Top 10 Fun Things to do in Long Beach
Long Beach is booming right now! It’s a hot place to both visit and live. Conveniently tucked away in the heart of Southern California less than 30 minutes from Los Angeles, Long Beach has something for everyone! It’s eclectic neighborhoods, award-winning restaurants, world-class attractions, multi-cultural art scene and laid-back beach vibe make Long Beach a perfect destination.
Part of what makes Long Beach so inviting is that it has the urban feel of a big city with the charm of a small town, all set along the Pacific Ocean. It is a city that prides itself on its diversity and its independence and it is welcoming to all.
Here is a quick guide to ten fun things to do in Long Beach to help you plan your trip:
THE QUEEN MARY
A visit to Long Beach is not complete without a stop on the legendary Queen Mary! Bigger than the Titanic, it brought in some of the 20th century’s most notable figures, including Winston Churchill and Clark Gable. Since her maiden voyage in 1936 to her last voyage in 1967, she has always been a site to see. This historic ocean liner is now a major tourist attraction for all to enjoy. Come aboard and experience a one-of-a-kind nautical overnight stay in an original First-Class Stateroom, dine in one of their 3 restaurants, sip a drink in the bar, do a little shopping and enjoy one of their informative tours. If you are lucky you may even encounter a ghostly experience on your stay! The Queen Mary also hosts many holiday events such as Dark Harbor on Halloween. You can find a link to their events page here: https://www.queenmary.com/events/signature-events/
THE AQUARIUM OF THE PACIFIC
Whether you are traveling with a family or by yourself, the Aquarium of the Pacific is a deep-sea adventure you don’t want to miss! With over 50 displays and over 12,000 species, it is the largest facility of its kind in Southern California. The Aquarium highlights the diversity of the Pacific Ocean. Discover sunny Southern California and Baja, the frigid waters of the Northern Pacific and the colorful reefs of the Tropical Pacific. Come face-to-face with the ocean’s fierce predators in the Shark Lagoon, hand-feed colorful lorikeet birds in the Lorikeet Forest and visit the sea otter and penguin habitats. The Aquarium of the Pacific is both an educational experience and a fun adventure for all!
THE LONG BEACH GRAND PRIX
Once a year the Long Beach Grand Prix takes over the streets of downtown Long Beach! You can feel the excitement building up to this event throughout the city. The Grand Prix is a 3-day weekend full of festivals, family fun zones, interactive displays, food trucks and of course world-class racing! More than 185,000 fans will see 5 thrilling racing events headlined by the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, the same cars and drivers that race in the Indianapolis 500 each year. The event also showcases historic racing cars, top sports cars and drifting. Check out all the entertainment on their website: https://gplb.com/entertainment/
NAPLES ISLAND CANALS
Visiting the Naples Canals feels like you have been transported to Venice, Italy. Venice, Italy was actually the inspiration for Naples’ master plan. Naples is a picturesque community of million-dollar homes and boardwalks built around an extensive canal system. It is the perfect place for a romantic adventure! Sit back and relax on a gondola from Gondola Getaway where you can sip a nice cold beverage and take in the idyllic scenery around you while a Gondolier guides you through the canals – you will forget you are in Southern California! Another truly unique way to explore the canals is on a Long Beach Waterbike (also known as a Hydrobike). If you love bike riding and being on the water, then why not ride a bike on the water! For one hour you peddle your bike through the Canals of Naples Island. They also offer an evening Glow Bike Ride which is a great opportunity to see the sunset over the ocean and the homes light up at night. An evening ride during the holiday season is a special experience as you can see all of Naples lit up in their holiday lights and decorations!
VISIT 2ND STREET
Located just minutes east of downtown Long Beach in the heart of Belmont Shore and Naples, 2nd Street is a 15-block shopping, dining and entertainment district with something for everyone. 2nd Street features unique restaurants, boutiques and specialty shops as well as a diverse nightlife. This area has become a premiere destination during the day and at night!
VISIT RETRO ROW ON 4TH STREET
If your day needs a fun funky flair, Retro Row on 4th Street is the place to go! Diversity and independence make up this community that is home to over 100 unique independently owned stores - the more diverse the better! Shop through vintage & contemporary clothing stores, art galleries, antique & collectible stores, bookstores, locally owned restaurants, coffee shops and wine bars. Kitchy, hip and hospitable is the norm here!
THE ART THEATER AND ART DU VIN
While at 4th street, finish out your day checking out a show at the historic Art Theater then grabbing a nice glass of wine at Art du Vin next door. The Art Theater is a restored theater from the 1920’s that hosts first-run and art films, live concert, comedy and many other unique events.
TAKE A BIKE RIDE THROUGH THE CITY
Long Beach is very bike friendly! It is rated as one of the Top 25 Best Bike Cities in America by Bicycling Magazine. With over 100 miles of bike routes, a scenic beachfront bike path and the innovative Long Beach Bike Share, Long Beach makes it easy to explore this urban oasis. They even have a Long Beach Bike Map to help guide you around.
ROSIE’S DOG BEACH
If you have a furry friend or fur baby, Rosie’s Dog Beach is a must! Rosie’s is an unofficial dog beach located alongside Ocean Boulevard between Argonne and Roycroft Avenues. There are no fences, but dogs can play off leash and run into the ocean between 6am and 8pm every day. Might as well pack a cooler and beach blanket for yourself too! A stop at Rosie’s Dog Beach makes for a great day of fun and relaxation for both you and your pup!
CATALINA ISLAND
Take a day trip or an overnight excursion to this picturesque island that sits just an hour away from Long Beach from a ferry that leaves right out of Long Beach. Roam around the charming town of Avalon with its quaint shops and activities or explore the rustic village of Twin Harbors with its beautiful beaches and campgrounds. There are many activities here to keep you busy or even better you can get some great R & R. If you are lucky you may even spot one of the few remaining island buffalos! The Catalina Express runs up to 30 departures daily year-round to and from the island.
Whether you are visiting for business, vacation or laying down roots here, you will always find something unconventional to do in Long Beach. Looking for a place to live or work? Contact us for our latest Long Beach listings.