Long Beach Itineraries for Your Wedding Guests
Weddings aren’t just the Big Day any more. There’s the build up before and the wind down after, and if your guests are treating a Long Beach wedding like a mini-vacation, we’re here to help with planning. Long Beach offers so many ways you can spend those days, as these itineraries prove. Tailored to your vibe or your particular corner of Long Beach, they offer beachfront biking, seaside brunch or kayaking picturesque canals. You can explore downtown art shops and drink in rooftop views, even pair museum mimosas with bluff top yoga. Does Long Beach have you and your wedding party covered? We do.
Active
You’re an energetic bunch, and Long Beach has plenty to keep you moving. Start at Shoreline Village and rent a bike, e-bike or surrey from Wheel Fun Rentals (429 Shoreline Village Dr). Cruise south along the city’s popular 3.1-mile beachfront bike path. Pause at Gaucho Beach Cafe (780 E Shoreline Dr) for brunch, coffee, juice or pastries, then continue to Junipero Beach sports courts for roller skating or hoops. When you arrive at Alamitos Bay, Kayaks on the Water (5411 E Ocean Blvd) will outfit you with kayaks or standing paddleboards to glide the bay and through the Naples canals. When done, refuel just steps away at Grill 'Em All (5411 E Ocean Blvd) and its delicious heavy metal mess of burgers and loaded fries. Ride back to Shoreline Village and stroll a few steps to Parkers' Lighthouse (435 Shoreline Village Dr) for sunset drinks and great seafood.
Classic
Begin a day of experiencing Long Beach icons with a hearty breakfast at downtown landmark The Breakfast Bar (70 Atlantic Ave), savoring comfort classics like Uncle Marcee’s Omelet Casserole. Fortified, your group can stroll along the waterfront and explore Shoreline Village and make the short stroll to the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way)–Southern California’s largest aquarium. Afterward, make the very short (less than two miles) drive or rideshare to the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy) where you can take a tour, enjoy a sunset cocktail in the Observation Bar and/or enjoy dinner aboard the historic ocean liner.
Downtown
Staying in Downtown Long Beach affords lots of possibilities. Begin with breakfast at Arize Bistro (306 Elm Ave), featuring a delicious combination of American, French and Thai cuisines. Stroll around the East Village Arts District, where you can check out cool boutiques and galleries or take classes in silversmithing at Hellbent Silversmith (433 E 1st St) or pottery at Clay on First (406 E 1st St). As sunset approaches, head to Fairmont Breakers (210 E Ocean Blvd) and enjoy a beverage at the spectacular Halo Rooftop Bar, for incomparable views of the ocean and city skyline. Afterward, think about dinner at the Breakers’ Nettuno or Sky Room, or make the short two-block walk to the Promenade and a slew of great places to eat and drink like The Ordinarie (210 The Promenade N) and ISM Brewing (210 E 3rd St).
Chill
Looking to take it easy before the big day or recover after it? Let’s start on the campus of Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 E Ocean Blvd), overlooking the Pacific, and have breakfast at Claire’s at the Museum. After enjoying the California-inspired dishes (and mimosas?) explore the museum’s collection. Just a block away on a scenic ocean bluff at Junipero Avenue and Ocean Boulevard join Yoga on the Bluff, held daily at 11 AM. After, wander/ride/drive up Cherry Avenue to Retro Row on 4th Street and have lunch at one of the many restaurants. Then, catch a movie at the historic Art Theatre (2025 E 4th St) and round out your day with a toast to the happy couple at natural wine bar Art du Vin (2027 E 4th St) next door to the theater.
Airport Area
If you’re staying by the wonderful Long Beach Airport, it’s a short–less than 10 minutes–drive to The Merchant (4121 Long Beach Blvd), one of the city’s most popular morning stops with pastries made and coffee roasted in house. Nearby, sprawling El Dorado Regional Park (7550 E Spring St) offers scads of possibilities. You can play 18 at El Dorado Golf Course (El Dorado Park West), take your kids to charming El Dorado Frontier (north of Wardlow Rd) or get a little closer to nature at the 105-acre El Dorado Nature Center (El Dorado East Regional Park). Whatever you choose, end the day at the excellent Bar Becky (3860 Worsham Ave), an Italian-American kitchen featuring focaccia and pasta made from scratch and an ever-evolving menu of comforting classics and chef-driven creations.
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