There's all these cute little things hidden throughout the city. Well not quite hidden but a nice…read moresurprise to see. It's located inside the park right in the middle. Just along the pathway and right across from the playground. It's open to the public during certain hours. From the look of it first hand you wouldn't think that it's a lighthouse. Just a nice Victorian style home with the cute wooden picket fence around. There's a parking lot to the side of the property which leads you to the gift shop and restrooms. One end has a cute little garden area where it's a butterfly sanctuary. I didn't go inside the gift shop which I did notices that they offer tours of the property. I can't review the tour as I didn't experience it but the property from the outside was beautiful. You could walk along and check out the front and back of the property and garden. It's a cute place which I think they also host different events throughout the year. I could be wrong but it looked like they were having something for Easter later. It's a beautiful landmark with its nice architecture but to think that it was a lighthouse, I would have never guessed. If you get a chance to stop by the park, it's worth checking out even a wander around if you didn't do the tour.

The lighthouse is open Tues-Sunday and gives free tours on the hour at 1,2,3 pm which are about 45…read moreminutes. The tour is the only way to see the house and go up to the light. There are a couple of windy staircases which I thought was fun but spooked some people on my tour. It was so interesting to see the inside the house and learn about the lightkeepers' family history. It's an old Victorian house/lighthouse. If you don't go on the tour you can still tour the grounds. Parking is difficult on the weekends because it's next to a park but there was some spots in the neighborhood. The Korean Friendship bell is close by.

The good: This place is one of a kind! I am so happy I…read morefinally got around to visiting this place. Parking is free! The whale museum is free! Tours of the lighthouse are free! The picnic tables areas are plentiful and there's lots of grass for picnics blankets. The views are great. It's a great spot for whale watching. I noticed people coming here and bringing their camping chairs just to read. It's relaxing and you get to enjoy the sea breeze and beautiful sunset. I also noticed youngsters coming to record an acoustic guitar music video. I imagine people come here to paint as well. The bad: I've lived around here for almost 3 years now and haven't been here until now. The interesting: They do tours of the actual lighthouse area a few times a month and it's completely free and doesn't require a reservation.

The lighthouse is tall and picturesque sitting regally on a cliff. It's a must to stop and take…read moresome photos if driving down the coast of PV. The lighthouse has really restrictive hours, only open the second Saturday every month from 10-3 so you have to plan for this if you wanted to go inside. I went years ago and remember it being kind of a clusterfuck with a lot of people and disorganized system on entering. But the good part was you could go inside all the way to the top. Just the picture from the outside would suffice for most people. The Point Vicente Interpretation Center is nearby as well as some cliff trails to explore.

Adrian Baes is Amazing guy! Very helpful and accommodating. I highly recommend this gentleman.read more

Rancho Los Cerritos is a slightly hidden national historic landmark within Long Beach with…read moreGabrielino-Tongva roots. It was once a sheep ranch, cattle ranch, and even serves as an extension of our public library archives for local history. Entrance is free. Parking is free (and close to the entrance). There are volunteer-lead tours as well as printed maps to help you navigate the property. If you're planning to visit I'd set aside a half hour for everything. Bonus tip: they host events.

You know how it goes... I find something on TikTok and the next thing you know, I'm driving over to…read morecheck it out! That's exactly how I ended up at Rancho Los Alamos in Long Beach. It was literally right down the street from where I was, so convenient, and absolutely beautiful! We started by having lunch at the park benches, which was such a nice way to enjoy the grounds. Then we managed to catch the very last tour of the house with the sweetest man ever! He was so kind and gave us so much wonderful information about the ranch and its history.Walking through the house honestly felt like stepping back into the 1930s. Everything has been preserved so beautifully, and because it's a museum, they work hard to keep the house looking just the way it did back in the day. It is absolutely pristine! I loved looking at all the old furniture, decorations, and everyday things people used. Just seeing the way people lived back then was fascinating. Imagine getting to live in a house like that... amazing! The only downside was that you're not allowed to film inside the house, but I completely understand because they have to protect and preserve everything. Unfortunately, we only had time to see the house before they closed, so we are definitely going back! There are still gardens, animals, and so much more to explore. It looks like such a great place to spend the day. Convenient, beautiful, educational, and a fun little trip back in time. I can't wait to return and see the rest! Five stars!

A historical landmark, close & free to visit…read more Originally part of the ancestral village of Povuun'nga, the traditional place of origin of the native Gabrielino-Tongva people of the Los Angeles Basin, named Rancho Los Alamitos when the land was conceded to Manuel Nieto, and finally to Fred & Florence Bixby, whose children donated the family ranch to the City of Long Beach in 1968. To enter, visitors proceed to the Bixby Hill residential security gate at the intersection of East Anaheim Road and Palo Verde Avenue. Entrance is strictly at 1pm, as the guard will not allow entrance prior to that. Operating hours are 1pm - 5pm Wed - Sun. Initial visit, the barn area w/ the livestock was closed off due to a water main break. Tours of the Adobe Ranch is via a docent-led tour, which can be made at the Rancho Center. No photography is permitted. Tom was the docent, and he was quite knowledgeable of the history of Rancho Los Alamitos, allowing passage into each room on the first floor. Second floor was closed to visitors. My favorite room was the kitchen, as I marveled at the various appliances, such as the still operational refrigerator, with the condenser on top, instead of bottom. Also, the heavy, built to last stove, which probably served a countless number of meals for the family & staff working the ranch. There were a few objects which were available to touch, such as an early proto version of a View-Master. The cherry on top of the Adobe Ranch visit was pulling the rope attached to the dinner bell, signifying everyone to "come & get it!". The handsome, well-maintained garden landscape surrounding the property provides natural beauty & plenty of photo opportunities. Second visit was more fun, as the barn & livestock areas were open to the public, again! Preston, a magnificent Shire horse, towers over almost all visitors, and stuns with his majestic beauty. In the world record books, a Shire horse named Sampson is the largest recorded horse ever, at 7' 2.5" tall & 3,360 lbs. Not to be outdone, Fred the donkey bombastically greets people with his hee-haws. A few rescue horses, sheep & a coop full of chickens provided plenty of enjoyment. A pleasurable afternoon can be had at Rancho Los Alamitos. Visitors gaze back in time upon a working ranch, experience how things were built to stand the test of time, opposed to planned obsolescence of most machinery & appliances, today. Visiting Preston, Fred & the other animals, alone, is worth the drive. I look forward to coming back & I highly recommend giving Rancho Los Alamitos a visit.

My childhood friend Billy retired from the US Coast Guard. He lives in San Pedro and took me out on…read morehis boat for my birthday. Part of this gorgeous cruise included visiting this beautiful, cylindrical and uniquely shaped lighthouse that has a remarkable history and record. It was built in 1913 at a cost of $36,000. It withstood a 5 day storm. It was used by our US Navy during World War II. The deep throated two tone fog horn named "Moaning Maggie" was replaced by " Blatting Betty", an annoying high pitched single tone horn in 1959. Everyone hated it. It became automated in 1973. No human worked here thereafter. Currently, the 225,000 candle power light is monitored and maintained by the amazing personnel from the Terminal Island Coast Guard unit. It has faithfully guarded our port's very busy gateway for 112 years. This is an absolutely must see and sail by for all locals and visitors to this beautiful area. It is stunning.

I love visiting the Old Town wherever I go. Old Town Seal Beach has lots of little shops,…read morerestaurants, bakeries, and other businesses. There are plenty of benches to sit and relax. At the end of Main street you will run into the beach and the pier. Several businesses have water bowls out for the puppies to get a drink. There's also a nice park halfway down Main street

Grew up surfing and hanging out with friends at the beach here in the 80's. Have so many beautiful…read morememories of the pier and Grandma's cookie shop that was at the corner.

Tough to get a parking spot, but there are some businesses with tiny little free lots, and as long…read moreas you are a paying customer, you can park, make your purchase, and take a walk along the beach before heading out.

I have been walking on this pier since I was a kid. Newport Beach was a longtime party destination…read morefor me back in my college days. We would grab drinks at one of the nearby bars and then walk on the bike trail afterwards. Then we would head over to the pier to enjoy the ocean breeze. Newport Pier was constructed in the 1940s and replaced the original pier that was built in the 1800s. It is 1,032 feet long and made of mostly wood. Today, Newport Pier is a place for people to fish or to go on a stroll while enjoying the sunny weather and the fresh ocean breeze. Even through this area is touristy, I still like this pier because it is not as crazy packed as some of the other popular piers like the ones in Santa Monica or in Huntington. It has been some time since I have visited Newport Beach. I was recently in town and grabbed a bite at the Crab Cooker. I caught a beautiful sunset while walking on the Newport Pier. Not much has changed around here since I was last in town. The Life Guard Headquarters and Dory Fleet still reside at the base of the pier. There are gift shops and restaurants within walking distance. I was able to grab some great photos of the sunset before heading out. I enjoyed my quick visit and walk down memory lane while passing through Newport Beach.

Point Fermin Marine Life Refuge is probably one of the most scenic areas of San Pedro, California…read more This is a marine refuge area that is bordered by the ocean on one side and the cliffs of San Pedro on the other. The refuge itself has a beautiful set of tight pools as well as some old cement structures from homes and businesses of times gone past. As the warning signs proclaim, they ask you to be careful of falling rocks. This is because of the fact, if you look up, you see that there's not only rocks, but vegetation, and even some homes that are right on the edge of the cliff. This being said, I would imagine you don't have to worry too much about any of those things falling down on you unless there is a rain storm going on or something like that. As would be expected, this is a very beautiful and nature driven environment. Here, you will find seashells, ocean, rocks, crabs, and all one would expect. Overall, this is a very beautiful Southern California location. It's a great place to visit, take a walk around, and explore the nature of the costal environment.

Wasn't aware these tide pools existed. I noticed the walkway first. Very cool. Lots of marine life…read moreand large shells. It's the perfect place to view and learn about ocean life with the kids. The beach is mostly rocks and the side of the hill that has fallen over the years, including succulents from homes that the ground squirrels run and play around. Numerous ground squirrels. Look like they've been eating well. During low tide, you can walk all the way to Sunken City. It's paid parking if you decide to park at the beach. There's plenty of free street parking in the nearby neighborhood.