Long Beach Travel Guide Best Places to Visit in Long Beach in California, United States
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00:00Long Beach is an ocean-facing city in Southern California, approximately 20 miles south of Los Angeles.
00:07Its central attraction is the ocean, with approximately 5.5 miles of beach.
00:12The shoreline pedestrian bike path runs the entire length of this long stretch of sand,
00:18connecting its different beaches and points of interest.
00:21The ocean experience in Long Beach culminates in the downtown waterfront district.
00:26Here, places like the Aquarium of the Pacific and Shoreline Village offer authentic Southern California travel experiences.
00:34And nearby, the Queen Mary Ocean Liner enjoys her retirement in Queensway Bay,
00:40where those looking for something unique to do can hop aboard and enjoy the history.
00:44Other ways to enjoy the city's beautiful weather include visiting the expansive regional parks and the inland downtown district,
00:52bursting with a community flavor.
00:54Enjoy some Southern California sunshine with our video of the best places to visit and top things to do in Long Beach, California.
01:02Number 1. Downtown Waterfront
01:05The downtown waterfront overlooks Queensway Bay on the south side of the city.
01:10It's often the first place to visit for tourists and residents looking for entertainment.
01:15The area is packed with tourist attractions, including the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Long Beach Convention Center.
01:23And its water-adjacent landscape offers a scenic place to walk and spend the day.
01:28Other notable things to do in the downtown waterfront include sightseeing at Shoreline Aquatic Park
01:34and perusing the shops and restaurants at Shoreline Village.
01:37All types of bikes and paddle cruisers are available to rent at Shoreline Village.
01:42Number 2. The Queen Mary
01:45The Queen Mary was once the grandest ocean liner to navigate the Pacific Ocean.
01:50It first set sail in 1936 from Southampton, England, and was an instant hit.
01:57Thousands of tourists boarded the Queen Mary, followed by thousands of soldiers,
02:02as the luxury cruise liner actively participated in the Second World War.
02:07Upon the advent of affordable air travel, fewer passengers began boarding the Queen Mary,
02:13ultimately leading to her 1967 retirement along the sunny shores of Southern California.
02:19And today, it's permanently docked in Long Beach in Queensway Bay.
02:24The Queen Mary recently reopened to the public in April 2023 after a three-year closure.
02:30Self-guided tours and overnight stays are once again available, as well as many dining opportunities.
02:37Number 3. Shoreline Village
02:40Shoreline Village is a charming collection of restaurants and shops overlooking Rainbow Harbor on the downtown waterfront.
02:47It's a central hub for several activities, too, including visitor favorites like bike rentals, harbor cruises, and rides on a carousel.
02:56It's also an excellent starting spot for exploring the waterfront and beaches to the south.
03:01Restaurants are top places to visit in Shoreline Village.
03:05Places like Parker's Lighthouse are a great spot for fresh seafood,
03:09while other spots, like Louisiana Charlie's, are perfect for more casual dining.
03:15And most of the village's restaurants feature waterfront dining.
03:18Other items like ice cream and funnel cakes are also available.
03:22For extended adventures outside of Shoreline Village, consider renting a beach bike and heading south toward the sand.
03:29Number 4. Naples
03:32Naples is the southernmost neighborhood of Long Beach, overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
03:37It's a charming neighborhood built on three islands lined with picturesque canals.
03:42A landscaped plaza and decorative fountain sit at the center of Naples,
03:46surrounded by multi-million dollar homes and street names reminiscent of the Italian character of the neighborhood.
03:53One of the best ways to explore Naples is by hopping aboard a gondola via the Gondola Getaway.
03:59Departing from the leeway sailing center, Gondola Getaway operates the oldest and largest fleet of gondolas in America.
04:07Inland, the Marina Pacifica Mall features hundreds of retail shopping opportunities close to the ocean.
04:13Number 5. Catalina Island
04:16Catalina Island is 22 miles off the shore of Southern California,
04:21providing a picture-perfect escape from the hustle and bustle of the mainland.
04:26The downtown waterfront district in Long Beach is a prominent port to embark on a pleasure cruise to Catalina Island,
04:33departing next to the Aquarium of the Pacific.
04:36The Catalina Express shuttles visitors to Catalina Island throughout the day with a typical hour-long ride.
04:43Upscale hotels, oceanside dining, and an air of traveling abroad define most visits to Catalina Island,
04:51making it one of the most popular day trips from Los Angeles.
04:55Number 6. Junipero Cherry Beach
04:58Junipero Cherry Beach, also known as Junipero Beach or Long Beach City Beach,
05:04is the central spot to access the ocean.
05:07This long stretch of sand sits below the aptly named Bluff Park and Ocean Boulevard.
05:12The beach itself is very wide and accommodating for all types of under-the-sun activity.
05:18Parking is available along Ocean Boulevard,
05:21and the beach is accessible via different stairways and graded ramps throughout Bluff Park.
05:27Restroom facilities and showers are available along the sand.
05:31Swimming can be a popular activity, but visitors will want to check the water conditions before jumping in.
05:37One of the most popular activities at the beach is traveling the entirety of the beach on the shoreline pedestrian bike path.
05:45This weaving concrete trail features separate lanes for pedestrians and non-motorized commuters.
05:51Number 7. Aquarium of the Pacific
05:54The esteemed Aquarium of the Pacific, in the downtown waterfront,
05:58has approximately 100 exhibits and houses over 12,000 ocean animals.
06:04These impressive statistics make it the largest facility of its kind in Southern California,
06:09and millions of tourists visit the aquarium each year to marvel at the exhibits showcasing the nearby Pacific Ocean.
06:17The aquarium has something for adults and children alike,
06:20including the family-favorite June Keys Penguin Habitat, home to 20 Magellanic penguins.
06:26Other popular exhibits include the Lorikeet Forest, Shark Lagoon, and the Moon Jelly Touch Lab.
06:33Visitors can sign up for special animal encounters,
06:36including interactions with sea otters, octopuses, penguins, and seals.
06:41Number 8. Rosie's Dog Beach
06:44Rosie's Dog Beach is part of the long stretch of sand on the city's southern border.
06:49It's one of the most eastern beaches, situated beyond the Belmont Pier.
06:54Much like the city's entire shoreline, it's a picturesque ocean scene,
06:59but it's extra popular thanks to its off-leash status.
07:02Rosie's Dog Beach isn't fenced in like a traditional dog park.
07:07Users must have voice control of their pets.
07:10Visitors are also asked to bring their own bags, although some are available at the beach.
07:15Parking is metered nearby.
07:17Number 9. Downtown Long Beach
07:20For local shopping, dining, and nighttime entertainment, Downtown Long Beach has it all.
07:26Pine Avenue is a historic thoroughfare extending from the attraction-dense Downtown Waterfront District,
07:33offering international flavors at local eateries like George's Greek Café and Olopera Ristorante.
07:40Both inland and along the waterfront, the Downtown District is very walkable
07:45and designed with cyclists in mind, including well-marked bike lanes.
07:50The Long Beach Art Walk occurs every second Saturday of the month
07:53and brings out creative characters and things to do at night.
07:57Perhaps the biggest event to hit Downtown Long Beach is the annual Grand Pricks of Long Beach,
08:03where turbocharged cars take over the streets for thrilling race day action.
08:08Number 10. Walter Pyramid
08:11No other building stands out on campus like the Walter Pyramid.
08:15This cobalt blue structure stands over 18 stories high and houses a state-of-the-art arena.
08:21It's home to several athletic programs, including Long Beach State Basketball and Volleyball, for over 20 years.