Rainbow Harbor

419 Shoreline Village Drive at Pine Avenue
Long Beach, California

800-432-2201

Call for additional information

Admission Charged

Climb on board the tallship Californian, a full-scale re-creation of the 1848 Revenue Marine Cutter, C.W. Lawrence, one of fastest and grandest cutters on the California coast. Kids jump right into the adventure of clambering around the riggings and exploring below decks. If you really love tall ships, there are day cruises available.

Aquarium of the Pacific

100 Aquarium Way

Long Beach, California

562-590-3100

Open daily 9:00am – 6:00pm

Admission Charged

Over 5,500 species, from moon jellies to sharks, in 17 exhibits from the Bering Sea to Southern California to tropical barrier reef environments. The huge, three-story-high tanks are the most popular exhibits, but don't miss the Soft Coral Lagoon's Plexiglass underpass: peer up at tropical fish weaving through the coral and watch divers feeding the fish. Ready for a rest?  Have a seat  in the theatre, and watch a documentary on sea life.

Mothers'  Beach

At Marina Park (Appian Way)

If you have toddlers, head for "Mother's Beach".  Lifeguards on duty in summer, sandy beach and gentle waves, barbecue grills, grassy areas, and a whale to climb on that spouts water.

El Dorado Regional Park and Nature Center

7500 East Spring Street

Long Beach, California

310-570-1771

Open Daily from 7am – dusk

Admission Charged

There are 3 fishing lakes with pedal boats, and ducks that love to be fed. There is an archery range, (you must bring your own equipment) a model glider field, a Frisbee golf course (byo), playgrounds, and bike trails.   Steam train rides too.

El Dorado Nature Center

Near the El Dorado Regional Park

7500 East Spring Street

Long Beach, California

310-570-1771

Open Daily from 7am – dusk

Admission Charged

The Center has streams and lakes and hiking trails, making it a great place to stretch your legs. The Center is set in a meadow surrounded by trees and is home to everything from turtles to weasels to rabbits. Bicycling and walking are free, but there is a small parking fee. At the Center Museum, children will love the hands-on exhibits and workshops.

Rancho Los Alamitos

6400 Bixby Hill Road
Long Beach, California 90815

562-431-3541

Open Wednesday through Sunday with tours every half hour

Admission Charged

The 7 ½ acre ranch has an adobe house built in 1800 and  barns with draft horses, goats, sheep, and other farm animals.  It is  set in four acres of gardens, and has a working blacksmith shop. This is a great way to spend a couple hours watching farming demonstrations (you'll have the opportunity to take part in some yourselves!) pecial events are held all year long.  Call for details.

Rancho Los Cerritos

4600 Virginia Road
Long Beach, California 90805

562-570-1755

Call for additional information

Admission Free
Originally a Spanish land grant of 27,000 acres;  the ranch  has shrunk to 4.7 acres.  It  contains  an 1844 Monterey-Colonial adobe house and historic gardens. Have fun taking  "Tea with Margaret Bixby." You'll enjoy a Victorian tea and find out about 19th century ranch life from "Margaret Bixby" in a living history presentation.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

6300 State University Drive
Long Beach, California 90815
562-985-5930

Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 8:00 a.m.- 3:30 p.m., Sunday: 12:00 - 4:00 p.m.

Holiday and Seasonal Closures:

Winter: Mid December to the end of January; Spring Break: The week before Easter
Summer Holidays: The Fourth of July; Fall: Thanksgiving Day through the following Sunday

On the Cal State University Long Beach campus, you'll find quiet beauty in this large Japanese Garden. Enter through a tiled roof gate modeled after one in Kyoto, Japan and emerge in  another world. Explore a three-tiered Buddhist pagoda, wander the path in the White Birch Woods, and don't miss the ceremonial teahouse where you pass through the sliding shoji doors to more wonders. There's also a wonderful koi pond, bonsai gardens, waterfalls, and a "zigzag bridge" built to ward off evil spirits (which, legend holds, can only travelin straight lines).

Queen Mary Seaport

At the end of I-710

Long Beach, CA

562-435-3511

Call for additional information

Admission Charged

One of the main attractions in Long Beach is this huge ocean liner with its opulent public rooms and staterooms. This ship is one of the glories of the 1930s deco design period with gorgeous woods everywhere (even the decks are made of teakwood). Some believe that the ship is haunted!