Long Beach is situated just south of the city of Los Angeles, right on some of the best strips of beaches in southern California. Long Beach offers 345 days of sun per year, an average summer high temperature between 80 and 95 degrees, and is also just a short drive to the mountain or desert areas, and only an hour cruise to Catalina Island.
  Long Beach was first settled as part of a major Spanish land grant in 1784. In the late 1800s, because of a railroad competition between the Santa Fe and the Southern Pacific Railroads, it started a real estate boom. The city went through another metamorphosis around 1902, turning into a major resort and business region with the introduction of the trolley. Long Beach was then considered the fastest growing city in the US. The Queen Mary was bought and anchored in the harbor in 1967, and added to the already numerous things for visitors to do.
  Long Beach today continues to be a well rounded tourist mecca, boasting prime beaches, fine dining and lodging, and diversified nightlife.