Long Beach Weekend

WEB-EXCLUSIVE: Aquarium of the Pacific's Urban Ocean Festival is the perfect excuse to make the quick drive to Long Beach.

BY Sepideh Nia

June 17 - 2011 3:38 PM

Aquarium of the Pacific kicks off summer with a weekend of education and entertainment revolving around its main star – the ocean. Drop by to its Urban Ocean Festival June 18-19 for art exhibitions, an eco-friendly fashion show, boat cruises, games, mural paintings, poetry, live music, sustainable seafood cooking demonstrations, lectures, and more.

Saturday's Trashin Fashion Show will show off models strutting down the runway in trendy recycled attire. The designer with the most eco-friendly piece wins a cash prize. Susan Freinkel is lecturing on her book Plastic: A Toxic Love Story and signing copies on Saturday and Sunday.

Special boat cruises will be setting sail (for an additional cost) during the festival. Led by poets Linda Albertano and Elliot Freed, a special Poetry Ocean Cruise is scheduled to sail on Saturday at 4 p.m. and will include a poetry contest on board. Launching on the festival weekend, Urban Ocean: World Port and Sea Life Cruises will also be available every month through September.

Urban Ocean Festival
Saturday and Sunday, June 18-19
9 a.m.-5 p.m.
$24.95 adult (12+), $21.95 senior (62+),
$12.95 child (three-11),
free for children under three
and Aquarium members
100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach
562.590.3100 :: aquariumofpacific.org

While You're in Long Beach, Check Out...
Roscoe’s House of Chicken 'N Waffles
730 E. Broadway, Long Beach
562.437.8355 :: roscoeschickenandwaffles.com

At Last Café
204 Orange Ave., Long Beach
562.437.4837 :: jmchefcatering.com

George’s Greek Café
135 Pine Ave., Long Beach
562.437.1184 :: georgesgreekcafe.com

Or Stay the Night...
The Queen Mary
1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach
562.435.3511 :: queenmary.com

AVIA Long Beach
285 Bay St., Long Beach
562.436.1047 :: aviahotels.com

Renaissance Long Beach Hotel
111 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach
562.437.5900 :: marriott.com