Greetings Canine Angelenos!
Welcome to Part 11 of my dog-centric look at the Los Angeles River. In Part 10, I made it as far south as the Pacific Coast Highway, where I'll resume the journey today.
 |
| Try to get an early start. The bike path gets HOT by late morning! |
*** Subscribe to this blog, follow me on Twitter and Facebook, or visit my website to see everyplace I've visited on this adventure and much more! ***
The first mile of today's trek on the LARIO Trail takes us past industrial, warehouse sized buildings to the east, and great views of the cranes in the Port of Long Beach, beyond the river to the west. Along the way we'll go under the Anaheim St. bridge.
 |
| There's trail access and parking at the end of W. Anaheim St. |
As you approach the next bridge, where the 710 freeway crosses the river, there's an access point near the corner of DeForest Ave. and Chester Place. Get off the bike path and walk a 1/4 mile up Chester Place.
Why did we get off the trail? Because there's a park to visit...and why in the world wouldn't we do that?
Drake Park is the outdoor heart of Wilmore City, one of Long Beach's oldest neighborhoods. There are basketball courts, tennis courts, handball courts, a skate park, and a lighted baseball field to play on.
 |
| Left field is excellent for rolling today. |
There's also a community center, a playground, restrooms, water fountains and a group of gazebos with picnic tables...but no poop bag dispensers.
 |
| Col. Charles Drake donated land for the park in 1904. |
When you're done enjoying the park, head back to the LARIO. Soon you'll walk beneath the W. 7th St. on-ramp to the 710 North.
 |
| South of 7th St. is what many people consider to be Downtown Long Beach. |
About 1/4 mile past the ramp, a road appears on the left. Get off the LARIO again and head down that road, which is open to bikes and pedestrians only. Walk through the 7th St. tunnel then turn right onto Golden Ave.
 |
| Why did we get off the trail last time? |
Stay on Golden as it bends right, then walk beneath the 6th St. off ramp. Ahead of you will be Cesar Chavez Park.
 |
| You knew the answer, didn't you? |
Opened in 1999, Chavez Park's almost 12 acres are filled with beautiful trees, public gardens, and unique art exhibits alongside a variety of facilities for the locals.
I found a community center, an amphitheater, basketball courts, three playgrounds, a restroom, water fountains and picnic benches...but no poop bags (sigh).
 |
| There's a lot of stuff for the humans to do here. |
When you're ready, return to the LARIO by retracing your steps. This can be a little confusing. Look for the great murals on 6th St. and walk past them on Golden or 6th until you reach 7th St.
Once you've resumed walking south on the LARIO, you'll see Shoreline Dr. to your left. The grassy median in the middle of the road is also part of Chavez Park but there's no public access to it. There are plans to provide access from the Shoemaker bridge...some day. Shoreline Dr. breaks away to the left just as we approach the Ocean Bl. bridge.
 |
| A nice spot to watch pelicans dive into the river in search of breakfast. |
Not long after you pass the bridge, the bike path takes a sharp turn to the left along the fenced border of the Golden Shore Marine Reserve.
 |
| The protected reserve is off-limits so I'll have to sniff through the fence. |
The reserve is over 6 acres of bird-filled tidal wetland, created in 1997 to mitigate for habitat lost during construction of the Aquarium of The Pacific.
 |
| Do I get a cookie for finishing he whole trail? I should. |
Mile marker 51! The end of the Los Angeles River Bikeway! The last stop on this yet to be completed strip of asphalt and concrete that began in Canoga Park. It finally ends here...just sniffing distance from the ocean in Long Beach. That was a looooong walk.
To the right of the marker, a dirt trail takes you into Palm Beach Park. The park is, for the most part, a parking lot for employees at CSU's Office of the Chancellor. However, a concrete path with info signs runs close to the parked cars for a few hundred yards, providing for some great views of the marine preserve.
 |
| What sea bird wouldn't like to spend some time here? |
After that, the path stays close to the river as the largest open area in the park spreads between you and the cars. This marks the border of the park, at the edge of Catalina Express' boat launch. It's a good place to lie in the grass and enjoy some cool ocean breezes.
 |
| BTW - the boat to Catalina Island is dog friendly. |
A staircase at the end of the path leads to a walkway that goes around the boat launch. To your right is the end of that walkway and the perfect place to watch the river flow beneath the Queensway Bridge and disappear into the ocean.
 |
| Bye bye LA River! It's been fun walking to the sea with you. |
This is the end of the line for the Los Angeles River but it's not the end of our journey. Coming soon, I'll check out all the fun things there are to do around the mouth of the river, including a stroll through Rainbow Harbor and a visit with the Queen! Until then...
Does anyone know why a river's mouth at the opposite end of its head? No seriously - because I have no idea.
See you on the river!
Chloe Canine-Angeleno
Some of the information I've shared in this blog was found at:
City of Long Beach
Long Beach Press-Telegram
All photographs were taken by my pack leader, Jim Gross.
Everything else was discovered by getting my paws dirty and the extensive use of my nose.
For pictures and information about the places I've visited upstream of the PCH, click on the links below:
Part 1 - Western San Fernando Valley
Part 2 - Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area
Part 3 - Eastern San Fernando Valley
Part 4 - Burbank and Glendale
Part 5 - Glendale Narrows East
Part 6 - Glendale Narrows West
Part 7 - Downtown Los Angeles and Vernon
Part 8 - Vernon to South Gate
Part 9 - South Gate to North Long Beach
Part 10 - North Long Beach to the PCH
