A Long Beach Vacation Everyone in the Family Will Love

Planning your next family vacation? The kids want action and adventure, grandma wants great restaurants, grandpa wants sightseeing, and mom and dad just want to relax. You can find it all in Long Beach, where you can enjoy fun attractions, outdoor activities, and shopping, dining, and accommodations that will work for everyone in the family.

ATTRACTIONS

Long Beach’s largest attractions, the Aquarium of the Pacific (100 Aquarium Way) and the Queen Mary (1126 Queens Hwy), are great for families. At the Aquarium, kids will enjoy seeing their favorite animals along with a show in the immersive Pacific Visions Theater. Grandparents can treat the grandkids to a souvenir in the gift store, which is stocked with educational books and toys. At the Queen Mary, the family can explore the ship together on a tour, grab a meal at the Chelsea Chowder House, or make the ship your home base for a memorable hotel stay.

SET SAIL

London Boat Rentals (186 N Marina Dr) can fit the whole family onboard comfortably as you motor around Naples Island or Alamitos Bay. Their fully-enclosed electric Duffy boats carry 12 passengers–including dogs! After a quick lesson, you can navigate your boat to the sights you want to see. Jolly Sailing (421 Shoreline Village Dr) allows your family to bring your favorite food and drinks while Jolly supplies the rest: ice chests, Bluetooth speakers, karaoke mic–upon request–and a licensed captain to handle the boat, which accommodates up to six people.

BEACH DAY

Take advantage of year-round sunny weather to enjoy a beach day in Long Beach. Bike, walk, roller skate, or jog on the paved path, lay out a blanket and enjoy a picnic, and enjoy family-friendly beaches that feature nearby snack shacks and cafés, playgrounds, lifeguards, and no waves. Beaches that are fun for families with kids include Mother’s Beach, Bayshore, Colorado Lagoon, and Junipero Beach. Check out our beach guide for details.

PLAY IN THE PARK

The award-winning parks system in Long Beach is perfect for families, with playgrounds galore for young folks and scenic walking and biking paths for all to enjoy together. El Dorado East Regional Park (7550 E Spring St) is the perfect stop on a family outing. Rent bikes or a six-person Surrey bike from Wheel Fun Rentals to explore the four-mile bike path, check out the fishing ponds, or visit El Dorado Frontier, an adorable Gold Rush-themed small amusement park with a carousel and train ride.

FAMILY DINING

Sometimes the most daunting prospect on a family vacation is finding a restaurant that will satisfy everyone, but not in Long Beach. Breweries are a great option, with Ballast Point Brewing (110 N Marina Dr) in Belmont Shore offering plenty of indoor and outdoor space for a larger group, and Beachwood Brewing’s Distillery & Tap Room in Bixby Knolls (3630 Atlantic Ave) with arcade games for kids to try. SteelCraft (3768 Long Beach Blvd) in Bixby Knolls is an outdoor food hall where everyone in your group can order from a different vendor, with options including burgers from Hangry Belly, acai bowls from Koolberry, and steamed buns from I Luv Ur Buns.

SOMETHING SWEET

Let Grandma and Grandpa indulge their little sweeties with something sweet, like an adorable Cutie Pie in a jar from Laurie’s Pie Bar (450 Pine Ave) in Downtown Long Beach or a delicious cookie or brownie from Foodologie (195 Claremont Ave), a bakery in Belmont Shore. Not only are these desserts of high-quality but visiting these charming small businesses together will be a memory the whole family holds onto for years to come.

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About the Author

Claire Atkinson

Claire Atkinson is a Southern California native who has lived in Long Beach for 20 years. She spends her free time visiting local parks, farmers markets, and museums, and loves learning about Long Beach history and culture.