Visitors to Long Beach Can Travel Back in Time

The Queen Mary and Spruce Goose, currently celebrating a yearlong “Voyage to 1939” entertainment festival, have designated June as “Senior Fun Days.”

Seniors 55 years and pay $13 (regular adult admission is $17.50). Not only is it a dollar better than the regular $14 senior rate and but there’s an additional bonus.

Seniors can bring the grandchildren (ages 5 to 11) for $7 each. That’s a savings of $2.50 off regular rates. When tickets are purchased, “Senior Fun Days” should be mentioned to ensure getting the discount.

The grandchildren will especially enjoy the “Brighton Carnival,” an on-shore recreation of an old English traveling carnival.

Top draw of the many children’s rides and attractions is a two-tiered, turn-of-the-century carousel. There also are two Ferris wheels, plus puppet shows, jugglers, carnival games and a diving show.

In addition to touring both the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose, there are other “Voyage to 1939” events and attractions.

These include a “1939 Auto Show,” featuring mint-condition 1939 cars sharing space under the Spruce Goose dome; two musical revues, and roving musical groups.

Fireworks’ shows will take place on Saturday evenings through June 15. Afterward they are daily through Labor Day.

For those who wish to extend their stay, a package offers one of the former liner’s 365 first-class staterooms at $78 per couple now through June (regular rates start at $95) and includes two general admission tickets. Reservations are needed. Call (213) 435-3511, Ext. 1105.

For more information about Senior Fun Days, regular year-round senior rates or even lower rates for senior groups of 20 or more, call (213) 499-1629.

Long Beach has a wide variety of accommodations that offer senior rates or discounts for mature travelers. Most, however, are offered with the usual senior discount caveat--”subject to space availability.” Mid-week stays are the best bets and reservations are usually essential.

Among the choices are:

Sheraton Long Beach, the city’s newest hotel with 430 rooms, across from the Convention Center; 25% discount. (213) 436-3000.

Ramada Renaissance Hotel, another Convention Center area hotel of 380 rooms, “Best Year’s” 25% discount, with grandchildren under 18 free. (213) 437-5000. The Ramada Inn on Pacific Coast Highway near the Long Beach Airport has a similar discount.

Residence Inn by Marriott, 10% discount. (213) 595-0909.

Long Beach Marriott, with 311 rooms, near the airport, has its “Leisurelife” (age 62+) 50% discount on rooms, 25% on most restaurant meals, 10% on shopping in the gift shop. (213) 425-5210 or toll-free (800) 228-9290.

Golden Sails Hotel, a moderate-priced facility at 6285 E. Pacific Coast Highway, with 175 rooms, 10% discount. In the evening there are also budget-priced buffet meals. (213) 596-1631.

Down a short way in nearby Seal Beach, the Seal Beach Inn and Gardens offers 10% senior discount for its 23 rooms, including a full breakfast. (213) 493-2416.

Still more Long Beach senior discounts can be found in chain motels and inns such as Holiday Inn, Vagabond Inn, Comfort Inn, Best Western Inn, Econo Lodge, Travelodge and the new (Compri) Hotel in San Pedro.

Seniors age 62 and over can also take advantage of the 30 cent rides on the Long Beach Transit buses, which serve the area from the downtown Transit Mall, connecting to attractions such as the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose, Shoreline Village, the beach area, Seal Beach, parts of San Pedro and other neighboring cities.

Those who enjoy the performing arts will also want to check the schedule of the Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, which offers half-price tickets for seniors, (213) 436-3203.

The Long Beach Ballet (213) 594-6016, also provides special senior discounts of 10% off any ticket.

For more information on Long Beach and the immediate area, contact the Long Beach Convention and Visitors Bureau, One World Trade Center, Suite 300, Long Beach 90831-0300, (213) 436-3645.