Aqualink Long Beach Boat Ride  Late May through Labor Day

Locations:
Alamitos Landing
Belmont Pier
Queen Mary
Aquarium of the Pacific
Cost: $5, $1 child, subject to change
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The City of Long Beach developed a useful public transportation system that include boats, Catamarans, colorful buses and even trains.

The most fun ride (in my humble opinion) is the A qualink that skims the water parallel to the long, Long Beach shore. It passes by Belmont Pier, goes in and out of several Long Beach harbors, makes a stop at the Queen Mary ship, and another at Long Beach's Aquarium of the Pacific, Convention Center and Shoreline Village.

"We live in Seal Beach," said one senior couple traveling on the boat. "We decided to hop on board and go for some lunch over at the Rainbow Lagoon. We've eaten at nearly every restaurant there, so we may get on the free Passport Bus and ride up Pine Ave. to try something else."

Why would people pay $10 round trip each to ride a boat, when they can park a car for around $5 - 10 and fill it up with riders? Answer: Aqualink boat ride is entertainment--not just a ride. If you don't believe it, wait till you see kids become bouncy on the boat. The stimulus of the water spray really interests kids and entertains them, much like it does adults. The plan: Alamitos Landing (where parking is free). It is located near Pacific Coast Highway and Studebaker along the marina.  Check the schedule before you go. 1. Head for Aquarium of the Pacific & Rainbow Harbor stop. 2. Grab lunch or dinner at  P.F. Chang's, Tequila Jack's, Parker's Lighthouse, Bubba Gump, Queen Mary, or up along Pine Avenue. 3. Pine Avenue stroll - shopping and dining along the way. 4. Museum of Latin American Art -  MOLA features a fantastic collection of arts from the Americas, with focus on Latin artists.

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