11:00 am: Meet at Ocean Blvd and Junipero Street for the perfect way to start our day, with a outdoor yoga session with an ocean view at Yoga on the Bluff by Yogalution, Long Beach’s beloved donation-based yoga community. Your Guide will have a yoga mat for you but you will want to bring a towel and a water bottle. This session is appropriate for all levels, even if you just want to stretch with a beautiful ocean view.
Next, we'll walk down the hill to the beach. You can get lunch from any of the multiple vendors out on the beach path. You can find some of our best local cooks out there from BBQ to tacos, to vegan Mexican to Acai bowls, coffee and tamales. Your guide will set out some blankets and we'll all get to know ech other and Long Beach a little more. You'll learn about Long Beache's history from it's Navy past to discovering oil. Many cultures have made it what it is today from the Cambodian immigrants, the African Americans who settled here when redlining prevented purchases elsewhere, to the Mexican-Americans who were here prior to 1848 when it was still Mexico. But, we can't leave out the Gay Community and their contributions to the expression that Long Beach is today. And finally, the Culture of the Unions that have shaped our city economically and with solidarity like the ILWU, the dockworkers on the port.
Next, choose your ride for the day. Your options are a standard pedal bike, an e-bike, or an electric scooter. We'll cruise the Long Beach beach bike path where thousands of locals and tourists bike, walk, skate, jog, and even unicycle every day. The path is flat so it's for any level of rider, from your ten year kid to to your 80 year old parent. We'll stop for photos at iconic landmarks like the “I Heart Long Beach” mural and the angel wings. Then continue onto Veteran’s Pier for sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean, the Port of Long Beach, The Queen Mary and sometimes you can see Catalina Island.
We'll arrive at Kayak’s on the Water near the spot locals call “Horny Corner Beach” (and yes—you’ll hear the real storey behind the name). After a quick orientation, it’s time to kayak the Naples Canal, gliding past beach homes, and calm waterways. Keep your eyes open for the seasonal moon jam fish, seals, dolphins and even sea turtles! We'll be done with kayaking by 3:00 pm.
After kayaking enjoy a short walk along Bayshore Beach towards Second Street, Belmont Shore’s lively dining and shopping district. From there, you can either head back to our starting point with your Guide via the local transit (Bus or Circuit Ride) OR, stick around 2nd Street to explore: cafes, restaurants, lounges, bars, and boutiques. Your host will share tips and favourite stops.
