Making Summer Workout

PHOTO by LEE MEREDITH

Some people say the body is the temple of the soul. But have you taken an honest look at the soul lately . . . you know, with its clothes off? The love handles, the badunka-dunk butt, the shortness of breath so acute that meditation borders on an aerobic exercise. More than a temple, the soul needs a gym membership—or better, an active weekend along the Long Beach waterfront. Blessings and peace and mix in a salad, we’ve got just the thing.

Coast Long Beach Hotel
Although often overlooked—maybe because it sits practically next door to the Queen Mary—the Coast’s twisty teepees have been a part of the Long Beach horizon for nearly a quarter century. Renovations have kept the 195 rooms modern, but there’s a real getaway feel to the place, mainly because its waterfront views look back at the city. A water taxi transports you back and forth to the mainland. Check in on Friday evening, the better to wind down before your busy weekend ahead. Beds feature double-sided pillowtop mattresses and wrought-iron headboards. Bathrooms have granite countertops and massage showerheads. Rooms include compact refrigerators. There’s complimentary wireless Internet, if you absolutely must, although how about opening that sliding-glass door and strolling across the lawn that leads to the water’s edge, where there’s a wonderful walking path. There also two tennis courts—complimentary racquets and balls—a sand volleyball court and a basketball court, as well as a gym and small pool, with Jacuzzi. 700 QUEENSWAY DR | LONG BEACH 90802 | 800.716.6199

Wheel Fun Rental/Alfredo’s Beach Club
Take the water taxi to Shoreline Village, and it’s a short walk eastward to rent bikes or skates—or a variety of other leg-propelled vehicles—for your trip along the strand. Wheel Fun is nestled in the faux-New England quaintness, whereas Alfredo’s embodies SoCal’s own sandy-toed beach bumminess. Both rent bikes and skates for about $10 per hour or $25 per day. Wheel Fun is surrounded by coffee and breakfast spots; Alfredo’s offers its own menu, which includes such healthy fare as whole grain muffins, fresh fruit, salads, energy bars and smoothies. WHEEL FUN RENTAL | 423 SHORELINE VILLAGE DR | LONG BEACH 90802 | 562.951.3857 | ALFREDO’S BEACH CLUB | 5411 OCEAN BLVD | LONG BEACH 90803 | 562.434.1542

Shoreline Pedestrian/Bike Path
There is no more-unifying thread in Long Beach—recreationally, economically or spiritually—than the 3.1-mile stretch of concrete that gently swerves through the waterfront sand from Alamitos Ave. downtown to upscale Alamitos Bay. The Shoreline Pedestrian/Bike Path is simply the best thing the city has done for itself in the past 20 years. The 17-foot-wide artery—with two six-foot lanes for bicycles and a five-foot lane for pedestrians—was intended to link extensive biking systems that travel up the Los Angeles and San Gabriel rivers. But since its completion in January of 1988, the bike path has transformed the Long Beach strand from the city’s underused namesake into a year-round parade of its vibrant citizenry, whether on bikes or skates, in strollers or sneakers. The bike path passes at the foot of the Long Beach Museum, the barbecue scents of the picnickers at Cherry Beach, the Belmont Pier, Belmont Plaza Pool and surrounding restaurants, Ripples Bar, the kite-surfing and windsurfing beaches and volleyball courts before emptying out onto Ocean Blvd. at 54th Place, right across the street from Alamitos Bay, otherwise known as . . .

PHOTO by LEE MEREDITH

Bayshore Playground
It’s barely half an acre, but this tranquil spot has been a centerpiece of Long Beach recreation since they dredged Belmont Shore and Naples from the wetlands. Amenities include a court for handball, paddle tennis and racquetball, a roller hockey rink, children’s playground equipment and a dock for swimming—if you dare, in the wake of Heal the Bay’s indictment of Long Beach’s ocean water quality. However, the playground is perhaps most famous for the pick-up basketball games that seem to go on endlessly. The players may look rag-tag, but unless you’ve got real game, don’t even try. 14 54TH PL | LONG BEACH 90803 | 562.570.1715

PHOTO by LEE MEREDITH

Kayaks on the Water
Yeah, we know—where else would kayaks be—still, the name has stuck for nearly 15 years, while touring Long Beach’s inland waterways has become a truly special part of any know-your-city tour—not to mention great exercise. Lock up your bike, and spend an hour exploring the H20 streets of Naples. Or bring along a little money in a waterproof baggy and paddle over to Marina Pacifica shopping center, where you can dock for lunch. Single kayaks cost $8 per hour and doubles go for $15 for the first hour, $12 per hour thereafter. Afterward, you can kick back at the Kayak Café, the Polynesian-style eatery that’s right on the beach, or hold onto your hunger for a couple more miles on the bike ride back toward downtown. 5411 E OCEAN BLVD | LONG BEACH 90803 | 562.434.0999

Long Beach Museum of Art/Yankee Doodles
The museum’s beautiful, bluff-top gardens—and, who knows, maybe even one of its exhibits—are the perfect place for a little mental tranquility and physical repose during your rigorous day. Also? The food at Claire’s at the Museum is great! If you go light, we like the spring baby spinach salad (asparagus, fava beans, red onions, Humboldt Fog crustini and a tarragon mustard); and if you’re up for something more substantial, we’d recommend the wild king salmon with artichoke heart polonaise, fava beans and citrus emulsion, with an herb salad. It’s really an intimate experience. Then again, in its own way, so are the 17,000 square feet of Yankee Doodles, where over 30 televisions can show eight games at the same time while you’re playing pool, darts or arcade games, eating burgers and drinking beer. We’re just sayin’. LONG BEACH MUSEUM OF ART | 2300 E OCEAN BLVD | LONG BEACH 90803 | 562.439.2119 | YANKEE DOODLES | 4100 E OCEAN BLVD | LONG BEACH 90803 | 562.439.9777

Ten Salon
Before you take that bike back, pedal up for a recuperative sports massage. The deep pressure and stretching is a great way to end a day of exercise, particularly if you have picked up a minor strain or sprain along the way. Plus, in keeping with the beachy theme of the day, they’ll slap on a little seaweed. 242 E THIRD ST | LONG BEACH 90802 | 562.432.7700

Zephyr Vegetarian Café
It’s dinnertime, and rather than undo all the good you’ve done by topping it off with red meat and fat, go vegetarian—it’s only a couple blocks away—with a garden tempeh bowl (filled with veggies, tempeh, beans and other goodies), a tofu steak plate or some giant Vietnamese spring rolls. We like. We like to sleep. 340 E FOURTH ST | LONG BEACH 90802 | 562.435.7713

Tags: Special Issues, To Do