Nanny to Mommy

While there are many places to visit around Los Angeles and southern California in general, when you are traveling with kids there’s just something special about being somewhere where you know there is something for everyone. Long Beach is a popular place to go with kids because it is accessible, beautiful and it does have something for everyone. Thanks to the new Long Beach bridge, getting there is much easier! What once used to be an area that faced much more traffic, the expanded bridge includes areas for bikers and pedestrians as well.

A classic Long Beach experience is to spend some quality time at the beach, playing in the water and in the sand as a family. Because the land here is rather protected, the water is calm and safe for kids to play in, different than many other stretches throughout southern California. If you bring your pup with you, visit Rosie’s Dog Beach where you can all hang out and play together.

Rancho Los Alamitos is a historic place in Long Beach, known as the “Ranch of the Little Cottonwoods”. It is a beautiful piece of history, with grounds and gardens that are lovely to walk around and enjoy the scenery at.

Shoreline Village is a waterfront strip in Long Beach that is packed with character. The shops and restaurants are colorful, and you have great views over the harbor. If you want a casual place where you can walk along as a family, look at boats and the views, and be on a charming strip, this is the place to go to in Long Beach.

A gondola ride isn’t something you can do just anywhere, and it’s a fun activity that everyone will love. Not to mention, when your kids are too tired to walk, but not too tired to where they need a nap, an activity like this where you can all sit but still be experiencing something together is the perfect option.

The Aquarium of the Pacific draws in visitors to Long Beach every year, with its interactive exhibits and over 11,000 animals. One of the most well-loved exhibits is the Lorikeet Forest, which will transport you to Australia as you walk through and be surrounded by colorful birds.

The Queen Mary ship is a luxury ocean liner with an interesting history that arrived in Long Beach in 1967 and is now a hotel and spot to visit here. You can go on tours, eat out here, and play with the kids as you explore the docked ship.

With so many things to do see and do in Long Beach, the food has to be mentioned as well! Mexican and Greek food are both popular here, with popular spots being George’s Greek Café and Tequila Jack’s Restaurant and Cantina. Most restaurants here are used to and love family visits, so they won’t hesitate when you ask for a highchair or walk in with kiddos in tow.