The 20 Best Things to do in Long Beach, CA
California is one of the 50 states that make up the USA. Long Beach is a coastal city in California. According to Britannica, it was incorporated as a city in 1888. Since then, it has grown to be one of the most popular cities in Southern California, with a population of over 400,000 people. It is also home to many different cultural and ethnic groups and is ranked as one of the safest cities in America. Long Beach is situated where the Los Angeles River and the San Gabriel River pour into the Pacific Ocean in Los Angeles County, roughly half an hour from the city of Los Angeles.
To the south is Huntington Beach, while Redondo Beach is north. It is situated on three thousand and two hundred acres of land and serves as a trading hub between the United States and Asia. If you enjoy taking cruises, it is also a well-liked port. Los Angeles International Airport is approximately 17.5 miles and separates it from Long Beach. The municipality of Long Beach is located approximately 4.5 miles from Long Beach Airport. Long Beach boasts a lively cultural scene in addition to the typical California beach ambiance of sand, sun, surf, and Skate Park.
Fun Facts about Long Beach, CA
It is the 7th largest city in the state of California, offering residents an urban-suburban feel. The oldest building in the city is Villa Riviera which was built in 1929 and is located on East Ocean Boulevard. According to Visiting Long Beach, Long Beach is a city considered walkable in the U.S. Also, it has eight distinct neighborhoods. Belmont Shore-Naples is one of the nicest and most welcoming neighborhoods. So, if you’re planning on visiting Long beach, here are several things you can do in the city.
20. Interact with Marine life at the Pacific Aquarium
Long Beach’s Aquarium of the Pacific is situated in Rainbow Harbor on the city’s coastline and is home to more than eleven thousand marine creatures. Enjoy observing jellyfish, leopard sharks, sea lions, and penguins. The aquarium is the biggest in California’s South. It is located across from the Long Beach Convention Center in California on five acres of coastal property. There is a park nearby.
You can explore additional aquatic exhibits organized into three distinct areas during an Aquarium of the Pacific tour. There is the Northern Pacific, the Southern California/Baja region, and the Tropical Pacific. Tourists can go on harbor tours and whale watching excursions along with instructional seminars. The shark lagoon, touch tanks, and art gallery are other interesting things to check out. After viewing Long Beach’s marine life, a picnic at Shoreline Aquatic Park is a good idea.
19. Visit EARL Burns Miller Japanese Garden to admire the Landscaping
EARL Burns Japanese Garden is among the top things to do in Long Beach, California. Southern California’s forests, bushes, and flowers are combined with the structure of traditional Japanese garden design. The Garden occupies 1.3 acres of California State University Long Beach, and was established in 198. It was inspired by the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo, and features a koi pond, art pieces, bridges, pagodas, and all the floral charms. This magnificent place allows you to unwind in the tea house or Zen Garden while admiring the garden.
18. Visit the Carpenter Performing Arts Center to Experience Culture
California State University’s Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center hosts theoretical productions, musical concerts, community events, stage plays, ballet, and author appearances, including Anne Lamott and comic Paula Poundstone. The 1994-built Carpenter Performing Arts Center, which has about 1054seats, is just about 5 minutes away from Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden. Any fans of soft rock can ogle the memorabilia and accolades on display from The Carpenters, the well-known brother and sister team. Richard and Karen Carpenter.
17. Experience Naples Island by Gondola
Naples Island, a trio of islands in Alamitos Bay, was modeled after the real Naples (that is, Naples, Italy). Take a gondola ride through the 2.6-mile loop of Long Beach canals close to sealing Beach. Restaurants and shops may be found along the area’s canals and winding lanes, designed in the early 1900s. It is one of the most tranquil things in Long Beach right now because you can hire kayaks or stroll around the canals and admire the lovely boats and houses.
16. Visit Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site to Discover the past
Along the Long Beach waterfront, the Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Site is roughly 20 minutes from the Queen Mary. History enthusiasts will want to visit the fantastic Long Beach Museum; it’s a perfect location to tour and add to your traverse with Viator. Gardens, nature paths, and historical exhibits can be found at the museum, ranch, and 19th – century residence.
A backyard garden, a native California garden, and an orchard from the 1930s with citrus, loquat, macadamia, and avocado trees are just a few of the themed gardens. In addition to the tropical flowers, there are various unusual trees, camellia, rose gardens, and grape arbors. In addition to lemon, Catalina ironwood trees, and lime, look for black locust Italian cypress and ginkgo trees.
15. Visit the El Dorado Nature Center for a Break
Walking trails, a lake, a stream, and a variety of plant and animal life can be found at the 105-acre El Dorado Nature Center, located in the center of an urban area. El Dorado Nature Center in Long Beach is a tranquil place to unwind after a day of experiencing the city’s tourist attractions because it is situated beside the San Gabriel River. One interesting feature of El Dorado Nature Center is an island connected to the mainland by a bridge. It has a visitor center with educational displays, a gift store, and an art exhibit.
14. Visit the Museum of Latin American Art to admire the art (MOLAA)
One of the top attractions in Long Beach is the Museum of Latin and American Art. One can discover many cultures and modern Latin American art. This 1966-founded Long Beach Museum houses more than 1,300 works of modern and galleries by LATIN American artists in addition to a 15,000 sq. ft. sculpture and activities garden.
This Long Beach Museum hosts special exhibition displays on diversity, females in the arts, and various Latin American art forms, from traditional to contemporary geometric. It is one of our top recommendations for art enthusiasts, along with the close by Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum, which exhibits Pacific Island art in a structure with Polynesian influences.
13. Bolsa Chica State Beach is a great place to surf and cast a line
This activity is a must-visit for those who enjoy a SoCal Beachy vibe, even if it is technically a drive from Long Beach. Bolsa Chica State is only a short-day drive from Long Beach and is good for a true beach bum who enjoys visiting numerous different beaches. According to California Beaches, surfing, fishing, tanning, and bird viewing are popular activities at Bolsa Chica.
12. Retro Row offers Vintage Clothing for Sale
On Retro Row, one may decide to buy retro-styled clothes, accessories, and presents. One can find it on the 4th street between Junipero and Walnut Streets. Many different types of boutiques, gift shops, and vintage clothing stores are available at this Long Beach shopping attraction. Looking out on Relics will be significant for a person interested in analog photography. One can take skating lessons, fix your skates, or purchase new ones at Pigeon’s Roller Skate shop. One can also visit far Outfit for retro and environmentally friendly parallels. After a long day, one may unwind at one of the many cafes or pubs nearby.
11. Visit Catalina Island for a day trip
The port of Long Beach is the departure point for cruises to Catalina Island, one of the Channel Islands in California. Catalina Island is roughly 22 miles off the coast of Long Beach and measures around eight miles across at its widest point.
10. Waterfront Activities can be reserved at Shoreline Village
Shoreline Village is the best spot in Long Beach for home buying, upscale eating, and other activities. This location, which has a feel of Cape Cod, looks out over Long Beach’s picturesque Rainbow Harbor. One can enjoy a bottle of wine, musical performances, parasailing, or walk along the Long Beach Shoreline.
9. Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge is a good place to spot birds
The 1965- acre Seal Beach National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1972, is close to the town of Seal Beach. The environment is well-liked by migratory birds. Keep an eye out for the great blue heron and threatened species like the Belding’s Savannah sparrow and the California clapper rail.
8. Long Beach Marine Stadium offers waterskiing lessons
The Long Beach Marine Stadium is a recognized state historic property on Alamitos Bay. On the West Coast, it is also the origin of speedboat racing. The top waterskiing venue in the country served as the venue for both the 1968 rowing trials and the 1932 Olympic rowing competitions. However, the Long Beach Sprint Nationals attracts teams from all over the world, and events for the Southern California Speedboat Club are now held at this location in Long Beach, California.
7. Explore the Long Beach Waterfront downtown
A leisurely approach to wind down after a day of seeing Long Beach is to stroll through the downtown area along the waterfront. One of the best things to do on the Beach for shoppers is to browse the art galleries, relics, and vintage apparel stores in the East Village Arts District, which is situated between Ocean Boulevard, Alamitos Avenue, and Long Beach Boulevard.
6. The Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum is a good place to look for sculptures
Next to the Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum is Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden. Carolyn Campagna offers you a chance to enjoy the creative’s work, as you explore contemporary art and culture, done for exhibitions. However, it is on the California State University Long Beach Campus.
5. The Long Beach Opera offers opera
It offers a robust schedule of presentations all round the year, and has played host to operas such as Don Carlo, The Diary of Anne Frank, and Les Enfants Terribles. It is located on Pine Avenue in the heart of Long Beach. However, the Beach provides educational seminars and music classes.
4. Rosie’s Dog Beach’s – Run with the Dogs Program
The four acres of this natural area are on Ocean Blvd between Roycroft and Argonne streets, close to the Pacific Ocean. However, if one is taking the dog, adding Rosie’s Dog Beach to the to-do list in the Beach would be great.
3. Experience Knott’s Berry Farm as a Child
Annual events held in the park include Knott’s Boysenberry Farm, Knott’s Merry Farm, and Knott’s Spooky Farm. The 320 rooms at the Knott’s Berry Farm Hotel feature a delightful Snoopy-themed wing that children will adore. However, there includes a cafeteria, a present store, a tennis court, a fitness hub, and a pool.
2. The Dark Art Emporium offers a weird world of Exploration
The Dark Art Emporium, which lies in the heart of Long Beach, is home to a bizarre assortment of artwork and unique items. Think unusual taxidermy, eerie dolls, human skulls, and other anomalies. However, the exhibits in this eerie exhibition were all sourced responsibly.
1. At the Long Beach Museum of Art, explore art in harmony with nature
The Long Beach Museum of Art is located just off Ocean Boulevard and features temporary and permanent exhibits of photography, paintings, textiles, decorative arts, and other media. The beach museum offers engaging educational activities, one-of-a-kind installations like Patrick Dougherty’s twisted willow branch works, and changing exhibitions by regional artists and high schoolers.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are many things to do on a long beach, including walking routes, bike paths, swimming, kitesurfing, and cultural activities. However, this coastal city combines a contemporary ambiance with a traditional Southern California beach town. Long Beach attracts visitors from gateways with their families, romantic gateways, and special occasions like the Long Beach Bayou Festival and the Long Beach Grand Prix.
