Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Long Beach with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Long Beach on the map
📍 Where Long Beach is
Long Beach sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~3 mi / 6 km). It's roughly 20 mi (31 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 tour
Museum of Latin American Art
The only US museum devoted to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art, with an outdoor sculpture garden. Free on Sundays, which is the way in with a family.
$15 adults, $10 students and seniors, under 12 free; free Sundays
Long Beach Museum of Art
An ocean-front art museum showing American decorative arts, California Modernism and contemporary video, with a garden restaurant looking out to sea. Open Thursday to Sunday only.
$12 adults, $10 students and seniors, under 12 free; half price Fridays
Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum
A small downtown museum dedicated to Pacific Islands art and culture — Polynesian, Melanesian and Micronesian work. Cheap, quick and genuinely unusual.
$5 general, $3 seniors and students, under 12 freeKleefeld Contemporary Art Museum
A free contemporary art museum on the Cal State Long Beach campus. Its Second Saturday Family Days with hands-on projects are the family draw — most other weekends it is closed.
Free; campus parking $10–$15Historical Society of Long Beach
A Bixby Knolls gallery and archive telling Long Beach's story through photographs and artifacts, with rotating local-history exhibits.
Admission not published — donations welcome
Billie Jean King Main Library
Long Beach's main library beside the Civic Center, with a Family Learning Center, children's storytimes and a youth Creativity Lab. Closed Sundays and Mondays; garage parking is paid.
Free
Coastal Kids Playspace
An indoor play space in Los Altos built for younger children, with imaginative-play areas. One adult is included per paying child. Pricing sits behind their booking system.
Price not published; $10 per additional adult
Rancho Los Alamitos
A free historic ranch with an adobe ranch house, four acres of early-twentieth-century gardens and a barnyard of horses, sheep, goats and chickens. Free, and the animals do the work with young children.
Free
Rancho Los Cerritos
A free adobe ranch house museum and historic garden interpreting Tongva, Spanish and American-era California, with family craft sessions and seasonal celebrations.
Free; free parking
El Dorado Nature Center
A city nature preserve inside El Dorado Park with lakeside trails, a visitor centre and native wildlife. Walking or cycling in is free — only cars pay.
$6–$9 per vehicle; free on foot or bike
El Dorado East Regional Park
A large regional park with playgrounds, a lake with boat and bike rentals, picnic areas and a dog park, wrapped around the Nature Center. Entry is card-only.
$6 weekday, $7 Friday, $8 weekend, $9 holiday per vehicle
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
A free Japanese garden on the CSULB campus with a koi pond children can feed and a tea house. Hours genuinely vary and it closes for private events, so reserve or ring before going.
Free; reservation required
Shoreline Village
A waterfront boardwalk of shops, casual restaurants and an antique carousel on Rainbow Harbour, with bike rentals and harbour cruises leaving from the dock.
Free; parking $2 for 2 hours with validation
Marine Park (Mother's Beach)
A calm bayside beach in Alamitos Bay with shallow water and almost no waves — the reason locals bring toddlers here rather than to the open coast. Play equipment and grass behind the sand.
Free
Colorado Lagoon
A tidal saltwater lagoon with a sandy swimming beach, a playground for two to twelve and a marine science education centre. Check before promising a swim — the season is not published and there has been channel construction on site.
FreeLong Beach Playhouse
A community theatre founded in 1929 with a 200-seat mainstage and a 98-seat studio, plus summer youth workshops. Children under five are not admitted.
$27–$33 general, $20–$22 student and childThe Pike Outlets
A waterfront outlet centre beside Rainbow Harbour with around 37 stores and restaurants, within walking distance of the Aquarium of the Pacific.
FreeFarmers 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.
Festivals & annual events in Long Beach
What Long Beach is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Belmont Shore Christmas Parade
The 42nd annual evening holiday parade along East Second Street with floats, bands and school groups. Held the same night as the Naples boat parade.
Free; no tickets required
Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival
A one-day dragon boat racing festival at Marine Stadium with community team races, cultural performances and food vendors along the shoreline.
See site for admission
Cambodia Town Parade & Culture Festival
A Khmer New Year parade along Anaheim Street through the Cambodia Town district, followed by an afternoon culture festival with dance, music, food and community booths. 2026 was the 18th year.
2026 edition (Apr 4) has passed; no 2027 date posted
Long Beach Greek Festival
Authentic Greek food, live music, dancing, and cooking demos with free parking shuttles.
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.
Sophy's
A 20-plus-year family-run Cambodia Town spot known for Khmer noodles, hot-and-sour soup, and famous Cambodian beef jerky. Big leather booths, casual, and family-oriented, with weekend waits.
Phnom Penh Noodle Shack
Cambodia Town noodle house whose House Special num pang and Phnom Penh noodle bowl come loaded with pork and shrimp.
Pho Hong Phat
Chinese-Cambodian family kitchen serving pho, Hainan chicken rice, and Phnom Penh noodle soup. A broad menu makes it easy with kids.
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.
Meow Vintage
A standout stop on Retro Row for curated vintage apparel.
Far Outfit
A one-stop vintage-clothing shop anchoring the Retro Row strip on 4th Street.
Assistance League Thrift & Vintage
Volunteer-run, well-curated clothing and housewares with a children's section; proceeds fund local charity.
Retro Row (4th Street)
A walkable stretch of 4th Street lined with independent vintage-clothing shops, thrift stores, and cafes; a spend-an-afternoon destination.
Seasonal & outdoors near Long Beach
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Long Beach.
More Los Angeles family guides
Long Beach family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Long Beach with kids?
Family favorites in and around Long Beach include Aquarium of the Pacific, Queen Mary, Museum of Latin American Art and Long Beach Museum of Art, and more. Our guide lists 19 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Long Beach?
Yes — free family spots near Long Beach include Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, Historical Society of Long Beach, Billie Jean King Main Library and Rancho Los Alamitos. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Long Beach?
Local, family-friendly spots in Long Beach include Domenico's Italian Restaurant, Michael's Pizzeria, La Strada and Rivera's Mexican Food, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Long Beach guide cover?
Our Long Beach family guide includes 19 things to do, 17 local eats, 24 local shops and 2 farmers markets — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Book Long Beach tours & tickets
Bookable via Viator · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)Bookable experiences, skip-the-line tickets, and tours in Long Beach — reserved through Viator.
Free cancellationGuided Whale Watching Tour from Long Beach
Free cancellationDowntown LA Lights: Your Private Sunset and Night Helicopter Tour
Free cancellationLos Angeles Highlights Tour from Long Beach
Free cancellationLong Beach Harbor 45-Minute Boat Tour
Free cancellationSwan Boat Rental at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach
Free cancellationQueen Mary Glory Days Historical Tour
More experiences via GetYourGuide · we may earn a commission (no extra cost to you)
Where to stay in Long Beach
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Long Beach on one map — then book on your favorite site.