As the second largest city in LA County, Long Beach is unfortunately often overlooked by too many traveling to the region. But there are many reasons why taking an LA limo to Long Beach is a good idea.

With one of the largest ports in the world and home to one of the world’s largest aquariums, Long Beach is a place full of life and ready to be explored. Exploring the city by a Los Angeles limousine service or party bus rental makes it even better.

Why Long Beach?

Located 22 miles south of Los Angeles in LA County, it is the second-largest city in the county and the third-largest city in Southern California. With half a million residents, it is the fifth most populated city in the State of California. Already from the early 1900s, this city drew thousands of annual tourists to LAX who wanted to escape the cold weather and enjoy a vacation in a SoCal resort community.

All the way up until the 1960s, the city was known as the “Iowa by the Sea” for attracting large numbers of tourists from the American Midwest. And with more than eight miles of sandy beaches, the city still draws tourists until this day. It is located by the estuary of the LA River and by the San Pedro Bay, and limo clients visit the city for a variety of reasons. Wine tours are common in the region, and we often do limo pickups and drop-offs at the harbor. Many tourists also decide to book their LAX transportation, e.g. an LAX sedan, from LAX to Long Beach.

Because of its close proximity to both the cruise docks and Disneyland, many stay here for a night or two waiting for their cruise to depart or while visiting Disneyland. Furthermore, the city is also visited for its replica of Titanic, the Queen Mary which has been in the bay since 1969. The city is home to one of America’s largest aquariums: the Aquarium of the Pacific. From checking out the eateries and souvenir shops in idyllic Shoreline Village, enjoying a good time at the Pike’s Laughing Factory, or exploring Naples Island’s gorgeous canals – here are our top five reasons why Long Beach may just be the coolest place in the Golden State.

6. Film tours

A recent trend in LA and Long Beach has been to book cinematic limousine tours of the town. On these tours, you can ride with a Los Angeles limousine service to all your favorite film locales located in Long Beach. Few locals even know of all the great movie locations in Long Beach. Did you know Michelle’s home in American Pie (1999) is located at 3925 Cedar Ave? Jim’s (Patrick Swayze) home in Donnie Darko (2001) is located at 4252 Country Club Dr, while Long Beach Polytechnic High School is featured in American Beauty (1999).

3rd Street can be seen in the 2016 hit movie La La Land, while a lady falls and dies at the International Tower in Lethal Weapon (1987). St Mary’s Hospital appears in Heat (1995), while an airport sequence in Commando (1985) was filmed at Long Beach Airport. Despite LAX sedan services being more popular, we still have airport limo and sedan services oftentimes at Long Beach Airport. Long Beach City Hall is featured in Star Trek (2009), while the harbor appears in The Fast and the Furious (2001).

El Dorado Regional Park can be seen in the 1982 film Grease 2. Why not book an LA limo and check out the famous movie locations by limousine? Larger groups can be accommodated by a Hummer limo bus or party bus vehicle. Long Beach is also the location of the Cowboy Country Bar (3321 South St) where Thelma and Louise hang out with Brad Pitt in the 1991 classic.

For great movies with storylines set in Long Beach, check out Fire with Fire (2012)  which stars 50 Cent, or Gone in 60 Seconds (1974). Both of these feature many sequences shot throughout Long Beach and are often visited by LA limo services. Call us today to reserve your own customized movie tours with a Los Angeles limousine service.

Queen Mary

A passenger at our Los Angeles limousine service recently told us about Queen Mary’s incredible cinematic history. Queen Mary has appeared in over a hundred television series and movies! While the cruise still was an operating cruise liner it appeared in the Frank Sinatra film Meet Danny Wilson (1952). Some movies with Queen Mary as its primary filming location include Death Cruise (1974), Intrepid (2000), and Adventures of the Queen (1975).

While it is featured as Titanic in the 1995 drama No Greater Love and SOS Titanic (1979), it is featured as itself in Assault on a Queen (1966). Clientele at the Los Angeles limousine service recognized the restaurant in the film Barton Fink (1991). The restaurant onboard Queen Mary is where Barton gets a call to leave. It is featured during crossings of the Atlantic in Dodsworth (1936), and it can be seen close to the end of the film Foreign Correspondent (1940).

It is the location where Taylor returns to America from Europe in the 1995 film The Elizabeth Taylor Story, while it’s a cruise used for a honeymoon in Treacherous Crossing (1992). Queen Mary is one of the most popular Long Beach limo and party bus destinations (see #1). Many tourists decide on staying at the Queen Mary while in town, and our LAX sedan service often transports clients from LAX to Queen Mary.

5. Naples Island

Naples Island, named after the Italian city, is famous for its many Italian-inspired canals, restaurants, and even street names. Getting a Los Angeles limousine service to Naples is particularly common for dating couples.

Picturesque Naples and its quaint beach community and canals are beloved excursions for LA limo and party bus passengers riding with us. This island is often explored on foot as the primary walkway which overlooks the harbor and marina, but can also be explored by a canal cruise.

At Gondola Getaway you can rent an authentic Venetian gondola tour of the Rivo Alto Canal encircling the island. In traditional Italian style, the tours offer cheeses, bread, salami, and more. Instead of our Malibu-, Temecula- or Santa Barbara wine tours, enjoy a bottle of wine and enjoy the sunset from the Naples canals! The tours of the Rivo Alto Canal last for approximately 1 hour and cost $75 per couple. Reservations in advance are recommended.

End the Long Beach date by visiting some of the great bars, nightclubs, and eateries in the area! Bar hopping is common by party bus for groups of friends. For the best Italian, check out Ragazzi or Domenico’s. Kelly’s Restaurant and the Legends Bar are two additional options. You can reach Naples Island from both ends of 2nd Street. This 0.25 sq. mi. island is easily explored on foot.

Christmas time is the most popular time of the year to visit by a Los Angeles limousine service. Make sure to experience Naples during Christmas time to see the decorated homes, boats, canals, and bridges. The artificial island was created in Alamitos Bay at the estuary of the San Gabriel River in the early 1900s. Besides the popular canal cruises, visiting Mother’s Beach for picnicking or recreational activities is also a popular pick for LA limo travelers.

Visiting Naples Plaza, La Bella Fontana di Napoli as well as Overlook Park is a must while visiting Naples. What could be more romantic than traveling Naples Island by a limo rented from a Los Angeles limousine service?

4. Shoreline Village

We have had customers as far as Malibu limousine clientele booking rides to Downtown Long Beach’s Shoreline Village. Head here with to family to enjoy the waterfront, more than thirty specialty stores, a nice lunch, or maybe even a ride in the merry-go-round. Many go here to picnic in Shoreline Park and take a stroll along the boardwalk. The 1906 carousel is a must-see, and many come here to also explore the many eateries, galleries, souvenir shops, and bars.

Some of our favorites here are the Yard House, which has more than 230 beers on tap to choose from, and the Tequila Jack’s offering over a hundred authentic Mexican tequila varietals. Ordering a party bus or limo for a beer crawl is popular. For great seafood along the seaside, check out Kings Fish House-Pine! We recently transferred European tourists here from LAX with the Los Angeles limousine service. For the best Greek cuisine and Greek salads, check out Ciro’s Greek Café on Shoreline Drive.

Other favorites include Parker’s Lighthouse, offering maybe Long Beach’ best seafood, and the Mexican-inspired Mardi Gras. Whether to see the boardwalk or go for a ride at the Pelican Pier Pavilion, rest assured that Shoreline Village has some of the best views of the Long Beach Harbor and city skylines.

For accommodation in the area, see the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel just a short walk from Shoreline Village. This New England-inspired coastal community is one of the city’s main tourist attractions. Consequentially, we often take tourists here with our LAX sedan- and LA limo services.

You can rent everything from bikes to sailboats. Head to the village’s Offshore Water Sports for some great boating. For a longer hike than the boardwalk, check out the Shoreline Pedestrian Path going from Shoreline Village along the seaside to Belmont Shore! To get to the trams from Shoreline Village, simply head up the staircase to the bridge over Shoreline Drive. Los Angeles limousine service customers must not forget to see the unique Tallship Californian while here!

3. The Pike

Another touristy Long Beach attraction, we’ve even had LAX sedan calls for people wanting to head to the Pike – the former amusement park zone of Long Beach. Originally known as The Walk of a Thousand Lights, this park opened in 1904 and has been home to an array of rollercoasters through the years.

Whether by LAX sedan or LA limo, many rent luxury vehicles when visiting The Pike. Although this historic carnival is closed, the Pike still draws many tourists to visit the Rainbow Harbor, maybe most known for its many great restaurants and eateries. As recently as a few days ago we transferred clients with an LAX sedan from LAX airport to The Pike. Tourists riding with an LA limo can head to the Pike for some of the best souvenirs and specialty shops.

How about taking the AquaBus to the Queen Mary? Departing from the Rainbow Harbor, the AquaBus tours are a great way to explore not only two of the city’s most famous landmarks but also the great Pacific. You’ll find many waterfront attractions by the Pike at Rainbow Harbor. Here you can visit the many retail shops or go dine at the famous Bubba Gump Shrimp Co! This restaurant is tremendously popular for LA limo and also LAX sedan services for tourists visiting Long Beach.

Other popular nearby eateries include L’Opera, 555 East, the Sky Room, and many more. Didn’t make it on the famous Malibu, Temecula, or Santa Barbara wine tours? Check out Gladstone’s Long Beach for fantastic oceanside dining and a great wine selection. Instead of limo wine tours to wine country, you can enjoy a glass of wine while overlooking the ocean. How about staying the night in the Pike Center? Check out the Hyatt at the Pike!

The Pike is a happening place in town and we often have party bus rentals heading here. Other great options for accommodation are the Hilton Long Beach Hotel, the Varden A Boutique Hotel, the Westin Long Beach, and the Renaissance Long Beach Hotel. For the best stand-up comedy the city has to offer, the Laugh Factory at the Pike is a fun place to spend the evening.

Order a party bus or larger Hummer limo and bring your friends along for a comedy night! Bar hopping is also popular for larger groups traveling by our party bus and LA limo vehicles. Call us at (866) 319-LIMO to reserve your Los Angeles limousine service.

2. Aquarium of the Pacific

Housing over 10,000 animals, the Aquarium of the Pacific is one of America’s largest aquariums and is visited by over 1.5 million people per year. Needless to say, it’s a tremendously popular destination for our Los Angeles limousine service and is much visited by tourists vacationing in Southern California.

It is part of the Rainbow Harbor and is showcasing nearly 600 species of ocean animals, particularly from the Pacific Ocean. It has welcomed over 13 million unique visitors since it was opened. Here you can explore the seventeen habitats and get to see the ocean wildlife of California, Hawaii, Guam, and elsewhere in the Pacific. The 140,000-gallon tank of sharks and other predators is a must-see.

There are various exhibits on the different Pacific regions, for example, one on Californian waters and one on the colder north with sea life from regions such as Alaska, Siberia, and northern Canada. Lorikeet Forest is an aviary with an array of tropical birds from Australia and Oceania. There is also a 3D movie screening for families with children. The predator tank with more than 150 species of sharks is another favorite for kids.

Wanna head to the seas on an ocean adventure? Try the 90-minute educational Ocean Experience tour onboard the Conqueror! There are many additional tour options, including the Behind-the-Scenes tours and the Animal Encounters Tour. It’s never been a more fun nor educational way to experience the life of the Pacific, from Japanese spider crabs to giant octopuses and leopard sharks.

When you’re ready for a drink, head next door to the Mai Tai. Their Hawaiian-inspired signature cocktail for only $4 makes it a popular stop for party bus beer crawls. It is a non-profit aquarium with 300 employees and over 600 volunteers. It is located right across the waters from the Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Village, as well as Queen Mary. Being in the heart of the Long Beach tourist scene, we often get LAX sedan calls to transfer tourists to the nearby area.

1. Queen Mary

The elegant vessel RMS Queen Mary is visited by more than a million people each year. It might also be the most popular LA limo destination in town. But why do people wanna see an old retired cruise ship? Well, it is one of a kind for once. Dating back to the early 1930s, it is on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places and is a replica of Titanic.

People come here to learn at the guided tours, stay overnight at the hotel, and enjoy a nice meal or dinner. The glamorous ship has done over a thousand crossings of the Atlantic Ocean and was for many years the most luxurious vessel in the world. Finally being retired in the Long Beach Harbor in 1967, Queen Mary is the last remaining cruise ship of its time and an artistic gem. Stay overnight at the Hotel Queen Mary to enjoy the ship to the fullest.

Many tourists using our LAX sedan and LA limo services spend the night at the supposedly haunted ship. There are many great places to enjoy a glass of wine or dinner while overlooking the Pacific. We recently transported a group of friends with a Malibu party bus all the way to Long Beach just to enjoy the great lobster and view of the ocean from the Chelsea, said to offer the city’s best seafood. The halibut at the Promenade Café is another great choice, while Sit Winston does not only have the best ocean views but is said to have some of the best dishes in Long Beach.

For nightly entertainment and a delicious cocktail, check out the Observation Bar. There are more than ten available tours, including the Ghosts and Legends Tour, Behind-the-Scenes Walk, Haunted Encountered Tour, and more. There’s also an exhibit on British Princess Diana and venturing out on the deck is a must when visiting Queen Mary. Listening to the live jazz performances and hunting for ghosts (the ship is said to be haunted) are two popular attractions here for our LA and LAX sedan and limo customers.

Another nearby favorite is the Soviet submarine Scorpion, which also offers educational tours. To combine the best of Long Beach, catch the convenient nearby water taxi over to the Aquarium of the Pacific. Traveling to Long Beach by limo service is the best way to experience the city. Whether by a limo or LAX sedan, we can take you there!

Did you know Queen Mary Is One of America’s Most Haunted Places?

What Makes Long Beach Amazing

Like hiking in the great outdoors? Head to the 100+ acre El Dorado Nature Center! Looking for the best Long Beach beach? Visit Bluff Park! Searching for a place to stroll along the ocean? Long Beach Boardwalk might be your best bet. Wanna see some unique architecture? Why not take a Malibu party bus to the Walter Pyramid.

Other less visited places of interest are the Museum of Latin American Art, Rancho Las Alamitos, Los Cerritos Ranch House, the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, Soviet B-427 Museum, the Walter Pyramid, Long Beach Museum of Art, Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Terminal Island, Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve, Silverado Park, Point Vicente Lighthouse, the Scottish Rite Cathedral, and more.

So what makes Long Beach the best California city? 1) Stay a night at the historic Queen Mary, 2) Seeing sea creatures at one of America’s largest aquariums, 3) The great rollercoasters at the Pike, 4) Outstanding shopping in Shoreline Village, and lastly, 5) Exploring the canals on Naples Island.

Whether for a Los Angeles limousine service to visit Queen Mary or for a party bus night out in the city, contact us for your LA limo transportation today! We also offer top-rated Malibu- and Temecula wine tours, as well as LAX sedan service with price-match-guaranteed.