FREE THINGS TO DO IN LONG BEACH

  • 1. Naple Canals – Experience the charm of Italy in the south of California. Located in Long Beach, Naples is a dreamland consisting of three islands, which are separated by a series of canals that lead to Alamitos Bay. Second Street—a 15-block shopping, dining, and entertainment district—offers everything you need, while breezy Naples Plaza and family-friendly Marina Beach are great spots to enjoy the outdoors. During summer, swing by the Colonnade for live music. To get around the islands, travelers can stroll along tranquil walkways, cruise on Venetian gondolas, or even cycle in the lagoon on hydro bikes.
  • 2. Long Beach Waterfront – Waterfront is a lively collection of green spaces, including Rainbow Lagoon Park, with Japanese-style landscaping, and ShoreLine Aquatic Park, with a lighthouse. Outlet shops and chain hotels cluster around Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, which has theaters and an arena hosting conferences and annual festivals like Comic Con. The Aquarium of the Pacific features coral reefs, touch tanks, and penguins.
  • 3. Shoreline Village – Quirky shops, souvenir stores and restaurants line this popular waterfront boardwalk, which also features a carousel and fun zone for kids, live entertainment, beautiful views of the city and dynamite sunsets.
  • 4. Belmont Shore – Belmont Shore is a neighborhood in Long Beach, California. It is home to many shops, restaurants, salons, and business offices.
  • 5. Rancho Los Cerritos – Rancho Los Cerritos is the only Local, State, and National Historic Landmark in Long Beach, California. The site echoes with the rich history of indigenous, Spanish, Mexican, and American California. We provide our award-winning education programs to 30,000 students and visitors every year. The City of Long Beach designated the Rancho as an essential business and requested we re-open for the health and well-being of our community. We are proud to welcome you back to the 5-acre site’s beautifully preserved historic gardens. You can stroll the gardens Wednesday through Sunday or participate in our virtual family activities at any time. We have put new safety measures in place due to Covid-19. You must wear a mask while visiting and provide us with your contact info for contact tracing.
  • 6. Visit California State University Long Beach – California State University, Long Beach, also known in athletics as Long Beach State University, is a public teaching-focused institution in Long Beach, California. The 322-acre campus is the second largest in the California State University system.
  • 7. The Pike Outlets – Waterfront entertainment district boasts restaurants, nightlife venues, a theater & a Ferris wheel.
  • 8. Pine Avenue – Shop in the daytime or party at night along this trendy retail and restaurant district, where historic buildings house shops and eateries, and a sizzling nightlife takes over when the sun goes down.
  • 9. Marine Park (Mother’s Beach) – Beach with picnic areas, a playground, and volleyball, plus a protected swimming area with lifeguards.
  • 10. Long Beach East Village Arts District – A historic hidden gem & independent shopping district where you can experience the creative culture of Downtown Long Beach.

BEST NON-FREE THINGS TO DO IN LONG BEACH

  • 1. Downtown LA Lights: Your Private Sunset and Night Helicopter Tour – Take your exploration of Los Angeles to new heights during this 30-minute private helicopter sightseeing flight. Climb aboard your own private helicopter at Santa Monica airport for an unforgettable aerial excursion above the City of Angels, heading north over the canals of Venice Beach. You’ll continue past the sights including the foothills of Santa Monica, the mountaintop Getty Museum and Hollywood and its iconic sign, plus much more. Loop back past Griffith Observatory and the skyscrapers of downtown before coming back down to earth in Santa Monica.
  • 2. Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach – Keep your eyes peeled for majestic whales on this group whale watching excursion in Long Beach. Your captain takes you to the best spots to search for whales, while you sit and relax aboard your cruise boat. There’s a restroom on the boat, so no need to worry. You can also purchase water, soda, and snacks, so bring some money with you.
  • 3. City Tour of Los Angeles from Long Beach and San Pedro Cruise Terminals – This full–day tour of Los Angeles is a popular and convenient choice for cruise ship passengers docked at the Long Beach or San Pedro terminals. After pick–up from the port, your guide brings you to LA’s highlights and hidden gems, from the Hollywood Sign to Marlon Brando’s acting school. The day’s itinerary factors in free time to explore, dine, or shop at your own pace.
  • 4. Swan Boat Rental at Rainbow Lagoon – Renting a swan boat is a fun way to exercise and explore the Rainbow Lagoon at the same time. If your rental is on a hot day—no need to worry about the California sunshine, as each boat comes with shaded canopies to protect you from the elements. Choose from a variety of time slots to suit your schedule—you can even go for an atmospheric evening ride with LED lights on your boat.
  • 5. Shared 8-Hour Los Angeles City Sightseeing Tour from Long Beach – Spend the day sightseeing in Los Angeles during this guided tour from Long Beach. With an expert local guide and a small group of 14 people or less, see LA landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Follow your guide to filming locations of famous movies, explore Hollywood Boulevard and see one of the biggest ports in the US. This tour includes a balanced mix of guided tours and free time and includes round-trip transportation from Long Beach hotels.
  • 6. Los Angeles Highlights Tour from Long Beach – Spend a half-day sightseeing in Los Angeles during this guided tour from Long Beach. With an expert local guide and a small group of fourteen people or less, see LA landmarks like the Hollywood Sign, Santa Monica, Venice Beach and the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Follow your guide to filming locations of famous movies, explore Hollywood Boulevard and see one of the biggest ports in the US. This tour includes round-trip transportation from Long Beach hotels. 
  • 7. Ultimate Tour of Los Angeles by Helicopter – Take flight above Long Beach and Los Angeles on this helicopter tour. Starting at Long Beach Airport, you’ll fly toward Santa Monica and the Hollywood sign, traveling along the coastline of Long Beach, around San Pedro, and past the beaches of Los Angeles. This is the best way to experience the grand scale of LA.
  • 8. Private Helicopter Tour of Beaches & Downtown Los Angeles from Long Beach – Take in Los Angeles’ scenic highlights from the air with a private, 45-minute helicopter tour from Long Beach. Fly up the coast past Manhattan and Venice beaches, then bank over Santa Monica pier then head for downtown. See the city’s sports centers and gleaming skyscrapers and take in views of the Hollywood Hills and the San Gabriel Mountains before touching back down in Long Beach.
  • 9. Skip the Ticketing Line: Aquarium of the Pacific General Admission Ticket – General admission to the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach. Learn all about the marine life of the Pacific Ocean, the planet’s largest ocean. Travel from the waters of Alaska to California to Micronesia. See seals, sea lions, otters, sharks, tropical fish, sea stars, an octopus and more. Frogs: Facing a Changing World special exhibit opening May 24, 2024!
  • 10. Long Beach Glass Bottom Boat Eco-Tour – Explore life under the sea on a 1-hour harbor eco-tour aboard a glass bottom boat. From the Long Beach Port, you’ll head out to the Federal Break to see what lives in the shallow water habitat. On the way, seek sea lions and seals, get a close up view of the Queen Mary (docked in Long Beach Harbor), and see the port at work with the busy container ships coming in and out to sea.

RECOMMENDED RESTAURANTS NEAR THE CRUISE PORT

BARS NEAR THE CRUISE PORT