About Travel to Long Beach

Q. Where is Long Beach?

A. Long Beach is centrally located in the heart of Southern California. Long Beach approximately 25 miles south of the city of Los Angeles, on the Pacific Ocean.

Q. How big is the city of Long Beach?

A. Long Beach is nearly 100 square miles. It is home to more than 450,000 people, making it the 5th largest city in the state of California.

Q. Is there a beach in Long Beach?

A. Of course! Long Beach was originally named "Wilmore City", but because of its long, wide beaches it was renamed "Long Beach" in 1888. Long Beach is bordered by 5 1/2 miles of clean, sandy beaches for you to enjoy. Walk, run, bike or blade on our smooth, fully paved bike path that spans the length of the beach from Downtown to Belmont Shore. Or enjoy an array of watersports such as swimming, sailing, kayaking or jet skiing. You can access the beach in the Belmont Shore / Alamitos Bay area of Long Beach, or from Downtown’s marina green park or bluff park.

Q. Has Long Beach ever been featured in any movies?

A. Being so close to Los Angeles makes Long Beach a prime location for Hollywood films. "The Muse" starring Sharon Stone featured several scenes inside the Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific. The blockbuster movie "Amistad" was filmed aboard the Tallship "Californian" which is docked in Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor. Keanu Reeves was also seen speeding down Shoreline Drive in his hit "Speed".

Q. Does the Queen Mary Ocean Liner ever leave port?

A. The Queen Mary has been docked as the historic centerpiece of Long Beach Harbor since 1967. Although it is still afloat and even moves up and down with the tides, it no longer functions as a passenger ship. Soon, the Queen Mary will be joined by a new neighbor, Carnival Cruise Lines, that will indeed take passengers to far away ports of call. Carnival Cruise Lines will open their terminal adjacent to the Queen Mary in December 2002.

Q. What kind of climate can I expect while visiting Long Beach?

A. The temperature averages 74 degrees Fahrenheit year round with about 345 average days of sunshine.

Q. Does the Aquarium have any dolphins or whales?

A. The Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific is home to only two whales... full-scale replicas of the world’s largest mammal, the Blue Whale, which hang in the Aquarium’s main hall. Although the Aquarium is currently not home to live whales or dolphins, over 12,000 other marine animals do call it home. Its residents include seals, sea lions, bat rays, sharks, bass, sea dragons, and much, much more. Don’t miss the new exhibit at the Aquarium, "Lorikeets", which will feed right out of your hand!

Q. Is there any free public transportation available in Long Beach?

A. Yes! Catch the convenient red Passport shuttle, which runs approximately every 5-10 minutes. It’s free in the Downtown area and can transport you to all of the must-see Long Beach attractions, including the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village and Pine Avenue. Look for the purple Passport on Pine Avenue, which is also a free service from downtown to the Convention Center, Shoreline Village and the Aquarium of the Pacific. For only 90 cents, the red Passport continues your journey to the attractions of Belmont Shore, Alamitos Bay and Cal State Long Beach. The Aquabus is also available to transport you between selected sites in Rainbow Harbor. Or, hop aboard the new Aqualink catamaran for a swift journey to Alamitos Bay. If you have additional questions, friendly transit advisors are available by phone at (562) 591-2301. Or visit us at the Transit Information Center on First Street and Promenade.

Q. How much is cab fare to Disneyland from Long Beach?

A. About $33

Q. How can I inquire about and/or confirm a flight, a reservation, destinations, and/or airline fares for LGB?

A. For any information regarding the airlines that service LGB, please contact the respective airline at its toll free number. America West (800) 235-9292 American Airlines (800) 433-7300 Horizon Air (800) 547-9308 JetBlue Airways (800) 538-2583

Q. What can I expect to pay for transportation to the airport from Downtown Long Beach?

A. To Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) Cab: $45 one way; Shuttle: $15 To Orange County/John Wayne Airport (SNA) Cab: $50 one way; Shuttle: $35 To Long Beach Airport (LGB) Cab: $17 one way; Shuttle: $15

Q. I plan on driving while in Long Beach. Will I need a car seat for my young children?

A. Yes. California law requires a carseat for anyone under 6 years or 60 pounds.

Information source: Long Beach Area Convention and Visitors Bureau