Every August, the sounds of America's music – jazz – fills the Long Beach air. Fans of this historic musical genre gather at Rainbow Lagoon Park to hear some of the top artists on the scene performing during the Long Beach Jazz Festival. This popular three day event is staged on a beautiful grassy knoll in the park that makes for an experience that is as visually stunning as it is aurally pleasing. The festival also features a great selection of food, arts and crafts, as well as the wares of various vendors.
The Long Beach Symphony Orchestra has been delivering the classics to the area with an unmatched level of excellence. The symphony features some of the best musicians in the world and their talents help bring many great classics to life. Among some of the more notable performances on the entertainment schedule include several pops concerts, Crescendo on the Vine, Vienna Nights, and other themed and seasonal productions. The symphony also offers several educational programs in addition to its busy schedule of concerts.
Make an escape without having to go too far from home when you plan a visit to the Palos Verdes Portuguese Bend Trail. You will be immediately struck by the amazing views of the Pacific Ocean that you can enjoy as you make your way along this very well-maintained trail along the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The trail is popular with walkers, hikers, bikers and horseback riders. This is most definitely a great way to enjoy the outdoors and the area's natural beauty from a completely different perspective.
Enjoy the ocean breezes when you get on board the Catalina Express as you escape to Catalina Island. All of the boats that depart from Long Beach, Dana Point or San Pedro are the most advanced watercraft available and are all part of an impressive fleet of high-speed vessels. The Catalina Express has proudly transported over one million passengers a year and offers year round service with up to 30 departures daily, so there is no excuse for missing any of the fun that the Pacific Ocean offers.