Attendees bound for the Southern California climes of Long Beach and its appealing neighbors will savor the sun, sand and likable lodgings of the region, not to mention a wealth of off-site venues that make group outings and events easy and fun.
Here’s a look at a number of iconic offerings worth exploring on your next visit, from tempting tour sites to one-of-a-kind museums.
LONG BEACH
While the historic Queen Mary ocean liner docked in the Long Beach harbor might be known far and wide, even seasoned planners probably aren’t aware of its wealth of group offerings and function venues.
A gamut of organized tours includes everything from in-depth historical explorations to spine-tingling paranormal evening adventures; attendees can even board a neighboring Soviet submarine known as The Scorpion for something completely different. And for planners seeking an unforgettable event venue, the attraction offers elegant on-board spaces like an Art Deco-styled Grand Salon that can host up to 700, plus countless other function areas both on-ship and dotting the adjoining 45-acre setting. A four-acre events park lets groups party beneath towering palms while the eye-catching Queen Mary Dome showcases 75,000 square feet of event space and capacity for more than 2,000 guests.
Another awesome and iconic off-site favorite is the Long Beach Museum of Art, perched on a bluff overlooking the harbor and offering its own array of tours and lures. Groups can call ahead for an organized tour, enjoy some acclaimed alfresco dining at Claire’s at the Museum, or host an affair of their own, including the option of some outdoor spaces that have been popular with everything from wedding galas to corporate celebrations.
The Aquarium of the Pacific provides yet another inspiring option, with endless animal magnetism bolstering its tour options, activities and event spaces. The venue is set along Rainbow Harbor, a smart choice for groups seeking some unstructured downtime diversion. The harbor features countless shops, restaurants and old-time carnival fun at its Shoreline Village, where frequent festivals and ocean-bound tour vessels are also on offer.
SOUTH BAY
The nearby beach communities of the South Bay may be more modest in size than bustling Long Beach, but their off-site venues and attractions have a distinct appeal of their own.
In cozy Hermosa Beach, a great low-key option is the Hermosa Beach Museum, run by the city’s Historical Society and paying homage to the local heritage—particularly its coastal flavors. The 3,500-plus items include everything from a Chinese anchor found locally that dates to 1421 to surfboards old and new; other bonuses include a dynamic display hailing the area’s musical past and even a Beach Volleyball Hall of Fame. A cute gift shop adds to the fun, and groups can enjoy a tour or hold an event of their own at the venue.
For an off-site event space with a touch of history, the city rents out the Hermosa Beach Community Center and the handsome, multipurpose Clark Building for functions of all kinds, from small meetings and company tennis tournaments to larger-scale affairs of up to 240 guests.
Manhattan Beach is an active and outdoorsy bastion of bike paths and walking trails, but the quintessential beach town serves up some intriguing off-site possibilities as well. The Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab & Aquarium is a worthwhile stop along the Manhattan Beach Pier, and for groups seeking to shop around or just wile away some free time, Manhattan Village is a modest but developing retail center with plenty of natural light and a nice variety of stores and eateries.
For planners seeking an enchanting off-site event space, Verandas Beach House is a modern and inviting two-story structure designed for events of all kinds. Indoor spaces include an elegant ballroom and an upstairs lounge enhanced by a fireplace and granite bar, while its lush outdoor areas are highlighted by a koi pond and wooden gazebo, among other touches. Inspiring ocean views from several upstairs spaces are another bonus.
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Redondo Beach is another seaside setting of seductive sand and sunsets, with plenty of unique settings and activities for off-site fun, says the Redondo Chamber’s Bobby Christian, director of marketing. The SEA Lab for example, operated by the Los Angeles Conservation Corps, presents hands-on marine exhibits in addition to possible volunteering activities aimed at conservation. The Seaside Lagoon is a vibrant place for groups to just kick back in the sand, enjoy some calm swimming or hit the snack bar. Meanwhile, a lawn area and luau shelter are options for hosting events.
Redondo’s most iconic off-site, however, is likely its Historic Library. With its graceful Spanish-style architecture and dramatic ocean views from its alfresco spaces, the events hub can host up to 320 attendees for affairs of every nature.
WESTSIDE
On L.A.’s trendy Westside, Marina del Rey gets offshore with some of its top off-site offerings, says Valerie Arias of the city’s CVB, highly recommending two local boat charters: FantaSea Yachts and Hornblower Cruises. The latter heads out to sea from Fisherman’s Village with an impressive fleet of vessels that range from the classic 35-passenger Lady Hornblower motor yacht to the spacious Entertainer, with capacity for up to 550 guests.
In ritzy Beverly Hills, a pair of elegant off-sites offer opportunities for upscale shopping, exploration and unforgettable event hosting, according to Claire Delacruz Soe of the Beverly Hills CVB.
The resplendent 1928 Greystone Mansion is nestled within 18-plus acres of verdant, city-owned woodland. The registered historical landmark hosts frequent swanky affairs and is also home to numerous cultural programs that are an option for smaller groups. Highlights of the estate comprise the mansion, the meticulously landscaped gardens ringing a fountain, and an interior courtyard with a pool. Groups visiting the iconic setting can arrange a guided trek through the neo-Gothic edifice or take a casual self-guided stroll through the gardens.
Tucked away off famed Rodeo Drive at the corner of Wilshire and Dayton, Two Rodeo is an oasis of upscale retail that blends the charms of an Old-World village with a quintessentially Beverly Hills style and ambience. The venue is home to luxury brands like Versace and Tiffany, but where it really shines is as a captivating private event venue for special affairs.
Santa Monica’s iconic pier offers up a near embarrassment of group lures, from a top-notch aquarium and seven restaurants to a solar-powered Ferris wheel and some adrenaline-pumping thrill rides. A more recent addition to the city’s off-site scene—albeit one with a storied past—is the Annenberg Community Beach House, a thriving hub of local activities and swimming fun that is open to all. Originally built by William Randolph Hearst for actress Marion Davies, the venue includes numerous unique event spaces and also extends a small variety of free 30-minute tours of the grounds and Davies Guest House.
Century City, meanwhile, is best known as an entertainment industry hub, as home to MGM and 20th Century Fox. One of its best off-site venues is undoubtedly the Westfield retail center, home to a huge array of restaurants, an A-to-Z of diverse shops and even a 15-screen multiplex cinema showing all the latest blockbuster flicks.
