For parents of my generation, Long Beach conjures thoughts of musical artists like Snoop Dogg and Sublime, hard streets, and the Port of Long Beach. So why should you take your kids to a place that doesn’t seem very kid-friendly? Simply put, Shoreline Village. My wife recently had a work conference in Long Beach, and being a product of Southern California myself, I decided to tag along with the kids. It ended up being a great trip full of new experiences for our boys, and I’d like to share some of what we did. Who knows, it might just persuade you to take a trip to the LBC.
Upon arrival, we did the obvious thing: we took our kids to The Aquarium of the Pacific. Having recently visited the Monterey Bay Aquarium and the Lisbon Oceanarium, we had some high expectations. It did not disappoint. Immediately upon entering the aquarium, we were greeted with a full-scale blue whale (the largest animal on the planet) hanging from the rafters. The aquarium is broken up into different sections where you can get up close and personal with sharks, pinnipeds, penguins, octopus, jellyfish, ocean reef fish, etc. Our boys loved how interactive the aquarium was, allowing them to touch rays, sharks, anemones, urchins, and more. When it was time to take a little break, we headed over to the playground and let them run around for a bit. There was even a station that had fish that you could color with a touch screen and then project your creation onto a huge wall. We explored the aquarium for nearly 3 hours before heading over to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. for lunch. The boys were pretty worn out after the aquarium, so we headed back to the hotel and spent the rest of that day lounging by the pool.
The next day, the boys were eager to do more exploring, so we decided to head back down to the waterfront and checked out the Swan pedal boats on Rainbow Lagoon in front of the Hyatt Regency Long Beach. They took turns helping us pedal and steer the boats. It was an enjoyable, if not a bit exhausting, excursion. After the boats, we were all ready for some lunch, so we headed over to Chili’s and had lunch on the harbor.
After lunch, we were looking for our next adventure, so we decided to book a whale-watching trip with Harbor Breeze Cruises. We weren’t sure how much luck we would have spotting whales, but figured it would be a fun day out on the water anyway. As luck would have it, fin whales (the second-largest animal on the planet) were mid-migration right out in front of the harbor, and they put on a spectacular show for us. The boat’s crew did an excellent job of spotting the whales and putting us right in their path for some really amazing photo ops. After spotting four or five different fin whales, we continued on in search of other sea creatures. And boy, did we find them. A feeding frenzy was taking place with a large pod of dolphins, pinnipeds, and sea birds as they chased fish along the California coast. We must have seen hundreds of dolphins jumping and riding the waves as we motored alongside the spectacle. After the three-hour boat ride, we re-entered the harbor and were treated to some great views of the Queen Mary and Spruce Goose Geodesic Dome, along with Shoreline Village.
After whale watching, there was only one thing left on our agenda: the 90’ Ferris wheel. To be honest, I’m not a huge fan of Ferris wheels, but this one was time well spent. The kids loved going way up to the top, and my wife and I enjoyed the beautiful ocean views and vantage point of the city. One attraction that we missed but might try next time is the Pike Carousel. It sits at the base of the Ferris wheel, and if the boys weren’t already so worn out, I’m sure they would have enjoyed it.
In a city known for its vibrant culture and historical significance, Long Beach may not seem like an obvious choice for a family getaway. However, our recent trip to Shoreline Village proved otherwise. From the awe-inspiring exhibits at The Aquarium of the Pacific to the excitement of pedaling swan boats on Rainbow Lagoon, our time spent exploring Long Beach with our kids was nothing short of memorable. Witnessing the majestic fin whales on our whale-watching adventure with Harbor Breeze Cruises was a highlight, showcasing the diverse marine life just off the coast. And as the day wound down with a ride on the iconic Ferris wheel, overlooking the sparkling ocean and city skyline, it became clear that Long Beach offers a wealth of family-friendly experiences waiting to be discovered. So, if you’re looking for a destination that promises adventure, learning, and endless fun for the whole family, consider a trip to the LBC – you won’t be disappointed.
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