FUN THINGS TO DO NEAR LONG BEACH, CA

There are plenty of fun things to see and do in California. The city of Long Beach is best known for its urban waterfront attractions, small-town feel and bike-friendly streets — making it a popular tourist attraction!

Long Beach is also home to one of California’s three Universal Technical Institute campuses. At UTI Long Beach, students can prepare for careers in transportation and the skilled trades.¹ The campus is bordered by four freeways, making it convenient for students to access. It’s also close to many of the dealerships and repair shops that are in need of skilled graduates.

As a student, it’s important to have a balance between work and play. Whether you live in Long Beach or will be traveling from another state to attend UTI, this roundup is for you. Follow along as we share some fun things to do in Long Beach!

Knott’s Berry Farm

With dozens of rides, shows, roller coasters and attractions in five themed areas, there’s something for everyone at Knott’s Berry Farm. This 57-acre theme park is located in Buena Park, which is about a half-hour drive from Long Beach.

If you’re in the area during the summer, be sure to check out Knott’s Soak City — a water park with 22 speed, tube and body slides, plus a lazy river and giant wave pool. It’s the perfect place to cool down on hot California days! Admission pricing for both Knott’s Berry Farm and Knott’s Soak City can be found on the park’s website.

The Aquarium of the Pacific

The Aquarium of the Pacific is a 5-acre site located in Rainbow Harbor. It’s Southern California’s largest aquarium and is the fourth most-attended aquarium in the nation, displaying 12,000 animals in more than 100 exhibits. As you walk through this aquarium, you’ll learn about the diversity of the Pacific Ocean and be able to view all kinds of sea life. General admission for adults starts at $34.95, and additional information can be found on the aquarium’s pricing page.

Hit the Beach

What better way to experience Long Beach than to visit the city’s shores? Due to their calmer waves, beaches in Long Beach are ideal for activities like kayaking, fishing, windsurfing and kiteboarding. Alamitos Beach is the closest beach to downtown Long Beach and is walking distance from the Long Beach Convention Center and many downtown hotels.

Belmont Shore Beach is another great area to visit. It runs from Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier to the Long Beach Peninsula. If you’re looking for a place to surf, check out Huntington Beach, which is about 15 minutes away.

Bluff Park

One of the most beautiful parks in Long Beach, Bluff Park is the perfect place to go for a jog or walk your dog. The 25-acre park is home to the Long Beach Museum of Art as well as many historic buildings and homes with beautiful architectural styles.

Shoreline Village

Shoreline Village features colorful boardwalk shops and restaurants and is known for its unique charm. As you stroll through the village, you can enjoy scenic harbor views and choose among a variety of dining options, both casual and formal. You can also ride the village’s beautiful carousel or visit Marina Sailing, where you can rent affordable sailboats and powerboats. If you’re looking for affordable things to do in Long Beach, this is a great option.

Dodger Stadium

Home to the 2020 World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers, Dodger Stadium is the third oldest stadium in the United States and the world’s largest baseball stadium by seating capacity. In addition to baseball, Dodger Stadium has hosted other sporting events like boxing, soccer and hockey, as well as concerts and more.

In a 45-minute drive from Long Beach, you can visit the stadium and experience the excitement for yourself!

Universal Studios Hollywood

Located about 45 minutes from Long Beach, Universal Studios Hollywood is known for its wide variety of famous rides and attractions, including Jurassic World, Fast & Furious, Harry Potter and more. If you’re looking for free things to do, check out CityWalk — a portion of the park that requires no cost to enter. Whether you decide to explore CityWalk or spend a day at the park, this is a great getaway.

Hollywood Walk of Fame & Hollywood Sign

While you’re in the Los Angeles area, be sure to check out the Hollywood Walk of Fame and the Hollywood sign. Whether you decide to hike up to the sign or take a photo from the bottom, it’s a sight that everyone should see when visiting the city. You can also see the Hollywood sign from the Griffith Observatory, which is another great spot to visit while in L.A.!

Disneyland

Long Beach isn’t far from Disneyland! In just about a half-hour drive, you can arrive at the theme park that calls itself "the happiest place on earth." From Tomorrowland to Pirates of the Caribbean, you’ll never run out of things to see and do at Disneyland and California Adventure. If you don’t want to splurge on tickets, you can explore the Downtown Disney District outside the park free of charge!

Grand Prix of Long Beach

The Grand Prix of Long Beach is an IndyCar race held on a street circuit in downtown Long Beach. The race is usually held in April and is one of the longest running events in IndyCar racing. It’s considered to be one of the most prestigious events on the circuit!

In addition to attending the race, fans can visit the track’s lifestyle expo, a 270,000-square foot expo with up to 150 displays featuring the latest in automotive, recreation, travel and more. Race information, news updates and ticket purchasing information can be found on the Grand Prix website.

K1 Speed

Racing enthusiasts from Long Beach and the west Los Angeles area love K1 Speed. Here, you can experience the thrill of indoor go-kart racing with the track’s high-performance, zero-emission electric go-karts. The feeling you get when driving these cars simulates what it’s like to drive a real race car!

The K1 Speed drift style track has a combination of straights, sweepers and hairpin turns that will put your racing abilities to the test. If you have a need for speed, this is the place for you! Visit the track’s pricing page for more information.

That concludes our list of affordable and fun things to do in the Long Beach area for students! We hope you enjoy exploring Southern California.

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