{"id":80622,"date":"2023-12-27T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-12-27T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=80622"},"modified":"2023-12-27T10:28:54","modified_gmt":"2023-12-27T18:28:54","slug":"a-post-holiday-introverted-itinerary","status":"publish","type":"newspack_nl_cpt","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/newsletter\/a-post-holiday-introverted-itinerary","title":{"rendered":"A post-holiday introverted itinerary"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n
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Off the Clock<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Your time-off itinerary for things to do in Long Beach and beyond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

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The Kringle Hopper at Baby Gee, December 2023. Photo by Jake Gotta.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Happy belated holiday and a merry Christmas to those who are still celebrating this week with those who couldn’t make it happen on the actual date with separated parents, in-laws and the like. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I don’t know about you, but I thought this holiday season kicked off a bit early and everyone seemed to be extra-extra in the festive spirit<\/em> this year. Maybe that’s because it’s the first year without (as many) apparent COVID interruptions. Or maybe folks were looking for a shiny distraction from all of the horrifying global and national news. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Who knows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Either way, I’m sure you’re feeling some variation of exhaustion this week. I’ll say you could really use a breather before yet another holiday hits \u2014 New Year’s Eve. If you’re looking for something to do on the last eve of the year, check out this list of happenings around LB<\/a> written by Jake Gotta (yep, the Instagram dude).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But you don’t need to think about all that fanfare now. Today, I’ve got a super simple handful of anti-social activities for you to help you *ahem* chill out a bit. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here we go: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1: Nature<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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Photo courtesy of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just look at this photo (above). Doesn’t it make you feel at peace? That’s what I thought. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lace up your walking shoes and grab your puffer jacket because we’re going there gloom or shine. We’re going to step right over the Christmas shrapnel that you haven’t cleaned up, you know, the piles of shredded wrapping paper still strewn about \u2014 we’re leaving the house for the El Dorado Nature Center<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I know, I know. It doesn’t look like this is really in Long Beach, but I assure you it is. The city’s largest park<\/a> will make you feel like you\u2019ve gotten lost in the woods \u2014 a good opportunity to walk off all that eggnog ‘n’ brandy. This 105-acre park includes two miles of dirt (and tree-shaded) trails, one paved trail and two lakes. Plus, you might even spot some cute little bunnies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Alternate nearby nature, peace-evoking options: The<\/strong> Colorado Lagoon<\/strong>, The Beach Path<\/strong>, Willmore\/Drake Park<\/strong> and Ranchos Palos Verdes Coastal Trail<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2: Art<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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The 3,000-square-foot main gallery room at Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum at Cal State University Long Beach in Long Beach Monday, Jan 31, 2022. Photo by Thomas R. Cordova.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Lots and lotsa people mark “become a museum member” on their list of New Year’s Resolutions<\/strong>, why not shop around now? Plus, visiting a museum (IMO) presents a great opportunity to both get out of the house and avoid talking to others \u2014 after all, you’re there to appreciate the arts, not gab. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some of my favorites in Long Beach: <\/p>\n\n\n\n