CITY SPOTLIGHT:

YOUR GUIDE TO Long Beach, California

Long Beach skyline

Know Before You Go: About Long Beach

The spirit of Southern California comes alive in Long Beach and we're here to help you navigate your way through the vacation of a lifetime. Find out what you need to know before you go.

The scenic city of Long Beach is a destination for adventure-craving hippie types, but it truly is a hotspot with something for everybody. Long Beach is located on the Pacific coast in southern California. Huge waves are a favorite among surfers, a smorgasbord of ethnic cuisine brings in foodies and gorgeous beaches encourage all visitors to just relax, hang and work on a tan.

Long Beach Treats

See the magnificent Queen Mary, Long Beach’s flagship attraction. This legendary ocean liner—open to the public for touring along the waterfront—beat the Titanic at its own luxury game, and stayed afloat at the same time. Next, travel to the Aquarium of the Pacific, housing more than 12,000 marine creatures in habitats ranging from tropical coral reefs to the frigid north Pacific. At night, dive into the glittering sea of lower Pine Avenue's restaurant and club scene.

Sunshine Holidays

For sunshine holidays, you can't do better than Long Beach. It boasts 345 days of sunshine each year, so you may need to wear sunglasses and apply sunscreen. Summer weather lasts from July through September with high temps around 80. Depending upon where you call home, Long Beach's cold season may seem like summer too, with highs between 67 and 73 degrees. The coldest day of the year usually comes a few days before Christmas, when highs can dip down to 66 degrees.

Gateway to the East

The city bills itself as the gateway to the Pacific Rim, since the combined ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles handle approximately 40 percent of all goods entering the U.S. Long Beach hums with technology centers, aerospace, trade, telecommunications and sophisticated logistics, boasting a workforce rich in skilled, well-educated employees.

Getting Around Long Beach

Getting to Long Beach is a cinch. Fly into the Long Beach Airport, only seven minutes from downtown. If you arrive at the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) or the Orange County Airport (SNA), you're still only a half-hour cab ride from town. Crisscrossed by four major highways, Long Beach is auto-friendly, but also offers a public transportation system that whisks you everywhere you want to go. Need to get from downtown to the best Long Beach attractions? Hop on the free Transit Passport bus. This transit system zips you to local destinations, including the university and Alamitos Bay. During the summer months, explore the bustling waterfront via AquaBus and AquaLink that link up the aquarium and the Queen Mary.

Ready to travel? Find hotels in Long Beach.

Long Beach coastline by the harbour and beautiful Los Angeles coastline

Things to do In Long Beach

Good views, top-notch attractions and epic seafood, Long Beach is a must-see on your next trip to Southern California. Start planning your trip with these favorite spots.