Preparation
Fly into LAX and reserve a hotel in El Segundo, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach or Redondo Beach. You will need a rental car for this itinerary. This itinerary assumes that you will arrive in the evening.
Day 1: Evening Arrival
- Get settled, then visit the Redondo Beach Pier. The beachside path is lighted and a nice place for a before- or after-dinner stroll.
- Dine at a restaurant on the pier.
- If you are still feeling energetic, stick around for live jazz and blues at Starboard Attitude, on the pier.
Day 2
Start at a local favorite breakfast place - Polly's on the Pier. This little cafe draws crowds who happily sip Polly's coffee and watch the fish in the water while waiting for a table. Omelets are plenty for two, or try the chorizo and scrambled eggs. Friendly service, reasonable prices and validated parking make this a place you shouldn't miss.
- Head south on Pacific Coast Highway to south Redondo Beach. The "Redondo Riviera" is a nice place for a stroll and shopping.
- Turn right onto Palos Verdes Blvd and go up the hill into Palos Verdes.
- Stop at the small parking lot on the right near the top of the hill to enjoy a view of the entire Santa Monica Bay. On a clear winter day, you can see downtown LA from here.
- Driving on up Palos Verdes Drive West (a right turn after the parking area), palatial homes and ocean views compete for your attention.
- Continue along the coast toward San Pedro, home of the Los Angeles Harbor, stopping at Wayfarer's Chapel, a beautiful all-glass design by Lloyd Wright (Frank Lloyd Wright's son).
- Take Western Avenue right to Paseo del Mar, then left on Pacific Avenue into downtown San Pedro. The small Asian-style structure you pass on your left is home to the Korean Bell of Friendship.
- The Los Angeles harbor is one of the world's busiest, but there isn't a lot to see or do here. Ports o'Call Village, a tacky, rundown collection of souvenir shops and cheap restaurants is the starting point for harbor cruises.
- To return to LAX from here, take I-110 north to I-405 north to the airport exit. If you have time before your flight, take a beachfront walk in Hermosa Beach or Manhattan Beach.
Day 3
Today you will visit Long Beach.
- Park near the aquarium and take the Aquabus over to the Queen Mary and back. Or avoid driving altogether by taking the Metro Blue Line to Pine Avenue, then catch a free shuttle to the aquarium.
- The Queen Mary was one of the most elegant ships of her day. After more than a thousand ocean crossings, she was retired to Long Beach, where she welcomes guests on tours and serves as a hotel.
- The Aquarium of the Pacific, California's newest large public aquarium and one of the largest in the United States, is home to over 550 species in seventeen major habitats. The aquarium is a popular attraction, so you may enjoy it more if you plan your visit for a weekday.
- Parker's Lighthouse, also accessible by the Aquabus, is a favorite place for lunch or dinner.
If you're looking for more places to get away along the Los Angeles beachfront, try our getaway to Marina Del Rey, Venice Beach and Santa Monica
