22 Fun Things to Do in Long Beach | 2024 (with Photos)

Welcome to the sunny state of California, where there are so many tourist attractions for the whole family to enjoy.

Whether you're an art lover or just looking for some fun things to do, Long Beach, California is the perfect destination.

From the stunning coastline of the Pacific Ocean to the historic World War II-era Queen Mary, Long Beach offers a variety of experiences that will keep you and your family entertained.

In this article, we'll take you through a list of fun things to do in Long Beach.

Table of Contents

1. Visit the Long Beach Museum of Art

2. Walk the Beautiful Streets of the East Village Arts District

3. Rent a Bike at the El Dorado Nature Center

4. Visit Ocean Boulevard and Pacific Islands

5. Escape to the Burns Miller Japanese Garden

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1. Visit the Long Beach Museum of Art

The Long Beach Museum of Art is a fantastic museum located in a beautiful setting with breathtaking views of the Ocean.

Discover a diverse range of exhibits including California Modernism, and Pacific Island ethnic art at the Long Beach Museum of Art.

Visitors can enjoy the permanent collection as well as rotating exhibits throughout the year. The Long Beach Museum also offers educational programs, events, and workshops for art lovers of all ages.

2. Walk the Beautiful Streets of the East Village Arts District

The East Village district ****is a vibrant and culturally rich neighborhood in Long Beach that celebrates local artists and musicians. It's a hub for contemporary art galleries, independent boutiques, and vintage shops.

Visitors can explore the many murals and street art installations that line the district's streets, showcasing the creativity and talent of some artists.

The East Village Arts District is a must-visit destination for those who are looking to immerse themselves in Long Beach's creative scene.

3. Rent a Bike at the El Dorado Nature Center

The El Dorado Nature Center is a beautiful oasis in the heart of Long Beach, offering visitors a chance to escape the hustle and bustle of the city and immerse themselves in nature.

The center features over 100 acres of natural habitat, including walking trails, lakes, and gardens.

Visitors can enjoy birdwatching, fishing, and picnicking, as well as educational programs and events for all ages.

A nature center is a wonderful place for families and nature lovers alike to explore and appreciate the natural environment.

Don’t have your bike? Wheel Fun Rentals at the park has plenty of options to choose from, including four-wheel bikes, go-cart style bikes, and classic cruisers.

4. Visit Ocean Boulevard and Pacific Islands

Located along the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, Long Beach is a city with a rich cultural heritage and many points of interest.

One of the most fascinating areas of the city is Ocean Boulevard, which offers stunning views of the Pacific and the nearby Islands.

The Pacific Islands are a group of islands located in the Pacific Ocean, and they are an important part of Long Beach's cultural heritage.

Whether you're a history buff, an art lover, or just looking for a fun day out, Ocean Boulevard in Long Beach has something for everyone.

You can visit The only museum in the country dedicated to the arts and crafts of the Pacific Islands, this unique space features a fascinating permanent collection plus rotating and temporary exhibits that focus on everyday life in the Pacific.

5. Escape to the Burns Miller Japanese Garden

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a serene and picturesque oasis located on the campus of California State University, Long Beach.

This beautiful garden was founded in 1981 by Mrs. Loraine Miller Collins in memory of her late husband, who was an avid collector of Japanese art and artifacts.

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a must-visit attraction in Long Beach for anyone interested in Japanese culture, art, and architecture, and a perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life.

Featuring a variety of traditional Japanese elements, including a teahouse, koi pond, and a moon bridge, the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a popular spot for weddings, photography sessions, and cultural events.

6. Discover Shoreline Aquatic Park

A short drive from busy Los Angeles, the Long Beach Waterfront offers a great sunny chance for a getaway. Filled with golden beaches, a beautiful harbor begging to be explored, and plenty of active attractions.

Downtown Long Beach is also famous for its great shopping and dining for the whole family.

Among the favorite areas here is Long Beach’s Belmont Shore, one of California’s best-known seaside communities, where luxurious homes and boutique shops and cafes sit against beautiful canals.

7. Enjoy Bluff Park

A 25-acre green space located between the beach and Ocean Boulevard, Bluff Park offers some of the best water views in Long Beach.

Bluff Park represents one of the best tourist attractions in Long Beach, CA.

Whether you want to sit back and enjoy the sea breeze as you relax under the sun or are up for some walking, the park is the perfect background for it.

Bluff Park was an active military space in World War II. Interpretive information stands today where gun batteries were once installed, and the Lone Sailor Memorial statue commemorates the naval history of the city.

The Long Beach Lone Sailor is a replica of the original Lone Sailor statue, cast by artist Stanley Bleifeld, located on the granite plaza that forms the amphitheater of the U.S. Navy Memorial in Washington, D.C.

8. Visit Downtown Long Beach

Downtown Long Beach is a vibrant urban center that boasts a diverse mix of shops, restaurants, and cultural attractions.

The convention center is in the heart of downtown, overlooking the waterfront, and its sheer size is something of a spectacle.

The skyline of Downtown Long Beach is dominated by iconic buildings like the International Tower and the Pacific Tower, which offer stunning views of downtown Long Beach city and the coast.

Visitors can explore the many galleries, theaters, and museums that showcase the rich cultural heritage of the area.

9. Go to the Latin American Art Museum

The Long Beach Museum scene has a new addition: the Latin American Art Museum.

This Island Ethnic Art Museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in exploring the rich cultural heritage of Latin America.

Located in the heart of downtown Long Beach, the Beach Museum of Art boasts an impressive collection of paintings, sculptures, and other works from some of the region's most celebrated artists.

It's one of the only museums and one of the many art galleries in the country solely dedicated to contemporary Latin American art.

One of the standout exhibits at the Latin American Art Museum is "From the Amazon to the Andes," which showcases the indigenous art of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador.

10. Find Unique Souvenirs at the Long Beach Antique Market

The Antique Market is one of the largest and most popular outdoor antique markets in Long Beach, Southern California.

Held on the third Sunday of every month at the Long Beach Veterans Stadium, the market features over 800 vendors selling a wide range of vintage and antique items.

Browse through the outdoor aisles of antiques, home goods, vintage clothing, or any and all types of hidden treasures.

11. Discover Long Beach Waterfront

The Long Beach waterfront is a vibrant and picturesque destination that offers a variety of attractions and activities for visitors of all ages.

Stretching along the coastline of the Pacific Ocean, the Long Beach waterfront features a bustling boardwalk, sandy beaches, and a range of dining and shopping options.

Among the favorite areas here is Long Beach’s Belmont Shore, one of California’s best-known seaside communities, where luxurious homes and boutique shops and cafes sit against beautiful canals.

12. Visit One-of-a-Kind Entertainment Destination Shoreline Village

Located on the picturesque waterfront of Long Beach, Shoreline Village is a charming seaside shopping and dining destination that is only a stone's throw away from Belmont Shore and overlooks Rainbow Harbor.

Shoreline Village is a family-friendly destination overlooking Rainbow Harbor.

With its colorful boardwalks, quaint storefronts, and lively atmosphere, Shoreline Village offers a unique and memorable shopping and dining experience that captures the essence of Southern California.

Board a whale-watching tour boat at Shoreline Marina and sail off in search of whales! Gray, fin, and humpback whales are the most common species you can see on a whale-watching tour here.

Shoreline Village is the perfect destination for a fun and memorable day out by the water and one of the best attractions when you want to visit Long Beach.

13. Take Your Four-legged Friend to Rosie's Dog Beach

Rosie Dog Beach is a popular destination for dog lovers in Long Beach, offering a wide expanse of sandy beaches where dogs can run, play, and swim to their hearts' content.

Located on Ocean Boulevard, Rosie's Dog Beach is a dedicated off-leash dog beach that welcomes all friendly and well-behaved dogs and their owners.

With its relaxed and friendly atmosphere, Rosie Dog Beach is one of the best places in Long Beach to enjoy quality time with your four-legged companion for just a few hours or all day long.

14. Take a Day trip to Catalina Island

Catalina Island is a popular Long Beach destination for outdoor enthusiasts, thanks to its crystal-clear waters, rugged landscapes, and abundant wildlife.

This picturesque Catalina island off the coast of Southern California is known for its stunning beaches, world-class diving, and charming seaside town.

Catalina Island offers a wide range of activities and attractions for visitors, including snorkeling and scuba diving in the clear waters of the Pacific Ocean.

Also, Catalina Island offers hiking and biking through scenic trails, exploring the charming town of Avalon with its shops and restaurants. You can take a glass-bottom boat tour to observe the diverse marine life.

Visiting the Catalina Island Museum to learn about the island's rich history and culture, and enjoying a relaxing day at the beach or on a boat.

While the views are great any time the weather is clear, they are particularly stunning in Long Beach at night.

15. Book a Whale-Watching Cruise

Harbor Breeze Cruises offers unforgettable whale-watching cruises aboard their luxury cruise liner in Long Beach.

Guests can relax in comfort and style as they search for majestic whales in their natural habitat.

Whether you're a wildlife enthusiast or simply looking for a unique adventure, you'll find a range of whale-watching tours on state-of-the-art catamarans to see the largest mammals on earth in their natural environment.

16. For Sports Fans - El Dorado Park

El Dorado Park is a large urban park located in Long Beach, California, offering visitors a wide variety of recreational activities.

El Dorado Nature Center is a bit of a drive from Long Beach downtown.

The park features picnic areas, playgrounds, a skate park, and multiple sports fields for soccer, softball, and golf.

On the other side of the San Gabriel River, El Dorado West City Park is free to enjoy and features a popular 18-hole disc golf course.

Visitors can also enjoy fishing and boating at the park's two lakes, as well as hiking and biking on the park's many trails.

El Dorado Park is a popular destination in Long Beach for families and outdoor enthusiasts, offering something for everyone to enjoy.

17. Meet Ocean Friends at the Aquarium of the Pacific

The Aquarium of the Pacific is a must-see destination in Long Beach, Southern California, on Rainbow Harbor, California, offering visitors an up-close look at marine life and the biggest aquarium of the Pacific from around the world.

Boasting more than 11,000 exhibits, a day at the Pacific Aquarium holds much to see. 

The most popular exhibits in the Pacific Aquarium are the Shark Lagoon, which houses over 150 sharks and rays, and Lorikeet Forest, which is a walk-through aviary where visitors can even feed the colorful birds. 

The Aquarium of the Pacific is dedicated to promoting ocean conservation and sustainable practices, inspiring visitors to care for the ocean and its inhabitants.

18. For Ghosts Tours - Visit The Queen Mary

Visiting Queen Mary is on our list of the best things to do in California. This 310 meters long retired ocean liner that once made regular trips between England and New York has been permanently moored in Long Beach since 1967.

The original art deco rooms let you experience the Queen Mary at its most authentic. Consider what it would have been like to sleep on the Queen Mary as she traveled across the ocean.

You can choose from standard staterooms to full suites with their own living room and breakfast nook area on the Queen Mary.

The Queen Mary is also famous as a destination for ghost tours. Explore the stories of paranormal activity and spirits that are said to call the ship home.

19. Attend a Show at the California Long Beach State University

California State University (CSU) is a public university system in California that consists of 23 campuses and serves over 480,000 students annually, making it the largest university system in the United States by enrollment.

Attend a show at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center The Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Arts Center is part of California University and was named after the famous Carpenter siblings that once studied here before coming big music stars.

The Musical Theatre West is in residence at the center, where they perform everything from classics like Grease to Rodger and Hammerstein’s modern Cinderella to the acclaimed Damn Yankees.

20. Sunbathe on Junipero Beach (Cherry Beach)

Also known as Cherry Beach, Junipero Beach is a stretch of clean, beautiful sand that sits against Bluff Park and parts of Bixby Park.

The views over the Long Beach harbor are breathtaking and the beach is wide enough for both active pursuits and soaking some sun.

The beach also has a now-famous Pride Lifeguard Tower, a rainbow-painted tower designed to resemble the pride flag and erected to replace a previous tower that burned under mysterious circumstances.

21. Visit an Island Ethnic Art Museum

This is a unique museum in Long Beach, California that showcases Pacific Island Ethnic art, as well as the history and culture of Pacific Islander communities.

The Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum seeks to showcase the rich and diverse cultures of the Pacific Island that call Southern California home.

The art museum also features a range of educational programs, workshops, and events, providing visitors with a deeper understanding of the history and traditions of Pacific Islander cultures.

This attraction is a vibrant and dynamic cultural hub that celebrates the beauty and diversity of the Pacific Islanders.

22. Rent a Swan Boat around Rainbow Lagoon

Rainbow Lagoon is a great destination for a fun afternoon. Rent a swan boat and pedal your way around Long Beach and the islands in the center of the large lagoon.

This is a great exercise for your legs, makes for a perfect selfie set-up, and the views of downtown Long Beach are wonderful on a sunny afternoon.

Whether you’re traveling with kids or with friends, the boats make for a fun and refreshing outdoor break, especially if you’re already in the area shopping at Shoreline Village.

Bring some drinks and snacks and have a picnic on the go!

FAQs Regarding Fun Things to Do in Long Beach, California

Let's look at the most frequently asked questions relating to fun things to do in Long Beach, California.

How do you spend a day in Long Beach, CA?

There are many ways to spend a day in Long Beach, CA. Start your day with a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific. After the aquarium, head to Shoreline Village for breakfast.

After breakfast, take a stroll along the Long Beach Boardwalk, which offers views of the ocean and the Queen Mary.

What is the nicest part of Long Beach?

Long Beach, CA has many lovely neighborhoods and areas, but some of the nicest parts of the city include Belmont Shore, Shoreline Aquatic Park, Bluff Park, and Naples Island.

The downtown area is filled with restaurants, bars, shops, and cultural attractions.

Some notable spots include the Museum of Latin American Art, the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

What can you do in Long Beach by night?

Long Beach CA offers a variety of activities and attractions to enjoy at night, such as the Long Beach Bayou Festival, Long Beach Art Walk, and the Long Beach Symphony.

You can also take a sunset stroll along the beach, enjoy the nightlife, or see a show at the Long Beach Performing Arts Center.

At Long Beach Convention Center, there is a movie theater, live shows, and special events. This large meeting and exhibit space offers a bit of everything at night. Long Beach Convention Center is also a popular spot for shopping after a good dinner.

Summing Up: Fun Things to Do in Long Beach, California

Long Beach, CA offers a diverse range of attractions. Whether you're a music lover, an art enthusiast, or simply looking to explore the city, Long Beach, CA is the perfect destination to visit.

While you're visiting Long Beach, don't forget to check out Catalina Island and at least one museum. The options are endless in terms of entertainment, culture, and gorgeous views.

Check out the official calendar of the Entertainment Center for information on what's on this month before you visit Long Beach.

Don't forget to purchase tickets to anything you must see before they sell out! Have a great trip to Long Beach.