5 Days in Long Beach, California

• Day 1: Beach Day - Start your trip off with a relaxing day at the sandy shores of Long Beach. Check out the famous Belmont Shore Beach for some great beachfront activities and grab lunch at The Attic on Broadway. In the afternoon, head to The Queen Mary, a historic ocean liner and turn into a beautiful boutique hotel. After dinner, explore the lively nightlife at Pike Outlets.
• Day 2: City Sights - Start your day with the exciting activities at Shoreline Village. Rent a bike and ride along the beautiful bike path, or explore the seas on a boat tour. Next, head to the famous Long Beach Museum of Art and soak up some local culture. For dinner, try some delicious Mexican food at Fuego at Hotel Maya.
• Day 3: Aquarium and Japanese Garden - Begin your day at the Aquarium of the Pacific, where you can explore exhibits showcasing marine wildlife from the Pacific Ocean. In the afternoon, head to the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, a serene sanctuary with beautiful foliage and waterways. For dinner, try the delicious seafood and oyster at King's Fish House.
• Day 4: Museums and Food Market - Start your day at Museum of Latin American Art and learn about the unique cultural significance of Latin American art. Afterward, stroll through the Long Beach Antique Market, a weekly swap meet flea market featuring antiques and collectibles. For lunch, check out the delicious foods offered at The Hangar at LBX. End your day at Long Beach Exchange, a trendy hangout spot with hip bars and eateries.
• Day 5: Catalina Island Adventure - Take a ferry from Long Beach to Catalina Island and enjoy the beautiful beaches, hiking trails, and activities offered there. Rent a golf cart and explore the quaint town of Avalon, or dive underwater for some amazing snorkeling. For dinner, try the seafood and steak at the iconic Bluewater Avalon Seafood Restaurant.

Time and Costs Estimates

• Belmont Shore Beach (4 hours, free)
• The Attic on Broadway, (1-2 hours, $10-20 per person)
• The Queen Mary (2-3 hours, $15-30 per person)
• Pike Outlets (2-3 hours, varies)
• Shoreline Village (2-4 hours, varies)
• Long Beach Museum of Art (2-3 hours, $10-20 per person)
• Fuego at Hotel Maya (1-2 hours, $20-40 per person)
• Aquarium of the Pacific (2-4 hours, $20-30 per person)
• Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden (1-2 hours, $7-12 per person)
• King's Fish House (1-2 hours, $20-40 per person)
• Museum of Latin American Art (2-3 hours, $10-20 per person)
• Long Beach Antique Market (2-4 hours, $5-10 per person)
• The Hangar at LBX (1-2 hours, $10-20 per person)
• Long Beach Exchange (2-3 hours, varies)
• Catalina Island (varies, ferry $45-75 per person round trip)
• Bluewater Avalon Seafood Restaurant (1-2 hours, $30-50 per person)

Total Estimated Costs: $279-$560

Transportation

For exploring Long Beach, renting a bike or walking can be a great option if you're looking for exercise and to cut costs. Uber and Lyft are also widely available in Long Beach for affordable transportation to major attractions. If you want to venture outside of Long Beach or go to Catalina Island, consider taking the ferry from Long Beach. Prices typically range from $45-$75 per person round trip and take around an hour to reach Catalina Island.

Useful Tips

If you have extra time, consider visiting Downtown Long Beach for trendy eateries and shops or El Dorado Nature Center for hiking trails and outdoor recreational activities. For those with less time, consider skipping certain attractions or condensing your visit to explore Long Beach in fewer days.