After a day filled with cooking and lots of eating on Thanksgiving, I made a conscientious decision not to participate in the chaos of Black Friday — burying my head in my phone or computer or in giant malls looking for deals. This year, I made sure to get outside and enjoy Los Angeles’ 70-degree weather and explore the neighborhood. I was born and raised in Los Angeles and, for some reason, have never made it to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. So we headed out for a day of walking off candied yams to try something new.

Aquarium of the Pacific has become a busy tourist area with sister attractions including the Queen Mary; it’s also a major port for cruises on the West Coast.

Celebrating 20 years, the AOP has indoor exhibits with sea creatures from around the world and outdoor pools to touch stingrays and even sharks. It was busy, but I was able to take my time at my must-see animals like sea horses (did you know they wrap their tails around plants before they fall asleep so they don’t get swept away in the current?!); clown dish (hello, Nemo!); and my newfound favorite, leafy sea dragon.

After a few hours, we took a stroll to the small village for some coffee and a good old caramel apple.

It was a perfect day to explore the city and go beyond the hype of Black Friday.

— Carly Allen, executive vice president