Wondering what to do in Long Beach, California? There’s plenty of fun to be had!
The city of Long Beach, right in the heart of southern California, is a true blend of laid-back beach town and vibrant city.
We never expected Long Beach to become a second home of sorts, but thanks to my son’s food allergy treatment at the Food Allergy Institute, we now find ourselves visiting this Southern California city five to six times a year. And while the appointments brought us here, the city keeps bringing us back in all kinds of wonderful ways.
Over the past couple of years, we’ve explored Long Beach in between treatments and appointments, and I’ve come to love the blend of ocean views, family-friendly attractions, and fun neighborhoods full of charm and character. Whether we’ve got a few hours or a full day, there’s always something fun to do, somewhere new to explore, or just a great place to relax and soak in the sunshine.
If you’re planning a family trip, a beachy weekend, or even navigating food allergies while traveling (we’ve been there!), this guide offers our favorite spots around town—many of them well-suited for young kids, budget-friendly, and easily accessible.
Long Beach Travel Guide for Families
Things to Do in Long Beach, California
From relaxing beach days to hands-on museums and hidden gems perfect for kids, here are our favorite things to do in Long Beach during our frequent visits.
Beaches & Coastal Walks
1. Alamitos Beach
Near the downtown area, Alamitos is ideal if you’re looking to pair beach time with a stroll along bike paths or a stop for lunch nearby. It’s wide, sandy, and close to many other Long Beach highlights like Shoreline Village and the iconic lighthouse.
2. Junipero Beach
Another solid option if you want space to spread out and soak up the sun. It’s often less crowded and has a more laid-back vibe—perfect for a relaxed beach day.
Solitude and sand at Sunset Beach
3. Sunset Beach
My personal favorite, and an excellent spot for families. There’s no parking meter in sight (yes, parking is free!), and it’s a quick, easy walk from the lot to the water. It’s a great way to enjoy the Pacific Ocean without the crowds of more touristy beaches. It’s about a 20-minute drive from Long Beach, but worth it for the views. :)
Taking in the surf on a quiet beach morning
4. Mother’s Beach
A popular recommendation for families, Mother’s Beach has gentle, shallow water and a playground, making it perfect for younger kids. We’ve spent an afternoon or two building sand castles and dipping our toes in the water. There are great picnic areas here as well!
Museums & Historic Sites
This is hands-down one of the best things to do with kids in Long Beach. We’re members for a reason! From sea otters and jellyfish to touch tanks and educational exhibits, it’s an immersive experience that highlights marine life across the Pacific Ocean.
Discovering colorful sea life at the Aquarium of the Pacific
One of our family’s favorite activities? Painting fish and watching them come to life in a giant aquarium! (It’s the very first exhibit to your right when you enter the aquarium!) My kids’ other favorite activity is getting to touch the jellyfish and sting rays. There’s also lots to see and do after your deep-sea adventure to the largest aquarium in the area. Located in the heart of downtown Long Beach, there are lots of restaurants, harbor cruises, special events, etc., right at your feet.
Designing digital sea creatures at the Aquarium
2. Queen Mary
Currently docked and open again to the public, this legendary ship is a mix of history, elegance, and a bit of ghostly intrigue. Even if you don’t go on board (we haven’t yet), the pier area makes for a fun walk. Several tour options offer a deeper dive into the ship’s Art Deco interiors and fascinating past.
This is high on my list of things to do. My grandparents took a cruise on the Queen Mary decades ago, and I’d love to set foot on it myself! Even if you don’t go on board, visiting the downtown area where it’s docked is still pretty cool! The boat is huge and there are some great downtown shops to browse.
3. Long Beach Museum of Art
Overlooking the ocean, this small museum is a great place to spend a few hours. Explore the galleries, then grab a bite at the café on the ocean-view terrace. Admittedly, I haven’t visited yet, but one of these days I may sneak away from my (supervised) kids to explore!
Outdoor & Nature Activities
Climbing high and loving it at a Long Beach playground
1. El Dorado Nature Center
Tucked away in a city park, this is a peaceful retreat filled with walking trails, ponds, and native wildlife. It’s a great spot for a nature walk or some quiet reflection—especially early in the morning. My son and I once spent a spring afternoon just wandering the trails until he was guaranteed to sleep great that night.
2. Signal Hill
Climb (or drive) to the top for sweeping views of the entire city of Long Beach and the harbor. It’s a perfect time-out spot, and I hear the view at sunset is worth the effort. My Central Time Zone-kids are usually out cold well before sunset, but maybe once they’re a little older!
3. Colorado Lagoon
Located in the Alamitos Heights neighborhood, Colorado Lagoon is a peaceful coastal salt marsh and restored wetland with walking trails, playgrounds, and picnic spots—an excellent nature stop for families who want a glimpse of saltwater habitats and bird life without straying far from the city.
More Kid Fun
1. Round One
Game time at Round One!
This is a chain so we’ve got a branch local to us, but Round One is still a regular stop for us on our Long Beach trips. It’s an easy spot to kill a couple of hours and the kids always have the best time. Located in a shopping mall, there are tons of arcade games, bowling, and pool, and if you need a place to unwind after all the excitement, there’s a movie theater on the other side of the building.
3. Get Air Trampoline Park
Sometimes you just need to bounce! A popular place with locals and visitors alike. It’s another chain, but helpful to know it’s around if your kids just need to burn off some extra energy sometimes!
Taming dinosaurs at the park!
4. City Parks
Long Beach has some great city parks, many with a theme (airplanes, dinosaurs, etc.) Some of our favorites include Del Valle Park in Lakewood and Recreation Park. Many of the parks also include a splash pad, so throw an extra change of clothes in the car just in case!
Nearby Amusement Parks & Attractions
Digging into playtime at Pretend City Children’s Museum
A favorite spot of ours, this smaller theme park is ideal for younger kids—not as overwhelming (or expensive!) as Disneyland, but still packed with rides, games, and family fun. Located in nearby Stanton (about 30 minutes away), it makes for a great day trip. We’ve visited twice now (it’s not always open when we’re in town, so double-check the calendar before you go!) and the kids LOVE it!
Ready for the thrill at Adventure City!
There are plenty of tame rides – carousel, train ride, mini ferris wheel, etc., but there are a few “big” rides that even the little ones can ride (I make sure to take my Dramamine!). I was honestly shocked my four-year-old wanted to ride a few of them, but he is apparently a fan of the adrenaline, just like his brother!
2. Disneyland
Disneyland is so close to Long Beach, it’s easy to add to your itinerary if you’re planning a longer stay. We haven’t attempted it yet with the kids, but it’s certainly on the bucket list! We’re waiting for the youngest to develop a little more stamina first. :)
3. Knots Berry Farm
This may be our next theme park visit before we visit Mickey and friends. I visited with a local on my last trip and she told me how Knots Berry Farm was their family favorite. Shorter lines, less expensive, and easy to ride everything you want. Just up the street from Adventure City, there’s also a huge water park (also Knotts Soak City Water Park) across the street.
4. Pretend City Children’s Museum
Hard at work in the “auto shop” at Pretend City Children’s Museum
Pretend City Children’s Museum in Irvine is a hands-on, child-sized city where kids explore real-world roles through imaginative play and interactive exhibits. We’ve only visited once but my five-year-old at the time had a lot of fun pretending to work on cars, shop in the grocery store, and dig in the sand.
Located in Redondo Beach (about 45 min from Long Beach), we’ve been here twice now and the kids have had fun. Inside an old department store in a mall, one level is giant animatronic dinosaurs and dino mini golf, the other level is huge bounce houses!
Seasonal Fun
1. Naples Island Christmas Lights
Each holiday season, Naples Island transforms into a winter wonderland (well, minus the snow). Tour the beautifully decorated homes on foot or by gondola along the Naples Island canal, or catch the festive boat parade. I imagine this year we will have a November/December appointment and I’m hoping our times line up to visit!
2. Grand Prix of Long Beach
One of the most popular attractions, the Grand Prix is held each spring, where the city transforms into a racecourse for this high-speed event. Even if you’re not a racing fan, it’s pretty cool to see the energy and crowds that descend on the downtown area. Just beware of closed streets/detours if you are trying to visit other downtown spots! If we happen to be in Long Beach during this event, we tend to avoid downtown. :)
3. Halloween Decor Fun
My kids are huge fans of Halloween, and some Long Beach neighborhoods really go all out! Some favorite places to drive (or walk) around are the California Heights, Los Cerritos, and Lakewood areas to see giant skeletons, huge inflatable ghosts and cool, creepy graveyards!
Places to Eat
1. Noble Bird
Disclaimer, I haven’t actually eaten here yet. My son isn’t able to eat in restaurants yet but this restaurant comes highly, highly recommended from other food allergy families I know!
2. The Hangar Food Hall
While we don’t “go out to eat” while in Long Beach, we definitely still get our fair share of delicious food courtesy of carryout or DoorDash! The Hangar Food Hall is a great option as you’ve got multiple delicious menus to choose from! Favorites we’ve tried so far have been Ike’s Love & Sandwiches and La Taqueria Brand. The Hangar is a good place to check out the local cuisine and find something for everyone in your travel group. Oh, and there’s an In-N-Out nearby, which is always a SoCal must-have!
Why We Keep Coming Back
Watching sea creatures up close at the Aquarium
Each trip to Long Beach starts with a purpose—my son’s food allergy appointments—but it quickly turns into something more. Over time, the city has become more than just a destination on our calendar. It’s a place we now associate with sweet family memories: beach picnics after a morning at the clinic, chasing seagulls along the shoreline, and finding new favorite takeout spots once the kids are safe and sound in bed. We’ve learned which museums are perfect for kids with short attention spans, which parks are best for letting out some post-appointment wiggles, and how to balance a medical trip with a bit of fun.
While every trip isn’t a vacation, Long Beach has given us the gift of small adventures—moments of normalcy and joy during what could otherwise be stressful days. And that’s part of why I wanted to write this post. Whether you’re visiting for a weekend getaway or you’re in town regularly like us, I hope this guide helps you find those little pockets of sunshine too. Long Beach isn’t just a great spot on the map—it’s become a comforting, familiar part of our lives.
Peaceful moments at the Aquarium of the Pacific
Visiting Long Beach?
Long Beach is a city of contrasts—in the best possible way. You can watch sea lions at the Aquarium in the morning, walk through a peaceful forest at the El Dorado Nature Center after lunch, and spend your evening listening to live music near the Ferris wheel at Shoreline Village. From biking scenic coastal paths to exploring tourist attractions steeped in history, there are so many fun activities for the entire family.
If you’re after a mix of beach vibes and cool cultural spots, Long Beach is a great destination for a day trip—or even better, a weekend escape. No matter when you go, it’s always a great time to check out this West Coast gem.