Places to Visit in Long Beach California

Places to Visit in Long Beach California
best beaches in southern California
If you’re looking for a warm winter destination in the US to escape the cold winter months, Long Beach has to be one of the best places to getaway to in the states since it's also a short drive away to Los Angeles.

Long Beach is also one of the most popular places to visit along the California Coast, and if you’re looking for a vacation spot that boasts great weather, city attractions and water sports opportunities, you'll love spending time there.

Besides museums and art galleries, Long Beach also boasts lots of cultural events all year-round which include:

- The Bob Marley Reggae Festival in February
- The Cajun & Zydeco Festival in May
- Puerto Rican Salsa Festival and the Lesbian & Gay Pride Festival in June
- Boricuafest and Long Beach Jazz Festival in August
- The Blues Festival and the Brazilian Street Carnival in September


Long Beach is one of the most laid-back destinations in So Cal boasting a nice atmosphere and friendly people. To give you an idea to what's not to miss, have a read below at a great list of top places to visit in Long Beach California:

Long Beach Harbor

The Harbor is, undoubtedly, one of the top attractions in Long Beach California since it's there where you’ll be able to book anything from whale watching tours and romantic dinner cruises to fun tours of the harbor. Besides fun tours, Long Beach Harbor other attractions which include:

Aquarium of the Pacific

The Aquarium of the Pacific is located near Shoreline Aquatic Park and it’s definitely one of the top places to visit in Long Beach California with kids.

The aquarium has lots of cool marine life on display like jellyfish, sharks and sting rays which you’re allowed to pet. The aquarium also offers educational talks about the life of sea lions and seals, which call the Harbor home.

Shoreline Aquatic Park

Shoreline Aquatic Park is literary next door to Long Beach Aquarium and it’s one of the top places to visit in Long Beach Florida for a day in the sun enjoying water activities.

You can rent things paddleboats, canoes, windsurfers and sailboats, and during the summer months, Shoreline Aquatic Park also offers summer youth camps.

Shoreline Village

Shoreline Village is another Harbor-side attraction located near Long Beach Grand Prix Circuit. The Village is a touristy little street in which boasts many gift shops, restaurants and cafes.

RMS Queen Mary

The cruise/naval ship RMS Queen Mary is another attraction that you simply can’t miss on your list of places to visit in Long Beach California.

The ship is not longer in operation but it has been turned into a hotel/ museum, and you’re allowed to tour various areas of the ship such as the engine and wheelhouse. If you’re traveling to Long Beach California during Halloween, Queen Mary hosts a cool Halloween event called “Terrorfest”.

Long Beach Museum of Art

The Museum of Art is located in Downtown Long Beach, near Bixby Park, and it’s another place to visit in Long Beach to see cool art exhibits. The museum boasts beautiful mural painting on the wall of the first floor, and from the top floor, you'll be able to get nice panoramic views of the ocean.

Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)

The Museum of Latin American Art is located along Alamitos Avenue in Downtown Long Beach, around 20 minutes walk from Shoreline Village.

A visit to the MOLAA is a great chance to see great artworks by renowned Latin artists such as Felipe Ehrenberg and many others. You'll be able to enjoy guided tours as well as a variety of events such as educational events for families and kids.

Long Beach Entertainment Venues

If you are wondering about entertainment places in town, Long Beach boasts various arenas and centres where you can catch all kinds of entertainment, so be sure to check when you arrive in town. the top entertainment venues in Long Beach include:

*Coliseum & Sports Arena - located near the Expo Center – is a large stadium where you can catch college football games and music festivals such as the Electric Daisy Carnival.

*Walter Pyramid – located at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center – is the place to be to see the local basketball and volleyball team play.

*Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center – located near Shoreline Aquatic Park – hosts regular events such as dog competitions, symphony orchestras and motorcycle shows.

*Carpenter Performing Arts Center – located inside the California State University - is a great place to catch musicals and ballet performances.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is also located at the California State University and it’s also free to get in, unless there is a booked event.

The Japanese is a pleasant and relaxing place to visit if you need to getaway from the crowds, and it also a chance to marvel at beautiful exotic Japanese trees and plants.

El Dorado Regional Park

El Dorado Park is one of the largest city parks in Long Beach and it is located adjacent Long Beach Towne Center (around 20 minutes drive from Downtown Long Beach).

El Dorado Park is another cool place where you can do fun recreational activities with family or friends such as fishing, rollerblading and jogging, as well as enjoying a picnic and a barbecue.

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