With a redeveloped waterfront and as the second largest city in the Los Angeles area, Long Beach has set itself as a vacation destination with numerous hotels, restaurants, retailers, tours, and attractions for every member of the family.
As you plan your vacation to Long Beach, let the experts take care of your travel needs. Instead of finding your own means of transportation, consider reserving a bus ticket. Travel reservations are made easy with specialists that are on call 24 hours a day, along with easy booking on our website and mobile app to help you reserve the best bus ticket for your travel. We offer the most convenient way of travel for people who travel frequently or just want to explore a different part of the country. We promise to always put our best foot forward, so you always have a safe and comfortable trip.
With a long coastline fronting the Pacific Ocean, it's no surprise that some of the city's top attractions focus on ships. Travel back to the Golden Age of Transatlantic Liners with a visit to the Queen Mary. Launched in 1936, this ship-turned-museum offers tours through the first class staterooms, the indoor swimming pool, numerous decks, and the ship model gallery. Special film screenings, exhibits, and events are frequent, so allow the entire afternoon.
If you're more of a military buff, the USS Iowa is a battleship that can take you to World War II. Visit the bridge, a gun turret, crew's quarters, and more. Spring for the Inside IOWA Curator Tour for a behind-the-scenes look at areas normally closed to the public.
When you want a smaller and more intimate window into the past, the SS Lane Victory is a merchant marine vessel that served from World War II to Vietnam. Its decks can easily be negotiated in one or two hours. But call ahead because the vessel is sometimes closed for special events.
Another water-related attraction, albeit related to the natural world, is the Aquarium of the Pacific. A full-scale model of blue whale welcomes you into 19 major habitats and 32 focus exhibits covering 11,000 animals as diverse as sea jellies, penguins, sharks, and sea otters.
To view ocean wildlife in their natural habitat, catch a Harborbreeze Cruise from a nearby dock. A guide leads the two-hour tours from the Aquarium who can tell you about any seabirds, sea lions, dolphins, and whales that you may spot. The cruise also gives you magnificent vistas of the harbor, its ship traffic, and the city.
As the city name implies, several beaches beckon you to spend time on the sand. Belmont Shore Beach features volleyball courts and wide bike path, Mothers Beach has a family friendly environment with a kids' playground and sand toys, Rosie's Dog Beach is for friendly canines, and Marine Stadium is popular for spectator sports like rowing and power-boating.
Take a break from the water by viewing the visual wonders on display at the Long Beach Museum of Art. Permanent exhibits focus on ceramics although most of the spaces are devoted to traveling exhibits that cover contemporary art in painting, sculpture, and new media. Grab a snack at Claire's, the museum restaurant that serves beer, wine, appetizers, desserts, and an extensive breakfast menu complete with ocean views.
At the Museum of Latin American Art, you can enjoy the “only museum in the US dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American art.” Its rotating exhibits ensure that you'll find always something new whenever you visit.
Outside the museum gates lies the East Village Arts District a haven for those who enjoy galleries, boutiques, and cafes. Download a free map for a walking tour. Come during the second Saturday of the month and you can experience Art Walk, a celebration of all things beautiful. Expect musical performances, education, food booths, and, of course, plenty of art for viewing and for sale.
Like any large city, Long Beach offers several shopping venues selling everything your heart desires. If you're looking for handmade goods, come to Crafted At The Port Of Los Angeles. Located in a restored 1940s warehouse, over 100 artisans and food makers present handcrafted wares and delicious creations. They're only open from Friday to Sunday.
For a more traditional big-city downtown experience, head to Pine Avenue and West First Street. Radiating in all directions is the city's heart, where you'll find plenty of shopping, dining, and nightlife opportunities. Although the area is best seen on foot, the free Passport Bus takes you from there to other tourist areas such as the Queen Mary, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and the East Village Arts District.
From that corner, head south a few blocks and you'll run into the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, where something is always going on. Many events are open to the public, ranging from comic book and science fiction conventions to home and travel shows. Advanced ticketing is recommended for popular offerings.