Tiny Treasures, Long Walk: Long Beach, California
Posted by Jody on August 23, 2012
Today’s Featured Writer: Kristie McLin
While at a conference in Long Beach, California earlier this year, two friends and I took a walk down Long Beach one evening. The two friends were from Hungary, and it was their first time in California. It was a little chilly in southern California this April, but that did not stop us from dipping our toes in the Pacific Ocean. As we walked along the beach, we found tons of little tiny seashells all in a band along the coast.

Shells and beach glass make for a fun tiny treasure hunt on Long Beach, California (Photo: Kristie McLin)
I could not believe all the beautiful tiny things that we found, including beach glass, shells, tiny sand dollars, and an urchin!

Tiny treasures displayed in a small Chinese bowl. What kind of glass jar should I display them in? (Photo: Kristie McLin)
Right now I have them displayed in a bowl, but I am just waiting for the right glass jar to put them in.
The nearby houses were fun to look at and full of character. My friends really enjoyed looking at and taking pictures of all the different styles of houses and landscaping. Looking out into the ocean, you could see an artificial island built to tap the East Wilmington Oil Field.
According to Oxy.com (Occidental Petroleum Corporation): THUMS comprises four man-made islands in Long Beach Harbor, as well as onshore facilities. When Oxy acquired THUMS in 2000, it retained the name derived from the original consortium of operators: Texaco, Humble, Unocal, Mobil and Shell.
Under the terms of an agreement between THUMS, the city of Long Beach and the state of California, the THUMS islands were designed to blend in with the surrounding coastal environment. Drilling rigs and other above-ground equipment are camouflaged and sound-proofed, and wellheads and pipelines are located below the islands’ surface to enhance the appearance of the harbor and skyline.
All in all, Long Beach was a great place for a long walk and a tiny treasure hunt.
Jody said
Let’s see… I’d use a jar with few angles to display the cool beach treasures. *I don’t think I had ever heard of THUMS. It’s really interesting!* Thank you!
alainaflute said
Great finds! 😀
Greg said
Great beach finds! Cool facts.