Long Beach blends Pacific surf with port-city grit, Art Deco history, and a blossoming food scene. Once an oil boom town and naval hub, it’s now a creative coastal city where street murals frame ocean sunsets and dolphins play in the harbor channel. You’ll find pocket neighborhoods—Belmont Shore, Naples, East Village—each with its own flavor and favorite café.

Anchors of any Long Beach itinerary include the historic Queen Mary, the world-class Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village’s boardwalk, and bike paths that skim the sand for miles. On the water, choose from whale watching, harbor cruises, or evening swan boats at Rainbow Lagoon; on land, drift through vintage shops on “Retro Row” (4th Street) and gallery hop in the East Village Arts District.

Practical tips: Greater L.A. traffic ebbs and flows—plan longer windows for airport transfers and sunset activities. Long Beach is walkable around Downtown/Waterfront, with rideshares, bikes, and water taxis to fill gaps. Seafood shines here, but don’t miss Levantine kitchens, Italian stalwarts, and modern breweries.

Long Beach

Long Beach feels like a small city with a big harbor. Stand on the esplanade and you’ll watch cargo ships, sailboats, and sea lions share the same view as the Queen Mary’s Art Deco curves. In Belmont Shore and Naples, palm-lined canals and bungalow blocks deliver a classic Southern California day—morning coffee, beach bikes, twilight on the bay.

Top highlights to weave into your 3-day plan:

• Aquarium of the Pacific (hands-on touch pools and Pacific exhibits).
• The Queen Mary (maritime history, design, and ghost lore).
• Shoreline Village and Rainbow Harbor (boardwalk eats and bay breezes).
• Belmont Shore’s 2nd Street and Naples canals (boutiques, kayaks, gondolas).
• East Village Arts District (murals, indie shops, and excellent coffee).

Where to stay: For ocean views and easy access to Shoreline Village, look around Downtown/Waterfront. For a quieter, local vibe, Belmont Shore and Naples offer bungalow stays and bay breezes.

• Browse vacation rentals: VRBO Long Beach
• Compare hotels by neighborhood and amenity: Hotels.com Long Beach

Getting there: Fly into Long Beach Airport (LGB) for the shortest transfer (about 15–25 minutes to Downtown; rideshare ~$25–$45). Los Angeles International (LAX) has more nonstop options (45–75 minutes to Long Beach depending on traffic; rideshare ~$35–$90). Search fares here:

• Trip.com flights
• Kiwi.com flights

Getting around: Walk the Waterfront; use rideshares or bikes for hops to Belmont Shore/Naples. Beach bike paths are flat and scenic, and water taxis operate seasonally across the harbor (check current schedules and fares; typically a few dollars one-way).

Day 1: Waterfront Welcome, Aquarium Wonders, and Sunset Pedals

Afternoon (arrival): Check in, then stretch your legs along Shoreline Village and Rainbow Harbor. Grab a light bite—fish tacos or a blackened fish bowl—at Pier 76 Fish Grill (fast-casual, fresh, often with seasonal specials). Coffee lovers should detour to Recreational Coffee downtown for a honey-lavender latte and house-roasted beans.

Walk over to the Aquarium of the Pacific, one of the country’s leading marine centers. Touch moon jellies, watch penguins torpedo through their habitat, and get eye level with leopard sharks. Book timed entry in advance:

Skip the Ticketing Line: Aquarium of the Pacific General Admission Ticket

Evening: Watch the light soften on the water from Fuego (at Hotel Maya) with Yucatán-inspired plates and a sweeping harbor patio; or book a window table at Parker’s Lighthouse for mesquite-grilled seafood and lighthouse views.

Cap the night with a whimsical glide on the lagoon—perfect for photos and a relaxed first-night vibe:

Swan Boat Rental at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach

Nightcap options: The Blind Donkey (serious whiskey) or Beachwood Brewing (award-winning IPAs and rotating taps) in Downtown.

Day 2: Belmont Shore Bikes, Naples Canals, and Whale Watching

Morning: Fuel up at The Attic (Southern-leaning brunch—think hot honey chicken and their playful mac-and-cheetos) or the cozy Starling Diner (lemon ricotta pancakes, excellent scrambles). Coffee at Rose Park Roasters on 4th Street is a local ritual—try a single-origin pour-over.

Rent bikes at the waterfront and cruise the Shoreline Pedestrian/Bike Path toward Belmont Shore. Park at 2nd Street to browse boutiques, then wander over bridges into the Naples canals for palm-framed photos. If you prefer water to wheels, consider a guided gondola ride later in the day.

Afternoon: Head back to Rainbow Harbor for a marine safari. Peak gray whale season is roughly December–April, with blue whales more likely in summer; dolphins and sea lions show up year-round. Tours last about 2–2.5 hours and depart from the waterfront:

Guided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach

Evening: Choose a standout dinner in the east side neighborhoods. For seafood, book Roe Seafood (crudos, oysters, and market fish) a few blocks from the bay. For modern American with an excellent whiskey and wine list, Saint & Second delivers wood-fired plates and rooftop patio vibes. Craving Italian? Michael’s on Naples focuses on handmade pastas and a deep Italian cellar.

After dinner, stroll 2nd Street for gelato or end back downtown with a glass at District Wine (friendly flights and small plates).

Day 3: Queen Mary History, Arts District Stroll, and Departure

Morning: Start with coffee at Steelhead Coffee (East Village) and a croissant, then drive or rideshare to the Queen Mary. Explore Art Deco salons, the bridge, and exhibits covering the ship’s ocean-liner heyday and WWII service. Expect 60–90 minutes for a self-guided visit.

Queen Mary General Admission Self-Guided Experience

Culture bonus (time permitting): the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) showcases a rotating slate of contemporary works and a sculpture garden—check opening days.

Afternoon (pre-departure): Enjoy a relaxed lunch near the waterfront—try L’Opera downtown for refined Italian with house-made pastas, or Thai District for vibrant curries and papaya salads. If your flight is later, loop the East Village Arts District for murals and indie shops, then head to the airport.

Depart via LGB if you can (15–25 minutes from Downtown). If you’re using LAX, build in a traffic buffer of at least 75 minutes during rush hours. Compare same-day flight options or track fare drops here: Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Optional Add-Ons (if you extend your stay)

• Festive-season harbor vibes with a cocktail or NYE fireworks cruise.
• Day trip to Catalina Island (Avalon) by ferry from Downtown—best as a full-day add-on if you can spare the time.
• After-dark lagoon glow ride if you skipped it on Day 1.

For seasonal visits and the holidays, consider these popular picks:

• Holiday Cocktail or New Year’s Eve Fireworks Cruise in Long Beach

  

• Illuminated Swan Boat Night Ride on Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach

  

Dining short list to bookmark: Ammatoli (Levantine—sumac-forward grilled meats, mezze), Michael’s on Naples (handmade pastas), Roe Seafood (raw bar and market fish), Saint & Second (wood-fired plates, cocktails), L’Opera (classic Northern Italian), Parker’s Lighthouse (harbor views), The Attic (playful Southern brunch), Starling Diner (neighborhood favorite), Recreational Coffee and Rose Park Roasters (local roasts), Beachwood Brewing (award-winning beers).

This 3-day Long Beach itinerary balances sea life, maritime history, and neighborhood flavor—enough structure to see the icons, with breezy space for gelato detours and golden-hour photos. You’ll leave with ocean in your lungs, a camera roll of sunsets, and a short list of places you already want to revisit.