Tips for a Belmont Shore Staycation

Summer is great, we all know - long, lazy days at the beach just drip with a half-delirious sweat of relaxed immobility. Ah, it's the best, that is, until that happy comfort turns into boredom. With gas prices still high and a beautiful coast right here, there's plenty to do around town if you just know where to look. We've compiled a list of some activities to keep you moving during the peak summer months.

Lasting all through Labor Day, 100 Days of Summer offers a searchable database and ideas for every day, including special events, classes, camps and simply places to hang out outside. From nature hikes to live music to movies in the park, there's something for every family member that's sure to beat hours in front of the television.

Today:

If you're not barbecuing or hung over from National Donut Day, why not try a little disc golf? Whoever remembers about the underrated sport of disc golf? Maybe today's the day to gather a gaggle of friends or family and get outside to El Dorado Park West. Try your hand at this 18-hole course, open every day from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. and always free.

• For the documentary lover, there's a free screening of Welcome to Shelbyville,  a film that asks the question, what does it mean to be American? Told through the eyes of immigrants in Tennessee, it captures the struggle of locating an identity in a foreign land. It will be held at Long Beach Main Library.

Festivals and Events:  

1. June 4 and 5: Experience a bit of the Pacific Islands with hula dance, Tahitian drumming, island cuisine and more at the Aquarium of the Pacific's Pacific Islander Festival.July 2 and 3: Pirates invade Belmont Pier - dress up and watch some old mateys sword fight, parade around and recreate the looting days. Admission is free.
2. July 10: The Center Theatre on Ocean is hosting the 2011 Homeland Dance Fest, featuring performances by various local dance groups. Admission is free.
3. July 16 and 17: Summer isn't complete without an Ultimate Beach Party. Food, drinks, music, fun all in one spot.
4. July 26: Love to get your hands dirty? Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site is hosting Mud Mania day, where you can build adobe bricks, plaster a wall with mud, relay race and more to some sweet bluegrass tunes.
5. July 30 and 31: The 17th annual Crawfish Festival will have so many good types of food celebrating the taste of the bayou. Feast all day!
6. July 30 and 31: The Dragon Boat Festival will feature more than 60 racing boats, and a festival full of Chinese flair, including a dragon dance, traditional art, food and acrobats.
7. For adult beer-lovers, August 20: Taste of Brews follows a summer theme, offering lots of local flavors with ocean breezes and surf bands.
8. August 20 and 21: Enjoy live music and Hawai'ian dance, food and fun, island style at the Tiki Festival.

Ongoing Events:

1. The oldest continuously played Municipal Band of Long Beach has an eventful summer season, including the 100 Year Anniversary of the Port of Long Beach, many Thursday nights in the Shore's Marine Vista Park and Friday nights at El Dorado Park.
   
   
2. Movies in the park are happening all summer. Blankets, beach chairs and popcorn turn a regular movie into a cozy outdoor experience. Check here for listings and locations.
   
   
3. "Moonlight Movies on the Beach" add sand and sea to the equation, and happen every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. Check here for showings.
   
   
4. Concerts in the Park offer different styles of music all through summer, like Soul, R&B, Classic Rock and a Journey Tribute Band. Check back in June here for a full listing of events.
   
   
5. Bazaars are alive in Long Beach! The Artisan Craft Fair at the El Dorado Nature Center is a place to showcase handmade crafts or peruse others' artistic visions. It is held every Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through September 9th. So get those beads out from the closet and get to crafting. Or, pick up a new hobby like knitting or crochet with a summer class.
   
   
6. Lunch truck it! If you haven't already dived into the craze that has hit L.A. in the form of eclectic mobile food, visit Coronado and Anaheim on Wednesdays to get your piece of the pie.
   
   
7. Thursdays are free at the Long Beach Museum of Art from 5 - 8 p.m. so stop by to see some great local artists.
   
   
8. El Dorado Nature Center offers Family Nightlife Walks and more for the whole family to discover the mysteries of nature, with themes like "Sounds of the Night," "The Nose Knows" and "A Bug's Night Out."
   
   
9. First Fridays Art Walk is a monthly event in Bixby Knolls along Atlantic, where local businesses stay open later to showcase some of the best local artists and musicians. It's a partnership full of food, special deals and all styles of live music.
   
   
10. Second Saturdays Art Walk is the same sort of fun in the East Village Arts District, featuring local bands, street performers and lots of food, people, costumes and special events.
    
    
11. Find a farmer's market every day of the week here. Enjoy a relaxing stroll around local growers' booths full of fresh and seasonal fruits, vegetables and hand packaged treats.

For teens:

• Teen Centers all over the city will get you away from the TV and into hanging out with friends with games, field trips and more. Find the one closest to you here.
• Week-long day camps might be the perfect introduction for aspiring Top Chefs, fasion designers or magicians. Sport camps also offered. Find your match here.
• Keep your muscles tuned and your reflexes quick while building relationships with a team - join a sports league. Also for adults.
• Or if you love sports but can't commit to a team, just grab a friend and hit the local tennis court, volleyball court, skate park, basketball court or bike path.

Classes:

This summer might be the perfect time to pick up that old guitar again, hone your singing voice, learn to sew or cook or try out a few new dance steps. Find something to give your other hobbies company here.

Volunteer:

If you've got free time on your hands and want to use it doing some good for others, check out these websites for ideas about volunteer opportunities:

• City of Long Beach
• We Love Long Beach

Other active websites to check for events:

• Long Beach Sea Festival
• Alfredo's Beach Club
• Long Beach Cinematheque
• Art Theatre of Long Beach
• Long Beach Playhouse
• International City Theater
• Long Beach Convention Center
• Fingerprints Music
• {open} bookstore
• Viento Y Agua Coffeehouse
• Long Beach Party Project (for local live music)