Long Beach has The Aquarium of the Pacific, nearby there's Cabrillo, and the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History (1 1/2 hours drive North) has both a preserved moroteuthis and a really great architeuthis model!
As for eats, check-out Nova Express Cafe on Fairfax two blocks North of Beverly Blvd (across the street from Canter's Deli). Cthulhu resides there some of the time, and is featured on their t-shirts!