California: Long Beach / Home of the Queen Mary

Long Beach, a dominant maritime center is also one giant playground located in the heart of Southern California! The Port of Long Beach is the second busiest container port in the U.S. and one of the world's largest shipping ports.

©2013 KS Ohkubo

©2013 KS Ohkubo

The city is home to the Aquarium of the Pacific and the historic Queen Mary.

The Aquarium of the Pacific was formerly known as the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific and sits on a 5-acre lot in Rainbow Harbor.  It is situated across the water from the Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Village and the Queen Mary.

The aquarium hosts 1.5 million visitors a year.

Courtesy of the Aquarium of the Pacific

©2013 KS Ohkubo

©2013 KS Ohkubo

©2013 KS Ohkubo

©2013 KS Ohkubo

©2013 KS Ohkubo

The RMS Queen Mary sailed the North Atlantic from 1936 to 1967, when it was officially retired and sailed to its final destination in Long Beach.  During World War II, she was converted into a troop ship and transported Allied soldiers for the duration of the war.  After the war, she was refitted for passenger service and commenced that role until her retirement in 1967.

Much of the machinery including two of the four steam turbines were removed and the ship now serves as a tourist attraction featuring restaurants, a museum and a hotel.  The Queen Mary is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Courtesy of the Queen Mary

©2013 KS Ohkubo

Courtesy of the Queen Mary

Courtesy of the Queen Mary

©2013 KS Ohkubo

©2013 KS Ohkubo

Courtesy of the Queen Mary

 

The city of Long Beach hosts the Toyota Grand Prix every April and weekend attendance exceeds 200,000 people.

The Grand Prix is the longest running major street race in North America and was the brainchild of Christopher Pook while he was working at a travel agency in downtown Long Beach.

Courtesy of JACK FM