PHOTOS: Cruising the gritty side of the Southern California coast
A pair of travelers on the Urban Ocean Boat Cruise take in the view of the saltwater-stained Angels’ Gate lighthouse. Instead of the tourist-friendly outings that chug out of Long Beach Harbor to show off the Queen Mary and scout for sea lions and whales, the urban cruise will comb the most polluted locales along the Southern California coast. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Bob Hoffman, right, and other travelers take in a grittier view of the Port of Long Beach. The city’s harbor is the dumping ground for urban runoff from some 20 million people. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Cormorants roost on a rock coated white from their own refuse in Long Beach Harbor. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Tourists look at harbor seals lazing at the base of the Port of Los Angeles breakwater, which was built in the 1940s to protect shipping and Long Beach’s naval facilities. The long barrier also ruined a popular surf spot. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Harbor seals recline near a discharge area of the Port of Los Angeles. These waters teem with marine life, but runoff, trash and fertilizers sicken birds and marine mammals. Chemical contamination renders some fish caught here toxic to eat. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
Christina Brown, right, and other tourists get a long view of the Port of Long Beach. The Aquarium of the Pacific has been running trial expeditions and making refinements to the 2 1/2-hour tour that focuses on the effects of humans on the ocean. Daily departures are slated to begin Memorial Day weekend. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)
