First held in 1984, the Long Beach Gay Pride is one of the largest in the nation with an attendance of more than 80,000 people. The event is held over two days and the parade hosts more than 200 marching groups, floats and government officials.

Held annually in May, the festival main gate entrance is located at Shoreline Drive south of Ocean Blvd. Past performers at the festival include Chaka Khan, Jody Watley, Queen Latifah, Smash Mouth, Jennifer Hudson and among other famous names.

In 2017, the Advocate noted there was “something magical about the light in Long Beach” and provided “104  Pics that Prove Long Beach has the Nation’s Best Pride.”

The parade begins at 10:30 a.m. at the corner of Ocean Blvd. and Lindero Ave. and proceeds west along Ocean Blvd., terminating near the festival at Alamitos Blvd.

For more information, please visit: http://longbeachpride.com/parade

Perhaps the biggest tourist attraction in Long Beach, this famed ship’s final cruise ended by docking permanently in Southern California on December 9, 1967.  Today, this historical landmark also houses a full-service hotel, award-winning restaurants, and numerous salons. In addition to hosting meetings, special events and numerous daily tours, it’s been said that ghosts can still be seen aboard.

For more information, please visit: http://www.queenmary.com

This is SoCal’s largest aquarium, featuring the diversity of the Pacific Ocean with more than 11,000 animals in more than 50 exhibits. Great for families, it’s not just a place for kids. Tours, conservation programs, special events and interactive experiences offer something for all ages. Their 24-hour penguin webcam provides a great sneak peek. Located near Shoreline Village, Queen Mary and the Long Beach Convention Center.

For more information, please visit:  http://www.aquariumofpacific.org

In Rainbow Harbor, located walking distance from the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Convention Center, sits a charming waterfront center with shopping, dining and entertainment. Once home to “The Pike” amusement park founded in 1902, this space formerly featured a boardwalk, grand bath house and a variety of rides, including a dual-track roller coaster called the Cyclone Racer (1930 – 1968).

Today, multi-colored Cape Cod fishing village style buildings house a number of shops and dining options.  Also find venues with bicycle rentals and whale watching tours. Shoreline Village hosts several events throughout the year: New Year’s Eve, Long Beach Mardi Gras Parade, Native American Festival, Pirate Festival, and more.

For more information, please visit: https://shorelinevillage.com

Convention Center Walkway

Opened in 2017, this is an immersive, state-of-the-art pedestrian bridge with a design that mimics a breaking wave. The 605-foot elevated walkway is illuminated by 3,500 customizable LED lights, 100 downlights and 70 floodlights. A great shortcut for pedestrians on the Convention Center Campus, people can easily move between Promenade side of the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center and the Terrace Plaza.

For more information, please visit: http://www.longbeachcc.com/our-facilities/the-rainbow-bridge

Wide lanes keep walkers separate from roller skaters and cyclists along this scenic 3.1-mile concrete trail along the sand on Oceanfront from Alamitos Avenue to 54th Place. Bring your own or rent a Segway, bicycle or pedal surrey near Shoreline Village.

For more information, please visit: http://www.longbeach.gov/park/recreation-programs/sports-and-athletics/bike-paths/

There are a handful of dog-friendly beaches in SoCal, but this is the only off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles County. Located at Ocean Blvd. between Granada Ave. and Roycroft Ave., the beach officially opens 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day. Pups can run and play in four acres of sand and surf. Bring bags from home and keep the beach clean. Nearby showers allow you to rinse salt water from their fur.

For more information, please visit: http://www.longbeach.gov/Park/Park-and-Facilities/Directory/Rosies-Dog-Beach/

Located on the corner of East Ocean Blvd. and Junipero Ave., on the bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

One-hour classes are available daily at 11 a.m. (and at 6 p.m. during spring and summer) provided by Yogalution. Open to all regardless of financial situation, the classes are available free of charge, but donations are most welcome.

For more information, please visit: https://www.yogalutionmovement.com/bluff-yoga

Located at 100 Aquarium Way near the Aquarium of the Pacific and Shoreline Village is Dock #2, the boarding area for whale watching tours. Tickets for these tours are available throughout the year and provide the opportunity to see a variety of the largest mammals in the world, including blue and gray whales, orcas and humpbacks. Dolphin sightings are also common.

For more information, please visit: https://2seewhales.com/long-beach-whale-watching

Located at 200 Aquarium Way in the Shoreline Aquatic park stands a 10-story tall lighthouse officially named the “Lions Lighthouse for Sight.” Funded by the Downtown Long Beach Lions Club organization and dedicated in December of 2000, it is a non-functioning “faux” lighthouse built “as a reminder of the Lions Clubs International’s dedication to ending blindness in the world.”

The park surrounding it is a great place to visit, have a picnic and snap a photo of the most picturesque of Long Beach’s lighthouses.

Parkers’ Lighthouse, another faux lighthouse, is an award-winning restaurant, just across the water. Lighthouse enthusiasts note that the operating lighthouse, sometimes referred to as “The Robot Light,” may not be pretty and has been called one of the ugliest lighthouses in the country. It was build in 1949 and is functional in one of the world’s busiest seaports, The Port of Long Beach.

For more information, please visit: http://www.longbeachlions.org/lions-lighthouse.html

Located on 1.3 acres of the California State University, Long Beach campus, this Japanese-style garden was created in 1981 thanks to a donation from Loraine Miller Collins in honor of her late husband Earl Burns Miller. It hosts lectures, screenings, workshops and festivals throughout the year.

It can also be rented out for private parties or weddings. Thus, it is closed on Saturdays for these events and also closed on Mondays. Hours vary by season. There is a small fee for individual visitors. Groups must call for reservations.

For more information, please visit: http://web.csulb.edu/~jgarden

Located next to the Art Theater on Fourth Street, it provides a variety of health, social, advocacy, legal, and service programs to the LGBTQ community. Visitors can find information on cultural events, community programs and access more than 20 weekly drop-in social and support groups.

For more information, please visit: https://www.centerlb.org

In 1925, this theater originally opened as a silent movie house with a single screen, just over 600 seats, a pipe organ and orchestra pit. After the 6.3 earthquake that rocked Long Beach in 1933, the façade of was redone in an art deco style. When it was remodeled in 2008, investors used 1933 blueprints to get the job done. Today, this independent movie theater shows first run, foreign language, documentaries and independent films.

Every September, it hosts the QFilm Festival, Long Beach’s longest-running film festival since 1993. “The Rocky Horror Picture Show” is shown every Saturday night at midnight. This cult classic is hosted by LGBTQ-supportive Midnight Insanity Shadowcast. Audience participation and costumes are encouraged.

For more information, please visit: http://www.arttheatrelongbeach.org

Created in the early 1900s, the Naples neighborhood consists of three islands located in Alamitos Bay at the mouth of the San Gabriel River. Divided by canals that open into the bay, most of the streets have Italian names. The Colonnade Park features a fountain whose name has changed many times since it was first created. Originally called “Circle Park Naples” in 1933, it was renamed a year later and known as “Bella Flora Park.” Then, it 1971, it received the moniker that remains current, “La Bella Fontana di Napoli.”

Walk the bayfront sidewalks for a number of beautiful views of the water and elegant homes. One of the most popular times to stroll the area is during the Christmas season when many houses decorate with elaborate lights and the Naples Island Holiday Boat Parade, first held in 1946, features groups of decorated boats that make their way through the canals, around Alamitos Bay and past Belmont Shore.

Visitors can take to water to kayak or paddleboard through the canals. Marine Park (Mother’s Beach) has little boat traffic, calm waters, shallow swimming areas and sand and grass play areas.

For more information, please visit: http://naplesisland.org

A wonderful location to take in the view of the Long Beach skyline, nearby San Pedro and (on a clear day or night) Catalina Island, the pier plays host to events throughout the year and welcomes Olympic events in 2028 when the Games come to Los Angeles.

This is also a great spot to see ships lining up to enter the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles. Fishing is accessible (licenses are not required) and the Kids Fishing Rodeo is an annual event.

The pier opens one hour before sunrise and closes at midnight daily. Sunsets from this location can be spectacular.

For more information, please visit: http://www.belmontpier.com/home

In the Belmont Shore neighborhood, find more than 200 restaurants, bars, salons, and stores on Second Street. Park your car at a paid street spot and stroll more than 12 blocks. Grab a quick snack, have a quiet dinner, watch your favorite teams at a local pub or shop for anything from shoes to souvenirs. The California State University, Long Beach store can be found along this stretch.

Annual events are held throughout the year on Second Street and include: Art & Chalk Walk, Chocolate Fest, Stroll & Savor, Roar in the Shore, Annual Car Show and more.

For more information, please visit: https://www.belmontshore.org

The Naples neighborhood of Long Beach is one of the few places in the Western United States where tourists may hop a ride in a gondola. These relaxing and romantic cruises are patterned after the main transportation taken by Venetians over hundreds of years.

For more information, please visit: http://www.gondolagetawayinc.com

Located on Bay Shore Avenue between East 2nd Street and Ocean Boulevard is a narrow stretch of beach with calm waters. It’s a great place for sunbathing and has easy access to a variety of activities. Rent kayaks or stand-up paddleboards, play volleyball on the sand or basketball or handball on nearby courts.

Bay Shore Avenue is closed to through-traffic all summer, providing a safe biking and skating corridor. People often pitch tents and picnic. A nearby food stand provides snacks and Second Street eateries are within walking distance. Note that even though this is located a block from private homes in the neighborhood, no dogs are allowed on the beach. Enjoy the surf with your pet at nearby Rosie’s Beach.

For more information, please visit: http://www.longbeach.gov/park/park-and-facilities/directory/alamitos-bay-marina

Only steps from the ocean, Downtown Long Beach hosts a wide variety of restaurants serving everything from hot dogs to seafood and more. Bars and pubs offer everything from craft beers to specialty cocktails. Entertainment options such as live music, dancing and drag shows can easily be found. Visitors can’t miss this area, with its welcoming archway sign at 4th and 5th Streets. At the end of the nearby pedestrian promenade is the Harvey Milk Promenade Park, the first park to be named after the openly gay civil rights leader.

For more information, please visit: https://downtownlongbeach.org/lifestyle/neighborhoods/pine-ave-the-promenade

Taking its name from the “The Pike” amusement park that once occupied this space in the early 1900s, this open-air shopping destination is located within walking distance from the Aquarium of the Pacific, Convention Center and Shoreline Village. The more than 344,000 square feet of retail space provides kid-friendly restaurant options and romantic dining, a diverse mix of stores, shops and a movie theater.

For more information, please visit: https://www.facebook.com/ThePikeOutlets

Time and again, Long Beach has been named one of the most walkable cities in the United States. Take full advantage of this pedestrian-friendly space along Fourth Street between Junipero and Cherry Avenues. Visitors will find coffee shops (like LGBTQ-owned/operated WEOP), restaurants and a plethora of vintage shops stocked with everything from mid-Century furniture to record albums from the 1970s and more. Looking for a classic Hawaiian shirt or limited-edition collectible? You’ll likely find it here. On the Fourth Friday of every month, enjoy discounts, specials, live music and extended store hours.

The Center and Art Theater are also located along this strip.

For more information, please visit: http://4thstreetlongbeach.com

Featuring art from Latin America and the Spanish-speaking Caribbean, MOLAA is the only museum in the United States dedicated to modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art. Closed every Monday and Tuesday. Free admission for children under 12 every day and free to all every Sunday and the fourth Friday of every month between 5 and 9 p.m.

For more information, please visit: https://www.molaa.org

Known for its wildlife, dive sites and Mt. Orizaba, its highest peak, Catalina Island has been a favorite vacation spot for a number of celebrities. Just 22 miles from Long Beach, it’s easily accessed via the high-speed catamaran service Catalina Express. Up to 30 daily departures are available year-round.

For more information, please visit: https://www.catalinaexpress.com

On the east side of Long Beach, just off the 605 Freeway and adjacent to the San Gabriel River, is an expansive park that allows for an urban escape.

Walk or bicycle through 105 acres that include a quarter-mile paved trail and two miles of dirt trails that wind through grassy and forested areas past a stream and fish-stocked lakes. In addition to being a great habitat to a variety of birds and animals, visitors can enjoy the 18-hole golf course, skate park, basketball and volleyball courts, softball and soccer fields, tennis courts, a disc golf course, an airfield for remote control planes, a radio-controlled model sailboat area, and six group picnic and barbecue sites available by reservation. The archery complex was used during the Los Angeles-based 1984 Summer Olympics.

The Visitor Center offers educational displays, art gallery and a small gift shop with environmentally-themed books and gifts.

For more information, please visit: http://www.longbeach.gov/park/park-and-facilities/directory/el-dorado-east-regional-park/

Originally built in 1912 as a summer home by a co-founder of the Borden Company and the Chicago, Milwaukee & St. Paul Railroad, this space houses a permanent collection of approximately 3,000 works and numerous exhibitions. Shows typically include contemporary California art, American decorative arts and early 20th century European art. Free admission after 3 p.m. on Thursdays and all day on Fridays.

For more information, please visit: http://lbma.org

Look no further than Long Beach to find the largest population of Cambodians outside of Phnom Penh. On the east side of the city, approximately one-mile along Anaheim Street between Atlantic and Junipero Avenues, visitors can find unique shops and authentic cuisine at numerous restaurants.

For more information, please visit: http://www.cambodiatown.com

Long before she became a world-famous tennis player and outspoken activist for gender equality and LGBTQ rights, this Long Beach native played the public tennis courts in her hometown. This center, named after her (and including her maiden name), requires reservations to use the eight lighted courts. Fees apply, but there is free court time available on non-holiday weekdays, Monday through Friday, and for students and senior citizens (65 years and over) with appropriate identification.

For more information, please visit: http://www.longbeach.gov/park/park-and-facilities/directory/billie-jean-king-tennis-center

Located along Ocean Boulevard, this green space stretches from 20th to 36th Place. Appropriately named, it is located on a bluff above the beach and overlooks the Pacific Ocean.

A great place for jogging or taking a stroll, there are benches available to sit and take in the view: The Port of Long Beach, The Queen Mary, San Pedro and Catalina Island.

The small islands just off the coast were originally designed to hide oil facilities and called the THUMS Islands, based on the name of the oil consortium that built them: Texaco, Humble (now Exxon), Union Oil, Mobil and Shell. Since 1967, they have been known as the Astronaut Islands because each is named after an American astronaut killed on a mission.

With constant breezes and natural updrafts, it’s a perfect place for radio-controlled gliders. Hobbyists can often be seen on the bluff with their model planes.

The Lone Sailor© statue at Ocean Boulevard and Paloma Avenue honors members of the Navy and pays tribute to all military personnel brought across the country to serve in Long Beach.

The Long Beach Museum of Art is located on the west edge of the park. Claire’s at the Museum offers upscale dining and an ocean view from the patio.

For more information, please visit: http://www.longbeach.gov/park/park-and-facilities/directory/bluff-park

Technically speaking, this park is located in the city of Signal Hill, which is surrounded by the city of Long Beach. This 3.2-acre area is a very popular spot for great views. On a clear day, it’s possible to see all of Long Beach from downtown all the way down the coast to neighboring Seal Beach and Huntington Beach.

Take in views of Catalina Island, San Pedro, the Port of Long Beach, the Port of Los Angeles, the Santa Monica mountains and downtown Los Angeles through the park’s telescopes. Barbecue grills and picnic tables are available as well as benches and grassy areas to sit and take in the expansive vista. Walk the path that winds around private homes to see an overview of the Long Beach Airport and the California State University, Long Beach campus featuring the Walter Pyramid.

For more information, please visit: http://www.cityofsignalhill.org/Facilities/Facility/Details/3

Located on the north side of the city, this business district is only minutes from the Long Beach Airport. While Second Street and Fourth Street may be better known to visitors, locals find this quiet neighborhood filled with a collection of boutique shops, restaurants and galleries. Expo Art Center, Long Beach Shakespeare Company at the Richard Goad Theatre and Long Beach Historical Societycan also be found along this stretch.

First Friday events promote local artists and musicians and shops have extended operating hours. Bike Saturdays encourage visitors to pedal in for deals and discounts. Atlantic Avenue is where most of the activity occurs, but there are also a number of venues on nearby Long Beach Boulevard.

For more information, please visit: http://bixbyknollsinfo.com

Long Beach has a number of public transportation options, including a great water taxi to get around Long Beach Harbor and Alamitos Bay. The 7-day a week service runs May through September.

For more information, please visit: http://www.lbtransit.com/Services/WaterTaxis.aspx

Skylinks at Long Beach: An 18-hole links-style course features Bermuda grass fairways, wide-open links-style play, and superb Bentgrass and Poa annual greens. This city-owned 6,909-yard par 72 championship course has been voted “Readers’ Choice Best” by the Press-Telegram Long Beach.

Bixby Village Golf Course: This executive 9-hole course features 1,795 yards of golf from the longest tees for a par of 30.

El Dorado Park Golf Course: Home to the Long Beach Golf Festival, this 6,921-yard par 72 course has been ranked one of the best by the PGA and received GolfLink’s Top 100 Course designation in 2008.

Heartwell Golf Course: Looking for the place where Tiger Woods got his start? This 2,143-yard par 54 course is it. Located in the northeast corner of Long Beach, it’s great for beginner golfers.

Recreation Park Golf Course 18:This is a par 72 course featuring challenging elevation changes on Kikuyu fairways and tough bunkers defending Bent and Poa greens.

Recreation Park Golf Course 9: Located across the street from Recreation Park 18, this par 31 course on the Colorado Lagoon has gentle rolling hills.