2013
Long Beach
Jan 30 to Feb 3, 2013
Long Beach-Part 1
Long Beach-Part 2
Long Beach-Queen Mary
Long Beach-Russian Sub
Description & Accessibility
We stayed at the ‘Best Western of Long Beach’ on Long Beach Blvd.
It is not right at the shore line but still reasonable in walking distance close to shopping including Wal-Mart.
There is a transit light rail train stop beside the hotel.
Transit buses close by.
Free transportation provided from hotel to cruise terminal (if you where staying at this hotel). Must book in advance or they could fill up.
The hotel was accessible but only had a single elevator.
Long Beach transit is fully accessible….
Los Angles area transit system…
At the very end of Long Beach Blvd is the Long Beach performing Arts center nice water fountains here that is multi colored at night.
Shore Line Village is worth wondering through, Aquarium of the Pacific which we never had the time to take in is also worthwhile and is located in the shoreline village area of Long Beach.
Large beach but being in January when we where there the water would have been cooler so not a lot of activity at that time.
As always wheelchairs and sand do not mix well so not really accessible on the beach itself.
You can take one of the passport buses (accessible) to Queen Mary 1 which is permanently retired from service and is a tourist museum as well as a hotel now, along side of it is a Russian submarine which can also be toured. Both require ticket purchase.
The Queen Mary 1 has a lot of history behind it and is a major tourist attraction in Long Beach. It also is a hotel.
Accessibility:
A good lot of the ship is wheelchair accessible but certainly not all, remember this ship dates back to world war 2 era. But you can still see enough of it to make it worthwhile. Some elevators exist on land to take you to the gangway to certain decks of the ship.
I do see listed limited accessible hotel rooms at the Queen Mary but do not expect the same degree of room / accessibility as you might expect at regular land hotel accessible rooms, remember this ship dates back to the pre world war 2 era.
The Russian sub is absolutely NOT wheelchair accessible in any way.
The Queen Mary is located right beside the Long Beach cruise ship terminal.
Transportation from the hotel to the cruise terminal was not roll on accessible but if you can manage to get in the vehicle and your mobility device was foldable or easily comes apart along with not extremely heavy it could be carried in the back of the vans.
We loved the Long Beach area and hope to get back and spend more time there.
By: Donald Kerr