
Best Time to Visit Popular Destinations in Long Beach, California, United States
1. Queen Mary
A historic ocean liner turned hotel and attraction, offering tours, dining, and events. Best visited during spring or fall for mild weather.
- Historic Attraction: Offers a glimpse into the past with its art deco design and maritime history.
- Entertainment Venue: Hosts various events like concerts, theater performances, and ghost tours.
- Dining Destination: Features several unique restaurants onboard, including a champagne bar and a French-style bistro.
2. Rainbow Harbor
A scenic harbor with dining, shopping, and boat tours. Summer is the best time to enjoy outdoor activities.
- Scenic Harbor: Features stunning views of yachts, cruise ships, and the Pacific Ocean.
- Boat Tours: Offers boat tours to nearby islands, harbors, and marine wildlife sightings.
- Dining & Shopping: Features a variety of restaurants, cafes, and shops along the waterfront.
3. Shoreline Village
An open-air shopping, dining, and entertainment complex. Summer months offer the best outdoor experiences.
- Shopping Destination: Offers a variety of unique boutiques, gift shops, and specialty stores.
- Dining Options: Features a range of restaurants, cafes, and snack bars for all tastes.
- Entertainment Venue: Hosts live music events, street performers, and seasonal festivals.
4. The Pike Outlets
An outdoor shopping center with a carousel, restaurants, and a movie theater. Spring or fall offer pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities.
- Shopping Destination: Offers a variety of popular retail stores, boutiques, and specialty shops.
- Entertainment Venue: Features a historic carousel, movie theater, and occasional live music performances.
- Dining Destination: Includes a variety of restaurants and snack options for visitors.
5. Long Beach Museum of Art
A contemporary art museum with rotating exhibitions. Spring or fall provide ideal viewing conditions.
- Contemporary Art Museum: Showcases diverse and thought-provoking works of modern and contemporary artists.
- Rotating Exhibitions: Regularly updates exhibits to provide fresh and exciting art experiences.
- Educational Programs: Offers workshops, lectures, and tours for visitors of all ages.
6. Rossdown Park Arboretum
A beautiful park with a variety of trees, gardens, and walking trails. Spring is the best time to see blooming flowers.
- Botanical Garden: Showcases over 400 species of trees and plants from around the world.
- Walking Trails: Offers several walking trails for exploring the park's diverse plant life.
- Peaceful Atmosphere: Provides a serene and peaceful atmosphere for relaxation and contemplation.
7. The Aquarium of the Pacific
A large aquarium with various marine exhibits. Summer is the best time to visit for warm weather and longer hours.
- Marine Life Exhibits: Features a wide variety of sea creatures, including sharks, rays, and sea otters.
- Educational Programs: Offers interactive exhibits, programs, and events focused on marine conservation and education.
- Ocean Science Center: Dedicated to research, conservation, and the understanding of ocean ecosystems.
8. Bluff Park
A coastal park with stunning views of the Pacific Ocean. Winter months offer the best whale watching opportunities.
- Coastal Views: Provides breathtaking panoramic views of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina Island.
- Whale Watching: Ideal location for watching gray whales during their annual migration from December to April.
- Walking Trails: Offers walking trails and picnic areas for enjoying the beautiful oceanfront scenery.
9. El Dorado Park
A large city park with sports facilities, picnic areas, and wildlife habitat. Spring and fall offer mild weather for outdoor activities.
- City Park: Spans over 100 acres and offers a variety of recreational facilities.
- Wildlife Habitat: Features a wildlife habitat area for observing local birds, mammals, and reptiles.
- Sports Facilities: Includes soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and tennis courts for active visitors.
10. Recreation Park
A community park with playgrounds, sports facilities, and picnic areas. Spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures for outdoor activities.
- Community Park: Provides recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.
- Playgrounds: Features play areas for children of all ages, including swings, slides, and climbing structures.
- Sports Facilities: Includes basketball courts, tennis courts, and baseball diamonds for active visitors.
11. Bixby Knolls
A vibrant neighborhood with unique shops, restaurants, and galleries. Year-round is a great time to explore this bustling area.
- Shopping Destination: Offers a variety of locally owned boutiques, specialty stores, and antique shops.
- Dining Options: Features a diverse range of restaurants, cafes, and food trucks for every taste.
- Art Galleries: Showcases local and emerging artists in various mediums, including painting, sculpture, and photography.
12. The Bixby Ranch Museum
A historic ranch museum offering insight into the area's agricultural past. Spring or fall provide the best weather for touring the grounds.
- Historic Site: Preserves and interprets the rich history of Long Beach's ranching industry.
- Guided Tours: Offers guided tours of the historic buildings, gardens, and artifacts on display.
- Educational Programs: Provides educational programs and workshops focused on agriculture and ranching history.
13. The Houghton Gallery
A museum dedicated to American art from the colonial period through the present. Spring or fall provide ideal viewing conditions.
- American Art Museum: Showcases a diverse collection of American paintings, sculptures, and decorative arts.
- Rotating Exhibitions: Regularly updates exhibits to provide fresh and exciting art experiences.
- Educational Programs: Offers workshops, lectures, and tours for visitors of all ages.
14. The Carpenter Performing Arts Center
A modern theater hosting a variety of performances, including music, dance, and theater. Year-round is a great time to catch a show.
- Performance Venue: Hosts a diverse lineup of performing artists, ensembles, and companies.
- Modern Architecture: Features modern architecture with sleek lines and contemporary design elements.
- Educational Programs: Offers workshops, lectures, and talks related to the performing arts.
15. The Richard Nixon Presidential Library & Museum
A museum dedicated to the life and presidency of Richard Nixon. Year-round is a great time to learn about this influential figure.
- Presidential Museum: Offers exhibits, artifacts, and multimedia presentations related to the life and presidency of Richard Nixon.
- Research Facility: Contains extensive archives and resources for researchers and scholars.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs, workshops, and tours focused on American history and politics.