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Long Beach is one of Southern California’s most underrated cities. It has a working port, a historic ocean liner, a world-class aquarium, and a stretch of sand that rarely feels as packed as Santa Monica. It also has a quirky, creative energy—think vintage shops, funky coffee bars, and neighborhoods that each have their own personality. To help you plan your next escape, we’ve rounded up the best things to do in Long Beach, from iconic landmarks to local hangouts.
Perhaps you’re considering a few different spots for your next getaway. Browse some of the best places to vacation for more travel ideas, but make sure Long Beach stays near the top of your list.
The Waterfront: Beaches, Bikes, and the Aquarium of the Pacific
The first thing most people think of when they hear “Long Beach” is the water, and the waterfront here is genuinely special. A breakwater built in the 1940s keeps the waves gentle, making this one of the few spots in Southern California where you can float without getting knocked over.
Where to Put Your Towel Down
If you’re here for a classic beach day, you have several choices. Belmont Shore’s beach is lively and central, with volleyball nets and clean restrooms. Mother’s Beach, as its name suggests, is a protected cove perfect for little kids. And farther south, near the San Gabriel River bike path, there are quieter stretches of sand that never seem to fill up.
- Belmont Shore: Great for surfing, food, and people watching.
- Mother’s Beach: Calm water, playground, and picnic areas.
- Alamitos Beach: A wide, open shoreline that’s a favorite for sunset walks.
Rent a Bike and Explore the Coast
Several companies rent bikes along Ocean Boulevard. You can ride for miles, past the ocean, the pier, and the massive Queen Mary, eventually reaching the shops and restaurants of Belmont Shore. It’s flat the whole way, so it’s an easy ride for all fitness levels. The bike path connects to the LA River trail if you’re feeling really adventurous.
The Aquarium of the Pacific
This massive aquarium in Rainbow Harbor is the city’s most popular attraction, and for good reason. It has over 12,000 animals, including sharks, sea lions, and jellyfish. The penguins are a crowd favorite. Set aside at least three hours to walk through the exhibits and catch one of the daily animal shows.
Kayak or Paddle Through the Naples Canals
Naples is a small neighborhood on the east side of Long Beach, built around a network of canals similar to those in Venice, Italy. You can rent a kayak or paddleboard from a local outfitter and spend a half-hour gliding past houses with Mediterranean architecture. It’s a unique and surprisingly peaceful way to see a different side of the city.
If you love exploring coastal areas, you might also enjoy the Big Island bucket list with 25 incredible things to do in Hawaii for another kind of shore adventure.
Step Inside the Queen Mary
The Queen Mary is unmistakable when you see her—a grand, Art Deco ocean liner permanently docked in the Port of Long Beach. You can take a self-guided tour of the decks, peek into the first-class lounges, and wander through the engine rooms. For those who enjoy a little supernatural, there are ghost tours that focus on the ship’s more mysterious legends. If you’re a history buff, you’ll want to check out her wartime service; the ship served as a troop transport during World War II.
You can even book an overnight stay in one of the Queen Mary’s cabins. The rooms are compact, but stepping back in time is worth it—just be aware that the ship is known for being creaky and definitely has an atmosphere.
Discover Long Beach’s Personality: Neighborhoods and Streets
Long Beach isn’t just one thing. It’s a city of distinct neighborhoods, and spending a little time in each gives you a better sense of its soul.
Belmont Shore and Naples
Belmont Shore is a walkable stretch of shops and cafés along Second Street. It’s a great place to grab an ice cream, browse boutiques, or stumble upon a summer street festival. Just south of it, Naples is quiet and residential, with its famous canals and a little waterfront strip with Italian restaurants and kite shops.
Retro Row on East Fourth Street
If you have anything about vintage and second-hand, you’ll love Retro Row. This stretch has been carefully preserved to celebrate its mid-century look, and it’s now packed with vintage clothing stores, record shops, coffee roasters, and galleries. The monthly Fourth Saturday Street Fair draws in a crowd with live music and pop-up booths.
The East Village Arts District
Further downtown, the East Village is Long Beach’s creative heart. You’ll find indie bookshops like Page Against the Machine, colorful murals, and art galleries that stay open late during the Art Walk on the second Saturday of the month.
Museums and Art for a Culture Fix
Beyond the aquarium, Long Beach has surprising cultural depth. The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is the only museum in the western United States devoted exclusively to Latin American art, and its collection is impressive. The Long Beach Museum of Art sits in a historic ocean-view mansion, with rotating exhibits and a sculpture garden. The Rancho Los Alamitos historic ranch and gardens offers a glimpse into the area’s early 19th-century history, with preserved adobe buildings and lovely grounds.
Family-Friendly Things to Do in Long Beach
Long Beach is an excellent city to visit with kids. The aquarium is an obvious pick, but there’s more. Shoreline Village has a vintage carousel that kids adore, and the Rainbow Harbor is a fun spot to watch boats and sea lions. You can even take a gondola ride through the Naples canals for a magical evening experience.
And if you’re ever short on ideas when traveling with the little ones, check out these 30 real-life things to do with kids—many of which work on any vacation.
The Pike offers a mix of shopping, dining, and an open-air plaza with a Ferris wheel.
Cheap and Free Activities Around the City
You don’t need to spend a lot to enjoy Long Beach. One of the best free things to do is walk the bluff at Junipero Beach, where you’ll get a sweeping view of the coastline and the distant port. You can also bring a picnic to the grassy areas at El Dorado East Regional Park, which has a lake and lots of open space. A hike through the nature center costs a few dollars, but the park itself is free.
For budget travelers seeking inspiration, this roundup of cheap things to do in Doha is worth a look, but Long Beach already has plenty of affordable attractions waiting for you.
Eat Your Way Around Long Beach
Long Beach is a foodie destination in its own right. The city has a large Cambodian population, and the area around Anaheim Street is often called Cambodia Town—it’s the only one in the United States. Here, you can get authentic Khmer noodles that will put your local takeout to shame. For seafood, try the fish taco joints near Belmont Pier, or splurge on a seafood tower at one of the waterfront restaurants in the Pike.
The Fourth Street Farmers Market runs on Sundays and is a great place to sample local produce, artisan breads, and hot food. On the first Friday of each month, Retro Row’s shops stay open late, and you can grab a bite from taco trucks parked on the street.
If you have a sweet tooth, look for the Long Beach Creamery, known for its small-batch ice creams in flavors like honey lavender and brown sugar cinnamon.
Finish your evening with a craft cocktail at Blind Donkey, a whiskey bar tucked into a narrow alley downtown, or catch a live show at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center, which hosts everything from symphony orchestras to stand-up comedy.
Long Beach rewards you with a much more authentic version of Southern California than the postcard images suggest. Between the ocean breeze, the historic ship, the colorful neighborhoods, and the food, there’s a reason locals fight to keep it under the radar.
