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National Parks / Natural World in Long Beach, CA
Long Beach is an incredibly vibrant and relaxing city for the whole family, with most of it’s attractions outdoors - which is great, because who doesn’t love getting out into that Californian sunshine! (Don’t forget those hats though!)
There are beaches, historical sites, and those classic family friendly experiences (as well as a few that will surprise you!)
Both older and younger kids will love places like Ranco Los Alamitos which will take them back in time to those ranch days of the past.
Why not take a picnic and make a day out in the incredible greenery of the city, such as El Dorado Regional Park? If you do need a break from the sun, Long Beach has super fun adventures for the whole family waiting, like the Aquarium of the Pacific and the always heart pumping Go Kart World!
And of course, those that will surprise you! How about spending the day on The Scorpion - a Russian attack submarine! Or perhaps you would rather try and spot some incredibly beautiful whales in the wild with Harbour Beach Whale Watching Tours?
There are so many fun things to do for the whole family in Long Beach, it won’t take much for the kids to convince the adults to go back for another adventure!
A true Californian gem.
Planning your Trip to Long Beach
Long Beach is a beautiful coastal city south of California. A city that offers so much more than ocean views and palm trees. Long Beach is a destination hotspot with an urban edge and beach town feel. Many families flock to this part of the world to soak up the unique vibe and atmosphere.
Long Beach welcomes anyone looking for an adventure. There is so much to experience from visiting the local tourist attractions, soaking up the Californian sun, and immersing yourself in the diverse cultures. Whether you want to relax with the little ones or get involved in the fast-paced city life, this vibrant city offers something for everyone.
Long Beach is known to be California’s hidden gem. Well known for its golfing and hosting the formula One, Long Beach is a popular and wonderful destination spot for families.
The city is bursting with culture and great vibes! We recommend staying central to appreciate the ocean views. Central is busy so would only suit families looking for an action-packed adventure. If you’re looking for something more relaxing then you should stay further out in Belmont.
Long Beach has so many beaches and water sports on offer. There is so much to do that will keep your family entertained from the minute you arrive. Although Long Beach is a luxurious destination you can still do this holiday on a budget.
Getting around Long Beach is very easy. With all the options for traveling, you can easily navigate around the city with your children.
There are so many things to do in Long Beach with kids. When it comes to looking for fun things to do with kids, Long Beach has plenty to offer. With so much choice, choosing what to do can be a minefield. To help with this, we have compiled a list of fun things to do with children.
Long Beach City Beach
This South-faced beach is perfectly located along Ocean Blvd and is the main beach of Long Beach. Due to its location, the waves are protected by breakwaters and therefore do not provide optimum conditions for those looking to catch the perfect wave. Although perfect for families with small children due to the location.
Belmont Shore Beach
The Belmont beach is located between 5th Place and the Belmont Pier area. Spanning across the waterfront of the Belmont Shore neighbourhood. Belmont is a quiet area to stay in so would suit families looking for downtime and a relaxed vibe.
Alamitos Beach
Alamitos Beach is located on the western end of Long beach. South-east facing and long golden sands, this city beach is within walking distance of many restaurants, hotels, and shops. Alamitos beach offers lots of fun activities such as biking, volleyball, swimming, and skating and would therefore suit a family looking for an action-packed adventure.
Long Beach Museum of Art
Housed in the 1911 Elizabeth Milbank Anderson House, this historic house was founded in 1950 as a pinnacle location for the art centre of Long Beach. Families looking to absorb the local culture and historic landmarks should pay a visit to the Museum of Art.
Bixby Park
If you’re looking for something really fun to do with the kids, Bixby Park is a great option. Bixby offers a whole host of things to do, from mobile skateparks, picnic areas, volleyball courts, playgrounds, BBQ pits, and various programs including youth recreation and adult fitness classes.
Whale Watching
If you’re looking for excitement and something extra special then whale watching should be included on your list of things to do. There are several whale-watching services across the coast of Long Beach, just be sure to pack your camera and binoculars.
Love Long Beach Festival
This wonderful two-day festival brings so much fun for kids and adults. Children can spend time at the kid’s village whilst the adults chill listening to the music and dancing at one of the many stages at the festival.
Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach
The Aquarium features numerous exhibits, which many are interactive. Over 11,000 animals from 500 species truly represent the diversity of the Pacific Ocean. The aquarium is home to sea lions, penguins, sharks, and an array of fish.
Bike Riding
Long Beach hosts miles of bike trails along with an extensive beach boardwalk, Long Beach is a prime location for biking. There are plenty of bike rental places located along with the Shoreline Village. Enjoy the spectacular views of Shoreline Village, Belmont Shore, and the beautiful beachfront
Long Beach California is famous for its year-round mild weather and all-day sunshine. Summer and fall in Long Beach offer an average of mid to high temperatures along with clear and sunny skies. Thankfully, Long Beach tends to have low humidity levels, so you’re comfortable during the warmer temperatures.
Visiting Long beach during the summer you can expect to pay higher prices for hotels and activities. Long Beach tends to become very crowded during the summer months too.
During the winter season, the temperatures are still rather comfortable and in Spring you can expect to see a further rise in warmer weather. Long Beach tends to see its highest rainfall during February but this is still rather low and nothing to worry about. Beaches and tourist hotspots tend to be quieter during the winter months so you can expect fewer crowds and easier access to most places.
Long Beach California located South of Los Angeles is an ideal destination to visit. Often overlooked due to the popularity of Orange County, Long Beach is packed with fun things to do and hosts some of the most family-friendly beaches. Long Beach happens to be a wonderful destination for families who enjoy outdoor and water activities,
East Waterfront
Long Beach East Waterfront is the perfect getaway for children of all ages. Explore the beautiful sandy beaches, water bays, and inland waterways. Along the waterline is Buff Park. Whilst walking along the sand and taking in the spectacular views of the Pacific Ocean be sure to visit the Long Beach Museum of Art which is open all year round.
Eastside
The Eastside of Long Beach is the perfect place to stay if you want to get in touch with your spiritual side. Hippy Eastside appeals to those that love meditation and yoga. As well as accessing your spiritual side be sure to visit the educational parts of Eastside and engage in your educational pursuits.
North Long Beach
North Young Beach is a quaint corner of town that is known for its shopping and restaurants. Perfect place to visit with older children. Walk along Atlantic Avenue and visit the Bixby Knolls where you will find a variety of restaurants and attractions such as the Richard Goad Theatre, Rancho Los Cerritos, and the Long Beach Historical Society Museum.
Westside
Westside is on the other side of the Los Angeles River. This neighbourhood is the perfect place to visit for families with kids that love the great outdoors. There are three parks in the area including a skate park, Admiral Kidd Park, and Silverado Park.
When it comes to traveling around Long Beach with kids there are 8 main forms of transportation available: Rideshares, driving, scooters, on foot, bicycles, taxis, and water taxis.
The best form of transport depends on the age of your children and budget. With all the Long Beach attractions you may want to visit, you have plenty to choose from.
Whilst Long Beach isn’t one of the biggest cities to visit, it’s always nice to pop in a car and have the freedom to visit where you desire. However, this option can prove expensive if you plan on visiting various attractions.
Public transport is cheap and frequent. There are so many options depending on what attraction you wish to visit with children.
One of the most popular methods of transportation is water taxis. On a warm summer’s day, this is a fun way to keep the little ones entertained as well as take in the beautiful shorelines and golden sands.
With the hundreds of restaurants to choose from, Long Beach offers a diverse selection of cuisines to satisfy any pallet. Whether you’re looking for the little ones, older children, or a romantic dinner, Long Beach offers visitors an array of choices and price ranges.
Families with young children will find plenty of choices to keep their little ones happy. Everything from delicious salsa, Mexican, burgers, or seafood.
The dining scene in Long Beach is influenced by the diversity of the city. Latin, Asian, and Caribbean populations have influenced the food scene at Long Beach.
Being perfectly located next to the Pacific Ocean be sure to try the local oysters and miso-glazed sea bass!
Long Beach is also famous for traditional Spanish and Italian food, so be sure to try one of the delicious pizzas along the Long Beach seafront.
Long Beach is a bustling city and hosts one of the busiest ports in the world! There is so much this place has to offer and can fit all budgets.
With so much on offer and places to visit, it can be quite overwhelming trying to decide where to stay, but with this guide, you’ll find some of the best hotels to stay in that meet your interests and budget.
The Westin Long Beach
This rather large hotel sits at the heart of Long Beach, making it easy access to the most famous attractions and hots spots to visit with kids. With brilliant eating restaurants, an outdoor pool, and a wide variety of kid-friendly rooms, this hotel is a great choice for families with children.
Dockside Boat & Bed
This unique hotel experience includes 6 privately moored yachts to stay in. All the boats are fully furnished and a continental breakfast is provided. The Dockside is located next to the Aquarium of the Pacific, so is the perfect place to stay should you be a family that enjoys spending time on the water.
The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary happens to be one of the most famous attractions of Long Beaches Waterfront. An icon of the city and a fabulous choice to stay whilst on your vacation. This tremendous boat is a wonderful piece of art steeped in history. As well as fantastic rooms, outstanding views, and delicious restaurants to choose from, this floating hotel hosts its very own theatre where you can enjoy a performance or film!
