Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Long Beach with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
📍 Where Long Beach is
Long Beach sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~4 mi / 7 km). It's roughly 20 mi (32 km) from Downtown LA and 94 mi (151 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Long Beach
Aquarium of the Pacific
Sea otters, a shark lagoon, and a lorikeet aviary. One of SoCal's best rainy-day-proof outings for animal-loving kids.
~$44.95 adult / $29.95 kid
Queen Mary
Historic ocean liner turned floating museum and hotel with guided tours and seasonal events.
~$40 self-guided tourFarmers markets in Long Beach
Long Beach Marina Farmers' Market
A waterfront Sunday market near the marina with produce, prepared foods, and ocean breezes.
Bixby Park Farmers' Market
A Saturday market a block from the beach with local farms, food vendors, and a nearby playground.
Local restaurants in Long Beach
Domenico's Italian Restaurant
Long Beach's oldest restaurant (1954) and one of California's first pizza spots.
Michael's Pizzeria
Naples-style wood-fired pizzeria, a Belmont Shore favorite for family pizza nights.
La Strada
Intimate family-run Italian on 2nd Street with homemade pasta and a pet-friendly patio.
Rivera's Mexican Food
Beloved family-owned institution known for pozole and albondigas.
Enrique's Mexican Restaurant
Family-owned Jalisco-style restaurant on PCH (2001), recognized by LA Magazine.
Jim's Burgers
Old-fashioned char-broiled burger stand with beef-tallow fries and a drive-through.
Dave's Burgers
Tiny 'blink and you'll miss it' burger stand in a 1940s building.
Phnom Penh Noodle Shack
Cambodia Town institution run by five siblings since 1985 — original Cambodian noodle soup.
George's Greek Cafe
Family-owned Belmont Shore Greek cafe serving Mama Rodou's recipes since 1999.
The Potholder Cafe
Long Beach breakfast staple since 1970 with 30+ egg dishes and a kid-welcoming vibe.
Joe Jost's
100-year-old Long Beach tavern (1924) famous for 'Joe's Special' sausage sandwiches.
Panxa Cocina
Chef-owned New Mexican spot with green-chile dishes, a flavorful neighborhood favorite.
La Taqueria Brand
Neighborhood street-taco shop loved for birria and breakfast burritos since 2020.
Mooney's Pizza Tavern
Family- and pet-friendly East Long Beach pizzeria pairing pies with frozen custard.
Local shops in Long Beach
MAKE Collectives
Curated collective of modern and vintage clothing, plants, and local handmade goods.
Page Against the Machine
Hyper-curated progressive bookshop of activism, social-justice, and zine titles on Retro Row.
Third Eye Records
New, used, and import vinyl plus turntables and memorabilia on Retro Row since 2002.
Old Gold Boutique
Woman-owned curated vintage womenswear shop with personal styling on Retro Row.
Moxi Roller Skate Shop
Full-service roller-skate boutique that put Retro Row on the global skate map.
The Game Chest Long Beach
Independent board-game, puzzle, and card store with a back playroom and tournaments.
Candified
Immersive candy emporium with 300+ bulk candies, sodas, and DIY Creation Stations.
ButterScotch LBC
Menswear, moto gear, and an in-store coffee bar built by the founder and his parents.
Fingerprints Music
5,000-sq-ft music-and-pop-culture shop selling vinyl, CDs, and books with live in-stores.
The Elemental Shop
East Village independent shop of candles, crystals, and tarot decks on Elm Street.
Pixie Toys
Family-run Bixby Knolls toy shop packed with plush, science kits, books, and baby gifts.
Bel Canto Books
Woman-of-color-owned indie bookstore on Retro Row with strong author-event programming.
Better Half Boutique
Bixby Knolls gift shop for engraved gifts, candles, and home decor.
Meow
Longstanding Retro Row vintage icon for mid-century clothing, housewares, and collectibles.
Pigeon's Roller Skate Shop
Indie Retro Row skate shop outfitting the local roller-skate scene.
LB Swag
Belmont Shore shop celebrating Long Beach pride via locally made hats, tees, and candles.
Sweet Threads for Kids
Children's boutique on 2nd St with curated well-made baby and toddler apparel.
Fair Trade Long Beach
Bellflower Blvd shop of one-of-a-kind fair-trade jewelry, clothing, and artwork.
Seasonal & outdoors near Long Beach
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Long Beach.
More Los Angeles family guides
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.