long-standing breakfast and lunch spot; while you will wait in line for a table, the hearty fare and scenic outdoor patio make this a very popular choice for locals, Long Beach State students, and visitors to the area. The Crab Pot is somewhat more upscale, with a larger indoor but smaller patio area. Beer lovers will want to check out Ballast Point, an outpost of the San Diego brewpub offering sandwiches, tacos, snacks, and close to fifty different beers on tap.
Knitters and crocheters are in luck here: the Alamitos Bay Yarn Company, located close to Ballast Point, is one of the best “local yarn shops” in the Los Angeles area. Browse the many different brands of yarn, check out the craft magazines and books, and outfit yourself with buttons as well as knitting and crochet notions. Enjoy picking up supplies for that next project!
On Sunday mornings, stop by the Farmer’s Market which takes place across the street from the Whole Foods Market. Enjoy chatting with vendors as you stock up on fruits, vegetables, and other comestibles. This is another great opportunity for people watching.
Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with any of the sites listed in this article. All of the following places are in Long Beach, CA.
Schooner or Later, 241 N Marina Drive
Ballast Point, 110 N Marina Drive
The Crab Pot, 215 N Marina Drive
Alamitos Bay Yarn Company, 174 N Marina Drive
Long Beach Southeast Farmer’s Market, East Marina Drive
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