Things To Do
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
Long Beach, California
562-590-3100
Open Daily 9am-6pm
Admission Charged
This is the only aquarium in the world to focus on the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can enjoy 550 species, 17 living habitats and 30 exhibits which take them on a journey throughout the Pacific Ocean's three regions: Southern California/Baja, the Tropical Pacific, and the Northern Pacific. With its sweeping, curving, wave-like architecture, the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific is designed to emulate the ocean.
Over 12,000 creatures are on view at this fascinating, state-of-the-art aquarium, which re-creates three different ecosystems and brings visitors face to face with sharks, sea lions, eels and other residents of giant tanks.
Museum of Latin American Art
628 Alamitos Ave.
Long Beach, California 90802
562-437-1689
Hours: Tuesdays – Friday, 11:30am – 7:00pm, Saturday 11:00am – 7:00pm, Sunday 11:00am – 6:00pm.
Admission Charged
Known as MoLAA, this combination museum and cultural center is devoted exclusively to contemporary Latin American art, including paintings, lithographs and sculptures. It also offers shows, classes, wine tastings, an open-air market, gift shop, and a restaurant.
Long Beach Museum of Art
2300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, CA 90803
562-439-2119
Galleries & Store Tuesday - Sunday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Admission Charged
Located high on a cliff overlooking the Pacific, this museum complex features the historic Elizabeth Milbank Anderson summer home and carriage house, both built in 1912, plus magnificent gardens, a permanent collection of European and California art, and a two-story gallery with changing exhibits.
Queen Mary
1126 Queens Highway
Long Beach, CA 90802
(800) 437-2934
(Phone) (562) 435-3511
The ship's hours are 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily. with extended hours for restaurants & lounges.
First Class Passage ticket includes Ghosts & Legends show, admission to the adjoining exhibit of a Russian Cold War submarine, two Guided Tours and all exhibit areas. Casual to elegant dining
General admission passport includes the Ghosts and Legends and self-guided Shipwalk tour.
Behind the Scenes Guided Tour and World War II Tour and First Class Passage package also available.
The Queen Mary was already an icon before arriving at its permanent home in Long Beach. “The grandest ocean liner ever built” was hostess to the rich and famous during the 1930s and considered by many as the only civilized way to travel. World War II saw the Queen Mary's conversion to a troop ship know as the “Grey Ghost”, carrying up to 15,000 troops at one time. She later carried more than 22,000 war brides and children to the United States and Canada.
After her arrival in Long Beach in December of 1967, she was removed from British registry and ownership turned over to the City of Long Beach. Her operation, maintenance and preservation are entrusted to the non-profit RMS Foundation.
Soviet Foxtrot Submarine ( code name Scorpion)
1126 Queens Hwy.
Long Beach, California 90802
562-432-3316
Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
Admission includes a short film. The submarine is open 10:00 am to 6:00 pm daily.
The Soviet Foxtrot submarine, code name Scorpion, is on display just outside the Queen Mary. Touring the sub gives an idea of what life was like in close quarters. Steep ladders, small hatches, narrow corridors and lowered ceilings created an atmosphere much like an obstacle course. Imagine 78 crew sharing two showers and three toilets for up to three months at sea!
Whale Watching
From December to early April, take a cruise to spot gray whales on their yearly migration. You may see the whales "spy hopping," poking their heads above the water a bit, or "breaching," a spectacular display as the whales propel themselves out of the water and fall back with a big splash. Bring your binoculars.
Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site
4600 Virginia Road
Long Beach, California 90807
562-570-1755
Open to the public Wednesday - Sunday from 1 -- 5 (except on major holidays).
Admission Free
Rancho Los Cerritos was originally a Spanish land grant of 27,000 acres, but is still impressive at its present size of 4.7 acres. The complex includes an 1844 Monterey-Colonial two story adobe house (combining both Mexican and American architectural styles )and historic gardens. behave fun taking "Tea with Margaret Bixby." You'll enjoy a Victorian tea and find out about 19th century ranch life from "Margaret Bixby" in a living history presentation.
The Pyramid
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
California State University Long Beach
Long Beach, California 90840
562-985-4949
Admission Free to View
This imposing edifice on the campus of California State University Long Beach, is one of only three pyramid-shaped buildings in the U.S. It is used for various functions including sporting events, conferences, weddings and filming for movies and commercials.
Rancho Los Alamitos
6400 Bixby Hill Road
Long Beach, California 90815
562-431-3541
Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Free
This historic site was part of a massive Spanish land grant in 1784 and today serves as a living history museum comprised of six agricultural buildings, working blacksmith shop, magnificent gardens and a rambling adobe ranch house built in 1800.
California State University Long Beach
1250 Bellflower Blvd.
Long Beach, California 90840
562-985-4111
Call for additional information
Long Beach Arena
300 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, California 90802
562-436-3661
Call for additional information
Admission Free to View
Used for conventions, exhibits and special events, this large arena offers 46,000 square feet of exhibit space plus seating for more than 13,500 people.
Naples Island
5437 E. Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, California
562-433-9595
Call for schedule of departures
Admission Charged for Trip
A peninsula on the southern most tip of Long Beach. Naples was patterned after the Italian city of the same name (with canals). Authentic gondolas glide along the waterways while spectators watch from the waterfront sidewalks.
Signal Hill Farmers Market
2701 Walnut Ave.
Long Beach, California 90806
866-466-3834
Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Free
Weekly open-air market situated on a scenic grassy field features fresh fruits, vegetables, fresh herbs, , cut flowers, live orchids, farm fresh products, and baked goods.
Gondola Getaway
5437 E Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, California
562-433-9595
Call for additional information
Admission Charged
A romantic one-hour Alamitos Bay cruise on an authentic Italian gondola, complete with gondolier (who will croon upon request) and complimentary food basket.
Shoreline Pedestrian/Bicycle Path
Alamitos Avenue to 54th Place Long Beach, California
Biking trail; Jogging path/track
Pine Avenue
Between Ocean Blvd. and 3rd Ave. Long Beach, California
Open Daily
Admission Free
Shop in the daytime or party at night within this trendy retail and restaurant district, with historicbuildings, shops and eateries. A sizzling nightlife takes over when the sun goes down.
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
562-985-8885
Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. 3:30 p.m.,Sunday: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.
Holiday and Seasonal Closures:
Winter: Mid December to the end of January
Spring Break: The week before Easter
Summer Holidays: The Fourth of July
Fall: Thanksgiving Day through the following Sunday
Admission Charged. However, there is no fee to visit the garden unless a public program is offered that day. On the Cal State University Long Beach campus, you'll find the quiet beauty of this large Japanese Garden. Enter through a tile roof gate modeled after one in Kyoto, Japan to another world. Explore a three-tiered Buddhist pagoda, wander the path in the White Birch Woods, and don't miss the ceremonial teahouse where you pass through the sliding shoji doors into another world. There's also a wonderful koi pond, bonsai gardens, waterfalls, and a "zigzag bridge": built to ward off evil spirits that, legend holds, can travel only in straight lines.
Shoreline Village
419 Shoreline Drive
Long Beach, California 90802
562-435-2668
Call for days and hours of operation
Quirky shops, souvenir stores and restaurants line this popular waterfront boardwalk, which also features a carousel and fun zone for kids, live entertainment, beautiful views of the city, and dynamite sunsets.
Californian
419 Shoreline Village Drive at Pine Avenue
Long Beach, California
800-432-2201
Call for days and hours of operation
Admission Charged
This 145-foot replica of the C.W. Lawrence is California's "Official Tallship."
Long Beach Waterfront
54th Place and Ocean Blvd.
Long Beach, California
Admission Free
Enjoy a scenic bike ride along the trail
East 4 th Street
Long Beach, California
Admission Free
Shoppers looking to buy vintage clothes, furniture and other memorabilia from the 1950s up through the '70s will enjoy the many shops that span more than two-blocks on this popular, busy street.
El Dorado Regional Park
7500 East Spring Street
Long Beach, California
310-570-1771
Open Daily from 7am – dusk
Admission Charged
There are 3 fishing lakes, with pedal boats, and ducks that love to be fed. There is an archery range (you must bring your own equipment) a model glider field, a Frisbee golf course (byo), playgrounds, and bike trails (byo). Steam train rides. (Is this a miniature train or full size.? Where does it go: around the park or elsewhere?
Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California's fifth largest city, is located just 21 miles south of Los Angeles, at the southern end of Los Angeles County. Long Beach offers all the amenities of a sophisticated, cosmopolitan city, while retaining the charm and tranquility of a seaside community. Visitors seeking the California dream of beach, sun and ocean need look no further.
Long Beach is the perfect spot for people who enjoy the sun. Sea kayaking, sailing, windsurfing and jet-skiing are popular year round. Early in the year, whale watchers observe the migrating California Gray Whale, and year-round harbor cruises entertain young and old . The city's well-designed beachside bike path is ideal for in-line skating, jogging, bicycling, or a quiet walk.
Long Beach became popular in the late 19th century as a seaside resort. Long Beach Harbor and the neighboring Port of Los Angeles are two of the busiest shipping centers on the Pacific Coast. The entire area is rich in petroleum resources, both on land and offshore.
California State University, Long Beach, is home to 27,000 students. Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center at Ocean and Long Beach boulevards encompasses the Long Beach Arena, Terrace Theater and Center Theater, where concerts, plays, trade shows and sporting events are held.
Boat cruises to Catalina Island leave from near the Queen Mary and from downtown. Long Beach AquaBus and AquaLink provide regularly scheduled service to Long Beach's major attractions such as the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific daily from mid-June to mid-September, and Friday through Sunday the balance of the year.
The roar of Grand Prix race cars echoes through the city streets in early April during the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. Most Saturday mornings, the Long Beach Heritage Society conducts narrated two hour walking tours: of the downtown area the first and third Saturdays of the month, and of the East Village, (which is being developed as an arts district), the second and fourth Saturdays. Nearby, eclectic boutiques welcome shoppers seeking rare treasures, and international cuisine is served alfresco. Along the waterfront, more than 12,000 marine animals welcome you and your friends to their aquarium home
The Queen's Marketplace, near Pier J, is an open-air mall designed to resemble an old English village. Shoreline Village, at the foot of Pine Street, is a harbor side shopping center with specialty shops, restaurants, a restored Looff carousel, and occasional live boardwalk entertainment.
Bring along a good book you've been wanting to read. Get ready to stretch out, relax, and watch the waves of the Pacific Ocean roll gently toward shore. Whether it's a leisurely stroll along the beach, the roar of world-class stock cars racing in the shadow of glittering skyscrapers, a picnic at one of the many local parks, or a concert under the moonlit sky, Long Beach is a perfect vacation getaway. You can even experience a serenade by gondoliers rowing an authentic gondola in the Venetian style on a cruise through local canals. Ocean breezes waft gently off the Pacific along a stretch of coastal paradise, while in the distance, a tall ship sets sail.. These sights and many more await the visitor to romantic Long Beach. Time to pack!
