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Fun Things to do in Long Beach
California
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city guide
It's rich in arts, culture and music, and there are plenty of unique festivals held there all year long to keep you coming back. It has its own unique vibe. Long Beach seems to welcome people from all walks of life, and it's home to a diverse LGBT scene, rockabilly fans and comic book nerds.
Best time to go
The best time to visit Long Beach is between May and September because the weather is warm and the summer tourists are nowhere to be found. That being said, there is never a truly bad time to visit: Long Beach's temperate climate makes it a great year-round destination.
Fun city facts and activities
- The city is known for its waterfront attractions, including the permanently docked RMS Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific. Long Beach also hosts the Grand Prix of Long Beach, an IndyCar race and the Long Beach Pride Festival and Parade.
Neighborhoods to explore
- Belmont Shores
Naples
The Waterfront
East Village Arts District
Bixby Knolls
Lakewood Village
Alamitos Heights
Restaurants
Food Specialties
- The Maharani at Appu's Cafe.
Chinitos tacos garnished with pickled red onions.
Tonkotsu Ramen with HiroNori original thick noodle.
Handmade cocktails at Naree Thai.
Rasselbock Schnitzel with spaetzle & cucumber dill salad.
Long Beach Offbeat activities
Free or cheap things to do
1. Take a Tour of the Queen Mary: Take a self-guided tour of this historic ocean liner and explore its many exhibits.
2. Visit The Long Beach Museum of Art: The Long Beach Museum of Art is a great place to explore the visual arts, featuring permanent and changing exhibitions, public programs and more.
3. Explore The Aquarium of the Pacific: Home to over 11,000 sea animals, this aquarium is a great place to explore the ocean, learn about conservation and more.
4. Get Outside at El Dorado Regional Park: This large regional park offers plenty of outdoor activities, from biking to fishing.
5. Take a Segway Tour of Long Beach: Glide around the city on a Segway and explore the sights with a knowledgeable guide.
6. Visit the Long Beach Comic Con: This popular comic event is a great way to meet comic book fans and explore the latest comics, movies and more.
Fun things to do in with kids
Free or cheap things to do
1. DISCOVER THE PACIFIC OCEAN AT THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
Take a journey of discovery through the world's largest ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Meet more than 11,000 animals in over 50 exhibits as you explore sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the Northern Pacific and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific.
2. KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR WHALES & DOLPHINS ON A HARBOR BREEZE CRUISE
Southern California's premier whale watching and harbor tour company invites you on an excursion that thousands of happy guests from all throughout the world have experienced.
3. GET OUTSIDE & EXPLORE OUR COAST FROM THE BIKE PATH
With sunny skies and miles of diverse terrain, Long Beach is an ideal place to bicycle. Safe and convenient facilities across the City make cycling fun for families, professional cyclists, and weekend cruisers alike.
4. SHOP & DINE AT OUR WATERFRONT SHORELINE VILLAGE
Shoreline Village is a waterfront shopping, dining, and entertainment center that overlooks Long Beach's beautiful Rainbow Harbor. The Village welcomes visitors with a relaxed atmosphere and full complement of things to see and do.
5. LEARN ABOUT LONG BEACH HISTORY AT RANCHO LOS ALAMITOS
Rancho Los Alamitos is a fascinating place to explore and learn more about the history of the Southern California and Long Beach region. The site features a charming authentic adobe house, a museum, a historic barn, and four acres of lush gardens. Admission to the site is free, and tours are offered every 30 minutes.
City data and FAQ
What is Long Beach known for?
Is Long Beach worth visiting?
Depends on what you relooking for! There is a nice shopping area right along the coast.Theres a great Tequila Bar in the center which opens to the port the spring there is theLOng Beach Gran Prix which is exciting and fun to watch. Good beach but crowed! Its your choice!
Ron Myers Lives in Los Angeles (2022 Present)
Three things immediately come to mind, but there are many more events and places to see. First the annual Acura Grand Prix motor race that is annually stage in a track that runs through downtown Long Beach. Next is the historic Passenger Ship the Queen Mary that has been made into a hotel and also has daily tours. Then, also is the Port of Long Beach connected to the Port of Los Angeles is the busiest port on the west coast of the USA with an annual volume of cargo of around 9,000,000 each year.
Mel Sever - Lives in Butte County, CA
Are two days enough to visit Long Beach?
Not really imo because there are just too many things to see, so many places to go, so much beach to stroll along, and so many little shops to wander into and out of. You can do it, but youll be exhausted by the end of 2 days. Why not take a week and enjoy places on and off the beach, in and out of the malls, down a little street over there and up that way there a little.
Greg Ellis - Lives in Tulsa, OK (2021 Present)
Is Long Beach Worth visiting?
I loved Long Beach. I had an aunt who had a place about 8 blocks from the beach and I could literally walk from the house to the beach and did every day I was there. It was a great way for a little kid of about 14 spend his day. I still cant swim, but walking in the ocean along the beach was fun as was sitting on the beach and watching the ocean roll ashore.
Greg Ellis - Lives in Tulsa, OK
