Long Beach, a beach town along the Pacific Coast Highway in Southern California, has a ton of sweet outings that are perfect for you and your baby. We love how many ways there are to get outdoors with your kids at these incredible locations that will make you want to stay in Long Beach forever.
But don’t worry—we have a few solid suggestions for those odd rainy days in SoCal.
Here are a few of our favorite things to do in Long Beach with toddlers and babies, and since Long Beach typically has incredible weather, make sure you take advantage of the sun and go out exploring.
El Dorado Nature Center
- Address: 7550 E Spring St, Long Beach CA
- Hours: Tuesday-Sunday 8 am to 5 pm
- Website
The trails around the El Dorado Nature Center are perfect to get a walk in and go outdoors. The nature center have rocks and tree stumps can climb on and a paved trail that is perfect for strollers. The 105-acre center also has a visitor area, numerous flora and faunas, a lake, and a stream the kids can get their hands wet in. Entering the Nature Center is free as well, but there is a small fee to parking.
Aquarium of the Pacific
- Address: 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach CA
- Hours: Daily 9 am to 6 pm
- Website
The Aquarium is great for babies and kids of all ages. The marine life will capture your kids attention and get their minds thinking about the ocean and everything it encompasses. They have a Lorikeet Forest Exhibit where kids can feed birds and get close with marine life. You can go to their website to buy tickets and plan your visit.
Museum of Latin American Art
- Address: 628 Alamitos Ave, Long Beach CA
- Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 11 am to 6 pm
- Website
Take the family to the Museum of Latin American Art for fun exhibits and experiences that everyone can enjoy. The museum will show human diversity through numerous exhibits and attractions that will help educate you and your kids. It’s also a great place to strap the baby on and walk around for a bit.
Belmont Shore
- Address: E Ocean St, Long Beach CA
Belmont Shore is a neighborhood in Long Beach perfect for walking around and enjoying the sun. You can spend the day at the Belmont Shore Beach, enjoying the water and building sand castles with the family. If you get a little hungry the area is filled with a variety of cuisines you can try out that will leave everyone with a watering mouth.
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
- Address: Earl Warren Dr, Long Beach CA
- Hours: Tuesday-Friday 10 am to 5 pm
- Website
The 1.3 acre Japanese Garden is perfect to relax and get a beautiful stroll on with your baby. It’s a great place for the kids to walk around and explore nature, plus you can bring a little picnic and enjoy it in the gardens. The gardens give a stunning view of the outdoors and is perfect if you’re looking for a quiet place to hang out for a bit.
Long Beach Museum of Art
- Address: 2300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach CA
- Hours: Thursday-Sunday 11 am to 5 pm
- Website
Museums are a great place to roam around with your baby and let their little eyes explore all the bright and colorful exhibits. You can explore the educational exhibits with your older kids or enjoy the beautiful horizon of Long Beach while you’re there.
Shoreline Village
- Address: 401 Shoreline Village Dr, Long Beach CA
- Hours: Daily 10 am to 9 pm
- Website
Shoreline Village is another stunning neighborhood in Long Beach that welcomes you and your baby. The area has a variety of restaurants, shops, and activities for the older kids.
You can rent a Segway or bicycle and take a tour, jump on the carousel for a ride, and even play arcade games while visiting. There is a lot of entertainment for the whole family in Shoreline Village.
The Lions Lighthouse
- Address: 200 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802
Across from Shoreline Village in Shoreline Aquatic Park you will see The Lion Lighthouse for Sight (also knows as the Long Beach Lighthouse) high up on a hill. This is the perfect spot to let your baby or toddler slowly wander up the hill and back down, up and down.
You will get marvelous views of the Queen Mary, the Aquarium, and the harbor, while your baby wears themself out on the grassy knoll.
Today, the Lion Lighthouse in Long Beach, California, is operated by the Skirata Foundation, and sits at the west side entrance of the Rainbow Harbor entrance. It was built in 2000 “as a permanent reminder of Lions Clubs International’s dedication to ending blindness.”
Note: the lighthouse not a functioning lighthouse, nor is not open to the public, but you are free to walk around the grounds.
Rancho Los Alamitos
- Address: 6400 Bixby Hills Rd, Long Beach CA
- Hours: Wednesday-Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm
- Website
Take a step back in time at Rancho Los Alamitos. The 7.5 acre park is an ancestral village that shows the native times of Gabrielino-Tangva people of LA. You can take tours of the area, walk through the garden, and check out the gift shop while visiting. Admission and parking are also free.
Mother’s Beach
- Address: Appian Way below 2nd Street, Long Beach CA
- Hours: Sunrise to Sunset
Mother’s Beach is the perfect spot to take the baby and kids for a beautiful day out. The beach has a playground, picnic area, and volleyball courts. There is a shallow swimming area with gentle waves, making it safe for little kids to be in the water without having to worry about the tides.
Long Beach is an incredible spot to hang around with your baby, enjoy the outdoors, and explore the stunning neighborhoods in the city.
Rosie’s Dog Beach
- Address: 5000 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803
- Hours: 6am-8pm
- Website
Who doesn’t love pups playing in the sand and water. For parents of babies and toddlers, this is a great place to let your human and fur babies run around. Just keep an eye out for larger and more aggressive dogs that could knock down your baby.
While most of the dogs and owners are lovely, it just takes one pup to turn a lovely outing into a trip to urgent care.
Colorado Lagoon
- Address: 5059 E Colorado St, Long Beach, CA 90814
- Hours: 6am-10pm
- Website
Just up the street from Mother’s Beach is the Colorado Lagoon. This nature preserve/ beach offers up walking trails, kayaking and SUP opportunities, and a small beach to hang out on while your baby or toddler splashes around.
You can also check out the model boat shop in the summer months, and see hobbyists testing out their model boats on the calm waters of the lagoon.
There are restrooms and a playground with picnic tables if you need anymore things to do in Long Beach with toddlers.
Just keep an eye on the water report, as the city tests the water often to make sure it is safe to swim in. Stick to the right side of the bridge as well, since the left side is a protected wetlands area where birds come to hang out.
Life guards are on duty during certain hours, especially in the summer, but always keep at least one eye on your little ones when near water.
