If you are visiting Southern California and want to visit somewhere other than Hollywood or Los Angeles, the city of Long Beach is a great place to plan a trip around.
Long Beach, California provides awesome weather along with fun activities for all.
In this guide, we will provide an overview of the history of Long Beach, the time of year you should visit, which airport you can use to fly in, and finally, 4 things you need to do when visiting this excellent Southern California location.
Overview of the History of Long Beach
Long Beach, California, boasts a rich history that reflects its evolution from a coastal wilderness to a vibrant and diverse urban center.
The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in the 1880s enabled easy access to the coastal area which manifested a boom in tourism and real estate development.
By the early 20th century, Long Beach had evolved into a bustling city with elegant hotels, a bustling waterfront, and the famous Pike amusement zone.
The city’s growth further accelerated during World War I, when the U.S. military established naval and shipbuilding facilities, cementing Long Beach’s status as a crucial maritime hub.
The discovery of oil in the 1920s marked another significant chapter in Long Beach’s history. The Long Beach Oil Field became one of the most productive in the world, fueling economic prosperity and urban expansion.
This newfound wealth facilitated the development of iconic structures like the Art Deco City Hall and the historic ocean liner RMS Queen Mary.
Over time, the city diversified its industries, embraced its cultural diversity, and invested in infrastructure, solidifying its position as a major West Coast port city and a dynamic center of trade, culture, and innovation.
What Time of Year is Best to go to Long Beach?
Since the weather in Southern California is just about the same year-round, it’s a great destination to check out no matter what season it is.
Long Beach and the Southern California region hardly get any adverse weather, like snow or rain.
If you are coming from a cold weather destination like New York during the Winter, those winterly months might be a good time to visit Long Beach.
You will get away from cold, cloudy, and snowy weather.
Long Beach’s sunshine and warmth will be a welcomed addition for you.
How to Get to Long Beach From Out of State?
Long Beach Airport
If you want to avoid the headache of flying into Los Angeles (LAX), your best bet is to seek a flight to Long Beach Airport.
Long Beach Airport is located only 3 miles away from downtown Long Beach. That means you can hop off the plane and begin exploring the best of what Long Beach has to offer. No need to travel 30 minutes from Los Angeles.
The only barrier to using Long Beach Airport is your lack of airline options. Currently, there are only 3 carriers providing service to this airport. These carriers are:
- Southwest Airlines
- Delta Connections
- Hawaiian Airlines
Southwest Airlines is the primary carrier at this airport. It took over after JetBlue Airways shifted its focus to Los Angeles International Airport.
Southwest offers flights into Long Beach from many airports in the Western and Midwest United States.
Unfortunately for people living on the east coast, there are no direct flights from any of Southwest’s major east coast hubs, so you most likely need to find a connection at some point.
For folks flying in from Hawaii, you can fly Hawaiian Airlines as they have a presence at Long Beach Airport.
Los Angeles International Airport
Los Angeles International Airport is the area’s primary airport. It is also the 2nd busiest airport in the United States after Hartfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport in Atlanta, Georgia.
LAX is located 22 road miles away from Long Beach. With Los Angeles traffic, it’s a coin flip as to how long that trip could take. Realistically, the trip is a 30-minute drive. But with rush hour traffic, it might take hours.
If you are traveling internationally or from all corners of the United States, Los Angeles International Airport is your safest bet. You will most likely find a direct flight from an airport closest to you.
The following significant airlines fly into Los Angeles International Airport:
- Air Canada
- Air France
- Alaska Airlines
- Allegiant Air
- American Airlines
- American Eagle
- Breeze Airways
- Delta Airlines
- Delta Connection
- Hawaiian Airlines
- JetBlue Airways
- Norse Atlantic Airways
- Qantas
- Southwest Airlines
- Spirit Airlines
- Sun Country Airlines
- United Airlines
- Virgin Atlantic
- Viva Aerobus
- Volaris
4 Things You Need to Do While in Long Beach
1. Visit the Queen Mary
A prominent Long Beach staple is the luxurious RMS Queen Mary, berthed near the Long Beach Cruise Ship Terminal.
The Queen Mary once was the world’s pinnacle ocean liner. She served the Cunard cruise line from 1936 to 1967. Her route was over the Atlantic Ocean transporting passengers from Southampton, England to New York City in record time.
During the 1940s, she functioned as a troop ship for the United States military, bringing hundreds of thousands of soldiers to the Western Front safely during World War 2.
She has since transitioned to a museum ship and hotel. Since 1971, people have been able to learn all about the history of the Queen Mary through tours and experience what it was like to voyage across the Atlantic Ocean in the 30s, 40s, and 50s.
If you want to spend the night on the Queen Mary, there are full-suite rooms, mini-suites, deluxe staterooms, and family & standard staterooms.
For a few hundred dollars a night, you can step back in time and experience history.
2. Learn About Marine Life at the Aquarium of The Pacific
If you are in the mood to learn about the ocean life found in the Pacific Ocean, the Aquarium of The Pacific is where you need to be.
Head over to 100 Aquarium Way in Long Beach and purchase tickets for a day of engaging fun at the aquarium.
The aquarium allows you to learn about sea life from all corners of the Pacific Ocean. With over 100 exhibits accounting for 19 habitats in the Pacific Ocean, you will witness 11,000 animals in 500 different species.
You will see sharks, penguins, frogs, and sea otters. People can also come face to face with several of the animals through the aquarium’s animal encounters program.
You can purchase tickets and set reservations in advance, all online. Adult tickets start at $44. Children’s tickets cost around $30 for each child. Senior citizens do receive a small discount and if you become an aquarium member, you can get into the aquarium for free.
3. Photo Opportunities at the Lions Lighthouse for the Blind
The Lions Lighthouse for the Blind was erected in 2000 as a marketing ploy to bring awareness to blindism around the world.
Lions Lighthouse is only 65 feet tall and does not function as a navigational aid for ships entering Long Beach Harbor.
Today, the grounds that the lighthouse is built on offer beautiful 360-degree views of Long Beach Harbor.
You will be able to see the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of The Pacific because the lighthouse is located only a few hundred feet away from both.
You will also be able to see Long Beach in its entirety, including all the cruise ships and port facilities.
This attraction offers a perfect photo opportunity and the best part is that it won’t cost you very much.
4. Take a Trip Down the Canals of Naples
There is a neighborhood in Long Beach called Naples that is known for its canal system, resembling almost something you would find in Italy.
The streets are named in Italian. You can even opt to take a romantic gondola trip down one of these canals.
Conclusion
Long Beach, California is a great alternative destination if you’re looking to get away from the touristy areas found in Los Angeles and Hollywood.
There is plenty to do, the weather is great, and you have several options for getting there for an excellent weekend trip.
Sources
https://www.visitcalifornia.com/places-to-visit/long-beach
