Long Beach Tours & Activities

Plan your trip to Long Beach, California — handpicked tours and activities, the best time to visit, where to stay and eat, how to get there, and a sample itinerary.

Top things to do in Long Beach

• Aquarium of the Pacific. Southern California's largest aquarium houses more than 11,000 animals across 500 species, from giant Pacific octopus and sea otters to sharks and sea turtles. Interactive galleries and daily shark and reef shows make it an anchor experience for any Long Beach visit.
• RMS Queen Mary. The legendary 1930s Cunard ocean liner is permanently moored on the Long Beach waterfront and recently reopened after extensive restoration, offering self-guided audio tours, WWII history tours, and ghostly Haunted Encounters experiences aboard the ship. First Class Admission includes access to the adjacent Soviet…
• Whale Watching from Rainbow Harbor. Long Beach is one of the best whale-watching hubs on the West Coast year-round: gray whales migrate December through April, massive blue whales appear May through November, and humpbacks, fin whales, and orcas make seasonal appearances. Harbor Breeze Cruises departs daily from Dock 2, right beside the Aquarium, with…
• Naples Island Gondola Rides. Long Beach's Naples neighborhood was designed in the early 1900s as an Italian-inspired canal village, and Gondola Getaway — the largest gondola fleet in America, operating since 1982 — offers authentic 50-minute cruises through the canals with singing gondoliers. Bring your own wine and cheese for a genuinely…
• Retro Row — 4th Street. A three-block stretch between Cherry and Junipero Avenues packed with 40-plus independent vintage shops, antique dealers, record stores, and eclectic restaurants. The restored 1920s Art Theatre hosts first-run art films, live concerts, and comedy; the entire corridor is designated bike-friendly.
• East Village Arts District. Downtown Long Beach's creative quarter, centered between Long Beach Boulevard and Alamitos Avenue, mixes street murals, independent galleries, live music venues, and film-location-worthy Art Deco streetscapes — 'La La Land' and 'Jane the Virgin' were both shot here. The monthly Second Saturday art walk is a lively…
• Long Beach Museum of Art. Set in a 1912 clifftop estate on Ocean Boulevard above Bluff Park, LBMA's galleries survey California Modernism and contemporary California art against sweeping Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island views. The attached Claire's café is a beloved weekend brunch destination in its own right.
• Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA). The only museum in the United States dedicated exclusively to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latinx art, MOLAA occupies a contemporary building designed by Mexican architect Manuel Rosen and includes four galleries, a project space, and a lush outdoor sculpture garden.

Best time to visit Long Beach

September through November (fall). Warm temperatures (highs averaging 81°F in early fall, tapering to ~70°F in November), virtually no rainfall, noticeably thinner crowds, and lower accommodation costs compared to peak summer. Long Beach also has ~345 days of annual sunshine making it a strong year-round destination

Long Beach weather by month

Getting to Long Beach

The Metro C Line (Blue Line) light rail connects downtown Long Beach directly to downtown Los Angeles in about 45 minutes for $1.75. Long Beach Transit local buses cost $1.25 per ride and cover most neighborhoods including Belmont Shore and Cambodia Town. Long Beach consistently ranks among America's most bike-friendly cities, with over 100 miles of bike routes and a dedicated 4.5-mile Shoreline Bike Path along the beach. A city Bike Share program and private rental shops near the waterfront make car-free exploration very practical.

• LGB Long Beach Airport — 10 min drive
• LAX Los Angeles International Airport — 30 min drive
• SNA John Wayne Airport — 25 min drive

Where to stay in Long Beach

Where to base yourself, by neighborhood.

• Downtown Waterfront. The compact downtown core puts guests within easy walking distance of the Aquarium of the Pacific, The Pike Outlets, Rainbow Harbor, and the Queen Mary. Pine Avenue nightlife and East Village galleries are also on foot. Multiple hotel tiers available, from… Good for: First-time visitors, couples, city explorers, Grand Prix weekend.
• Belmont Shore & Naples Island. Long Beach's quintessential beachside neighborhood, centered on the 15-block Second Street shopping and dining strip. Rosie's Dog Beach, Mothers Beach lagoon, kayak and paddleboard rentals, and gondola rides on the Naples Canals are all steps away. Vacation… Good for: Families, beach lovers, romance getaways, water sports enthusiasts.
• Bluff Park & East Ocean Boulevard. A quieter, residential clifftop neighborhood along Ocean Boulevard with direct beach access below and the Long Beach Museum of Art as a walkable cultural anchor. The Shoreline Bike Path runs right through, and the area has a relaxed, unhurried pace compared… Good for: Culture seekers, relaxed travelers, art lovers, joggers and cyclists.
• Bixby Knolls. A safe, tree-lined residential neighborhood north of downtown with a walkable Atlantic Avenue commercial strip of independent restaurants, vintage shops, and a farmers market. Notably calmer and more budget-friendly than the waterfront areas, and easy access… Good for: Budget travelers, those seeking neighborhood calm, airport proximity.
• East Village Arts District. Staying in or near the East Village puts guests at the heart of Long Beach's creative scene — walkable to galleries, live music venues, MOLAA, and some of the city's most interesting independent restaurants. Boutique hotel options and vacation rentals suit… Good for: Creative travelers, culture seekers, nightlife lovers, art walk visitors.

Where to eat in Long Beach

A curated set of standout tables and local favorites.

Local favorites & classics

• Ammatoli. Downtown Long Beach · Levantine / Mediterranean — An immersive Levantine dining room on 3rd Street drawing from Palestinian, Syrian, Lebanese, and Jordanian traditions. Fresh-baked pita arrives warm…
• Parkers' Lighthouse. Downtown Waterfront / Shoreline Village · Seafood — A three-story landmark on the harbor with a harbor view from every table and a Wine Spectator Award of Excellence. Known for mesquite-grilled…
• The Attic on Broadway. Belmont Heights · Southern / New American brunch — Long Beach's most beloved brunch spot, set in a 1920s craftsman bungalow two blocks from the ocean. The Mac N' Cheetos — mac and cheese blanketed…
• Selva. Zaferia / East Long Beach · Colombian / wood-fired — Chef Carlos Jurado's (Vespertine, Husk Nashville) wood-fired Colombian kitchen on Anaheim Street, celebrated for arepas, ceviches, and smoky…
• Ellie's. Belmont Shore / Naples · Southern Italian — A neighborhood gem known for handmade daily pastas and elegant simplicity, with bottomless weekend mimosas drawing a loyal local following. The intimate…
• Phnom Penh Noodle Shack. Cambodia Town (Eastside) · Cambodian — A Cambodia Town institution open since 1985 and famous for its signature Penh noodles — a rich rice noodle dish that draws locals and food pilgrims alike. One…
• The 908. Downtown Long Beach · American / New American — A downtown staple with a seasonally rotating elevated menu that keeps regulars coming back. Known for consistently polished cooking in a comfortable,…
• Yard House. 401 Shoreline Village Drive · 4.4★ (6,692 reviews)

Fine dining & Michelin

• Heritage. Rose Park · California tasting menu / zero-waste fine dining — Long Beach's only Michelin-starred restaurant (plus a Michelin Green Star for sustainability), run by siblings Chef Philip Pretty and…
• Chiang Rai. East Long Beach (Anaheim Street) · Northern Thai — Michelin Guide-recognized Thai kitchen celebrated for its Northern specialties, particularly the signature khao soi — a coconut curry noodle broth…
• Anaheim White House. 887 S Anaheim Blvd · 4.8★ (2,583 reviews)
• Spaghettini. 3005 Old Ranch Pkwy · 4.6★ (3,270 reviews)
• 555 East American Steakhouse. 555 E Ocean Blvd · 4.7★ (2,243 reviews)
• The Strand House. 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd · 4.5★ (3,084 reviews)
• L'Opera Italian Restaurant. 101 Pine Ave · 4.6★ (1,258 reviews)
• Splashes Restaurant. 1555 S Coast Hwy · 4.6★ (1,249 reviews)

A 7-Day Long Beach Plan

1. Day 1 — Harbor Icons & Ocean Wonder. Start your Long Beach visit at the Aquarium of the Pacific on Shoreline Drive, spending a full morning exploring the ocean galleries, touch tanks, and shark lagoon — arrive early to beat crowds. Walk across Rainbow Harbor to board the legendary RMS Queen Mary for a self-guided…
2. Day 2 — Whales, Waves & Waterfront Air. Join a whale watching cruise departing from Rainbow Harbor — gray whales pass through in winter and spring, while blue and humpback whales are common in summer; dolphins appear year-round. Return to shore and rent a bike from one of the Shoreline Pedestrian & Bike Path…
3. Day 3 — Latin Art & East Village Creativity. Spend the morning at the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) in the East Village Arts District — the only museum in the US dedicated exclusively to contemporary Latin American art, with striking indoor and outdoor collections. Wander the East Village Arts District on…
4. Day 4 — Retro Row Shopping & Arts Scene. Explore Retro Row on 4th Street, a mile-long stretch of vintage boutiques, independent bookshops, eclectic cafés, and mid-century furniture stores — perfect for a leisurely browse with coffee in hand. Visit the Long Beach Museum of Art perched on the bluffs above the Pacific,…
5. Day 5 — Gondolas, Canals & Naples Charm. Head to the Naples Island neighborhood for a morning gondola ride with Gondola Getaway, drifting through the network of Italian-inspired canals lined with waterfront homes — book in advance. Explore Naples Island on foot or by bike, admiring the bridges, private docks, and…
6. Day 6 — Nature Trails & Living History. Escape into El Dorado Nature Center in East Long Beach, a 100-acre urban wildlife sanctuary with two lakes, native plant gardens, and peaceful walking trails ideal for birding and nature photography. Drive to Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site, a beautifully preserved 1844…
7. Day 7 — Speed, Sun & Grand Finale. If visiting during April, catch the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on the street circuit through downtown — one of the premier IndyCar races in North America, with celebrity sightings and a festival atmosphere. Outside race weekend, spend the morning revisiting the Shoreline…

Events & festivals in Long Beach

• Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (April (2026 dates: April 17-19)). Annual IndyCar street race on a 1.968-mile, 11-turn temporary circuit in downtown Long Beach. Described by organizers as 'the largest street race in the country.' First held in 1975; F1 raced here 1976-1983.
• Long Beach Pride (May (2026 dates: May 16-17)). Annual LGBTQ+ parade and festival, 43rd edition in 2026. The parade draws approximately 80,000 participants and is one of the largest Pride events in the country.
• Fourth of July Celebration (July 4). Annual Independence Day celebration with fireworks on the waterfront; listed as a recurring annual event by Visit Long Beach.
• Long Beach Jazz Festival (August (2026 dates: August 8-9)). Annual outdoor jazz festival at the Long Beach Amphitheater by the Sea; 36th edition in 2026 (inaugural 1991). World-class jazz performers on two waterfront stages.
• Long Beach Marathon and Half Marathon (October (2026: October 10-11)). Annual road race through Long Beach streets and waterfront. Listed on Visit Long Beach official events calendar.
• Belmont Shore Christmas Parade (December). Annual holiday parade through Belmont Shore neighborhood, listed on the official Visit Long Beach annual events page.

Long Beach travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Long Beach?

September through November (fall).

What are the top things to do in Long Beach?

Top experiences include Aquarium of the Pacific, RMS Queen Mary, Whale Watching from Rainbow Harbor, Naples Island Gondola Rides, Retro Row — 4th Street.

Which airport is closest to Long Beach?

Long Beach Airport (LGB) is the nearest, about 10 minutes away.

Where should I stay in Long Beach?

Popular areas to base yourself include Downtown Waterfront, Belmont Shore & Naples Island, Bluff Park & East Ocean Boulevard, Bixby Knolls.

How do I get around Long Beach?

The Metro C Line (Blue Line) light rail connects downtown Long Beach directly to downtown Los Angeles in about 45 minutes for $1.75.