Things to Do

Long Beach is a waterfront playground located right in the heart of Southern California.

Here you can experience it all: a deep-sea adventure at the Aquarium of the Pacific, whale watching on the water, shopping in one of the city’s many unique districts, a tour of coastal breweries, a vibrant foodie scene, and so much more. Our Long Beach Days & Getaways are themed itineraries by local experts, crafted for different interests – dive in and explore!

DISCOVER TOP ATTRACTIONS

Aquarium of the Pacific

Located in Long Beach's Rainbow Harbor, the Aquarium of the Pacific is the largest aquarium in California, spanning over 360,000 square feet of space. It's a must-visit family-friendly attraction and features over 100 exhibits including a variety of habitats, theaters, and animal shows.

The Queen Mary

Travel back in time on the Queen Mary, a nearly one-century-old ocean liner that has been transformed into a top attraction in Long Beach. Visitors can explore the ship's storied halls and learn about its nearly 100-year history through scheduled tours and onboard exhibits.

Museum of Latin American Art

The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) serves the greater Los Angeles area and is recognized as the pioneering museum in the Western United States devoted to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latinx art.

Long Beach Museum of Art

In addition to contemporary art exhibitions, the Museum offers extensive educational programs for children and adults, musical programs, festivals, and other special events.

The Battleship IOWA Museum

Walk the wood decks and see areas such as the 16” guns, 5” guns, missile decks, bridge, mess areas, and the world famous Captain’s Cabin - with the only bathtub installed on a battleship for a President.

RANCHO LOS CERRITOS HISTORIC SITE

The Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site, is a public museum open for tours, programs, and events; the adobe home and grounds, built in 1844, resonate with the rich history of Spanish, Mexican and American California, and the families who transformed Southern California from its ranching beginnings into a modern, urban society.

Exterior of Rancho Los Cerritos with large trees and building in background in Long Beach CA

RANCHO LOS ALAMITOS HISTORIC RANCH AND GARDENS

Rancho Los Alamitos showcases the powerful story of California and its inhabitants throughout time, where visitors can enjoy the lush historic gardens, restored barns, a new Rancho Center with a permanent exhibition, theatre and related program facilities, and animals, all free of charge and open to the public Wednesday through Sunday.

EARL BURNS MILLER JAPANESE GARDEN

Take a stroll through the Earl Burns Japanese Garden and take in the splendor of the beautiful scenery including a spactacular koi pond, waterfalls, tea house and bonsai collection.

LOCAL ITINERARIES: LONG BEACH DAYS & GETAWAYS

Hidden Gems: Long Beach Vacation Guide

Roller rinks that pop up in the middle of malls, art accessed by pushing through a door darkly, and secret gardens – Long Beach is home to a lot of great places off the beaten path. The kind of places you have to know where you’re going. Allow us to shine a light on these hidden gems paired with some dining and drinking options that are equally out of sight.

LBC Beach Guide

It’s arguable that no California city with a beach to call its own, presents as many iterations of that beach as Long Beach. Yes, though its name would suggest one, continual, uninterrupted shoreline, the fact is that Long Beach beaches are a diverse collection of environments and vibes, attracting people looking for very distinct experiences, i.e. the reason you go to Mother’s Beach is something different than why you head to Bayshore or Rosie’s. Here’s a quick rundown of where to go and what to expect once you get there.

Art + Architecture Long Beach Getaway

What better way to get to know a city than to explore the vibrant art and architecture within it? In this Long Beach Getaway, you’ll discover world-class art museums, conversation-starting murals, the East Village creative cultural hub, and a myriad of historic and beautiful architecture.

Outdoor Explorer

With average, yearly temperatures ranging from high 60s to low 80s and just 20 days of average rainfall, the weather is always right to get outdoors in Long Beach. Enjoy our historic ranchos with live animals and scenic gardens, take a ride in a swan boat at Rainbow Lagoon, go on an adventure at El Dorado Frontier, hike through a nature center and more!

Cycle City

Long Beach has been building momentum as one of the most recognized bike-friendly cities in the world, and pedaling through town is a breeze. Whether you’re a serious fixed-gear cyclist, a relaxed cruiser, or someone who sets their pace somewhere in between, you’ll enjoy exploring Long Beach’s interconnected bicycle routes and iconic beach and river paths that have paved the way for a flourishing citywide bike culture.

Uptown

California’s seventh-largest city has a myriad of neighborhoods to explore from the waterfront to the inner city, each with its own unique vibe and things to do. One of the hottest is Uptown, located in North Long Beach, which, over the past five years, has grown in popularity with its many dining, public spaces, community gathering points and great outdoor spaces. Here's a great way to spend the day there.

Brewery Knolls

Long Beach has been on the leading edge of the craft brew scene for some time, so it’s not surprising that you can find great brewpubs all over the city. Beachwood in the downtown area not only serves its own creations but terrific barbecue. Long Beach Beer Lab has wonderful pizza. Go to Trademark Brewing and you’ll not only get great beer but the opportunity to throw axes. Still, if you want the greatest concentration of brewpubs in the city, the choice is simple: Bixby Knolls, or, as it has come to be known, Brewery Knolls. Here’s what’s waiting for you.

Dogs’ Day Out

Dogs. They’re loyal, loving, a true joy to be around. They comfort us when we’re down and are the first to sense, and celebrate, our happiness. Do we deserve them? Probably not. But we can show them how much we love and appreciate them in so many ways around Long Beach. At parks and with menus made especially for them, on walks or shopping sprees, you can let any day go to the dogs, and that’s as good as it gets.

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