Embark on a fun time at the boat show. PHOTO COURTESY NATIONAL MARINE MANUFACTURERS ASSOCIATION
February brings with it a pair of Los Angeles events designed to get your mind dreaming of family adventures.
The Progressive Insurance Los Angeles Boat Show returns with its unique two-location format. The Boat Show will fill three halls at the L.A. Convention Center (1201 S. Figueroa St.) while also docking at Burton W. Chace Park (13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey). It offers two great ways to see what’s new in watercrafts, and this year includes the new SailFest happening at Chace Park.
Besides its bounty of boats, this aquatic spectacular includes a number of family-friendly activities. At the Convention Center, you can check out scuba diving, kayaking and paddleboarding at “Try It Cove.” Children can visit the Kids Zone, which will have remote-control sailboat races, toy boat building and other water-themed activities.
Show hours at the Convention Center are noon-9 p.m. Feb. 19-20, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Feb. 21 and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Feb. 22. Activities at Chace Park take place from noon-5 p.m. Feb. 19-20 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 21-22. Tickets are $12 for adults, while children 15 and younger get in free with an accompanying adult. For more information, visit www.laboatshow.com.
If you’d like to have adventures on land as well, visit the L.A. Travel & Adventure Show at the Long Beach Convention Center (300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach). The nation’s largest travel show, the event will include more than 450 exhibitors representing vacation destinations near and far. It boasts an impressive lineup of scheduled expert speakers, including the Travel Channel’s Samantha Brown and Josh Gates, travel guru Rick Steves and Pauline Frommer of Frommer Guide fame.
Families can explore a number of hands-on activities, learning to operate a Segway, taking a spin in a big Bubble Roller Land Orb or diving into the Scuba Pool.
The L.A. Travel & Adventure Show happens from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 21-22. Purchase tickets in advance and pay $11 for one day or $17 for two days (use promo code LAPR). Cost is $16 for one day and $25 for two days (cash only) at the door. Learn more at www.latravelshow.com.
