Long Beach, California, is a vibrant coastal city that offers an array of exciting activities for families. From stunning beaches and interactive museums to adventures and yummy dining options, Long Beach has it all. If you’re planning a getaway to Long Beach with kids, I’ve got you covered. In this blog post, I’ll guide you through an action-packed itinerary that will keep your kids engaged, entertained, and enthralled throughout the day. Get ready to create lasting memories as you embark on an unforgettable journey through Long Beach’s family-friendly attractions!
Where to Stay in Long Beach with Kids
We chose to stay at Marriott’s Renaissance hotel. Located in downtown Long Beach it’s the perfect central location. This was great as we didn’t need a car to get to the activities we did or go to the restaurants we ate at. All we needed was a ride to and from the airport so it was very convenient.
Things to Do in Long Beach with Kids
Whale Watching with Harbor Breeze Cruises
Long Beach, California is one of the best whale watching spots in the world as the coast has a huge underwater valley that whales frequent for food. We booked our tour Whale and Dolphin through Harbor Breeze Cruises who offer daily tours. Depending on the time of year you visit you’ll have the chance to see gray, humpback fin or blue whales. We saw two blue whales along with over 400 dolphins on our tour!
Aquarium of the Pacific
A visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific is the perfect place to go before or after a whale watching tour with Harbor Breeze Cruises. They are a short 3 minute walk from each other and you’ll be able to learn more about the animals you just saw or will see after your visit. From the ability to touch jellyfish to hanging out in the Lorikeet exhibit it’s sure to be a fun visit.
Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)
The Museum of Latin American Art in Long Beach is the only museum in the country dedicated to Latin American art. Along with the art found in the gallery this museum has a sculpture garden your kids will love.
Explore Long Beach with Kids by Bike from Fun Wheels Rentals
One of our favorite things to do as a family is explore cities via bike. Renting bikes with kids in Long Beach is very easy as Wheel Fun Rentals has every type of bike you can think of. If you are riding with really small children that can’t pedal at all you can rent a surrey bike which can seat up to 6 people so a big group can ride together. They also have bikes with training wheels and small kids bikes without training wheels. There is a great bike path that you can access right in front of Wheel Fun Rentals at Shoreline Village.
Rosie’s Dog Beach
If your kids love dogs or you’re traveling with your own dog, be sure to stop at Rosie’s dog beach on your bike ride or as a separate activity in itself. This beach allows pups off leash and they’re always looking for cuddles.
Ride the Aqualink to Alamitos Bay
As we didn’t rent a car on this trip we loved riding the Aqualink to Alamitos Bay. It was much better than taking a taxi as we got a tour of the Long Beach coast along the 30-40 minute ride getting to see scenery such as the Queen Mary. There are shops and restaurants here you can explore for a bit before taking the Aqualink back.
Play at the Pelican Pier Pavilion Arcade in Shoreline Village
When the kids need a break from tours the Pelican Pier Pavilion Arcade is the perfect thing to do in Long Beach. Not only do they have lots of games, they even have a vintage merry go ‘round.
Where to Eat in Long Beach with Kids
The Ordinarie
We had lunch at The Ordinarie sitting in their outdoor patio dining area. I love restaurants that have a great kids menu, not just chicken nuggets and fries so I love it here where they offer salmon and vegetables on the kids menu. They do have a homemade mac and cheese on the kids menu too. I had the miso roasted chicken and it was excellent.
Café Sevilla
This tapas style Spanish restaurant has a great food happy hour. We devoured multiple orders of tacos, they were so good and they came out quick which of course is great for eating out with kids. They often have live music as well so it’s an overall nice atmosphere.
Parkers’ Lighthouse
Get a table outside for a beautiful view of the water and Queen Mary. They have a big variety of seafood options and we loved the brussel sprouts as an appetizer.
Boathouse on the Bay
If you take the Aqualink and are exploring Alamitos Bay be sure to have a meal at Boathouse on the Bay. With seating overlooking the water, you’re also likely to enjoy some live music while you are dining here. They have a great array of seafood dishes.
We had a great time exploring Long Beach, California. It is the perfect getaway for a long weekend family vacation and hopefully this list of things to do in Long Beach will help you easily plan your own trip.