What To Do In Long Beach: Your Ultimate Guide To Sun, Sand, And City Adventures
What to do in Long Beach? If you’re picturing just another Southern California beach town, prepare for a delightful surprise. This vibrant coastal city is a dynamic tapestry where sun-drenched shores meet a thriving urban core, where historic maritime grandeur sits alongside cutting-edge arts and a globally influenced food scene. Long Beach isn’t a one-note destination; it’s a multi-chapter adventure waiting to be explored. Whether you’re seeking a classic beach day, a deep dive into maritime history, immersive cultural experiences, or family-friendly fun, this guide will unlock the very best of what to do in Long Beach, transforming your visit from ordinary to unforgettable.
Soak Up the Sun at Long Beach's Iconic Shorelines
Long Beach’s coastline is its beating heart, offering a diverse array of beach experiences far beyond the standard sunbathing setup. The city’s beaches are known for their wide, sandy expanses, gentle waves, and a famously energetic, inclusive vibe that draws locals and tourists alike.
Belmont Shore & Naples: Two Distinct Coastal Personalities
Belmont Shore is the city’s lively, walkable beach hub. Stretching along Ocean Boulevard, this two-mile stretch is packed with activity. You’ll find a classic pier with a seasonal ferris wheel, volleyball courts humming with energy, and a parade of colorful beach houses. The bike path here is legendary, connecting seamlessly to the adjacent Belmont Heights. After a swim, you can easily pop into one of the many casual cafes, ice cream shops, or bars with patios overlooking the sand. It’s the perfect spot for people-watching with a smoothie in hand.
Just a short walk or bike ride east lies Naples, a uniquely picturesque neighborhood built on islands in the Alamitos Bay. Its canals lined with Mediterranean-style homes and footbridges feel like a slice of Venice, California. Rent a kayak or a pedal boat to glide through these serene waterways—it’s one of the most charming and photogenic activities in all of Long Beach. The vibe here is quieter, more residential, and utterly enchanting.
Junipero Avenue & Rosie the Riveter Park: History and Relaxation
For a more relaxed, local’s experience, head to the beach near Junipero Avenue. This spot is favored for its excellent surf break (especially for beginners), clean sand, and slightly less crowded feel. Nearby, Rosie the Riveter Park offers a poignant tribute to the women who built ships at the Long Beach shipyards during WWII. It’s a peaceful, green space with ocean views, perfect for a reflective picnic.
Pro Tip: Long Beach beaches are famously wide, meaning even on busy summer weekends, you can usually find a patch of sand. However, parking fills up fast, especially on weekends. Arrive by 10 a.m. or utilize the Passport shuttle that runs along the shore during summer for easy, eco-friendly access.
Explore the Waterfront: More Than Just a Beach
Long Beach’s identity is inextricably linked to its massive, working port and the magnificent Queen Mary, but the waterfront offers layers of discovery.
The Queen Mary: A Floating Museum of Art Deco Grandeur
Docking permanently in Long Beach Harbor, the RMS Queen Mary is not just a hotel or a tourist attraction; it’s a National Historic Landmark and a time capsule of 1930s transatlantic travel. This massive Art Deco ocean liner, which once carried celebrities and dignitaries, now offers self-guided and guided tours that delve into its glorious history, its secret wartime service as a troopship (dubbed the "Grey Ghost"), and its paranormal lore—it’s considered one of America’s most haunted places. Even if you don’t stay overnight (though the hotel rooms are a unique experience), a visit to the ship’s museum, the engine room, and the historic saloons is non-negotiable for any visitor. The surrounding Waterfront Park, with its interactive fountains and grassy lawns, provides a stunning backdrop for photos and relaxation.
Shoreline Village & Aquarium of the Pacific: Family Fun by the Harbor
Adjacent to the Queen Mary, Shoreline Village is a whimsical, New England-style waterfront marketplace. Its colorful boardwalk, historic carousel (dating to 1904!), and array of souvenir shops, seafood restaurants, and candy stores have a nostalgic, carnival-like feel. It’s the perfect place for a leisurely stroll, an ice cream cone, or grabbing fresh fish tacos.
Right next door, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a world-class institution and a cornerstone of what to do in Long Beach for families. Home to over 11,000 animals representing the Pacific Ocean’s diverse ecosystems, its highlights include the massive June Keyes Penguin Habitat, the eerie Jellies Experience, and the breathtaking Outer Bay habitat with its giant sea turtles and schooling fish. The aquarium is deeply involved in conservation, and a visit here is both entertaining and educational.
Port of Long Beach & Catalina Express: Working Waterfront & Island Gateway
For a dose of raw maritime power, visit the Port of Long Beach. One of the busiest ports in the world, you can take a port tour (offered seasonally) to witness colossal container ships, cranes that look like dinosaurs, and the sheer scale of global trade. It’s a humbling and fascinating perspective on the city’s economic engine.
The same harbor is your gateway to Catalina Island. The Catalina Express high-speed ferry departs regularly from the Long Beach Terminal, whisking you to Avalon or Two Harbors in about an hour. This makes Long Beach the perfect launchpad for a day trip to explore Catalina’s crystal-clear waters, hiking trails, and charming town.
Dive into Arts, Culture, and History
Beyond the beach and harbor, Long Beach pulses with creative energy and a rich, layered history.
The Museum Trail & Downtown Arts District
Long Beach is a museum town, and many cluster along a "museum trail" in the East Village area. Start with the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), the only museum in the U.S. dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art. Then, visit the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM), a hidden gem showcasing the diverse cultures of the Pacific Islands. History buffs must see the Long Beach Museum of Art, housed in a stunning oceanside estate with a focus on California art, and the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, a serene 1.3-acre oasis on the CSULB campus.
The Downtown Long Beach and East Village Arts District are where the city’s creative soul shines. You’ll find mural-covered walls, independent galleries like the Long Beach Art Gallery, and the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music hosting performances. First Friday Artwalks are a monthly highlight, turning the streets into an open-air festival of art, music, and community.
Historic Bungalows & The Pike Outlets: Architecture and Retail Therapy
Take a self-guided walking tour of the Belmont Heights and Bluff Park neighborhoods to admire an incredible collection of preserved Craftsman bungalows and Spanish Revival homes from the early 1900s. These neighborhoods offer a peaceful, picturesque contrast to the bustling downtown.
For a modern twist, The Pike Outlets (built on the site of the historic Pike amusement zone) combines retail therapy with oceanfront dining and entertainment. It’s a sleek, open-air complex where you can shop, catch a movie, and enjoy views of the harbor and Queen Mary.
Savor Long Beach's Incredibly Diverse Food Scene
Long Beach’s culinary landscape is a direct reflection of its deeply diverse population and port-city heritage. You can literally eat your way around the world without leaving the city limits.
Cambodian Town: A National Culinary Destination
Long Beach is home to the largest Cambodian community outside of Southeast Asia, and the area known as Cambrian Town (along Anaheim Street) is a food mecca. Here, you’ll find authentic, no-frills eateries serving amok (steamed fish curry), loc lac (marinated beef), and the best nom banh chok (Khmer noodle soup) in America. It’s a profound cultural and culinary experience.
Portuguese, Mexican, and Craft Brews
The Bixby Knolls and California Heights neighborhoods are famous for their Portuguese restaurants, a legacy of early 20th-century settlers from the Azores. Feast on bacalhau (salt cod), grilled sardines, and pastéis de nata (egg tarts). Of course, being in Southern California, authentic Mexican food is abundant—from legendary taquerias with $2 tacos to upscale molcajetes (stone bowls).
Long Beach also has a thriving craft beer scene. Breweries like Liberty Brewery, Beachwood BBQ & Brewery (a local institution), and Strother’s offer unique, locally-loved pints, often with a focus on experimental IPAs and barrel-aged stouts. Many have fantastic food menus and lively patios.
Iconic Eats & Food Halls
Don’t miss the Long Beach Farmers Market (Fridays in Downtown), one of the largest in the state, for fresh local produce and gourmet food trucks. For a curated experience, The Hangar at the Long Beach Airport (now a food hall with aviation-themed vendors) and The Bistro at the Long Beach Museum of Art offer stunning views paired with excellent cuisine.
Experience Unforgettable Events and Nightlife
Long Beach’s event calendar is packed year-round, and its nightlife is as varied as its daytime offerings.
Grand Prix, Pride, and the Long Beach Grand Prix
The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is the city’s signature spring event. For a weekend, downtown streets transform into a roaring temporary racetrack for IndyCar series cars, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators. The festival atmosphere includes concerts, vendor villages, and the chance to see world-class drivers up close. It’s a spectacular, high-octane spectacle.
Long Beach Pride is one of the largest and longest-running Pride festivals in the U.S., celebrating the city’s vibrant LGBTQ+ community with a colorful parade, massive festival in Shoreline Park, and nightlife events that draw national attention. The energy is electric and deeply inclusive.
Music, Comedy, and Waterfront Nightlife
The Long Beach Arena and Terrace Theater host major touring acts, while smaller venues like The Queen Mary’s Spruce Goose and Alex’s Bar are legendary for punk, rock, and indie shows. For comedy, The Laugh Factory and The Comedy & Magic Club (where Jay Leno still performs weekly) are top-tier.
Nightlife clusters in Downtown (rooftop bars, cocktail lounges), 4th Street (a quirky, eclectic strip of bars and live music spots), and the Waterfront (casual bars with harbor views). The nightlife scene is unpretentious, diverse, and welcoming.
Family-Friendly Fun Beyond the Beach
Long Beach is exceptionally family-oriented, with attractions that engage kids (and parents) for hours.
The Children’s Museum & El Dorado Park
The Children’s Museum of Long Beach is a hands-on wonderland with interactive exhibits on science, art, and culture, all designed for play-based learning. It’s a lifesaver on a rare cloudy day or when kids need a break from the sun.
El Dorado Park is a massive, 640-acre urban oasis. It features **two lakes for paddle boating, a stunning rose garden, a zoo (the El Dorado Park Zoo, small but free), multiple playgrounds, and the historic Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on its edge. It’s perfect for a full day of picnicking, biking, and exploring.
Rancho Los Alamitos & The Long Beach Public Library
Rancho Los Alamitos is a historic ranch and gardens that tell the story of Long Beach from the Tongva people through the Spanish, Mexican, and American periods. The adobe ranch house and gardens are beautiful, and they offer excellent family programs and tours that make history tangible.
The Long Beach Public Library system, particularly the Main Library with its iconic architecture, offers fantastic summer reading programs, story times, and teen events. It’s a wonderful, free resource for families.
Day Trips and Nearby Gems
Long Beach’s central location makes it an ideal base for exploring greater Southern California.
Huntington Beach, Seal Beach, and the OC Coast
A 15-minute drive south lands you in Huntington Beach, the official "Surf City USA." Its pier, vibrant downtown, and consistent waves offer a different, more classic surf-town vibe. A few miles further south, Seal Beach is a charming, quieter beach town with a lovely pier and a historic main street (Main Street) perfect for a relaxed stroll and coffee.
Los Angeles & Disneyland: Close but Different Worlds
Downtown Los Angeles is only a 25-30 minute drive (or accessible via the A Line train), offering world-class museums (The Broad, Getty Center), Grand Central Market, and the historic Arts District. Conversely, Disneyland and Knott’s Berry Farm are about a 20-25 minute drive southeast, making Long Beach a fantastic, more affordable and less theme-park-crowded home base for an SoCal family vacation that includes the parks.
Practical Tips for Your Long Beach Adventure
To make the most of your visit, keep these key points in mind:
- Getting Around: Long Beach is very bike-friendly, with extensive bike paths along the shore and through neighborhoods. The Passport shuttle is a free, convenient way to traverse the beach area in summer. For longer trips to LA or Disneyland, the A Line (Blue Line) Metro train connects directly from Downtown Long Beach to Union Station in LA.
- Best Time to Visit:May through October offers the most reliably warm, sunny weather for beach activities. However, spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) often provide ideal temperatures with fewer crowds. The Grand Prix (April) and Pride (May/June) are huge, book accommodations far in advance.
- Neighborhood Vibe: Choose your lodging based on your desired experience. Downtown/Waterfront for convenience and nightlife. Belmont Shore/Naples for a classic beach town feel. Bixby Knolls/California Heights for a quieter, residential vibe with amazing food.
- Parking: Beach parking can be challenging and expensive on summer weekends. Street parking in adjacent neighborhoods (respect signs!) or using paid lots is your best bet. The Passport shuttle is highly recommended to avoid the hassle.
Conclusion: Why Long Beach Captivates
So, what do you do in Long Beach? The real answer is: everything. You master the art of the perfect beach day on its wide shores. You stand in awe beneath the towering cranes of a global port. You wander through canals in a neighborhood that feels worlds away. You taste the authentic flavors of Cambodia, Portugal, and Mexico on a single street. You cheer at a Grand Prix, dance at Pride, and find peace in a Japanese garden. Long Beach defies simple categorization. It’s a place of authentic contrasts and joyful collisions—where a historic ocean liner shares a harbor with sea lions, where a bustling port neighbors a serene bike path, and where a global community creates a culture uniquely its own. It’s not just a stop on a Southern California tour; it’s a destination with its own compelling, multifaceted story. Come with an open mind, a hungry stomach, and a sense of adventure. Long Beach isn’t just something you do—it’s an experience you feel, leaving you with the distinct impression that you’ve discovered a city that truly has it all.
