Things to Do in Long Beach

>> Cheap airline tickets >> Long beach things to do

Long Beach is a port city with an impressively long coastline. It is unique in the LA area because of its blue collar vibe and ethnic diversity. There are several popular attractions that often make it on to visitors’ LA itineraries. But the city is more than its port and museums. There are other, less-known but equally exciting activities.

Here are the best activities that Long Beach has to offer.

Budget

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden (1250 Bellflower Boulevard) is on the campus of Cal State - Long Beach. It is a traditional Japanese garden includes a koi pond and tea house. With admission only costing $3, this is a great place to spend the afternoon if you are on a budget.

If you come to Long Beach during the summer, don’t forget to check out the events happening along the coast. The Long Beach Sea Festival is ongoing and a variety of events and activities are run throughout the summer.

There is a Russian submarine located right next to the Queen Mary (see Splurge below). Visitors can crawl through the craft on a self-guided tour. There is an actual Russian naval officer outside to answer questions and show you around on weekdays. At $11 per person. That is quite cheap compared to the larger attractions in the port. Keep in mind that you will have to pay for parking in this part of town.

Value

Long Beach Museum of Art (2300 East Ocean Boulevard) is a smallish museum compared to others in LA County. However, it has a good collection of work by contemporary California-based artists. Another positive of this exhibit space: admission is free every Friday.

The Long Beach Blues festival is held each Labor Day weekend at Cal State - Long Beach. The event features a mixture of blues, soul and roots rock acts.

El Dorado Park is an expansive park with forests, ponds, bike trails, play areas and picnic spots. It is a great place to take the family, especially if you are on a budget.

Splurge

The main tourist attraction in Long Beach is the Queen Mary. An aged ocean liner, it has been remodeled to include several restaurants, a hotel and plenty of retail space. There are daily tours. The nearby Aquarium of the Pacific is another worthwhile stop. It has 32 major exhibits and is known internationally for its collection of marine life from all over the Pacific Ocean. A discounted package for the Queen Mary tour and admission to the aquarium is available.