Top 10 Things to Do When Visiting Long Beach

Long Beach is a California city nestled along the coast of Los Angeles County. It’s a city that boasts a diverse community, notable history and art scene, and is largely walkable and bike-friendly, making it easy to navigate for both visitors and locals. At BaM Body and Mind dispensary, we love Southern California and all of its vibrant communities, so we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 sights and can’t-miss locations in this dynamic beach city. Pack a bag and prepare to spend the day exploring all that Long Beach has to offer.

The Aquarium of the Pacific

The largest aquarium in California, the Aquarium of the Pacific is home to more than 11,000 animal exhibits representing over 500 different species. The exhibits explore three distinct waters of the Pacific Ocean, including Southern California, Baja, and the Northern Pacific. The 350,000 gallon tanks create an otherworldly, sensory experience for visitors as they learn about the great natural diversity of the region. The cool, dark underwater exhibits are a great way to spend a day in Long Beach if the weather is hot, or if you’re looking for a fun outing for the whole family.

The Queen Mary

Located close by the Aquarium of the Pacific is the RMS Queen Mary. This historic, famous British ocean liner once used as a passenger ship for transatlantic voyages is now transformed into a hotel and museum. Once aboard the ship, tours are available as well as a smattering of restaurants, bars, and shops. History buffs can get a taste of the ship’s grandeur and catch a glimpse of what it might have been like to embark on this vessel in the 1930’s by staying onboard overnight.

Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA)

Located in Long Beach’s developing East Village Arts District, MOLAA serves the greater Los Angeles area as the only museum in the United States dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art. The museum features exhibitions, cultural events, a sculpture garden, film screenings, and a permanent collection numbering over 1,500 works. MOLAA puts Latino art front and center; a visit to this museum is the perfect way to learn more about the vibrant cultural landscape of California.

Long Beach Museum of Art

If MOLAA piques your interest, continue your perusal of the area’s art museums with a trip to the Long Beach Museum of Art. This museum, located on Ocean Boulevard in the Bluff Park neighborhood, houses a permanent collection that includes over 4,000 paintings, drawings, sculptures, decorative arts objects, and more. With a special focus on California Modernism and contemporary art of California, it’s a can’t-miss location for art enthusiasts looking to better understand California’s art scene.

El Dorado Nature Center

Between the San Gabriel River and the 605 Freeway, El Dorado Nature Center is a natural oasis, offering visitors the chance to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life. The Nature Center grounds provide sanctuary for animals and plant life on 105 acres, containing two miles of dirt trails that wind around two lakes. At the entrance, a picturesque wooden bridge greets visitors and a walk across takes you to a small island that houses the Visitor Center, containing educational displays, an art gallery, and a small gift shop offering environmentally themed books and gifts.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

This Japanese garden encompasses 1.3 acres on California State University’s campus in Long Beach. Ed Lovell, landscape master plan architect for the University, traveled to Japan and was inspired by the Imperial Gardens in Tokyo before designing the garden. There are a variety of annual events held at the Japanese garden, including a Koi auction and a chrysanthemum show. 

Los Angeles River Bicycle Path

In Long Beach, this bike path runs on the east side of the river channel and intersects with Imperial Highway, where it crosses the LA River on a road bridge and continues north along the west side of the LA River to Vernon. The bike path offers a unique vantage point for visitors to tour various neighborhoods within Los Angeles County.

Junipero Beach

Junipero Beach, also known as Cherry Beach, is a stretch of beach between Junipero Avenue and Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier. Two parks overlook the beach, Bluff Park and Bixby Park. Visitors can walk along the park’s pathways while enjoying views of the beach and harbor. Free yoga classes take place in Bixby Park regularly, and a short cross over Ocean Boulevard takes you to Bixby Park’s playground, fitness equipment, and a well-shaded, grassy area.

Rainbow Lagoon Park

Located north of Shoreline Drive, between Shoreline Village Drive and Linden Avenue, this park is designed in a traditional Japanese style with two connected islands and surrounding park with high arched “rainbow bridges.” Rainbow Lagoon itself is filled with seawater, and maintained at park level. It’s a fun place to stop and take a moment to recharge before touring Long Beach’s waterfront.

BaM Body and Mind Dispensary

Located at 3411 E Anaheim Street in Long Beach, our cannabis dispensary is a community-focused business carrying top-quality, legal cannabis products. We’re happy to serve our Long Beach community and its visitors, but if you’re too busy to stop in and shop, we provide weed delivery services, as well as curb-side and express pickup. This way, our customers can take full advantage of all the awesome sights and experiences that Long Beach offers, while still getting their favorite cannabis products. We carry a wide range of products including flower, concentrates, edibles, vapes, topicals and prerolls. And as the winner of Weedmaps Choice Award in 2021, you’re sure to receive the best service with a knowledgeable, friendly staff.