Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Long Beach Opens Port Tour Reservations


A rare view of the Port of Long Beach’s operations, construction projects and environmental initiatives can be had this spring and summer during free, narrated harbor and train tours. Reservations opened online at 8 a.m. Mon., May 6.

The port’s seasonal train tours return Sat., June 1 and Sun., June 2 with multiple trips both days. The one-hour narrated rides offer guests a view of cargo-moving operations and the port’s rail network in areas that generally are off limits to the public. Trains play a crucial role in port operations; they move nearly 75 percent of imports shipped through Long Beach.

The 90-minute harbor tours – which will continue through October – give the public an opportunity to see the port by boat. Tours begin at 10 a.m. the first and third Saturdays of each month and at 2 p.m. the second Tuesday of each month.

Sunset tours, which offer a look at the lighted shipping terminals, begin at 7:30 p.m. the fourth Thursday of each month.

Reservations can be made online by going to www.polb.com/porttours.

Space is limited and seating goes fast, especially for the harbor tours. If space is available, click the “Register” button to make a reservation; if a tour is full, click “Join Waiting List” to be added to the waiting list. Those on standby will be notified if space becomes available.