10 Best Things to Do in Long Beach

Looking for what to do in Long Beach? Stretching along a prime stretch of Southern California’s coast, Long Beach masterfully blends the laid-back allure of a classic beach town with the dynamic energy of a modern, culturally rich city. Often overshadowed by its flashier neighbor, Los Angeles, Long Beach confidently carves out its own identity as a diverse, accessible, and endlessly engaging destination. With one of the world’s busiest ports as its industrial backbone, the city has transformed its expansive waterfront into a playground of world-class attractions, scenic parks, and vibrant districts. From families and cruise ship visitors to artists and foodies, Long Beach offers a perfect mix of iconic oceanfront landmarks, immersive museums, charming historic neighborhoods, and a thriving culinary scene, all wrapped in that quintessential Southern California sunshine.

From exploring one of the nation’s top aquariums and a legendary ocean liner to biking along picturesque shoreline paths, discovering artistic enclaves, and soaking up the local vibe in unique coastal communities, here are the 10 best things to do in Long Beach to help you plan the perfect trip to this multifaceted city by the sea.

1. Explore the Aquarium of the Pacific

As the cornerstone of Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor, the Aquarium of the Pacific is not just an attraction but a profound journey into the incredible biodiversity of the world’s largest ocean. Housing over 12,000 animals in more than 100 exhibits, this world-class institution is thoughtfully organized by region. Wander through the warm waters of the Tropical Pacific Gallery, teeming with colorful reef fish and graceful rays; feel the chill in the Northern Pacific Gallery, home to playful sea otters and delicate moon jellies; and come face-to-face with formidable sharks in the massive Shark Lagoon.

Interactive experiences are a major highlight. You can touch bamboo sharks and cownose rays in outdoor touch pools, watch daily feedings and animal presentations, and even experience the new Pacific Visions wing, which adds a stunning, immersive theater and art gallery focusing on humanity’s relationship with the ocean. The aquarium’s focus on conservation and education makes it as enlightening as it is entertaining, ensuring a memorable visit for ocean lovers of all ages.

2. Tour the Historic Queen Mary

Permanently moored in Long Beach Harbor, the RMS Queen Mary is a floating monument to the golden age of transatlantic travel. This majestic Art Deco ocean liner, launched in 1934, sailed the North Atlantic for decades and served as a troopship during WWII. Today, it operates as a historic hotel, museum, and event space. A self-guided or themed guided tour allows you to step back in time and explore its grandeur.

Walk the same polished wood decks where royalty and celebrities once strolled, marvel at the intricate craftsmanship of the First Class Observation Bar and the Grand Salon, and descend deep into the engine room to see the massive turbines that powered the ship. For those intrigued by the paranormal, the ship is famously reputed to be haunted, offering special ghost tours. Whether you’re a history buff, an architecture admirer, or simply captivated by maritime lore, the Queen Mary is an essential and evocative piece of Long Beach’s identity.

3. Relax at the Long Beach Waterfront & Shoreline Village

The heart of Long Beach’s tourist activity pulses along its beautifully developed waterfront. Shoreline Village, a New England-style waterfront complex, is a lively hub with candy-colored buildings housing souvenir shops, casual eateries, and carnival-style games. It’s a festive spot for families, offering carousel rides and picturesque views of the marina.

Adjacent to the village, the Long Beach Shoreline Pedestrian Bike Path begins, leading you past the majestic Queen Mary, through Rainbow Harbor (dotted with sailing yachts and tour boats), and along the sandy expanse of Long Beach City Beach. This area is perfect for renting a bicycle, surrey, or electric scooter, or simply strolling while enjoying the salty breeze, street performers, and the constant parade of boats. Sunset here, with the sky reflecting off the water and the Palm Trees silhouetted against the light, is pure Southern California magic.

4. Visit the Long Beach Museum of Art

Perched dramatically on a oceanfront bluff in a historic 1912 Elizabeth Milbank Anderson mansion, the Long Beach Museum of Art (LBMA) offers a uniquely intimate and scenic cultural experience. The museum’s collection focuses primarily on 20th and 21st-century American and European art, with a strong emphasis on California Modernism. Its galleries showcase paintings, decorative arts, and sculptures in a setting that feels more like a luxurious home than a typical museum.

The true crown jewel is the outdoor Claire Falkenstein Sculpture Garden. This beautifully landscaped space features striking contemporary sculptures set against an uninterrupted backdrop of the Pacific Ocean—a stunning fusion of art and nature. The museum’s Claire’s at the Museum restaurant, housed in a historic carriage house, offers patio dining with some of the best ocean views in the city, making a visit here both a visual and culinary delight.

5. Explore Naples Island

For a taste of European charm in Southern California, head to the enchanting man-made community of Naples Island. Built in the early 1900s, this unique neighborhood is crisscrossed by three miles of picturesque canals, complete with arched Venetian-style bridges and lined with beautiful, often lavish, waterfront homes. The best way to experience Naples is from the water itself.

Book a relaxing gondola ride with a singing gondolier (especially romantic at dusk) or rent a kayak or paddleboard to explore at your own pace. On land, the main drag, Naples Plaza, offers a selection of upscale boutiques and excellent restaurants with canal-side patios. Simply walking or biking the peaceful pathways along the water provides a serene escape and a glimpse into one of Long Beach’s most desirable and photogenic communities.

6. Stroll through Belmont Shore

Just east of Naples Island, Belmont Shore embodies the classic, energetic Southern California beach town vibe. The commercial heart of the neighborhood is Second Street, a bustling, pedestrian-friendly avenue packed with over 300 independent shops, cafes, restaurants, and bars. Here, you can find everything from surf shops and trendy clothing boutiques to gourmet ice cream parlors and craft breweries.

One block south lies the wide, sandy Belmont Shore Beach, a favorite for sunbathing, beach volleyball, and water sports. The area is particularly famous for its annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade and its lively, friendly atmosphere. Whether you’re shopping, people-watching from a sidewalk cafe, or joining the locals for a sunset bike ride along the beach path, Belmont Shore offers an authentic slice of laid-back, prosperous coastal living.

7. Bike the Shoreline Pedestrian Bike Path

One of the most active and enjoyable ways to take in Long Beach’s coastal beauty is by traversing its flat, smooth, and incredibly scenic Shoreline Pedestrian Bike Path. This paved route stretches approximately 5.5 miles from Shoreline Village in the west, past the Queen Mary, through Long Beach City Beach, and all the way to the peninsula of Belmont Shore.

The path is a vibrant artery of local life, shared by cyclists, joggers, rollerbladers, and walkers. As you ride, you’ll enjoy panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and the city skyline on the other, passing marinas, parks, and beachfront concessions. Numerous rental shops along the route offer bikes, surreys, skates, and electric scooters. The path seamlessly connects many of the city’s top attractions, making it both a recreational activity and a practical, fun mode of transportation.

8. Visit Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch & Gardens

Step into the pastoral history of Southern California at Rancho Los Alamitos, a remarkably preserved oasis nestled in the upscale neighborhood of Bixby Hill. This site, dating back over 1500 years to its Tongva-Gabrieleño Native American roots, evolved into a Spanish land grant and later a thriving cattle ranch. The historic core includes the charming 1800s adobe ranch house, furnished with period pieces, and a collection of restored barns housing antique farm equipment and live farm animals.

The true showstopper is the 4-acre heritage garden, a series of themed gardens that represent different periods and styles, from a serene Japanese garden and a vibrant rose garden to a fragrant citrus grove. A visit here is a tranquil, educational journey through the layers of land use, culture, and botany that shaped the region long before skyscrapers and freeways.

9. Explore El Dorado Nature Center

For a deep, restorative breath of fresh air, escape to the 105-acre El Dorado Nature Center. Tucked away from urban noise, this sanctuary features two lakes, a stream, and over two miles of paved and dirt trails winding through forests of willow, oak, and sycamore. The trails are specifically designed to minimize human impact, allowing wildlife to thrive; it’s common to spot turtles sunning on logs, numerous bird species, rabbits, and even the occasional deer.

The on-site Nature Center building has educational exhibits on local ecology. Whether you’re seeking a vigorous walk, a quiet spot for birdwatching, or a peaceful place to reflect surrounded by the sounds of frogs and rustling leaves, El Dorado offers a vital green heart within the city limits, proving that Long Beach’s appeal extends far beyond its shoreline.

10. Enjoy Long Beach’s Food and Nightlife Scene

Long Beach’s diverse population fuels an exceptionally vibrant and eclectic dining and nightlife scene. The city is a mosaic of neighborhoods, each with its own culinary personality. For innovative California cuisine and craft cocktails, explore the East Village Arts District. Retro Row on 4th Street offers vintage shops alongside hip coffee houses and vegan eateries. The Downtown Pine Avenue corridor buzzes with upscale restaurants, Irish pubs, and rooftop bars offering skyline views.

Belmont Shore is packed with bustling eateries, while the Cambodia Town neighborhood offers some of the best Southeast Asian food in the country. The craft beer scene is robust, with beloved local breweries like Beachwood Brewing and Ten Mile Brewing. From enjoying fresh seafood on a harbor-front patio to dancing in a retro-themed lounge or sipping local wine in a cozy bistro, Long Beach ensures your evenings are as fulfilling as your days.