Top 10 Things to Do in Long Beach, California

Long Beach blends big-city energy with laid-back coastal vibes. Here's a curated mix of iconic and offbeat experiences.

1. The Queen Mary

Retired 1936 ocean liner → hotel, museum, event venue. Tours: "Glory Days," "Haunted Encounters," engine room. Stay overnight in Art Deco staterooms.

2. Aquarium of the Pacific

11,000+ animals (otters, sharks, jellies, lorikeets). Highlights: Tropical Reef Habitat, Shark Lagoon (touch pools), Pacific Visions theater. Behind-the-scenes tours available.

3. Beaches & Bike Path

• Alamitos / Junipero / Belmont Shore: Wide sand, volleyball, fire pits, dog zones.
• Shoreline Bike Path: 4.5 mi paved loop (bike/skate/walk) connecting Queen Mary → Aquarium → Shoreline Village → Belmont Shore.

4. Naples Island Canals

Man-made 1905 island with Venetian-style canals. Gondola rides (Gondola Getaway), kayak/SUP rentals, waterfront dining, holiday boat parade (Dec).

5. Art & Culture

• Long Beach Museum of Art (LBMA): Cliffside mansion, 3,000+ works (California modern, ceramics), ocean-view café.
• MOLAA: Only US museum dedicated to modern/contemporary Latin American art.
• East Village Arts District: Galleries, studios, monthly Art Walk (2nd Saturday).

6. Belmont Shore & The Pike Outlets

Belmont Shore: Walkable 2nd St. (boutiques, brunch, nightlife). The Pike: Outdoor mall, Ferris wheel, cinema, restaurants, Rainbow Harbor views.

7. Catalina Island Day Trip

Catalina Express (1 hr from Long Beach Harbor) → Avalon or Two Harbors. Snorkel, hike, zip line, golf cart tour, flying fish tour.

8. Rancho Los Alamitos & Rancho Los Cerritos

Two preserved adobe ranchos (1800s) with gardens, barns, Tongva/Gabrielino history. Free admission; quiet oases.

9. Festivals Year-Round

• Long Beach Grand Prix (Apr, IndyCar on city streets)
• Long Beach Pride (May, one of largest US)
• Long Beach Jazz Festival (Aug, Rainbow Lagoon)
• Crawfish Festival (Jul), Dia de los Muertos (Nov), Christmas Boat Parade (Dec)

10. Craft Beer & Food Halls

Beachwood BBQ & Brewing, Liberation Brewing, Long Beach Beer Lab. SteelCraft (open-air container food hall), The Hangout (food hall + bar).

Bonus: Whale watching (Dec–Apr gray whales, summer blues), Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden (CSULB), harbor dinner cruises.