The Los Angeles River #12: The River's Mouth In Long Beach

Greetings Canine Angelenos! 

Welcome to Part 12 of my dog-centric journey along the Los Angeles River. Today we'll explore the river's mouth which, for some reason, is at the opposite end of its head. We'll have to figure that one out later because we've got a lot to sniff today. Let's get started!

We ended Part 11 at Catalina Landing, a man-made lagoon that protects the Catalina Express terminal. To continue, we have to walk around the lagoon, about .4 miles on pavement.

Did you know that Catalina Express is dog friendly?

Once around, we'll walk beneath the Queensway Bridge, the river's last bridge before the ocean. It connects the downtown waterfront with the Port of Long Beach and has bike/pedestrian access.

I didn't count, but I've walked beneath about 100 bridges along the way.

Past the bridge, Golden Shore Rd. approaches the path until a rotary alters its course. Beyond the rotary is a parking lot; the perfect place to leave the car for this adventure. At the end of the lot is the entrance to Shoreline Aquatic Park.

Picturesque is the right way to describe this park.

Continuing straight on the shoreline path takes us past a half-acre of shady trees, plush grass, picnic tables, and benches where you can enjoy the cool ocean breeze. There's plenty of trash cans...but no poop bags. On the ocean side, a couple of short piers provide a good spot for fishing and watching the birds fly by.

A nice way to spend the morning.

The path u-turns just as Shoreline Village and Rainbow Harbor come into view, but the star attraction here is the Lions' Lighthouse For Sight. Built in 2000 with funds raised by the Long Beach Lions Club, the 65' tower is a symbol of the club's work helping the visually impaired - not an official navigational aid.

Coolest...doghouse...ever. ;-p

The path now winds along the south end of Rainbow Harbor, past a small beach, then ends at Pierpoint Landing - about a mile from where we started.

Tiny, but it's not the size of the beach in the park...or something like that.

Here you'll find restrooms, a snack bar, and a dog-friendly water fountain. Not far from the restrooms is the Long Beach Navy Memorial; dedicated in 2004 to commemorate the city's long relationship with the Navy.

Armillary Sphere? Looks like a ball to me.

After a cool drink, walk along the wooden boardwalk that circumnavigates Rainbow Harbor. This is the place to be if you're looking to rent or ride a boat. Along the way we'll pass the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Pine Avenue Pier, and a variety of shops and restaurants.

Can you imagine a boat going up the LA River?

The boardwalk ends near the base of an observation deck that connects with Convention Center Walkway, a pedestrian bridge over E. Shoreline Dr.. Climb the stairs and enjoy the view.

Bell or spaceship? I can't decide.

Now walk across the bridge and get a great view of Long Beach's waterfront shopping and entertainment district.

Outdoor events around here are often dog-friendly.

About halfway across the bridge, a spiral staircase takes us down to Rainbow Lagoon Park, a 12 acre sea-water filled pond with two small islands. A concrete path goes around the pond - connected to the islands by footbridges. Small trees line the path and plush grass is everywhere. It's kind of a "decorative" park, so no water or poop bags here.

My album cover?

When ready, exit the park near the footbridge closest to E. Shoreline Dr. (at the crosswalk). Cross to access Shoreline Village Dr.. To our left is Marina Green Park, a wide strip of grass that runs toward the beach for just under 1/2 mile.

What's not to like about 9 acres of plush grass?

Shoreline Village Dr. soon ends at the city owned Long Beach Shoreline Marina, where there are over 1,700 slips for recreational boats.

I think I want a boat, but Pack Leader says no I don't.

Follow the smell of food along the shoreline and you'll soon be in Shoreline Village, a replica old-school fishing village full of shops and restaurants.

New England meets Southern California.

Grab a snack for yourself and the dog then stroll down the bike/pedestrian path that stretches along the marina. This .6 mile path takes us to, perhaps, the best view of the Queen Mary there is.

The views around Long Beach's harbor are unique to say the least.

Along the way there are benches to sit on, piers to fish from, and nice grass to roll in. There are plenty of restrooms and trash cans too, but no water fountains and...you guessed it...no poop bags. The trail ends by the Harbor Master's office, across from Grissom Island.
 

From here the ships, and the river's water, head out to sea.

That's as far as we go on this side of the river's mouth, but we have one more place to visit before we're done - the South Waterfront. It's time to head back to the car and drive over the Queensway Bridge.

Welcome to the Port of Long Beach

You can access the bridge from Shoreline Dr. or Ocean Bl.. Once on the bridge, stay to the right and take the first exit. Stay to the right again because you'll soon exit onto Queensway Dr.. After a u-turn, a Residence Inn will be ahead on the left. Just prior to the hotel is the entrance to the South Shore Boat Launch. Enter the boat launch and park at the north end of the lot, away from the hotel.

Here we'll find a tiny park with picnic tables spread out along the shoreline. The grass is nice, small trees provide some shade, and a short path winds throughout. There are trash cans but no poop bags.

Tiny and hard to get to, but the location is nice.

Exit the park and walk a few hundred yards on the sidewalk; toward the hotel. Another tiny park with benches sits on the shoreline, but this one has restrooms, a water fountain, and the boat launch.

This public boat launch is open 24 hours.

Past the boat launch, near the entrance to the hotel, a concrete path leads you to the shoreline. In a moment, we'll pass beneath the Queensway Bridge again.

A good spot to take five and enjoy the cool ocean air.

Continuing on, the path winds between the river's mouth and the Maya hotel, offering amazing views of the Long Beach waterfront and the mountains beyond.

The marina and the condos along Ocean Bl.

The path ends at Queensway Dr., in front of the yacht club, .4 miles after it began.

If you don't belong to the yacht club, you can take the Aqua Bus!

About 200 feet up the sidewalk from here is the entrance to Harry Bridges Memorial Park (aka. Queen Mary Events Park). It's used for concerts, parties, and large events. It has restrooms, a large grassy field with a 1/4 mile loop path, and some incredible views. There are trash cans but no working water fountains or poop bags.

I've got the whole place to myself today.

The park is adjacent to a large parking lot and the home of one of Southern California's best known attractions, the Queen Mary. Dogs aren't allowed on board, but no visit to Long Beach is complete without a QM1 selfie...

Sometimes, even a Queen has to wear a leash.

Wow. It's done. I've traveled the entire river from the Valley to the LBC! It was so much more than I expected - all those parks and fun places to roll in the grass, the incredible scenery and intoxicating smells, the return of wildlife in many places...and it's changing all the time. A lot people are working hard to make the river something all Angelenos can be proud of. Part 1 of this adventure was written over a year ago and so much has happened since. I'll have to do this again soon.




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, 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

Part 11 - Pacific Coast Highway to Pacific Ocean
 

The Los Angeles River #11: From the Pacific Coast Highway to the Pacific Ocean

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.

An RV park sits next to the bike path before it bends right, hugging the reserve's border fence. Once we pass a small, metered (must have quarters!) parking lot on the left, a very special sign appears beneath our paws...

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

*Canine Camping Tips

Greetings fellow Canine Angelenos!


Summer is in full swing and one my pack’s favorite things to do this time of year is to go camping! And why not? Los Angeles is close to some of the most amazing natural wonders on the planet...

Is there a better way to escape the heat of the city than to spend some quiet time in the Eastern Sierras or rolling around in the cool, wet sand at Big Sur? I doubt it.

To make sure you have a safe and enjoyable adventure, here are some things to consider before camping with your you canine companions:

*** BEFORE YOU LEAVE ***

- Make sure our rabies vaccinations are up to date. There are critters in the woods that might be rabid and getting bit by one of them is bad enough... getting rabies from them would really ruin the trip.

I know the shots are necessary but that doesn't mean I have to like them.

- Apply your preferred flea medicine or get us a flea collar. Make sure that whichever method you choose also works on those nasty ticks. And don't forget to pack a brush so you can find the little buggers and a tick spoon to remove them. (Check out my blog about how to deal with ticks and other common outdoor hazards we canines might have to deal with.)


- Make sure we have some sort of ID on us like a tag or a collar with your cell number on it in case we become separated from the pack.


- Don't forget to bring any medications we are currently using.


- Find the address and phone number of the nearest animal hospital to your campsite.


- Research for activities that the whole pack can participate in - know your dog's capabilities and limitations and plan accordingly.

(Hint: National Forests are usually the most dog friendly places to camp, have the same features as many National Parks, and are usually much less crowded).

*** IN THE CAR ***

- To get to your campsite often involves a long ride in the car. To make life easier on all of us, make sure the dog has a comfortable space where they can lie down and nothing will fall on top of them if you have to hit the brakes.


- Water, a dish, and a snack or two are absolutely essential.


- Have some easily accessible poop bags for the inevitable pit stop.

That was a long ride. Let me know when you guys are done setting up camp...

*** AT THE CAMPSITE ***

- A weather-proof, outdoor bed is always a good thing to have. Of course most of us canines will just lie in the dirtiest spot we can find under a shady tree, but its nice to have a comfortable place to rest after a long day of outdoor fun.

You shall not pass...

- Bring your dog's regular food that they eat at home so they don't get an upset stomach; and of course dishes for that food and water. Its very important that you don't leave any uneaten food around as it will attract unwanted visitors (I've heard bears love dog food).

Sure I'd rather have one of your cheeseburgers, but its best for me to eat my regular food.

- Take a couple of our favorite toys along to keep us occupied while you're lounging around the campsite.


 - A shade canopy is a great addition to your camping gear. It gives all of us a shady spot whenever the sun is beating down on the campsite and keeps leaves, pine needles, etc. from falling onto the food while we eat.

Everything seems to be in order here.

- A long tie/lead if your dog tends to roam into other people's campsites.


- A bed for inside the tent, unless you want us to share your air mattress with you. (Full disclosure: I have a bed in the tent but I sleep in pack leader's bed anyway...its nice and warm there.)

*** ON THE GO ***

- Hiking is one of the best parts of any camping trip. See my previous blog for details about what you need for a fun and safe hiking adventure.


- If you plan to go boating or even just swimming a lot, a life jacket is essential. Many models come with a handle on the back so you humans can just pick us up like a brief case and carry us to shore (or help us back into the boat).

I'm queen of the world!

*** MISC ***

- Towels...lots of towels. Every dog's mission on a camping trip is to get as dirty and wet as we possibly can; that's the most fun part of the trip as far as most of us are concerned. Unless you want a dirty wet dog in your tent, on your mattress, in your car, etc..... bringing plenty of towels is a must. And don't forget some rope to make a clothesline at your campsite so you can dry those towels.

I'm not quite completely covered in mud and dirt, but I'm working on it...

- If camping is a regular activity in your pack, start introducing a new puppy early. It can be a stressful situation for an inexperienced dog. I went on my first camping trip at 6 months old and now I'm an expert...its my favorite thing to do in the whole world.

My first trip was to the Sequoia Nat'l. Forest. Surrounded by the world's biggest trees and all I wanted was this little stick.

I hope you found my short checklist of camping tips useful. These things will make a good time with the whole pack even better. 

If you have any questions or are looking for suggestions on places to go, visit my website (www.CanineAngeleno.com) and use the contact page to ask your question or just say hello.


See you at the campground!

Chloe Canine-Angeleno








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.