There are a lot of great symposia, poster sessions, and social events about to take place at the Annual Convention in Long Beach. But at some point during the convention, you might want to take a break to see a few sights in Long Beach or to grab a meal with colleagues you haven’t seen in a while. As a native Southern Californian, these are some of my favorite sights and bites.
Sights:
1. Aquarium of the Pacific
The Pacific Ocean is the world’s largest ocean, and the Aquarium of the Pacific showcases some of its amazing marine life. You can see sharks, sea otters, penguins, and a whole lot more. A few years ago, I went to the Lorikeet Aviary and fed lorikeets some nectar; it was a lot of fun! Plus, the aquarium is offering $8 tickets after 12PM to SPSP attendees.
2. The Queen Mary
For over 30 years, the Queen Mary served as a luxury cruise ship transporting passengers across the Atlantic Ocean. After the Queen Mary retired from service in 1967, it was transformed into a tourist attraction and a hotel with several upscale restaurants. You can take a tour of the historic ship during the day or night (but be carful - there’s a long-standing myth that the ship is haunted). If you are looking for something fancier to eat, visit the Promenade Café for some American food with views that can’t be beat.
3. Sgt. Peppers Dueling Pianos
Enjoy some drinks and appetizers while listening to two pianists go head-to-head, playing everything from oldies to today’s popular music. There is typically a cover charge, and you have to be at least 21, but the dress code is casual. It’s also conveniently located at The Pike, a vibrant dining and entertainment district adjacent to many of the convention hotels.
4. Walk down Ocean Blvd
Are you visiting from a cold or snowy climate? Here’s an attraction that’s totally free: walk down Ocean Boulevard! You can take a nice jog on the beach or just go for a stroll to soak up the sun. You can travel for quite a ways, too. (It is called Long Beach for a reason!)
Bites:
1. Nick’s on 2nd
Looking for a mouthwatering steak or pan-seared salmon? Look no further than Nick’s on 2nd. Now, I know you’re on a graduate or undergraduate student budget, but it might be worth it to splurge on at least one meal during SPSP. Call ahead for reservations just to be safe; this place can get pretty busy.
2. Islands Fine Burger and Drinks
For the more budget conscious attendees, Islands is a great place to grab some burgers and drinks, all while enjoying a tropical island feel. It’s by no means a five star restaurant, but it is close to the convention center, and it’s got a laid back atmosphere. It’s relatively inexpensive, too, so it won’t eat up too much of your per diem (if you are lucky enough to have one!).
3. In ‘n Out
Yes, I know; another burger joint. But if you’ve never been to California and you aren’t planning on returning anytime soon, you have to stop at In ‘n Out. For the Californians out there, how can you blame me for sending people to enjoy some inexpensive, yet tasty burgers, fries, and shakes? Get a Double Double, a chocolate shake, and some Animal style fries, and you won’t regret it. If you are health-conscious, you can even substitute a bun for lettuce; just order your burger “Protein Style.”
4. Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery
Last year in Austin, there were a lot of places to grab a beer and bite with colleagues. Because Long Beach isn’t quite a college town, there aren’t very many similar places to visit. Rock Bottom is quite the exception. You can grab a craft beer and enjoy happy hour between 4 and 7pm, Monday through Friday. Again, it’s within walking distance of the convention center and hotels, so it’s a perfect place to enjoy a cold IPA and some nachos.
Author’s Note: After writing this article, I found out that many of these attractions and places to eat offer discounts to SPSP convention attendees. In no way was this list influenced by those discounts. I promise that it’s just a really awesome coincidence!