Highlights of the Day
Today, we drove to Long Beach for an afternoon ocean excursion. Lunch brought an unexpected reunion with our favorite BBQ spot, where generous portions and rich flavors made the long wait worthwhile. Departing from the colorful Rainbow Harbor, anticipation built as the boat sped across choppy waters. Then came the highlight—pods of dolphins leaping and racing alongside the boat. The day ended quietly with a comforting Chinese dinner and a memorable encounter with the ocean.
Accommodation: Marriott’s Newport Coast Villas
Transportation: Rental Car
This morning, we drove a little over an hour to Long Beach, where we planned to head out on the ocean for a whale- and dolphin-watching tour. After arriving, we purchased tickets for the 3:00 p.m. departure and then set out to find lunch.
To my surprise, we came across a Famous Dave’s BBQ—a familiar name from the past. There used to be two locations near our home, both of which eventually closed. Seeing it again here felt like running into an old friend, so lunch was an easy decision. Their style is classic American BBQ: generous portions served on large platters, ribs grilled to tender perfection with rich, flavorful sauce.
Service, however, was another story. The restaurant was busy but understaffed. We waited nearly twenty minutes to be seated, another twenty for drinks, and over forty minutes for the main dishes. From sitting down to finally eating, nearly an hour and twenty minutes had passed. Including the meal itself, lunch took close to two hours. When I later asked a server about the delay, he explained that it wasn’t due to a strike, but rather graduation season at nearby schools, which had stretched their staffing thin. Unfortunate timing on our part.
Still, the food was excellent. The pork ribs were just as tender and flavorful as I remembered, and the BBQ sauce was so good I found myself licking my fingers without hesitation. The fried potato slices were also delicious—any thoughts of dieting or healthy eating were completely forgotten in that moment.
After lunch, I took a motion sickness pill—these need to be taken about an hour in advance. A 2:00 p.m. dose lined up perfectly with our 3:00 p.m. boarding time.
With some time to spare, we walked around the harbor area nearby. We didn’t wander too far, mindful of the upcoming departure. The harbor, appropriately named Rainbow Harbor, truly lived up to its name. Rows of small, colorful buildings lined the waterfront, giving the area a cheerful, tropical feel.
At 3:15 p.m., the boat departed right on schedule. Passengers rushed toward the bow, eager not to miss the first sighting of whales or dolphins. Staff warned that the front rows might get splashed, prompting everyone to step back slightly. As the boat sped across the water, bouncing against the waves, I unfortunately began to feel seasick rather quickly, making it difficult to fully enjoy the scenery.
After more than an hour at sea, the captain suddenly announced over the loudspeaker that dolphins had been spotted on the left. Everyone rushed over, phones raised, capturing photos and videos. Seeing a group of dolphins leap out of the water and dive back in at such close range was genuinely thrilling.
Soon after, the captain announced another sighting—this time, a much larger pod. Dozens of dolphins swam together, leaping and weaving across the surface. Some appeared in front of the boat, others chased along behind, turning the moment into something that felt almost like a live aquatic performance.
Despite feeling quite seasick throughout the trip, the experience was absolutely worth it. Watching dolphins swim alongside the boat, I couldn’t help but wonder whether we were observing them—or they were observing us. The captain mentioned that sometimes he can even hear dolphins communicating with one another. We may not have been sensitive enough to notice, but the thought itself was fascinating.
For dinner, we chose a restaurant labeled simply as a “noodle shop,” only to discover upon entering that it was an authentic Shanghai-style Chinese restaurant. The pan-fried dumplings were crisp on the outside and savory inside, and the yellow croaker soup with preserved vegetables was light and comforting. In the end, nothing settles a Chinese palate quite like Chinese food—a satisfying and soothing way to close the day.
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