Aquarium of the Pacific

A Queensland grouper at the Aquarium of the Pacific. (Wally Skalij, Los Angeles Times / June 2, 2012)

December 28, 2011, 3:56 p.m.
Gondola Getaway, 5437 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach; (562) 433-9595, www.gondo.net. Since 1982, this 10-vessel company has offered gondola tours of the waterways of Naples in southern Long Beach. Cruises (50 minutes) start 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Cost is usually $85 a couple, $25 a person for groups of seven to 19 people.

Tantalum, 6272 E. Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach; (562) 431-1414, www.tantalumrestaurant.com. In a corner of the Marina Pacifica mall, with unexpected views of Alamitos Bay and big happy-hour crowds. Asian fusion menu, big bar area, lots of Asian-tropical atmosphere. $$

Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach; (562) 590-3100, www.aquariumofpacific.org. Adults $24.95, children 3-11 $13.95. With Queen Mary admission, $36 for adults, $21 for children. With LA Zoo admission, $33 for adults, $22 for children. Packages with boat cruises and behind-the-scenes tours also available (prices subject to change). Open 9 a.m.- 6 p.m. daily (except Christmas and during the Long Beach Grand Prix usually a weekend in mid-April).

Bubba Gump, the Pike at Rainbow Harbor, 87 Aquarium Way, Long Beach; (562) 437-2434, www.bubbagump.com.$$

P.F. Chang, 340 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach; (562) 308-1025, www.pfchangs.com. $$

Parkers’ Lighthouse, 435 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach; (562) 432-6500, www.parkerslighthouse.com. Surf, turf and 144 patio seats. Lunch and dinner. Burgers, gumbo and sushi and rolls go for $7 and less during weekday happy hours. $$-$$$

555 East, 555 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach; (562) 437-0626, www.555east.com. An old-fashioned steakhouse with checkerboard marble floors and lots of dark wood. Dinner nightly, lunch weekdays. Don't overlook the meat loaf (available at lunch only). $$-$$$

Queen Mary, 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach; (877) 342-0738, www.queenmary.com. Tours ($25-$75 depending on tour) and hotel rooms. $-$$

Hotel Maya, 700 Queensway Drive, Long Beach; (562) 435-7676, www.hotelmayalongbeach.com. $-$$$.

Hilton Long Beach & Executive Meeting Center, 701 W. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach; (562) 983-3400, www.hilton.com. $-$$$

 Hyatt Regency Long Beach, 200 S. Pine Ave., Long Beach; (562) 491-1234, www.longbeach.hyatt.com. $-$$$$

The Westin Long Beach, 333 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach; (562) 436-3000, www.westinlongbeachhotel.com. $-$$$$

Retro Row, East 4th Street from Junipero to Cherry avenues, Long Beach; www.4thstreetlongbeach.com.

Trebor Nevets, 2116 E. 4th St., Long Beach; (562) 901-0600, www.trebornevets.com.

Imonni Nanala, 2016 E. 4th St., Long Beach.

4th Street Vine, 2142 E. 4th St., Long Beach; (562) 343-5463, www.4thstreetvine.com. 

Open Books, 2226 E. 4th St., Long Beach; (562) 499-6736, www.thestoryofopen.com.

Lola's Mexican Cuisine, 2030 E. 4th St., Long Beach; (562) 343-5506, www.lolasmexicancuisine.com. Lunch and dinner. Spicy tortilla soup. $/$$

Number Nine, 2118 E. 4th St., Long Beach; (562) 434-2009, www.numberninenoodles.com. Noodles, spring rolls, salads, sandwiches, beer and wine, served in a deep, narrow, white space. Try the Vietnamese lemonade. $

Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach; (562) 437-1689, www.molaa.org.