Long Beach Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Long Beach, California - CA, USA)

For most tourists visiting Long Beach, it is the city's waterfront attractions and coastal setting, alongside San Pedro Bay and the Pacific Ocean, that is the big draw card, as well as its relative proximity to Los Angeles.

The famous surfing scene of California actually began its life right here in Long Beach, when surfers from Hawaii arrived in the early years of the 20th century and began riding the waves. Later, the city played host to the original National Surfing and Paddleboard Championships in the late 1930s, while the breakwater was created in the early 1940s.

During the summer months in Long Beach, gondola rides become one of the most popular tourist attractions in the city. These flat-bottomed boats can regularly be seen on the canals of the Naples neighborhood. If you prefer your feet to be well and truly on terra firma, then there are numerous parks, gardens and nature centers to visit, with the small Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the city's California State University campus being particularly special, with its Japanese lanterns, tea house and koi carp.


Boat trips to nearby Catalina Island onboard the Catalina Express make for an enjoyable day trip, and on the hottest days, the Belmont Plaza Pool close to the Belmont Shore Pier is a good place to cool yourself down. Families looking for a tourist attraction that will engage children will find that the Aquarium of the Pacific is a reliable choice. The aquarium opened in 1998 and is to be found close to the Shoreline Village, where it now enjoys annual visitor numbers topping 1.5 million.

Of course, the RMS Queen Mary is a huge tourist magnet in Long Beach. This historic retired ocean liner first took to the water in 1936 and soon after, played an important role in the Second World War. Today, the Queen Mary is enjoying her retirement docked in the city, being converted into a leading attraction, a museum, a hotel, a dining venue and a facility for local events.

Next-door, you can continue your nautical visit by climbing aboard the Russian Scorpion Submarine, where an experienced submarine officer is often on hand to answer any of your related questions. Of note, money saving combination tickets are available, should you wish to tour both the Queen Mary and the Russian Submarine, one after the other.

Aquarium of the Pacific

Address: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, California (CA), 90802, USA
Tel: +1 562 590 3100

Belmont Plaza Pool

Address: 4000 East Olympic Plaza, Long Beach, California (CA), 90803, USA
Tel: +1 562 570 1806

Catalina Express

Address: Catalina Landing, 320 Golden Shore, Long Beach, California (CA), 90802, USA
Tel: +1 562 485 3200

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden (EBM Garden)

Address: California State University Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Boulevard, Long Beach, California (CA), 90840, USA
Tel: +1 562 985 2169

El Dorado East Regional Park

Address: 7550 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California (CA), 90808, USA
Tel: +1 562 570 1771

El Dorado Park West

Address: 2800 Studebaker Road, Long Beach, California (CA), 90815, USA
Tel: +1 562 570 3225

El Dorado Park Nature Center

Address: 7550 East Spring Street, Long Beach, California (CA), 90815, USA
Tel: +1 562 570 1745

Gondola Getaway

Address: 5437 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California (CA), 90803, USA
Tel: +1 562 433 9595

Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center / Performing Arts Center / Terrace Theater

Address: 300 East Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach, California (CA), 90802, USA
Tel: +1 562 436 3636

Queen Mary

Address: 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California (CA), 90802, USA
Tel: +1 877 342 0738

Russian Scorpion Submarine

Address: 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, California (CA), 90802, USA
Tel: +1 562 432 0424

Golf Courses

El Dorado Park Golf Course (18 hole course)
Address: 2400 Studebaker Road, Long Beach, California (CA), 90815, USA
Tel: +1 562 430 5411
Heartwell Golf Course
Address: 6700 Carson Street, Long Beach, California (CA), 90808, USA
Tel: +1 562 421 8855
Recreation Park Golf Course (18 hole course)
Address: 5001 Deukmejian Drive, Long Beach, California (CA), 90804, USA
Tel: +1 562 494 5000
Recreation Park Golf Course (9 hole course)
Address: 5000 East 7th Street, Long Beach, California (CA), 90804, USA
Tel: +1 562 438 4012
Skylinks Golf Course
Address: 4800 East Wardlow Road, Long Beach, California (CA), 90808, USA
Tel: +1 562 421 3388