Looking for the best things to do in Long Beach CA? Don’t miss these spots if you’re a first-timer!

As the temperatures in Vegas hit record highs (115 for many days in a row), we headed to Long Beach, California, to escape the heat.

Long Beach is much more relaxed than LA, and you can enjoy the beach and waterfront restaurants and shops without the crowds and traffic. Since we visited Long Beach a few times, this time, we got to dive deeper and explore neighborhoods. Our local friends even gave us some tips, which we share with you!

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Last Updated: July 22, 2024

Is Long Beach Worth Visiting?

Long Beach is worth visiting for those looking for a beach getaway but not in a sleepy beach town. It has waterfront attractions, water sports, and a great diverse selection of food. It’s especially great for travelers looking for both relaxation and adventure.

What is Long Beach Most Known For?

Queen Mary

Aquarium of the Pacific

Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach

More relaxed vibe compared to LA

Home base for visiting other SoCal destinations like Disneyland

See More: Ultimate Los Angeles Bucket List (101 Things to Do in LA)

The Best Things to Do in Long Beach

1. Bike Along Beach

When you’re in a coastal city, the beach is a must, especially for those of us who are landlocked. We spent the morning strolling and biking along Shoreline Way near the Belmont Plaza Pool that runs along the coast. If you want to swim, Bayshore Beach has calmer waters.

If you want to grab a bike, Long Beach Bike Share stations are all over the city. Download the app (for IOS + for Android) to load credit, and you can use bikes to get around Long Beach!

2. Long Beach Waterbikes

164 N Marina Dr, Long Beach, CA 90803, map

We’re always looking to try new activities when we travel, and this was our first time on waterbikes! Long Beach Waterbikes was a great soft adventure in the marina, where you can take it at your own pace and relax on the water or get an intense workout.

They are easier to ride compared to road bikes. If you can ride a stationary bike at the gym, you can ride a waterbike.

Each bike has a small cubby for personal items and can hold any of your oversized items.

Local Tip: For a unique ride, check out Glow Ride Hydrobiking. The bikes have lights that make you glow on the water!

3. Aquarium of the Pacific

100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802, map

You can find me with the penguins! Ever since Antarctica, I’ve been obsessed. The Aquarium of the Pacific is among the most popular attractions in Long Beach. Oddly enough, the birds were the highlight for us.

You can get a cup of nectar ($4) to feed the birds in the Lorikeet Forest. Sometimes they crawl onto your arms to eat.

Local Tip: Lorikeet feedings happen daily from 9:30 AM to 6 PM (closed between 12 and 1 PM) until their daily nutritional needs are met. When we visited at 11:30, many of the birds were full.

4. Tour the Queen Mary

1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802, map

Once a historic ocean liner, the Queen Mary is now a hotel, museum, and entertainment venue. Our SoCal friends visit the Queen Mary every Halloween for their haunted events. One of our friends even stayed overnight and experienced some paranormal activity.

Each ticket includes a tour. Explore the Art Deco design, learn about its history, and join one of the tours (the ghost tours are the most popular). We did the Hollywood Tour since I’m not into scary things.

Afterward, you can wander the free exhibits, check out the restaurants, or grab a drink at the Observation Bar (check out their Happy Hour deals).

The ship also hosts events throughout the year. Some are free (with RSVP) and usually include ship access.

Local Tip: If you have a dining reservation, entrance to the Queen Mary is also included!

Getting Here: If you are visiting the Aquarium on the same day, take the AquaLink water taxi. It’s a short ride across the water and is only $5 per person each way.

5. Shop the Vintage and Quirky Shops at Retro Row

4th Street, Long Beach, CA 90802, map

Retro Row is a fun shopping area known for its vintage shops, indie boutiques, and eateries. It’s a great place to hunt down vintage clothes, vinyl records, or kitschy souvenirs. These were our favorite finds:

Pigeon’s Roller Skate Shop — They carry everything related to roller skating, and I wanted to pick up a pretty pair to skate down the boardwalk. They also run the roller rink at 2nd & PCH.

Plantiitas — Queer, Latinx-owned plant shop with a mix of popular and rare plants. I wanted to take some home, but I had no room in our shared suitcase (a downside of minimal packing).

Songbird — Quirky and whimsical gifts. We picked up some rubber cat paws, which you can look out for in future photos and videos.

Kitchen Lingo — A bookstore dedicated to food. They also have beautiful wood charcuterie pieces.

Meow — A vintage clothing shop recommended by locals, but it was closed when we were there.

Oh La Vache — Local cheese shop with a wide selection.

Historic Art Theatre — shows indie films and classic movies.

Local Tip: Many shops on Retro Row had odd hours so they weren’t all open when we visited.

6. Museum of Latin American Art

628 Alamitos Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802, map

The Museum of Latin American Art is the only museum in the United States dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American art. The museum features a collection of paintings, sculptures, multimedia works, rotating exhibitions, and cultural events.

Local Tip: Check their calendar for special events and workshops. They even host Paint & Sip classes.

7. Stroll 2nd Street

2nd Street, Long Beach, CA 90803, map

2nd Street in Belmont Shore is pedestrian-friendly, with boutique shops, restaurants, lively bars, and great people-watching. We ate and snacked our way down the street, and here are some of our favorite finds:

Angelo’s Deli — We didn’t get a chance to go on this trip, but their soppressata sandwiches were always a memorable part of previous visits.

Colossus Bread — Started by selling delicious cookies at a farmers market, and now it’s a brick-and-mortar store selling bread, pastries, coffee, wine, and more.

Galata Ice Cream — One of few places where you can get Turkish ice cream in the US.

Holey Grail Donuts — Yummy taro-based donuts from Hawaii. They constantly rotate flavors, and they are mostly vegan with the exception of certain specialty flavors.

Hummingbird Heart Co — I’m always looking for new flavors to try for my homemade kombucha, so I had to try their kombucha flight. They also have alcohol-free cocktails.

Long Beach Clothing Co — Tons of Long Beach merch to take home with you.

Luna — Gift shop that features local artists and companies.

8. 2nd & PCH

6400 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90803, map

2nd & PCH is a modern shopping and dining destination with a mix of high-end and casual stores, eateries, and entertainment options. They have a roller skating rink, run by Pigeon’s Roller Skate Shop on Retro Row, and it’s a popular spot for locals to hang out and run errands.

I tried their coffee from Caffe Luxxe, a SoCal chain, and they had a delicious cortado (or Gibraltar). (Side note: Cortados are usually my go-to order at coffee shops, but on this trip, I tried many specialty drinks, so I’ll have to go back to compare coffee on the next trip).

Pro Tip: They have a Whole Foods with a bar inside.

9. The Hangar Food Hall

4150 McGowen St, Long Beach, CA 90808, map

Food halls are popping up everywhere, and we love that you can try many cuisines and dishes in one meal. The Hanger, which leans into an airport theme, features 14 food vendors, boutique retailers, and even a speakeasy. It had Greek food, sandwiches, Korean BBQ, and more.

Since we had just eaten, we picked up a charcuterie and cheese box from Fior di Latté (which focuses on California cheeses) to picnic in the sky on our flight home! It’s a great way to upgrade your flight, especially on short flights where beverage service is limited.

Map of the Best Things to Do in Long Beach

Where to Eat in Long Beach

Ammatoli (Mediterranean, ) — Delicious Mediterranean food from a James Beard Award semifinalist for Best Chef in 2024. Don’t skip on the Knafeh for dessert! It was my first time trying it, and it has a similar texture to baklava but is cheesy.

Angelo’s Deli — You have to try their Soppressata sandwich.

The Breakfast Bar (Breakfast & Brunch, ) – Try Uncle Marcee’s Omelet Casserole and Lemon Cake Pancakes.

Chiang Rai (Thai, ) — Our local friends told us Chiang Rai was their favorite, and their go-to was crab-fried rice and roti with curry. It did not disappoint and was the best crab-fried rice we’ve tried!

Colossus Bread (Bakeries & Cafes, )— specializes in sourdough bread and pastries. They serve sandwiches and salads the first half of the day and pizza after 3 PM.

Fior di Latté (Cheese Shops, ) — Cheese shop in The Hangar focusing on California cheeses. Grab a charcuterie and cheese box to picnic on the beach or to upgrade your flight.

Galata Ice Cream (Desserts, ) — Get Turkish coffee and pastries.

Gusto Bread (Bakeries, ) — This artisanal bakery was the first in Long Beach to get nominated for a James Beard Award. Try the Nixtamal Queen!

Holey Grail Donuts (Donuts, ) are taro-based donuts from Hawaii with rotating flavors. They have a crunchier and chewier texture than your typical donut. We were so full from snacking all day that we only split one, but we’ll be back for more.

Observation Bar (Bars, ) — This is a great place to grab drinks with a view aboard the Queen Mary. Check out their Happy Hour.

Roe Seafood (Seafood, ) — Cute back patio to enjoy seafood. Our favorites were the oysters and the Fish and Chips. For more casual bites, check out the Roe Seafood Market next door.

Where to Stay in Long Beach

We stayed at the Hyatt Regency Long Beach. It was the perfect location to walk to the Aquarium, ride the AquaLink to the Queen Mary, and take a short ride to the different neighborhoods. They also had a Market and Bar downstairs to pick up food and coffee for days when you want a cozy and late start.

For more accommodation options, search the map below.

Essential Tips for Visiting Long Beach CA

Dress in Layers. Long Beach weather can be unpredictable, with cooler mornings and warm afternoons. The mornings were cloudy, but the marine layer would burn off by the afternoon. Wear layers to stay comfortable throughout the day. Bring a daypack to help carry your layers.

Stay Hydrated! Always carry a water bottle, especially if you spend time outdoors at the beach or walking around town. Refill stations are available at many public places.

Wear Comfortable Shoes. Since we don’t walk much in Vegas, we took full advantage of the walkable neighborhoods. Whether strolling along the waterfront, exploring shopping districts, or visiting attractions, you will be on your feet.

Plan Your Parking. Parking can be tricky in popular areas like Belmont Shore and downtown. Look for public parking lots and be prepared to walk. Consider using rideshare services to avoid parking hassles. Check out tips for parking in Long Beach.

Check Local Events! Long Beach hosts numerous events yearly, from music festivals to farmers’ markets. See the local event calendars here.

Explore by Bike. Long Beach is bike-friendly, with plenty of bike lanes and rental options.

Book Tickets Ahead of time for popular attractions, like the Queen Mary and Aquarium, to save time and ensure you get in.

Respect the Beaches. Dispose of trash properly, follow local guidelines, and avoid disturbing wildlife.

Visit During Off-Peak Times. If you can, visit popular attractions during weekdays or early in the day to avoid the crowds.

Planning Checklist

Have you been to Long Beach? What else do we need to include in our guide?

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