About Long Beach
Long Beach California is as it sounds, a beach-filled port city in Southern California. The city itself is situated on what is known as Queensway Bay and everything in the city and surrounding area takes full advantage of its seaport heritage. You’ll find plenty to do with both waterside activities, arts and museums, as well as shops and businesses.
The host of things to do includes a bunch of different maritime themed museums and exhibits as well as boat tours, fishing, and of course, excellent food. If you’re looking for a sunny place to host an event, plan a wedding reception or just spend a day on the beach, then Long Beach is definitely the place to be.
As far as the weather, you can expect typical sunny California days with a bit of a twist. A brisk ocean breeze and the added humidity make it a bit less dry than other areas of Southern California, so if you’re looking to explore and get away from the desert, then Long Beach is the place to be.
Attractions in Long Beach
Being on the water, Long Beach draws a crowd. Besides the views and sea air, there are several attractions that make it a fun destination.
- Aquarium of the Pacific
Something fun and enjoyable for the entire family in Long Beach is the Aquarium of the Pacific. This 5-acre aquarium features some of the largest exhibits of its kind and you’ll be able to get up close and personal with many of the biggest undersea creatures on the planet. As if that weren’t enough, the Aquarium itself is situated just across the street from a whole host of other attractions that are worth visiting while you’re in Long Beach.
- Naple Canals
The Naple Canals area is a large man-made walking trail that visitors can traverse, located on Seal Beach in Long Beach. They offer stunning views of the waterfront in these Italian-inspired canals and the entire walking trail is pet friendly as well. There is no excuse not to bring the entire family, pets, and all and enjoy the city, the water, and the beach all at the same time.
- The Queen Mary
If you want to experience luxury and a blast from the past, then visiting The Queen Mary while in Long Beach is an absolute imperative. This ship, which is a steamliner just a bit larger than the iconic Titanic, has been turned into a fully functional hotel with impressive staterooms, a restaurant, and numerous other attractions, all while keeping that early 1900s steamship appeal. It is now one of the most famous historic landmarks in Long Beach and thousands of tourists flock to it every year.
- El Dorado Nature Center
The El Dorado Nature Center gives you an up close experience with nature in the Long Beach area. The 105-acre park features a visitors center where you can learn about different features of the area and has exhibits on many of the different flora and fauna found around Long Beach as well as some lakes, streams, and walking trails that are available to explore.
- Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
If you’d like a bit of nature with some heritage on the side, then visit the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden. Situated on the campus of CSU Long Beach, this authentic Japanese garden is a treasure to behold with regular new exhibits, arts and cultural exchanges, and learning opportunities that are fun for locals and tourists alike.
Production Locations in Long Beach
When you’re putting on a show of any kind, it’s a good idea to make sure you have all the arrangements put together just right. Finding the right crew, instruments and equipment is only part of the puzzle. The next step is to find the right location to put on whatever type of production you have in mind. Long Beach is the perfect spot to find concert venues, filming spaces, studios and more.
- Iconic Homes
If you’re looking for a place to film or record in, Long Beach gives you your pick of time periods and styles to choose from. For instance, you could pick an updated Spanish villa as a perfect place to write and record music or to hold an intimate interview for a tv show or podcast. The number of uses for spaces like these is almost endless.
- Warehouse Spaces
Another option for a space to produce something is to choose a large open warehouse space. Long Beach has several to choose from so that you can find the size of space you need to suit your desires. With that much open space, you could film just about anything. A warehouse is essentially a blank canvas.
- Shipyards
If you want something unique, you could locate your production on the water at an actual shipyard. This would make for an interesting backdrop for any movie or television show and give the entire production a feeling of authenticity.
Meeting and Event Venues in Long Beach
From wedding venues to brainstorming locations, Long Beach can provide just the right space. Both indoor and outside locales have a lot to offer.
- Shopping Malls
If you need a large area to conduct business or to hold a large event like say a wedding reception, then you might consider renting out one of the many modern shopping mall spaces in Long Beach. This will give you enough room for a large guest list and to host whatever type of event you want without having to worry about feeling cramped.
- Studio Spaces
Another option if you’re having a sales seminar or need another type of large corporate event venue would be to rent out one of the large studio spaces that are available. You can find large, well-lit spaces that are perfect for holding conventions and the like and you can set them up to meet your specific needs.
- Motels
Lastly, if you think you might need a lot of space with amenities and possible catering, you might consider renting out a motel as a business meeting venue or private event.