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A major maritime center for the entire West Coast, Long Beach is a beautiful port city with a vibrant waterfront and wide, sandy beaches. The city offers ultra-modern amenities, a happening culinary scene and a relaxed beachside vibe. With average yearly temperatures of 65 – 80 degrees Fahrenheit, any time is a good time to visit sunny Long Beach. A huge line-up of festivals and events from June – August attracts large crowds during the summer months, while the perfect wave conditions between December – February are a big draw for hard-core surfers. Around mid-October, you can experience a hectic party season when scores of local bars participate in the exciting Long Beach Oktoberfest, celebrating authentic craft beer. Spring time from March – May promises clear skies, sparse crowds and attractive deals on room rates and flights.

Driving is a convenient way to get around in Long Beach. There are several free parking zones along the beaches, while Downtown Long Beach has plenty of paid parking lots. If you don’t want to be stuck behind the wheel, rely on these other modes of transport that the city offers:

Public Transportation

Long Beach Transit operates nearly 34 bus routes and ferries connecting all parts of the city, as well as nearby Lakewood and Signal Hill. The fare on regular bus routes is $1.25 USD per ride. You can also hop on The Passport, a free bus service that runs 4 different routes connecting you to all the popular tourist attractions and shopping in Downtown Long Beach.

AquaLink water taxis connect you to Alamitos Bay, and are available from 4 docking stations. The fare is $5.00 USD per trip. The Aquabus service to Rainbow Harbor is available from 5 different stations at a charge of $1.00 USD per ride.

Taxis

Long Beach Yellow Cab company is one of the largest companies offering taxi services throughout Long Beach. Flag drop is $2.85 USD for the first 1/9th mile, followed by $0.30 USD every additional 1/9th mile, and an hourly waiting time of $29.19 USD.

Things to do and places of interest in Long Beach

With year-round sunshine and powdery beaches, a trip to Long Beach is all about surfing, sailing, swimming and soaking up the sun as you relax and admire the scenic coastline. You can indulge in a host of water sports such as jet skiing, kayaking and windsurfing, or go fishing or whale watching. If you venture away from the beach, here are a few suggestions on what to see and do in Long Beach.

• Go biking, roller skating, or walking along the 5.5 miles of scenic waterfront in Long Beach.
• Get up close with over 11,000 animals across 50 exhibits at the renowned Aquarium of the Pacific.
• Check out the historic ocean liner and World War II troopship, The Queen Mary.
• Explore the museums such as Long Beach Museum of Art, and the Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA), or hop on a Catalina Express boat and enjoy a day of leisure and entertainment on beautiful Catalina Island.
• Wander around the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden and admire its spectacular koi pond, cascading waterfalls, and large bonsai collection.
• Go dancing at the Latin clubs, enjoy sultry jazz music at the Jazz lounges, or groove to classic rock n’ roll when you go club-hopping in Long Beach after sun down.
• Spend a few hours at the funky East Village Arts District neighborhood to admire ornate Art-Deco buildings, and enjoy some trendy cafés, restaurants and boutiques in the area.
• Catch a live musical performance at the waterside Long Beach Performing Arts Center, or enjoy a unique theatre experience at the Art Theatre of Long Beach.

Tips and tricks for visiting Long Beach

Plan a trip around events

Long Beach is one of the most culturally diverse US cities and hosts numerous festivals and events year round. Some of the key events that take place in Long Beach include: the Long Beach Grand Prix for IndyCar racing, the Long Beach Gay Pride Festival, the all summer Long Beach Sea Festival, the Long Beach Blues Festival, and the Long Beach International Marathon. For an interesting itinerary, try to plan your visit around some of these events.