An Unforgettable 3 Days in Long Beach Itinerary: Icons, Gems, and Unbelievable Food

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As an LA native, I’ve always been to Long Beach for a day trip – a quick hop for a few hours at the beach, a stroll along the waterfront, maybe some lunch, and then back home before sunset. But wow, turns out I’ve been majorly underestimating this coastal gem. 

Long Beach isn’t just a quick escape…it’s a full-blown weekend-worthy destination.

I’m talking historic icons like the Queen Mary, incredible marine life at the Aquarium of the Pacific, a wildly good food scene I was not prepared for (seriously, some of the best meals I’ve had in Southern California), and hidden gems that highlight the history and beauty of Southern California.

The best part? It’s ridiculously easy to get to at just 45 minutes south of downtown Los Angeles, making it the perfect no-stress, high-reward getaway when you need a change of scenery without the hassle of a long road trip.

Here’s exactly my fully broken down 3 days in Long Beach itinerary including top sights to see, where to eat (and what to order!), and fun things to do.

Summary of Your Long Beach Trip

Map of this Long Beach Itinerary

Itinerary for 3 Days in Long Beach

Day 1: Must-See Attractions & Iconic Long Beach Experiences

Breakfast with a Twist at Zuzu’s Petals

Start your first day in Long Beach with an elevated breakfast at Zuzu’s Petals. They have classic menu items with a modern twist and international flavors.

Try the Strawberry Matcha Pancakes or Lobster Omelette!

They have street parking and can get quite busy on weekends at late morning, so plan accordingly. It’s worth it though!

Get Up Close with Sea Creatures at Aquarium of the Pacific

Once you’re fueled up and ready to go, make your way to the Aquarium of the Pacific. This is one of the top attractions in Long Beach, and truly my favorite aquarium I’ve ever been to! (And I go to them all over the world!).

There’s a parking structure on site for $8 with validation, so no stress in searching for parking! Admission is a bit hefty at $45 for adults and $35 for kids, but keep an eye out for AAA discounts.

I’ll say that despite the high admission price, the Aquarium of the Pacific is well worth it! With 15+ habitats organized by ecosystem, you’ll see everything from penguins to leafy sea dragons to sting rays and sharks.

Some of my favorite exhibits are the sting ray and jellyfish touch pools, the poisonous dart frogs, and jellyfish.

Beachfront Lunch with a View at Gaucho Beach

When you’re ready for lunch, head to Gaucho Beach, an Argentinian and Californian restaurant right on Alamitos Beach.

They have some incredible hand-held items like the blackened salmon sandwich, which has garlic paste and tzatziki. So messy, but so good!

You can also walk next door to their café for quick service food and coffee drinks. I had their churro latte and LOVED it!

PS there’s a parking lot (called the Alamitos Beach Lot) right behind Gaucho Beach, where you can pay via the Passport Parking mobile app. It costs $4-5 for 2-3 hours. 

Scenic Stroll to Shoreline Village’s Cutest Shops

Take your drink out to the pedestrian path and walk to the right when facing the beach. 

This path straddles a parking lot on one side and a marina on the other. It’s so nice to be able to look out and see all the boats as you walk the path. I love reading all the names of the boats – there’s always some funny and clever ones!

Eventually you’ll approach Shoreline Village. This shopping center and entertainment complex has some incredibly cute shops. I was so excited to find authentic Turkish coffee sourced from my favorite coffee shop in Istanbul in Istanbul Home.

There’s also an arcade, carousel, and numerous dining options. Grab a funnel cake for a mid-afternoon snack!

Step Aboard the Legendary Queen Mary

Walk back to your car and hit the road to go to the next big attraction in Long Beach, The Queen Mary.

This is an ocean liner ship that was built in 1930 and used from the 1930s through the 1960s, and is now known as one of the most haunted places in the world! 

It not only transported passengers on mid-Atlantic journeys, but it was also converted into a World War II ship to transport troops, where it was so fast that it outsailed every enemy ship. 

Therefore, Winston Churchill often traveled on The Queen Mary because it was the safest way to travel during the war. They even had war rooms aboard to aid in planning!

The best way to experience The Queen Mary is by taking a formal guided tour. They have a few topics you can choose from including Glory Days, Steam & Steel, Hollywood, Haunted Encounters, and World War II.

Tours cost $47 and give you access to the ship before and after your tour to explore. This is nice because the ship has lots of exhibits open to the public, so you can see even more.

For example, see the Engine, Boiler, and Propeller Rooms, Childrens’ Playroom, Music Room, Captain’s Quarters, and the Bridge. Look for the Experience Points signs, which have QR codes that take you to free audio guides for each exhibit.

Sunset Drinks at a Glamorous Art Deco Bar

Before disembarking The Queen Mary, visit the Observation Bar, the original 1930s art deco bar that has masculine motifs and imagery in the design like a beer barrel shaped bar, bannisters with more beer barrels and mythical creatures, and an art deco mural featuring miscellaneous debauchery.

They open at 11 am on Friday through Saturday and at 4 pm on Monday through Thursday. If you happen to be there from 4-7 pm, it’s happy hour! They also have live music frequently!

Parking at the Queen Mary costs $10 for the first hour (free for the first 20 minutes) with a visitor maximum of $27 per day. Bring your ticket inside to get validated if you go to one of the restaurants or the Observation Bar. With validation, the cost will be $10.

Related read >> The Queen Mary Hotel Review (what it’s really like to stay overnight!)

Wrap It Up with a Fine Dining Favorite at La Traviata

Since you’re in a lavish headspace (The Queen Mary will do that to ya), I highly recommend dinner at La Traviata downtown.

They have been a Long Beach staple for over 30 years and feature an Italian menu with out of this world flavors! This was easily my favorite meal in Long Beach. Every bite was delectable!

Try the lobster tortelli, filet mignon, Chilean sea bass, and flourless chocolate cake!

There’s metered street parking or public parking at Civic Center Garage, just a block away at the corner of W Broadway and Chestnut Ave, which is free for the first 2 hours.

Day 2: A Relaxed Day in Downtown Long Beach

Before starting your day, I had to tell you where to park. The best spot for this itinerary is City Place – Lot C at 51 E 3rd St.

The first 2 hours are free and the daily maximum is $12. Everything on today’s gameplan is within walking distance of this lot, so you can park here for the whole day.

Fuel Up at a Local Favorite Coffee Roaster

Kick start your morning at Rose Park Coffee Roasters. They were founded in 2009 by Long Beach locals and source the highest tier of specialty grade coffee and roast the beans locally.

I loved their mocha and appreciated that they serve their espresso with a traditional tonic water palate cleanser. And, their pastries were so delish! 

If you fall in love with the coffee, you can buy the beans in the shop as a souvenir!

Architecture, Street Art, and Downtown Wandering

Depending on what day of the week you’re visiting on, there’s a couple ways to explore downtown Long Beach.

First, if it happens to be the 2nd Saturday of the month, Long Beach Heritage offers architecture tours for $15 per person. They’ve changed their times around, so now tours are at 11 am (despite their site saying 3 pm).

I recommend giving them a call to confirm the timing and your booking.

I did the East Village Arts District tour and especially loved that we got to go inside some of the buildings, rather than just look at the outside. This is particularly nice because art deco style (the most common one in Long Beach) is as much inside the building as it is outside.

If your timing doesn’t align with the architecture tour, you can spend some time walking around and exploring on your own.

There’s a bunch of cute shops, notable buildings, and art to see downtown.

Don’t miss the tilework on the sides of buildings and even bus benches. Spot Villa Riviera, an own-your-own apartment building from 1929 and International Tower, aptly named for its international architectural style ( it’s related to the materials used).

Lunch & Local Brews at ISM Brewing

Head toward the Promenade, a walkable section of downtown, where you’ll find ISM Brewing (pronounced iz-uhm as in activism).

Their beer is crafted to be fresh, fun, and approachable, and so is their food!

I loved their cornbread and chili, which was a mix between traditional ground beef chili and barbeque chili with shredded brisket. Yum!

Explore Modern Art at LBMA Downtown

Time to dive into Long Beach’s art scene. Right in the heart of the city within walking distance is the Long Beach Museum of Art Downtown (LBMA Downtown). 

Admission is $15 and once inside you can explore 2 floors of exhibitions, where they typically have 2-3 at a time and they rotate every few months, so there’s always something new to see!

Note that they close at 4 pm and are only open Thursday through Sunday.

Sweet Treat Stop at Laurie’s Pie Bar

Grab a dessert pick-me-up from Laurie’s Pie Bar, which is just a 5 minute walk from ISM Brewing up Pine Ave.

They’ve been a Long Beach staple for almost 10 years!

Laurie’s Pie Bar has so many delicious options like slices, pies in a jar (called Cutie Pies), and even pie flights, so you can try 4 flavors!

I had their Mexican Chocolate Cutie Pie and I’m obsessed with the flavors of this one! It was a cookie crust, creamy chocolate pie infused with cinnamon, and topped with whipped cream dusted with more cinnamon. So freaking good!

Get Adventurous with an Escape Room Experience

Right across the street is one of the most fun things to do in Long Beach, an escape room at PanIQ Room Long Beach!

They have 4 escape rooms including haunted manor, insane asylum, pirates of Tortuga, and wizard trials.

I did the wizard trials one and it was my first escape room ever! Consider me hooked! I legit haven’t had this much fun in a LONG time! It’s like a real-life video game and the wizard trials room was a great intro room for first timers.

Each experience is 1 hour and costs $45 per person. It’s private, too, so no having to work as a team with strangers 😅.

Flavor Explosion Dinner at Gu Ramen

One of the most underrated restaurants I’ve been to in Long Beach is Gu Ramen Taps and Tapas. They serve a Japanese comfort food menu with seriously the most flavorful sauces and depth!

I had spicy udon with tofu and other toppings as part of the build-your-own ramen and it was delicious.

But, my favorite menu items were the tapas where I had cream cheese wontons and spicy Thai wings. The sauces on each of these were unique, intensely flavorful, and insanely delicious!

And I’ll have you know that the wontons saved really well and were still crispy even after reheating…I don’t understand how, but I’m so glad.

Day 3: Hidden Gems, Waterfront Fun, and a Relaxing Send-Off

Avocado Toast Heaven at Colossus Bread

I’m so excited to share this breakfast spot with you! Dare I say they have the best avocado toast that I’ve ever had!

This is Colossus Bread, a bakery that started as a farmers market stall and now has two brick-and-mortar locations. In Long Beach, you’ll find them on 2nd Street.

They have a full coffee and kitchen menu with breakfast sandwiches and toasts on their signature bread! Try the Midsommar Latte which features anise caramel.

There’s metered street parking on 2nd Street and the cross streets, so take what you can find!

Charming Boutiques and Beachy Vibes on 2nd Street

Belmont Shore (aka 2nd Street) is a great spot for some shopping (or window shopping). Find a unique Long Beach souvenir from Long Beach Clothing Co, LB Swag, Luna, or Foodologie!

Just don’t forget about your parking meter. 

Choose Your Own Water Adventure

Time to get out on the water! Depending on the time of year, there’s a couple options.

In winter, you’ll certainly want to go whale watching. It’s peak season for Gray whale migration.

Even if you’re not visiting in winter, Harbor Breeze Cruises runs daily whale watching boating trips in all seasons, because you can see different types of whales at various points throughout the year.

Alternatively, opt to try waterbiking. It’s a very accessible way to get out on the water – you won’t even touch the water and can wear tennis shoes!

Long Beach Waterbikes manages the rentals and they cost $35 for an hour. I highly recommend paying the extra $6 to rent a speaker so you can listen to music as you bike.

Lunch with a Rooftop View at Ballast Point

Right next to Long Beach Waterbikes is Ballast Point Brewing Company, a fantastic brewery and eatery with the best rooftop patio made for watching the boats go by!

I had their cauliflower tacos and LOVED them and even tried a few beers including the POG Kolsch (my fave!), their Shipwreck Red Lager, and Manta Ray, a citrusy double IPA.

They have a public lot just behind them and in the same complex as Long Beach Waterbikes.

Historic Gardens & Ranch Life at Rancho Los Alamitos

To close out your Long Beach activities, head inland to Rancho Los Alamitos.

This historic rancho was once an operating cattle ranch where the owners built a home and gardens on the property. It’s a unique place that tells a rich regional story of the intersection between Native people and settlers who worked to develop California’s land. 

Now, you can visit to explore the gardens, take a tour of the house, and see their livestock display.

I especially loved the gardens where they work to restore the garden to how it would have looked when the family lived there in the 1800s.

It’s free to visit and so is parking! There is a front gate because the rancho sits in a gated community, so just tell them you’re headed to the rancho and they’ll let you in.

Note that they’re only open 1 – 5 pm Wednesday through Sunday. You can join tours as a walk-up, but they can fill up, so I recommend calling or emailing to secure your spot ahead of time.

Optional Dinner Stop: Local-Favorite Noodles at ST Noodle Bar

You might be leaving by now to head back home, but if you’re sticking around through dinner, I of course have another recommendation for you.

ST Noodle Bar is a local favorite Thai restaurant known for their signature noodle dishes! You really can’t go wrong.

FAQ’s for Your Long Beach Trip

How much does this itinerary cost?

Getting to Long Beach

You can fly direct to Long Beach Airport (LGB). They were just named the #2 airport in the US by the Washington Post!

Long Beach is only a 45 minute drive from downtown Los Angeles. Navigate to the 710 South to get to Long Beach from LA. It connects with the 5, 105, and 405 at various points in the city.

If you don’t have a car, you can easily use the Metro system (line A) to get between Los Angeles and Long Beach. It costs $1.75 one way.

From San Diego, you can also drive about 2 hours up the 5-N to the 73-N (toll-road), to the 405-N, to the 710-S. There’s also a Greyhound bus route between San Diego and Long Beach that takes 3.5 hours and costs $36.

How to get around Long Beach

Driving is certainly the easiest way, just for convenience sake. There’s ample parking downtown and the city lots are free for the first 2 hours, so it’s quite easy.

From 4 pm – 10 pm Thursdays and Fridays, 12 pm – 10 pm on Saturdays, and 12 pm – 8 pm on Sundays, you can arrange for free rides using Circuit, a golf-cart-like transportation service around Long Beach and other SoCal cities.

Download the app to get started.

Another fun way to get around is on the Long Beach AquaLink, a ferry system that costs $5. It’s a great, inexpensive way to get out on the water and see the Long Beach skyline!

Finally, Long Beach Transit, the city’s public transit system, is extensive and inexpensive where single rides cost only $1.25.

Where should you stay?

I stayed aboard The Queen Mary and LOVED it! These hotel rooms are the original staterooms that passengers used almost 100 years ago, but the amenities feel quite modern.

The bed was SO comfortable and I especially loved being able to explore the ship “after hours” when the tours had all finished for the day.

Prices start at $170+ per night and can vary a lot on dates and which room type you’re interested in. It’s worth it!

Book your Queen Mary room here.

For an alternative option, opt for the Hotel Mai Long Beach, which is $162+ per night. This spacious boutique hotel is downtown steps from all the best restaurants and attractions. They even have a rooftop space with epic views!

Book your stay on land here.

When is the best time to visit?

There’s honestly no bad time to visit a beach town in Southern California. Each season has its perks.

Summer is peak travel season, so the big attractions can see summer camp groups and lots of families because kids are off school. It’s the best time for lounging at the beach because the temperatures cater toward being outside.

Spring and fall have cooler weather and fewer crowds. If you don’t care to be at the beach, this is a great option!

Winter is best for whale watching to catch the gray whale migration.

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Thank you to Visit Long Beach for having me. Browse their resources to continue your Long Beach trip planning! As always, all opinions are my own.

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