For a Half Day

Long Beach: The city of Long Beach, the second largest in Los Angeles County, is directly south of Downtown LA, an easy drive on the Long Beach freeways (I-710). Alternatively, Metro Blue Line runs from Downtown to the Transit Mall at Long Beach, and from there the Passport Shuttle has free service to the major Long Beach attractions. In the early 1900s, Long Beach was little more than a charming seaside resort, but the discovery of oil in 1921 sparked a boom of industrial and commercial development, including the construction of a harbour. In the 1990s, the city turned to tourism again, restoring historic areas and developing a host of new attractions along its 9km (5.5 miles) of wide and splendid sandy beach. At Long Beach Harbour, visitors can tour the majestic Queen Mary, the 1934 luxury liner that once carried celebrities and royalty on transatlantic voyages (tel: (562) 435 3511; website: www.queenmary.com).

Nearby, the Aquarium of the Pacific (tel: (562) 590 3100; website: www.aquariumofpacific.org) is home to more than 550 species of marine animals in a variety of ocean habitats and Shoreline Village (website: www.shorelinevillage.com) is a pleasant marina-style complex with shops, restaurants and sailing activities. Further along the seafront are the Long Beach Museum of Art, 2300 Ocean Boulevard (tel: (562) 439 2119; website: www.lbma.org), and Gondola Getaway (tel: (562) 433 9595; website: www.gondolagetawayinc.com), with gondola cruises through the canals of Naples Island. The Promenade walkway from the marina to the business district is lined with restaurants and nightlife venues. Historic walks take in landmark buildings and some of the city's 50 murals. For more information, visit the Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, Suite 300, One World Trade Center (tel: (562) 436 3645 or 1 800 452 7829; website: www.golongbeach.org).

For a Whole Day

Catalina Island: Just 35km (22 miles) across the ocean from Long Beach is the idyllic Catalina Island. This peaceful island where no cars are allowed has long been a favourite retreat for stressed-out Angelenos. The Catalina Express (tel: 1 800 481 3470; website: www.catalinaexpress.com) runs a ferry service from Long Beach or San Pedro Port. The journey from Long Beach takes around one or two hours depending on the boat and, while the island makes a pleasant day trip, it also rewards a longer stay.

Avalon, the island capital, spreads up into the hills above the crescent-shaped harbour and beach. At one end is the landmark Casino building, with its huge circular ballroom where people came to dance to the big bands of the 1930s and 40s (there was never any gambling in this casino, the word is used in its traditional sense of ‘gathering place'). The Catalina Island Museum (tel: (310) 510 2414; website: www.catalinamuseum.org; ) occupies the ground floor of the building, and you can combine a tour of the building with entrance to the museum, or join free walking tours around Avalon. The visitor centre on the pier arranges glass-bottom boat rides or visits to the rugged interior where there is a herd of buffalo. Relax on the beach or enjoy a variety of watersports. The Catalina Island Visitors Bureau & Chamber of Commerce (tel: (310) 510 1520; website: www.catalina.com) can provide information.