Summary
Often overlooked as a tourist destination, Long Beach offers a central location for exploring other parts of the Los Angeles area. It’s close to major freeways and also has some nice attractions of its own. You can plan your Long Beach day trip or weekend getaway using the resources below.
Best Time to Go to Long Beach
Like most California coastal places, Long Beach enjoys its best weather in spring and fall. During summer, the all-day, onshore marine layer that locals call “June Gloom” can keep your days gray and misty. However, you’ll see less of that here than in other Los Angeles beach towns.
Things to Do in Long Beach
According to readers, the Aquarium of the Pacific is California’s best. As Southern California’s largest aquarium, it focuses on the Pacific shore of North America and the tropical South Pacific. It’s a fun, educational experience for kids of all ages and adults, featuring several interactive exhibits and touching pools. For an extra fee, you can enjoy special animal interaction experiences and behind-the-scenes tours.
The Queen Mary is also a well-known Long Beach attraction. While some visitors still enjoy it, the overall visitor experience has declined. It may be worth a visit if you have a specific interest. However, it is probably not something young children will find captivating.
Other notable attractions include:
- Art Walk: The East Village Arts District (bounded by Ocean Blvd, Long Beach Blvd, 6th St. and Alamitos Ave.) features galleries, art walks, free events, and a First Fridays street fair. We also recommend the Museum of Latin American Art, a contemporary art museum showcasing works since 1945 that reflect the culture of Latin America.
- Shopping: Explore interesting local shops and boutiques in Belmont Shore or browse for vintage clothing and furnishings on 4th Street’s Retro Row. The third Sunday of every month features the Long Beach Antiques and Collectible Market, one of the area’s best.
- Naples Gondola Ride: Experience a serene ride through charming canals, especially beautiful at sunset. It’s a popular suggestion for memorable moments.
- Nightlife: Long Beach is a vibrant nightlife hub with numerous clubs and performance venues. For a drink with a view, check out the Sky Room at The Breakers or the Observation Bar at the Queen Mary, which offers outdoor dining and coastal views.
- Explore: Consider renting a Segway at Long Beach Segway Tours. Alternatively, you can rent an electric Duffy Boat from London Boat Rentals to cruise the Naples canals.
Annual Events
There always seems to be something happening in Long Beach. Below are some major events that require planning, though there are many more offered throughout the year.
- April: Toyota Grand Prix car race.
- May: Gay Pride Parade.
- Summer: Attend various summer concerts throughout the season.
- December: The Belmont Shore Christmas Parade occurs the first weekend in December, followed by the Naples Boat Parade the next weekend.
Tips for Visiting Long Beach
- Long Beach is quite busy during the annual Toyota Grand Prix in April. Therefore, plan ahead if you aim to attend, or consider visiting at another time.
- If you need assistance while downtown, look for a Downtown Guide in a red jacket for help.
- Take advantage of Long Beach Transit’s free shuttle bus around popular destinations like the Aquarium or the Queen Mary. You can easily find stops via Google Maps; look for the word “Passport” in the route description.
Where to Stay
Our top recommendation for accommodation in Long Beach is the Varden Hotel, a boutique hotel known for its exceptional customer service. Another great option is Hotel Maya. This hotel blends Southern California culture with Latin American influence, though its location across the water from downtown may be less convenient.
Getting to Long Beach and Getting Around
Long Beach is centrally located on the Los Angeles metro coast. For those in LA, consider using the Metro instead of the freeway. Long Beach is 106 miles from San Diego, 137 miles from Bakersfield, and 244 miles from Fresno.
The nearest airport to Long Beach is the Long Beach Airport (LGB).
If you stay downtown, you can leave your vehicle behind. The city offers various transportation options to get to the attractions mentioned above. Passport buses provide free rides within downtown, and are very affordable for travel beyond. You can also take the Aquabus to reach popular spots like the Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, Shoreline Village, and Pine Avenue Circle, while the Aqualink services Alamitos Bay and Naples.
