Long Beach holidays - Cultural, sun-soaked and elegant

Discover cultural museums, sporting events and beautiful parks

Things to do in Long Beach

With an eight-mile stretch of beach, the waterfront is, as you would expect, the city’s cultural focal point. Whether you enjoy spending your holiday time exploring museums and art galleries, or taking part in beach sports and other recreational activities, culturally-diverse Long Beach has something for everyone.

Long Beach is home to the Aquarium of the Pacific: an aquarium that houses a collection of over 10,000 animals across a five acre site. The area also boasts around 90 parks, including El Dorado Regional Park, plus the Long Beach Greenbelt: a community open space that houses native plants and urban wildlife.

For those who enjoy glamorous nostalgia, a visit to the RMS Queen Mary is a must. Famous for its art deco design, the ocean liner offers visitors a great chance to bask in 1930s art deco opulence. The city has plenty more to offer culture lovers, including the Long Beach Museum of Art and the East Village Arts District, which boasts shops and galleries that hold regular openings and exhibitions.

The biggest event in the city’s calendar is the annual Grand Prix of Long Beach, which takes place each April. You will also find a whole host of other sporting activities, for both spectators and participants, including water polo, archery, basketball, baseball, water skiing and sailing.

Holiday highlights

• Sporting activities, including the Long Beach Grand Prix
• Visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific
• Exploring the attractions of the waterfront
• Relaxing in the many parks and open spaces
• Visiting the art deco RMS Queen Mary
• Taking a look around Long Beach Museum of Art, the Museum of Latin American Art and the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
• Shopping in Second Street’s boutiques
• Discovering the galleries of the East Village Arts District

When to go to Long Beach

Thanks to its proximity to the Pacific, this part of the coast boasts a warm climate pretty much all year round, with the warmest months being from June to October. Motorsport lovers should take April’s Long Beach Grand Prix into consideration. If you’re lucky enough to be in the area over Christmas time, be sure to check out the famous Naples Long Beach Boat Parade.