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 (~4 mi / 7 km). It's roughly 20 mi (32 km) from Downtown LA and 94 mi (152 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 tourFamily attractions near Long Beach
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Long Beach.
Calas Park
A friendly nine-acre neighborhood park with a play area, picnic spots, an outdoor fitness zone, and a wading pool that's a lifesaver for toddlers on hot days. The shallow wading pool only runs in summer, so plan accordingly and bring water shoes. Lighted courts and a ball diamond mean room for the whole family to burn energy.
Free
International Printing Museum
A working museum of antique presses where docents actually ink up and run the machines, so kids see how books and newspapers were made by hand. Go on a Saturday and ask about the Ben Franklin live demonstration, where a costumed printer lets children pull a real print to take home. Parking is free in the lot out front.
$10 adults, $8 students/seniors
Veterans Park & Sports Complex
A big neighborhood anchor with baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, a skate park, and an amphitheater, plus picnic areas for a low-key afternoon. The skate park is a real draw for older kids and beginners alike, so bring helmets and pads. Plenty of room to spread out, and parking is free.
Free
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Free aquarium focused on Southern California marine life with touch tanks and tide-pool programs.
Free (suggested donation)
Carson Library (LA County)
Fully renovated in 2023, this branch has a bright, welcoming children's area stocked with picture books, toys, and toddler-friendly nooks. Baby and toddler storytimes make it a reliable free morning out when the weather won't cooperate. Double-check the day — it's closed Sundays and Mondays and opens at noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Free
Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum
One of the oldest Spanish land-grant adobes in LA County, with shady gardens and a quiet glimpse of early California history just over the Carson line in Rancho Dominguez. Tours are donation-based, which makes it an easy free outing, but Sunday visits require booking three days ahead. GPS may label the address as Compton, so don't second-guess your map.
Donation-basedFarmers 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.
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 and Queen Mary. Our guide lists 2 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
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 2 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 cancellationLong Beach Harbor 45-Minute Boat Tour
Free cancellationSwan Boat Rental at Rainbow Lagoon in Long Beach
Free cancellationLos Angeles: Private Transfer to/from Los Angeles LAX Airport
Free cancellationSkip the Ticketing Line: Aquarium of the Pacific General Admission Ticket
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.