When you think of Long Beach in Southern California, the first thing that comes to mind is probably the beaches and sunset but that’s not all there is in this spectacular city. There’s so much more to it and endless romantic things to do in Long Beach. We’ve accumulated all the top spots that are perfect for a date.
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Romantic Things To Do In Long Beach
1. Gondola Ride in Naples
This has got to be the most romantic thing to do in Long Beach. People travel all the way to Venice, Italy just to enjoy the romantic scenery and vibes on a gondola getaway. Venice may be a bit far from Long Beach, but there is an opportunity in Long Beach to ride a gondola. It’s a 1-hour ride in Naples. There are many different kinds of gondolas, the biggest one being able to sit 14 people. This activity won a Tripadvisor Traveler’s Choice Award in 2022.
2. Shoreline Village
Shoreline Village is a waterfront shopping and dining area. The waterfront walkway is a pedestrian pathway and you can spot really amazing views of the water and Queen Mary. Shoreline Village also has lots of small shops that sell unique handcrafted items. You can also find lots of fun attractions like a carousel, arcade, and music performances.
3. Aquarium of the Pacific
This is a famous aquarium with over 12,000 animals and over 100 exhibits. It’s huge and there are tons to explore. Some notable exhibits include shark lagoon where you can find sharks and ray and sea jellies which is an exhibit that displays a variety of jellyfish. For all you animal and aquatic life lovers, you’re gonna love it here. Skip the line by getting tickets online beforehand here.
4. Queen Mary
The Queen Mary is a historic ocean liner built in 1930. Now, it’s a popular tourist attraction and even a hotel. You can take a tour and the ship has a few exhibits that allow you to see different parts of the rooms. It’s definitely a fascinating attraction and a great date idea if you like to explore.
5. Picnic at El Dorado Park
El Dorado Nature Regional Park is an 800-acre park in Long Beach and is the perfect place for picnics. There are many picnic tables with barbeque grills. You can also bring a picnic blanket and lay it on the grass to relax on. The park also has lakes and a nature center that’s so incredibly calming. Coming here is easily one of the most lowkey yet most romantic things to do in Long Beach.
6. Romantic Dinner Cruise
Having a fancy dinner is so romantic but imagine eating dinner on a ship! It’ll be the most amazing night ever. Long Beach is the perfect place to have a romantic dinner cruise because there are many different cruises to choose from and the dinner options are abundant. Some popular dinner cruises to consider are Harbor Breeze Cruises, Spirit Cruises, and Hornblower Cruises.
7. Rancho Los Alamitos
This is a historic ranch with a restored adobe house and gardens. It was built in the early 1800s and in the present day, you can see the ranch’s rich history and culture. A popular activity to do here is to do an Adobe House Tour. The house has been restored but its original architectural style still remains. The gardens are another popular attraction here and you can discover a butterfly garden and a historical garden that has plants and crops grown from the past.
8. Movie at Art Theater
The Art Theater is a historical movie theater that opened in 1924 and it’s become a cultural landmark in the area. At the theater, you can watch new releases, independent films, foreign films, and classic films. There is a particular type of art deco architecture in the interior that is quite unique to find in a theater.
9. Visit Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens
This is a beautiful Japanese garden on the campus of California State University, Long Beach. It’s 1.3 acres big and has lots of traditional Japanese architecture, koi ponds, and more. Some unique aspects of the Japanese gardens are there’s a Japanese teahouse, a Zen garden, and a moon bridge. There are also plants that are native to Japan. The garden is free to the public.
10. Shopping at Retro Row
This is a popular shopping and dining district in Long Beach. You can find plenty of vintage and retro shops, restaurants, and bars here. In the shops, you can shop for clothing, accessories, home goods, and other one-of-a-kind items. On Street Retro Row, you’ll also see art galleries that showcase the work of local artists. This is definitely a romantic spot to be because there’s so much to explore.
11. Rent Paddleboats at Rainbow Lagoon Park
Paddleboarding is such a fun and relaxing activity. At Rainbow Lagoon Park, you can rent a paddleboat that is shaped like a swan for an hour and paddle around in the lagoon. Riding these swan boats is perfect date idea because the boats come with 2 seats and you can enjoy each other’s company while enjoying the nice scenery. Get tickets to paddleboating here.
12. Relax at Signal Hill Park
This park has a wide variety of recreational activities and is a great option for a date spot. There’s a playground, sports facilities, hiking trails, picnic areas, and a dog park. Since there is quite a range of things to do here, you won’t get bored.
13. Watch a Comedy at Laugh Factory
Watching a comedy is probably not the first thing you think about for a romantic spot to go to but it’s actually very fun if you’re both into comedy. The Laugh Factory is a popular comedy club and is known for its stand-up comedy. There are some of the most recognizable comedians that perform here and also some lesser-known local ones as well. There’s also a very intimate setting that sits around 300 people.
14. Visit Long Beach Museum of Art
This is an art museum originally built in 1912 as a recreational facility for the wealthy. Today, the museum has a collection of over 3,200 works of art including paintings, sculptures, and other pieces of art from around the world. The museum also hosts temporary exhibitions throughout the year to display new and established artists. From the museum, there are stunning views of the Pacific Ocean and Queen Mary.
15. Long Beach Flea Market
This is one of the biggest and most well-known outdoor flea markets in the Los Angeles Orange County area. The Long Beach antique market takes place every 3rd Sunday of every month at Long Beach City College. There are over 800 vendors that sell a wide variety of goods including jewelry, antiques, collectibles, furniture, vintage clothing, and more. There’s a $10 admission fee and parking is free.
16. Rosie’s Dog Beach
This is a popular dog-friendly beach and is named after Rosie, a bulldog. This beach offers dogs a great place to run, play, and swim. If you’re looking to take your dog out for some fun along with your date, this is the spot to go.
17. Brewery Tour
Brewery tours are a great romantic date idea. It’s interactive, relaxed, and really fun. Some popular breweries in Long Beach are Beachwood Brewing, Ballast Point Brewing Company, and Belmont Brewing Company.
18. Day Trip to Catalina Islands
Catalina Islands is very close to Long Beach and it’s only about a 1-hour boat ride. To get there, you can take a ferry – Catalina Express and Catalina Flyer are the most popular. Once you’re there, visit Avalon, the main town in Catalina Islands. There are some nice shops and romantic restaurants there. Catalina is also very widely known for snorkeling. You can rent some snorkeling gear and explore the marine life under the waters.
19. Outdoor Movie Screening
If you’re in the mood for a movie but want to make it memorable, try out an outdoor movie screening. There are several outdoor movie screenings in Long Beach. Moonlight Movies on the Beach takes place annually at Granada Beach and shows classic movies. Street Food Cinema is another popular one where you can enjoy street food while enjoying outdoor movies. Belmont Shore Movie Nights is another movie screening on the beach.
20. Helicopter Tour
Helicopter tours are definitely a very unique and exciting activity to do in Long Beach. This helicopter tour is very popular and it’s a 15-minute ride. During the ride, you’ll pass by Queen Mary, Long Beach Waterfront, Aquarium of the Pacific, Belmont Shore, Battleship USS Iowa, Vincent Thomas Bridge, Downtown Long Beach, and Naples Canals.
21. Museum of Latin American Art
This museum is dedicated to showcasing only modern and contemporary Latin American Art. In the galleries, there are sculptures, paintings, artwork, and mixed media works. They have special exhibitions throughout the year and change from time to time. This is one of the most perfect romantic things to do in Long Beach if you like exploring art and creative things.
That’s all for this list of the best romantic things to do in Long Beach. Hope you’ve decided on a few things to do and go have fun!
Read more: Looking for more things to do? Check out the best things to do in South Bay Los Angeles!
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