Beached Whale in San Pedro

Usually, Cabrillo Beach is just one out a gazillion beautiful beaches in California on the Pacific Coast. Also, a beached whale wouldn't normally be an occasion for joy and celebration. But this weekend it was. Because this beached whale is built of sand, made by a huge crowd all working together. We're in San Pedro for the Whale Fiesta which begins later today.

We arrived in San Pedro yesterday afternoon, with plans to spend the weekend lazing on Cabrillo Beach and checking out the attractions in San Pedro. We've already been to the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, the Los Angeles Maritime Museum and visited the USS Lane Victory. Sunday is entirely reserved for the beach and the whale fiesta. Don't really have the time to 'do' Los Angeles.

We're staying at the Doubletree Hotel. I don't usually like chain hotels, but apparently the hotels in San Pedro are of a different breed, chain or not. The suite was decent enough - plenty spacious and nice big bed, equipped with everything you could possibly need, including a coffee maker, ironing board, iron, microwave, refrigerator, and dining room table big enough for six. The bath, which has doors from both the bedroom and living room, has a shower tub combo with a bow shower rod. And of course, there's high speed internet.

But what I liked best was the huge window. Bigger than any hotel window I've ever seen, spanning one entire side of the room, from top to bottom. And splendid view of the Marina. The staff was plenty friendly too, and the only blemish was that the pool was closed. But when you're there primnarily to enjoy the wide open Pacific and the beach, it sounds stupid to complain about a pool.

We'll soon be heading down to the beach for the whale fiesta, and we'll be there well into the late afternoon. There's going to be a duct tape whale sculpture contest, games, arts and crafts, puppet shows, talks by whale experts, food stalls and music. Whale of a time, to be sure. I'll update later tonight, or maybe tomorrow.