Long Beach Mardi Gras Festival

The Long Beach Mardi Gras Festivial and Parade is this Saturday (March 5) from 12:00 to 6:00 pm at Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach.

The parade starts at 3 pm at the Aquarium of the Pacific and rolls along the esplanade around the Harbor and ends at Shoreline Village.

Immediately following the parade, Shoreline Village will play host to the “Party Gras!” concert, featuring bands, a beer garden, Louisiana-inspired food, dance performances, a costume contest and lots and lots of beads!

For more information visit: http://lbmardigras.com/2011/

Love OC coastline? Here’s how to live it up!

So we all know that Orange County has amazing beaches. And we wouldn’t be Chapman students if we’ve never taken a trip over to the shore with a bunch of our friends. But most Chapman students haven’t seen everything that Orange County beaches have to offer. So, which beaches are the best and for what purpose? The Best4Last team researched the best beaches in Orange County and one travel blog had this to say:

• Best Orange County Beaches: Amusements: Balboa: A nice pier with a restaurant on the end and the nearby Balboa Fun Zone give plenty to do here.
  
• Best Orange County Beaches: Beach Volleyball: Huntington State: Lots of clean, soft sand and plenty of nets here.
  
• Best Orange County Beaches: Birdwatching: Bolsa Chica: Located just across the street from a major stop on the Pacific Flyway, this place is really “for the birds.”
  
• Best Orange County Beaches: Bonfires: Huntington State: A night bonfire on the beach is one of the best things to do in Orange County, and they’ve got plenty of places here to build your blaze.
  
• Best Orange County Beaches: People-Watching: Main Beach, Laguna Beach: This small beach in the middle of downtown Laguna attracts a variety of people, and on the weekends, you’ll find artists and musicians there, too.
• Best Orange County Beaches: Romantic: Main Beach: This small beach just off downtown Laguna Beach is popular with lovers for evening strolls.
• Best Orange County Beaches: Surfing: Huntington Pier: Huntington Beach is so proud of its surfing heritage that they’ve trademarked the name “Surf City, USA.” Serious local surfers do their stuff near the pier. They don’t tolerate interlopers well, and beginners are better off to head to Bolsa Chica Beach, where many local surf schools give lessons.
• Best Orange County Beaches: Relaxation : Newport Beach: When all you’re looking for is a chill time in the sun, reading a book, listening to music, or hanging out with some friends, there’s no place more relaxing than Newport Beach.

• Orange County Beaches to Bare it All: There are no nude beaches in Orange County County. Your nearest option is San Diego County’s San Onofre.

So there you have it! Follow the links to get more information about each beach!