The 20 best museums in Long Beach

This is a small museum that features modern and abstract Latin American art. Although the exhibit seems limited, the place is well kept. There wasn’t much to see so 45 minutes was good enough for me. I liked the lobby and the gift shop.

I was in the Long Beach for an event, and was looking to find things to do around here, this museum was my first choice. It’s small and has exhibitions of four artists at the moment. The exhibitions are very well thought out and set up, there are some really beautiful and unique pieces that I haven’t seen anywhere else. I really wish there was a tour guide or self guided tour so I could learn more about the pieces and the work behind them. On Saturday afternoon it wasn’t too crowded but the parking was a pain. The parking lot is small and hard to navigate with lots of dead ends. There was also some kind of event taking a place around the corner, sharing the same parking lot. It was like plants farmers markets! It was another highlight of the visit, I got a few plants, an art piece, and met some incredible people. There was insane line to get in there. The entrance to the museum was free because it was Saturday and also it coincided with one free day a month even though I was not a long beach resident.

Had a terrific time while viewing some incredibly talented women artists. I personally want to thank MOLAA for hosting our visiting migrant children's beautiful art work! It was truly heart warming and a lovely tribute to our new young friends.

i was a bit underwhelmed as one area of the museum was closed off for a future addition. we were luckily able to visit for free because it was a sunday afternoon as a walk up. the other rooms did have some interesting exhibits but it really did feel small but looked huge from the outside. i felt like the gift shop was a little too big in size as well. the highlight has to be the sculpture garden which also had some empty spaces for some more pieces. i would like to visit again in the future but i'll wait a few years before that next time.

I loved this museum. The employees are really nice, if you have questions they can solve them. They have a garden with sculptures and a gift shop.

Big space. Interesting exhibits. But would like to see a bigger permanent collection. Sculpture garden is nice but seems underutilized.

I really enjoyed this museum. Staff are nice, helpful. The exhibits were good. It is a nice,wide open space. Was not crowded at all. Nice laid back atmosphere. There is also an outdoor sculpture garden,where events are held. There a plenty of free parking. Great gift shop. But, it's really small. So yeah,it's a nice,short,sweet visit.

3 stars, museum was nice. Judith Baca exhibit absolutely terrible. No taste. Not accurate representation of Mexico. Stereotyping Mexicans. Have some respect for the Virgin

Small but very elegant museum! The outdoor concert hosted by the Long Beach Blues Society was wonderful. It was hot outside on the August evening but food trucks in the parking lot and big cold drinks - I got lemonade - and inside the museum was very cool. Lots of Frida Kahlo stuff in the gift shop. The women artist's work inside is definitely worth checking out, actually all the art was unique and interesting and often quite beautiful!!! Cool gift shop too!

I really liked the way the exhibits are presented. I feel a lot of reverence for the artists and respect to their history. Sadly, I always feel left wanting a little bit more to explore. There are so many great artists to learn about.

Very small museum that looks large from the outside. I guess there was hardly any art to honestly really see. There is a sculpture garden and a few areas to view and a gift shop. All together it was about a 35-40 min walk thru

They only had 3 artists on exhibit but I loved it! Was able to see the whole museum space in 45 mins. They have a lovely sculpture garden as well, but go there first as the garden closes down early.

The museum had a dia los Muertos event in October, and it was very busy. Hard to find parking space because of the event because it was on a free museum day. There was plenty of rooms to see beautiful artwork. Definitely not disappointed on the artworks. Outdoors, there is a sculptural garden. There was food trucks as well as vendors at the event. They also had live music, dancers and ornate costumes. Come during the event, it’s very entertaining. It is handicap friendly. Restrooms available. And plenty of helpful staff.

I’ve been coming to the Museum of Latin American Art since I was a child, and it’s been an incredible journey to watch this institution flourish over the years. 😊 The Plant Fest event I attended today was a testament to the museum’s unwavering dedication to art and culture. 🌿 The range of plants on display was astounding, showcasing the incredible biodiversity of Latin America. 🌱 What truly sets this museum apart is the knowledgeable and passionate staff and volunteers. They shared the cultural and botanical significance of each plant with such enthusiasm, making the event not only enjoyable but also highly educational. 🌍 The welcoming atmosphere at the museum is something I’ve always cherished. It feels like a community of like-minded individuals coming together to appreciate the beauty of Latin American art and nature. 🤝 I highly recommend this museum, whether you’re new to the area or, like me, have cherished it for years. The Museum of Latin American Art has consistently delivered outstanding experiences, and I’m excited to see it continue to thrive. Keep up the great work! 🎨🏛️

12:37 pm Sat/7 Oct. Free, easy parking in their huge lot. Museum is only 1 story so easy to walk around. $10/entry for students/military, $15/regular and i think they have frequent free admission days (docent said tomorrow Oct 7 is free).

I like to go to museums and this is one that I like to come visit every couple of months to see any traveling exhibits. It’s a nice museum and they have a sculpture garden and a museum store. Would definitely recommend this museum.

Smaller art museum, but has a lot to enjoy and see. We went on a sunday and it was free. Sculpture garden is pretty awesome as well. Definitely will come back again.

Celebrated my daughter's birthday for lunch. Food was delightful and scenery was great along with the service!

Nice little museum with the view of the ocean. There are 3 floors in this museum, they have exhibits of artists from local area. Wonderful installation outside, look beautiful day and night time. I have the honor to volunteer for the installation. Thanks LBMA for having me. Parking is free and it’s outside of the museum. So make sure to check the google map before you come. There is a little restaurant for you to enjoy the ocean breeze and beautiful view as well.

Shot Joseph and Julie’s wedding here great venue. The staff are excellent. Food was great! Be sure to check out the balcony area above the ceremony location for some epic sunset shots

It most definitely wasn't my favorite. Not very much to see I'd say but the outside views were pretty. Staff was very friendly.

Awesome installation for the Tristan Eaton exhibits. $12 for adults or half off $6 if you purchase online for Fridays in advance. Free parking next door and a lovely ocean view Cafe. Support the arts & enjoy.

It’s a nice community museum. Small enough to not feel overwhelmed or rushed. But big enough to hold some larger scaled works. Most of all the location on the bluffs overlooking the beach and ocean make it a great day and a feel good place to hang out or have an event on the lawn. Perfect wedding venue!

The museum was partially closed when we went. But if the art display on the first floor is an indicator of the overall quality of the museum, I cannot imagine it to be anything better than below par. The buildings that house the museum and the restaurants look impressive; and that's all to this museum.

The art is absolutely amazing 🤩 👍 I enjoyed every moment being in the museum. I went with my girlfriend and she enjoyed the experience too! We plan on coming back again because we had so much fun! Beware tickets are expensive ⚠️

There are places to eat brunch and beverages outside the Museum. We have go to the opening hours Friday and can sit without the Waiting. The employees are very kind and ocean view is so beautiful. Food was so delicious. We didn't see the museum because the child was so sleepy. I want to see the inside of the museum next time.

I don’t believe this is fairly accurate review. I personally don’t like Modern Art. I apologize to those artists featured at this Museum. The outside grounds, are lovely for a wedding or private event.

A small but quaint museum. The current exhibits are awesome. It's 3 floors to this building. There is access to an elevator if needed.

I hadn't been here before but saw lbma on the list of museums with free entry today so decided to go. Although the museum has a small parking lot, it was full so I had to park several blocks away and walk. There is also a paid parking option at Junipero Beach that I'll keep in mind for next time. Since they were already at max capacity when I got there at 11:30ish, I waited a few minutes to get in. I doubt that's normal though. I'm guessing there were lots of others taking advantage of the free day. Brent Estabrook, one of the artists, was there and conducted a tour of his works and answered questions. Their restaurant, Claire's, was also busy today. I wasn't hungry but will definitely come back another day to check out Claire's, which has outside seating overlooking the ocean. The museum and Claire's are open Thursday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 5:00 pm.

Absolutely wonderful experience! So many amazing exhibits and very informative and interactive displays. Parking was very easy and they even validated the parking. The cafes were good, and not packed. It was really cool to get to see the scuba divers feeding the fish, getting to pet sting rays, and feeding birds. We highly recommend putting this on the list of must see while in the long Beach area.

My weekend at the Aquarium of the Pacific was fantastic. Getting tickets in advance made things super easy. What really impressed me was how well everything was taken care of. The staff did an amazing job making sure every exhibit looked great. From colorful displays to clean tanks, their hard work made the whole visit even better. It was not just educational but also visually stunning. Big thumbs up to the team for making it such a great day!

Wow this aquarium was awesome! My parents were visiting and we took my 3 year old daughter and all had a great time! We spent 5 hours there! Highly recommend checking out the shark and moon jellies touch pool. The highlight for my daughter was in the Art Gallery area. You could color a fish or shark on a tablet and then send it to swim in a virtual coral reef projection, it was so cool!

Great experience for kids with its abundant information about the aquatic life and beyond - a lot more interactive activities. Got there on a weekday afternoon and it was fairly packed. Really a great gem! I heard that there were a lot of upgrades to the existing so I couldn't tell aside from really enjoying it all!

I really loved the "touch" experiences. The opportunity to pet a shark, feel a star fish, even a jelly fish was amazing. There's plenty to see. We spent a couple of hours there and could've stayed longer if we had stayed for the short films, but figured we can watch videos on nature anytime. It's by the Shoreline Village which offers a scenic and pleasant stroll with shops and restaurants. We took a shuttle from our hotel so can't comment on the parking situation. It was timed entry tickets so a stroll was nice but found places to sit and wait outside.

We've wanted to visit for years - I'm so glad we finally made the time to go. It's a great aquarium! My 17 year old and I spent hours walking around and really enjoyed all the exhibits. There are some unique animals that we don't have in any of our local aquariums. I was able to get discount tickets through my union which made it even better!

My kids and their cousins had so much fun here! They enjoyed the big tank show. They are thrilled with touching some sting rays, jelly fish, starfishes and sea urchins.

If you like oceans and seas and everything that is connected with them, then you should definitely visit this aquarium. In addition to seeing the ocean inhabitants, I learned a lot about them, the guide tells a lot of interesting facts, I also learned that during the pandemic, the owner of the aquarium sold everything she had and moved to live there and slept on a cot, just to have money to keep the aquarium, also many families donated money to help, on the territory there is a long wall, where engraved thanks to each family that contributed. I think this is the highest level of kindness and humanity, all the animals are kept in the best conditions ♥️ we were able to not only see but also pet some of the sea creatures, it's incredible!!!! There is also a small park with parrots, an aquarium with seals, a separate aquarium with penguins. I was impressed by what I saw and definitely recommend this place and wish it prosperity 👍🏼

The aquarium is really big. There are a lot of exhibitions everywhere, inside and outside. The staff is everywhere if you need more information about the species. They have food and drinks. Place is really good for kids. Everything clean and organized. The jellyfish are my favorites.

Hands down one of my favorite places to visit! I’ve been multiple times and each time is just as amazing as the last. It’s never too busy the times I’ve gone so I’ve been able to enjoy each exhibit. One of the highlights was definitely the parrots. One perched on me which a friend got a photo of. Really fun experience. Recommend it for family trips, a date, or even a solo trip!

My kiddos had a great time- I loved all the jellyfish and appreciated the stations of hand sanitizer throughout the museum. ** Don’t forgot to support your local street vendors. The fruit stand and ice cream truck outside offer yummy snacks.

I haven’t been to an aquarium for many years, and it was the first time my husband and I ever visited one together. It is huge, with so much to see! We spent a few hours there enjoying the experience. My favorite creates to see were the sea lions, jelly fish, seahorses, sharks, turtles, and sting rays. And the many colorful fish and sea life - all of it was really interesting and invigorating to observe. It’s unreal how large these creatures can be, and it’s cool to learn about. I love the layout of the exhibits, and the fact that they provide you a map (we would have easily missed things without the map, so it was great to have). The highlight of the experience was the opportunity to touch a moon jelly fish! It was really, really cool.

Fun for all ages. Helpful and friendly staff. A huge plus that they now serve alcohol. I wish someone told us to go feed the birds first thing upon arriving. I heard it was a great experience. Seeing them was nice. Even saw one bird do his cool mating dance only to get royally rejected. The jellyfish are beautiful and probably the most interesting to see. They have a very large tank with hammer head sharks and beautiful manta rays. This great exhibit makes you feel like part of the ocean. It's beautiful to see all the variety coexisting. It's a bit tough to see the octopus in his/her smallish tank. Some displays were down for repairs upon our visit so we'll have to return to get the full experience. The longest lines will be in the gift shop check out for some odd reason.

We visited the Aquarium of the Pacific and feel it was money well spent. There are loads of interactive displays, learning opportunities, friendly volunteers to answer your questions and most importantly, loads of aquariums! We arrived right at opening and didn't have to wait to get in. The aquarium is well organized and they do a great job of highlighting when and where presentations will be held. They have numerous aquariums filled with very cool sea life. They also have a shark, penguin, and sea lion / seal area. There are tide pools where you can "pet" the creatures if you'd like. I think the hidden gem here is if you're interested in whale watching you can book it through the aquarium along with access to the aquarium. For us, this was perfect because we could go early and checkout the aquarium and then jump on a boat to go look for whales. The cost was incredibly reasonable (we saved over $200 for our family of four to do both rather than just a whale watching excursion). The excursion comes with a knowledgable crew and you go out for a significant time. We were out for three hours! You'll want to bring sunscreen and hold onto your hats because it gets windy on the open waters. We were lucky enough to see a pod of common dolphins and a blue whale (we went in July). If you're going to whale watch use this route because it's cheaper and you're on the water for longer.

Husband and I come here once a year. I love the sea turtles and otters. Fun place. Can get crowded. There are plenty of places to sit down if needed. Snack bar food available.

This was one of my best visits in california.Aquariums teach kids about nature and caring for one helps them learn responsibility. If you watch the videos, you see how educative and interesting the place is. There are tour guides who will explain and educate u on the animals and fishes.

It's not worth it. I was really excited to be there but was not happy once I was done. Nothing much or different I would say as compared to other aquariums. The ticket is expensive as compared to the experience. If u buy the ticket through city pass make sure you book your time slot. No one informed that to us and we were not allowed to enter without a time slot booking and it was full so could not book one on the spot. Had to go there the next day which screwed our itinerary because it's far n secluded. I planned IOWA n aquarium the same day as they are close by n secluded with the rest of tourist attractions. I gave three star for the space n set up along with shark's to see. N they had a fun activity of stamping a booklet and at the end they give u a prize. N you also get to touch some floral things that are there underwater (added a video of it) Though the prize is the same for everyone -a tote bag.

The whole staff was great and friendly despite the amount of children on field trips on Tuesday 11/14/23. It had been a while since my last visit so I needed, I was having some questions on where to find certain areas and staff was friendly to answer all of them. Excellent service! Moon jellyfish were my son's favorite area although they were a little on the hidden side of the aquarium. I had forgotten how fun this place is! Thinking of getting their membership since it is at good rate.

It's been so very long since I've last been here. It's a lot smaller than I had remembered. Maybe I was just that little back then. But as an adult, it is still a fun place to visit with kids. The interactive activities with sea life are fun and educational. So many penguins, sea lions, sea otters, sharks, sting rays, many many different fish, octopuses, and my favorite - jellyfish! I also enjoyed the stamp stations! Also, surprisingly the cafe has pretty decent food!

Aquarium of the Pacific was a great experience for the whole family. We booked in advance and arrived a few minutes after 9am, when they open. I am really glad we arrived early. We had plenty of time to pet the sharks and stingrays. We loved the stingrays so much we went back later. There were way too many people to enjoy them even an hour after opening. Parking is $15 in 2024. The Aquarium validated my parking, saving me $8. I highly recommend booking a Whale Watching tour for an additional $35 per person. Check out my Harbour Sea Cruise post for more info.

Pretty good aquarium to spend the day at. Not the best aquarium I have been too but this one seems pretty well designed space for the animals and they seem take good care of the animals. Great for kids with many interactive touch sensory areas for the kids… also with plenty of hand washing areas at each area. Good time for adults and kids. The ticket price seems a little high for adults and kids (3 or older)

Went with someone else and we both loved it. Spent several hours here. They had multiple activities and plenty of staff for help and/or educational purposes. Got to touch sting rays, starfish, and several aquatic plants. Absolutely loved this place. It is a must visit if you're in LA. This is the best aquarium I've been to within the US. Make sure to get your parking verified upon exit makes parking only $8.

Ticket $44.95 (₹3753.15) Spent around 2 hrs inside. It was a really good experience. Recommended if you are in Long Beach and haven't seen ocean species before and didn't encounter them. It's walking distance from Long Beach convention hall and Hilton hotel. Book a ticket from their official website. Or if you are a AAA member you can get a discounted ticket ($36). If you are booking a ticket for 2PM they will allow you to enter at 1:45PM. Cheers.

Such a beautiful aquarium, I adored all the exhibits, especially the shark lagoon made me happy. The volunteers and staff were all very friendly! What a wonderful space for learning about our amazing ocean and everything that comes with it! The daily ticket price does feel a bit too much. Honestly, I would consider getting a membership since daily ticket fees are not that affordable for young adults who aren’t students however I’m still unsure personally.

I have no idea how the museum is. I've tried going twice, once on a weekday and once on a long holiday weekend, and both times they were closed for private events with no way to check online or on their social media. I don't live in Long Beach so it's frustrating to make the drive only to find a piece of paper (or the first time, a very apologetic employee) telling me they're closed. Seems small and intimate so there's probably not a lot of staff. Hopefully I'll find out in person one day.

Wonderful place that’s offers an untraditional museum experience. There’re rotating exhibits that can often be interacted with, as well as resident artists onsite. Easily worth the price of admission.

My husband and I was actually passing through to go to the Aquarium of the Pacific, but detoured here first. As part Pacific Islander, I was really eager to come here and check it out. Fran gave me the scoop about this museum, and the types of info she had here. She said things changes every few months. When my husband and I were there, there were pictures of all the different tattoos, and the history behind them within all the islands. Also, very nice to see the display of the Fijian wedding dress display. (My people.) There was also the big hut in the middle of the room. (Different islands call it different names in their language. (For an example, in Fijian it is called, "Bure.") Inside, was various tools used by Islanders. Didn't get to see much, as I just glanced inside. There were also displays of various jewelry. There was also a room with a documentary video of learning history of the islands too. When you come here, especially look at the map. There are a lot of Pacific Islands, and not just being, "Polynesia." There is also "Melanesia", and "Micronesia." Very important to know. Again, as I am part Pacific Islander, I already know this. But good for other people to learn, because not everybody knows these things. I think the garden was perfectly fine. Some history, and it was a decent size. This is what they have to offer, because this place is a nonprofit organization, and needs more support. With that, then they'll be able to add more interesting stuff to view. Please come and support this museum, especially if you are an islander living in the Southern California area. Honestly, I would even work there, if I even lived in SoCal, but I'm from the Bay Area. So that's the sad part. Support this museum!! I look forward to coming to visit the next time I'm in SoCal.

Small gallery with a few pieces of Pacific Island folk art. Staff tried to say the lack of description was intentional, but I wasn't convinced. Could use improvement.

This is the only solely Pacific Islander Museum in America, and you truly feel you are on the islands when you come. Auntie Fran Lujan and Staff have created an environment of a love for Art and culture and are always inviting community groups to their space. Congratulations 🎉

A really sad museum with almost no pieces. Little to see, nothing to learn. Was heavy on "ask the art for permission to be seen" vibes. $5, and 5 minutes you'll want to leave.

This is easily one of my best experiences at any art museum. Community and togetherness is very clear here and I felt very welcomed. Whether you live in LB or are just passing through I would recomend a visit or two.

Great museum with wonderful exhibits that last a full year. Great information about the islands. Current exhibit features traditional tribal tattoos and a tattoo artist, Tricia Allen was working there during the day, very awesome.

As a Chamorro (Micronesian) woman, combat veteran, and person in the world, this was a moving experience that I'll never forget. The curator, Fran Lujan, is amazing and everyone should visit at least once to realize how much NHPI peoples have sacrificed for and contributed to the country and the world.

It said it was closed on my Google app. We were going to the cruise ship and I saw it and I was interested in seeing what it was like inside. I remember going there several years back and having Queen Mary beer and had a good experience there and they blew the ship horn. It was very interesting. Would like to see it open again. Looks like it needs some paint and some TLC

Before we get started, it is important to understand that this ship is still being renovated and is nowhere near her former glory yet. With that being said, we chose to stay here because of its proximity to the Carnival Cruise terminal. It is literally less than a minute's walk across the parking lot! Now on to the good, the bad, and the ugly.....this Ship is neat and a peace of history. Once all the renovations are done on this ship, she will be amazing! With that being said, she needs our help to get renovated. They do tours, and the hotel all helps her get renovated to her former glory, so check out the website listed. Now, about our stay....if you come in before check-in, they will hold your luggage for you while you explore either the ship or Long Beach. The room we stayed in was just a standard room with 2 queen beds, but it was huge for a state room! We did have a problem with the AC, but so did everyone on our side of the hall on our floor. We opened up the port holes and were given a fan to put in front of the windows, and it was ok for the night ( we are from Texas, so the weather was pleasant to us). There are a few places around the ship that you can tell definitely needs work, but like I said, she is a work in progress. We plan on coming back and cruising out of this port, so we will see the Queen Mary again!

Convenient for a pre cruise or post cruise stay. Rooms are small but comfortable and serviced every three days. Bath took a long time to fill. We were there on a storm day and all the internal tours were cancelled, which was disappointing as it wasn't necessary and would have given us something to do. Parts of the ship have free displays but even guests have to pay for tours. Free tea/coffee was provided on the storm day. Would it be too much to have this everyday? Nearby water ferry takes you across to aquarium and large selection of restaurants. We ate on board once and the corned beef sliders were very good. Bellboy Jeff and Jesus were the most helpful staff members. Reception staff were giving people checking in different information to that given us as we were waiting to check out and weren't overly helpful and quite vague at times. Art deco bar is nice and Starbucks coffee shop was OK but basic. We're glad we've had the experience of staying here but won't rush for a return visit.

TLDR: We were charged $200 and randomly assigned a tour we didn't chose at a time we couldn't attend and were never told and now they are refusing to make it right. Our family of 6 (2 adults, 4 children) went to the ship for lunch and a tour. We were excited because we used to love visiting and wanted to support their reopening. When we got there we paid $200 for admission and were told nothing, but according to the sign out front that included one of three tours. They handed us the ticket and we went inside and ate lunch. We then proceeded to the Tour Center to book our tour, only to be told we had been randomly assigned a 6:15pm Glory Days tour. We were never asked what tour we wanted, and we were not able to attend a tour at 6:15pm on a Sunday when our children have school the next day and we live more than an hour away. We tried to explain this at the Tour Center and were immediately and very rudely told there was nothing they could do. We tried again at the ticket counter, but after waiting around awhile were eventually told we would have to email to get a refund. I sent the email the same day (Sunday) along with all my documents (receipts, etc) and it is now Tuesday with no response. For $200 (and we spent another $125+ at the restaurant too) they could have at least explained that we were going to be randomly assigned a tour and told the time! (Really, for that price we should have been able to pick the tour and the time!) Ridiculous. We were going to book a room and the New Years Eve party but will definitely NOT being doing that now.

What an interesting place to stay. The well maintained and restored parts of the ship are beautiful. There are some older parts that need work, but I am sure that they are trying. The food in the restaurant was superb. The staff was all very nice, but we had to wait a long time for our room. They may not have enough staff. We were going on a Carnival cruise the next day, and it was a short walk to get there. It is a convenient and fun location as a place to stay the day before a cruise.

I had a great experience with my daughters and my husband. We did the haunted tour and our guide was very nice and shared wonderful stories about the Queen Mary. The ship is absolutely beautiful although it gives a creepy vibes it’s still beautiful to see. I took lots of pictures just in case and sure enough going back through the pictures at home I’d notice some strange reflections and orbs. Pretty cool and scary! Definitely will be scheduling another tour soon.

A totally unique and beautiful setting for an evening out. I love going on Tuesdays during happy hour at the observation bar with live music. It is a glamorous and historic setting like no other. I would say that there are some missed opportunities. Several areas are always closed, like the large ballroom on the promenade deck. but they would definitely make great venues for live music like in the observation bar. It would also free up some space as the bar can get quite busy. That would be a great addition to evening happy hour and would enhance the experience. It would be nice if more of the ship would be open especially in the evening because other than the bar there are not many open places. But the ship is a beautiful place to go regardless. I hope to see more work done to restore the queen Mary because it deserves a lot of care and improvement.

Overall, I had a good time. The experience of sleeping in a boat like this is one you cannot find all that often. It is an old boat and because of that you have to expect that not everything is going to be great. The room was nice, though the beds where a bit small and the room lacked electrical outlets. Expect to do a lot of walking. The elevators are slow and small, so the stairs are the most efficient means to get around. it is also a very big boat. The food was pricey and honestly not worth it. Same with the gift shops and bar. The tours are definitely worth it. Our tour guide Tanya was awesome and very knowledgeable about the boat and its history. Overall, a fairly pleasant experience.

When I went a few months ago the inside was closed but I did get some great exterior shots! I'd call before you go if you're looking to take a tour or stay the night. In 2004 however my mother and I did go aboard for a tour and to walk around on the ship and it was an amazing experience! The tour even took you through the broiler rooms! Gift shop had alot of neat trinkets as well! So even revisiting it from the outside brought back memories.

I'm so excited to get back to the Queen. It's literally been 10 years. Made a trip back before covid and it was closed for renovations. Back up and running, and I can't wait!! The tours are amazing. So full of legit history. Haunted ghost tours at night are pretty fun from what I hear. Like any historical place, I'm sure it's got it's share of the "dark side". The food was excellent and there were events happening all around. Such a great place to stay.

The itinerary is very fast and there is no time to stay. I just enjoy its beauty and historical stories outside. I can see decommissioned submarines, torpedoes, and the majestic Queen Mary. It is a pity that I could have stayed until six in the evening and enjoyed ten yuan. The ticket discounts are available for a visit, and I will come back next time.

What an amazing experience! The history and displays and tour are so fun. The hotel rooms are very clean and up to date. We had dinner at the onboard restaurant Chelsea’s Chowder house. Everything we tried was so perfectly prepared and delicious. Just an all around wonderful experience and I wish we could stay for a few more days!

This was such an experience. Honestly the ship was so much bigger than I had dreamed it would be. From the moment we stepped on board we were treated like esteemed guests. Interaction with a crew member was fantastic. The gift shop was stocked with things that I could not pass up. The whole place was elegant and timeless. I got lost a couple times just exploring the beauty and grandeur of the ship. I wish I had more time but my feet were already killing me. So I would have given this a five star review but I knocked it down one for two reasons 1) the haunted tour stopped at like 5, and was booked all the way to the next day at 11:30. That was unfortunate and I feel like at Halloween they should have more tours and offer them later at night. 2) the food options were minimum, one of the restaurants was closed, the other had a private event, and the last was insanely expensive. I would have even paid for the expensive one but it was like a two hour wait and I was tired so we door dashed. It seems like a missed opportunity to have one on the deck, or a restaurant out front so you could see the whole ship. All together though definitely an amazing stop on our trip through California. Oh and I think I caught a ghost in the picture of the pool, zoom in on the left corner of the pool and tell me that isn't a man in a black hat...

Great location by the Port! There's a lot of history that they preserved. I did a really fun ghost tour that I attended and thoroughly enjoyed! The tour is done after hours at night. The event I went to was really lovely. Great picture opportunities all around! I haven't had a bad visit yet minus the summer heat. It does get hot at the queen Mary during summertime. During fall, it is perfectly chilled and a comfortable stay. It's just really old stuff around you. Be mindful there are many stairs around the ship, so wear proper shoes. Smoking is not allowed by any means inside the ship due to the highly flammable and sensitive wood that they kept to preserve the authenticity of the ship. It's worth checking out if you've never been, and it's bigger than the Titanic. If you see an event there, plan ahead and see about how parking will be because some events will only take a shuttle or rideshare to get there.

The history of the ship is really neat. It is a growth place to visit. However, my room was not worth the price. It had plenty of room and well kept but they were not able to controll the temperature. My room was boiling and I am sensitive to heat so I did not get much rest. Despite that I would encourage people to visit the ship as a museum and help support the historical value of the ship. The staff were great and brought fans ti help cool down the room. The bar was also fun to hang out at on the ship. There was live music and the drinks were great. The ships restaurants were all booked which forced me to have to off site to eat. I would recommend having a restaurant guaranteed spot for hotel guests.

We did the paranormal ship tour and our guide Paul (Uncle Paul) was amazing. He had history with the Grand Lady and not only told us about some of her amazing history along with that of some of her passengers. Paul guided us to many areas of the ship Including the infamous room B340, the Captains room and crew quarters, and many other areas closed off all the while getting both history and paranormal information. You can tell he has an amazing love for This beautiful lady and it's not hard to see why. I myself had the Experience of being touched by something that I can not explain. She is a beautiful ship and I beyond happy that she is being restored. We want to thank Paul for the experience we had and his wealth of knowledge! And much of the profits are out back into The Queen Mary restoring her beauty. I can't wait to return and see her again!

Awesome experience. 1st time inside the Queen Mary . We pay 10 per person after 545pm just to look around without a tour . Awesome experience to be inside an amazing ship and the history that follows.From WW2 era to its paranormal activity and sights. Can't believe this ship has almost 100 years yet it holds strongly in beautiful Long Beach for people to stay, dine , tour and just to make great memories.Will be going back for a pay tour later on .

Such a beautiful ship and a great place to stay the night. The history and stories behind this ship make the stay even better. Also can’t ignore the wonderful ocean views, sunsets, and dinners provided during your stay. Would recommend to anyone

Took a tour of the QM and learned all about this ship's amazing history. They are currently working on renovations, so we weren't able to stay the night, but I would love to return at some point in the future and stay on the ship. Highly recommend a tour once they open back up if you are in the area!

Randomly visited the Queen Mary and purchased the self guided tour. It was pretty awesome to walk through the engine room and through the halls. There’s labels through the tour that explain in details what’s what. I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought I would and would do it again. We ended our tour by having a drink at the bar and enjoying the scenic view of Long Beach.

Our stay at the Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach was an incredible journey back in time! The moment I stepped into the room, I was captivated by the historic wood panels and charming porthole windows, which added a unique and nostalgic touch. The ample closet space and dresser drawers were a pleasant surprise, making it easy to keep everything organized during my stay. The rooms were adorned with historic art, creating an atmosphere that truly transports you to the 1930s era of ocean voyages. The Observation Bar was a real gem, providing a delightful setting to unwind with an evening cocktail. I loved the immersive feeling of being on an actual ocean voyage from the 1930s, even though the ship wasn't moving. To top it off, the 30s and 40s big band jazz music playing throughout the ship added a magical touch to the whole experience. I highly recommend the Queen Mary Hotel for anyone seeking a memorable and nostalgic getaway. It's a true gem where history comes alive!

We loved staying at the Queen Mary. The history is amazing. The only thing that was sad is that we weren't able to see the gift shop, the museum, the isolation deck or partake in the ghost tour. I wasn't made aware when booking that you had to reserve for the ghost tour. I'm glad that we were able to eat on the ship but barely made their last night's reservation. It sounds like the ship reopened after covid. Perhaps they are low staffed or just getting to know how things work. Regardless, the staff was amazing, We loved our room and definitely will be back to do what we couldn't do with just one night's stay.

What a unique experience. We loved it. Walked around the whole boat. Stayed the night in a secure, quiet, comfortable room. The restaurant is always busy so book. Dessert menu is delicious. Highly recommended to do something different and memorable.

We did the paranormal tour here with our Girl Scouts...it was phenomenal.. nice and thorough, went at a good pace with lots of time for pictures or your own investigative equipment. They even held the tour for a few minutes because of traffic from an event nearby....so thoughtful!! Thanks for the wonderful experience.

This unique hotel is a decent value when you consider the insane hotel prices around LA. A fantastic bar on the forward deck area overlooking Long Beach harbor. Rooms are a bit dated and claustrophobic, but very clean and have a historic feel. Plenty of parking and great access for cruisers at the port within steps of the entrance. The breakfast was above average and the gift shops are great. Lots of history all over the ship. Haunted tours available.

What a fun experience! Most of the ship you can tour yourself but they do offer several tours that you pay for. The room was nice and cleanly, but there is no air conditioning. We asked for a fan and that made all the difference. The beds weren't very comfortable, TV remote wouldn't change the channel, and there was a very limited amount of electrical outlets. We didn't experience anything supernatural in our room but did around the ship. The hotel staff were very pleasant and kind.

Did the evening 2 hour tour of the ship. Parking is free after some point, not really sure when but we stayed until midnight. The tour was not crowded this late and the kids were not scared with all the ghost stories. Highly recommend for a different experience than the norm. Fyi the shops close at 8pm and dining was very good at the Promenade Cafe.

I will preface this review by saying we DID NOT stay here, but instead did the paranormal walking tour. Our tour lasted from 9pm until 11pm. We had Paul as our guide and he was fantastic! He gave us ample information about the ships history and ghostly sightings. He encouraged our group to take as many photos as we pleased, and we absolutely did. My ONLY complaint is that he went very quickly from one location to the next, and with such a large group, it was hard to keep up and get the pictures we hoped for at the same time. He seemed to start the next location when most of the group was there. However, I understand that it would be difficult to stop and wait for every single person, especially if they were taking up quite a bit of time at each stop. Paul was a fun guide! He told many jokes, kept out group entertained, and provided the tour we paid for. He was also kind enough to allow my party of 3 to explore a bit on our own once the tour was concluded, and we appreciated that very much! In all, we had a wonderful time and will absolutely tour again and definitely book a stay here.

I visited Queen Mary a week ago today and had an absolutely wonderful time. I'm an ocean liner enthusiast, and Queen Mary is my favorite ship. Finally seeing and experiencing her in real life was a real treat, a big thing I can check off my bucket list. All in all, I was aboard the Queen for about 7 1/2 hours and I felt like I could've stayed with my beloved ship forever. The only thing I wish I could've done is stay aboard one night, but that's okay, that just gives me more reason to visit the Queen again! I think a lot of people visit her without truly appreciating that she's a 90-year-old ship that once crossed the Atlantic Ocean on a regular basis for three decades, not some typical hotel. The modern amenities we're so used to with hotels aren't always going to be there aboard the Queen. But history and beauty? She has it in spades! I love this ship, and I'm grateful to the City of Long Beach and Evolution Hospitality for the constant restoration work being done aboard Queen Mary. She's in such great shape and there are more great things to come. Well done. I must also give a shout out to the guide who heads up the Glory Days tour. I'm frequently leary about tours otherwise, but this was really great. I wish I could for the life of me remember his name. Ah well. Anyway, thanks for the wonderful time!

Staying on the Queen Mary was a dream come true. She’s gorgeous, she’s grandeur, and while at times there were some uncomfortable moments, if you’re someone who appreciates the paranormal, the opulence, art deco and history, this is a must. Despite dealing with a few drunks while on the paranormal ship walk tour, the tour itself takes you into many reported hotspots and places on the ship not open to the public. Additionally, if you’re into art deco, the Observation Bar is a must. All transports you back in time of war, opulence, and luxury. The bed in an inside stateroom I had wasn’t the most comfortable, and certainly you’re at the ship’s mercy of varying temperatures and stuffiness. But overall, the staff were friendly, the gym was both historic and massively functional, the food was fantastic, and it’s certainly worth either a day trip or overnight. I cannot wait to go again!

we had the BEST time here. incredible, once in a lifetime experience stepping straight onto a historic time capsule. the staff was amazing and accommodating. we ate at the restaurant and the food was delicious and our waitress was amazing. the on board gift shop was so cute and wandering around the ship was very fun. we stayed overnight and our room was everything we hoped it would be. everyone needs to visit the Queen herself.

We did the self guided tour during their Off-Hours and it was great way to spend a few hours. We enjoyed exploring the vessel at our leisure. Kids were kept entertained with all the different levels and stairs. Parking was $25 which seems a bit much, plenty of room available. Our favorite part was the engine room. I would have enjoyed seeing the staterooms- I'm not sure if they're tourable

My wife and I did the Queen Mary "Haunted Encounter Tour" with Mr. Bill as our tour guide. Even when we did this tour at 10:30 am and with a small group, Bill was still able to spook us with the ghost stories of this ship. Bill narrated very well and the fact that you actually go into the rooms/parts of the ship where the ghost stories happened made this a worthwhile tour! It was definitely an amazing experience. We also toured the parts of the ship on our own and man, the ship's intricate engine room and the Finest Hours part of the ship were amazing as well! Added bonus: when you do the tour, you can also ask the staff to keep your luggage for the interim and they would store it in a locked room for free!

Real peaceful. Went on a Sunday and while there were a lot of people, the park did not feel congested due to how big the park is. Cost is $8 for entry unless you bring an RV or trailer. All activities are extra depending on what you want to do. You will however have to look for a restroom. There isn't any signage indicating where you can find them so good luck. Pick a tree I guess. The park is dog friendly, lots of picnic areas. Cool spot for sunset pictures. Lots of open areas, but also not that many shady spots.

I love bringing my kid here! It's nice to feel like you can escape to the forest, even in the middle of the city. We love going in the spring, when all the flowers are in bloom, but it's honestly a good place to go any time of year.

Beautiful and easily accessible. Great for families- there are several trails to choose from including a two mile loop. You definitely forget you are in the middle of Long Beach.

Lovely park-within-a-park with 1 and 2 mile circuit hikes and events multiple times throughout the month. Well used but not overcrowded, with a great nature center for young children. It has a great little gift shop with science-oriented wares. Lots of unafraid turtles in the waterways. Any time I stop through I see visitors from 8 months to 80 years having a great time among the native flora and fauna. Very well maintained, and I even see people walking barefoot on the soft dirt paths. (Don’t harass the turtles. Some are accustomed to humans because, sadly, people abandon their pets here.)

We paid $8.00 entrance fee to get into the par. Lots of shades and trails are easy so it is a great place for the whole family whether you are young or old. The visitor center opens from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm. Some informative exhibits inside the center regarding the habitat. The last time to enter the trail is 4:30 pm.

loooooved this little gem in the middle of the city. hard to believe something like this exists so close to everything else that’s going on around it. parking was $6 and we were happy to pay it to support such an amazing natural area. we saw turtles, lots of songbirds, an osprey up close, etc. the trails were very nicely marked and defined and enclosed by the growing trees

The nature center is great. It is easily accessible and close to the freeway. The kids enjoy it and it is beautiful and shady year round. The trails are beautifully maintained and the wildlife is always putting on a show. We saw varying birds, turtles, and little furry creatures.

Seriously worth the annual parking pass and then some. Most people are respectful, though the occasional speakerphone, yelling kid, or non headphone user will walk by. Totally worth it. Everyone is friendly and great wetland bird watching!

What an amazing hidden gem buried in Long Beach, right next to a freeway. You'll feel transported into the middle of a forest and nature. It's a great walk with so many sites and sounds and smells. Definitely a must-go.

Very nice place to walk, plenty of trees and shade. Easy 1 or 2 mile loop. The mile loop is paved while the 2 mile loop is a dirt path. Plenty of birds for bird watching, turtles and so many squirrels. Weekend parking is $8.

A friend an I recently went here, what a great place. There are 3 different trails you can choose 1/4 mile, 1 mile, and 2 miles. Most of it is a dirt trail, there is a pond in the middle. We saw lots of turtles sunbathing. There is plenty of shade from the trees. I did not go into the nature center. There are benches to sit and enjoy the serenity. Parking lot can get pretty full, but there seemed to be people coming and going so often I didn't see anyone waiting for parking.

The El Dorado nature center is a fantastic destination for families seeking a serene outdoor experience. With its well maintained 0.25 , 1 and 2 mile trails, it offers a perfect opportunity for leisurely stroll or a more extended nature walk.

This Park is Amazing with one side being the recreational area and the other is the camping area. The whole park is gated. There's picnic area, kids area, dogs area, basketball courts, bike tracks, 3 man-made lakes to go fishing. Camping available. $6 fee for the entrance and camping has different prices depending on your stay. Not crowded and lots of parking places.

Beautiful park with a quiet serene atmosphere. We had fun with lots of friendly squirrels and gooses, ducks and other birds

Beautiful place to walk. There’s a short loop and a long, 2 mile loop that I recommend. It’s about a 45 min walk (if you’re moving along pretty quickly as we do). It’s a beautiful walk with trees overhead that tunnel your pathways. Don’t bring your new shoes, the paths are all dirt and some muddy areas (nothing we couldn’t avoid by walking around). It’s calming, relaxing, birds singing, sun shining good times! Heads up, there’s an $8 parking fee (as of 2024)

Today , was my first time at El Dorado nature Center and I loved it. I saw beautiful animals, trees , and the atmosphere was amazing and peaceful. I cannot wait to take my son there.

A very large 2 story adobe completely restored. The house is furnished, the blacksmith shop is stocked up, the laundry is prepared for work, the storage room is full. Tours of the house and gardens are available. Small gift shop. Lots of parking. Large native plant garden.

I cannot believe I just discovered this place after living in OC most of my life. I don't know what it's like during other seasons but spring is absolutely gorgeous here. The gardens are so well groomed and the flowers are all in bloom. They have picnic tables for you to rest and have a quick snack. The actual adobe is so well maintained. It's fascinating to get a glimpse of life in the past. Restrooms are at the entrance. The grounds aren't THAT big but you should wear comfortable shoes. Entrance is free with reservations. They do take walk ins but they might limit if it's crowded. They do close fir private events so make sure you check the website. And lastly they do take donations. Please bring some cash and support. I took my mom who loves flowers and gardens and she really enjoyed herself. It's now on our list of things to do in OC. I would love to come back on my own and take a tour to learn about the property and the history of SoCal. Can't wait to be back;)

Amazing historic ranch with orchards and gardens that is free to visit! I loved it! Peaceful and educational. The visitor center staff tells you sone of the history along with a video and an exhibit. Definitely recommend!

What a gorgeous venue! I got to photograph a wonderful, beautiful wedding of these two there few weeks ago. Still obsessing with every detail and the atmosphere Rancho Los Cerritos provided!

Excellent tours of the house and grounds. Our tour guides were knowledgeable and fun! Learned so much about history, trees, flowers and fruit. Highly recommend visiting this beautiful property!!

I love this place. Been going since I was a child and it never disappoints. The ambiance and historical nature of the rancho will never be forgotten. Took the self guided tour but I would recommend the tour for first timers.

Free historical site, very interesting to visit the house and garden. Great area for small walk.

Beautiful old historic rancho dating back to the mid-1800s, with free guided docent tours as well as self-guided tours. Entrance and parking are free. There are donation boxes, but that is optional. The surrounding lovely grounds make for a relaxing walk. It's tucked away behind a golf course in Long Beach and most people don't even know it's there. We visited on a Sunday afternoon and it felt like we had the place to ourselves. Our docent guide, John, was very knowledgeable and fun to talk with. It was a great way to spend a nice afternoon.

Such a beautiful place and a piece of history not to be missed. Everyone was very welcoming and my volunteer guide Raúl was very knowledgeable and generous with his time. The gardens are a wonderful place to spend some time and although I ran out of time, there is an exhibition about the Home, as well.

Beautiful gardens. They have tours, highly recommend.

A relatively undiscovered gem in the city. Rancho Los Cerritos is historic site with the most impressive adobe residence, beautiful landscaped grounds. This place offers an informative look about the rich history of Spanish, Mexican and American California. They also offer educational programs.

Lots of cool stuff Nice priced art for sale also

I don't really like places that do not greet you upon entry,Especially since I was the only customer. Lol The art was ok. Way more expensive than it should be. Maybe train your employees how to have a personality, and basic knowledge of Customer service 🤔

Cool spot to view/purchase some truly interesting art

It is very nice to be have my friend the co founder of The Dark Art Emporium. It's good experience for me to interact with some concerned business ethics moment I had spend with him so please do visit The Art Emporium world. We are excited to be fun and have experience of art and old paintings as well antique pieces.

Great art can't wait to go back and get more items for my newly renovated apartment in Downtown Long Beach.

The coolest, most macabre little place in Long Beach! It’s a little confusing to get into (you have to go through the pizza place), but it’s surprisingly large on the inside. The black walls and moody lighting fit perfectly, and I wanted absolutely everything! Also make sure to check out their podcast, ARTPIT, on their site or on SoundCloud, it’s a delight!

This place is so intriguing! Went for the first time today. Many neat things, from the human skulls beautifully carved..too the art work. Presentation is on point. The vibe is good, walking in, you feel drawn to enter more. The art work is impressive. Have a open mind. I would of gave 5 stars but I was not greeted or asked if I needed assistance. I was intrigued by the gallery of oddities and knowing more would of been a delight. However when I did ask questions, he was kind and knowledgeable. I will be returning!! And bring a few bucks... 10 bucks will get you a couple cool things ! More money the better though becsuse this place has some original stuff!

This place is so ghoulishly cool. I enjoy going through every part of this place so I don't miss a thing. A goth girl's place, for sure. Read the book titles they have for sale, they are entertaining and the taxidermy is fun.

My husband, my 5yo and I attended the Christmas tour. It was wonderful. My husband’s grand ma is nearly 100yo and it was so beautiful to see a house at Christmas decorated in the same way that when she was born. The entire experience was lovely, we were told so many great info on the house, the time, and how Christmas was celebrated back then. We felt welcomed and we were able to ask all the questions we had. It was truly magical and we loved the hot cocoa and delicious biscuit at the end. Thank you!

Gorgeous historic ranch and gardens! It's a great way to spend a sunny afternoon. Docents are very friendly and offer to answer any questions you have about the Rancho's fascinating history. The fragrant wisteria vines around the gardens in late March/early April are stunning. There are adorable horses, chickens and goats in the stables area to see, but you can't pet them. Charming gift shop and museum near the entrance.

I enjoyed the tour and my favorite things around the grounds were the house, the fig trees, and farm animals featuring Preston the shire horse.

I loved this place! What a great peaceful piece of property in the city. The baby goats stole show.

Found this gem online and free to visit with online reservations. I did a few hours ahead of visiting. There is a historic ranch, gift shop and beautiful gardens! There are horses, chickens and goats and displays in some of the barns and buildings. Very peaceful and benches to sit and enjoy!

Absolutely lovely spaces with friendly helpful docents.

I drove from Los Angeles for an event at Long Beach, and was looking for things to do around here. I’ve heard a lot about the ranch and wanted to give it a try. The experience was absolutely amazing, I wish I came with kids or friends. When I arrived, there was plenty of parking. When you enter the range, they give you a parking pass because the ranch is located on the university campus it seems and unauthorized parking is not permitted. When you enter through the Bixby gate you go straight then turn left and the entrance to the historic ranch is going to be on your right. There is a little museum and the gift shop where you can buy things or sign up for tour. They do walking tours pretty much every hour or as soon as they have a group. I was kind of on a time crunch and they didn’t have any other people to do a tour with. They were amazingly nice and offered to do the tour just for me! Stan was my guide, and he told me so much about the ranch, the history of it, all the owners, and especially the Bixby family who built up the historic ranch house and lived there through the 20th century. The tour took more than an hour he took me through the entire house, told me some stories And I can’t wait to be back. The Bixby family went all out for Christmas with a 18 feet tree that wouldn’t fit and had to be trimmed in a music room, they keep the spirit for the holidays to honor the traditions and I want to come back first week of December for that. The tour was free. The ranch has horses, chickens, ducks and sheep!

Wonderful Experience! My Great Grandparents worked on the Ranch for the Bixby family and have great memories. It’s certainly from a different time and a different way of life. It’s a pleasure to see it as a museum that showcases early life on the rancho.

First time here it's not too big but it's also not too small it's just right if you want to take a nice little walk through some pretty flowers I would definitely come back here especially because they have animals here they have bunnies horses and sheep. The place is very clean and organized and their gift shop there is also very nice you can also request for a tour if you'd like but you have to let them know when you check into the front which I would think would be a pretty good idea cuz you get more information.

Thought that Rancho Los Alamitos was a great area to visit. It’s completely free (though they take donation), you are freely allowed to see the animals on site, and you get to see the amazing landscaping of the area. The only part not shown is the private tour of the ranch house, which you cannot take photos of. It’s a great place to go relax, be mindful, and enjoy the day at.

The parking and entrance are free. There is a film about the ranch, then you can visit the ranch which had goats, sheep, ducks, rabbits etc. They said sometimes they also have horses as well. There are also beautiful gardens with unique plants, and a free guided tour of the beautiful Bixby house/former adobe which took a little over an hour. Very interesting and the woman at the reception was very nice and welcoming. A great free attraction if you are in the area.

This was a lovely day. Full of local history and the Adobe was like a time capsule. The gardens were so beautiful! The people that run the museum tour were so knowledgeable and very kind. Enjoyed it tremendously and will surely go back again.

We stopped in for the Lee Krasner and it was great to see her pieces in person. The art from the gallery namesake was as bad as the LA Times said, that said it did have some interesting qualities. I'm sure we will be back for the next exhibit.

I'm always up to visit a new museum when one opens. this new one has been getting super hyped up by everyone lately so when I had a free day when I was visiting LA, it was the one thing I wasn't going to remove from my schedule.

This is an otherwise excellent museum that has debased itself by permitting a major donor to fund the permanent exhibition of their incredibly mediocre art. The university should be ashamed it has consigned itself to this agreement in perpetuity. Absolute shills for the donors patronage. And of course the donor is just as shameless. Read about it in the LA times titled ‘The artist in CSULB’s new exhibit is a major donor. That’s bad, and so is the art’

Great contemporary art museum on the CSULB campus in a beautiful new space as of February 2022. The inaugural exhibitions were amazing and a sign of great programming to come. Don’t miss this Long Beach gem!

If your a college student looking for something to do on campus look no further. Friendly staff and great environment. Exhibits change every semester so there is always something new to see. Plus it's free. The museum also host other events so it's good to stop by and see if there is something going on you might be interested in.

This museum just dropped a load on its students, and the public with the pay to play, quid pro quo deal with it's recent donor. Ms. Self Published self help "writer" Kleefeld paid for the museum expansion (with daddy's money), in exchange for the museum showing her terrible "art" in their permanent collection and rotation.

A wonderful little museum with lots of amazing displays. We came to see a specific exhibit that turned out to be smaller than expected but that was more than made up for by the other unexpected treasures. Rest rooms, gift shop. No café, but a short walk to the main street gets you many options.

This museum apparently has a very good arts administration program for students. How do I know this? Several years ago, I chanced upon the museum at a fortuitous time: 1) Lou Reed, who had recently died, I believe, had a sonic/accoustic sort of sound room that I was able to enter with with a pal who is a retired Hollywood sound engineer; 2) Babette Mangolte, who has done some camera work for, among others, Jean Pierre Gorin and, I believe, Chantal Akerman, was not only hung--her work, folks, not her....--but also supported by the aforementioned museum administrators in training, who handed out white gloves that had to be used to finger Ms. Mangolte's work. O.K. That was a bit much for me. And the best of her nude NYC art happenings photography work from the seventies as photography at that particular exhibit is not my favorite homage to Marcel DuChamp's 'Nude Descending a Staircase.' But guess what? Mangolte's work was well placed. It was not only right around the corner from the Lou Reed sound cave, but also near some interesting photographs of places in or near decay. There was a haunting photograph of a piano of Elvis's at Graceland at the museum right between Lou Reed's sound room and the Mangolte exhibit. A grand or a baby grand. With real Tennessee light. And a bad carpet. Just like some of the King's hair dos sometimes. In any case, I was reminded of the beauty of that shot of Elvis's piano when I saw a shot or two that would make magnificent movie stills from Robert DuValle's and Robert Downey, Jr.'s recent "The Judge." DuValle meets Downey, Jr. in an Indiana funeral home near the beginning of the movie. There is a shot of a casket in the back that is DuValle's wife and Downey, Jr's Mother and some funereal flower arrangements and one character who knows both the Father--played by DuValle--and his son--played by Downey, Jr.--going out of a door to the left of the frame as the viewer watches. Boy. That light and those flowers and that casket and the scenario had everything to do with Elvis in this University Art Museum at Cal State Long Beach the day I was there and then some. And as for nudes descending a staircase, there was some apt still motion kind of photography. Of a figure showing and not showing through wood slats. Amazing stuff. And in the back of the museum was great conceptual art. The best, in fact, because not at all intended: A small, glass room encased mini-library of catalogues of past exhibits at this museum and at others and a computer at which one can access the visual arts. A repository of art that was unvisited. Empty computer just like Elvis's piano was empty; just like Lou Reed was recently deceased and reminiscent now as I write this of the coffin in "The Judge." A museum within a museum. A hall of mirrors of fun shows former and future. So now go and see!...Not just it. But all of them. The works and the artists. And, if you get hungry or thirsty, there is an excellent student coffee and sandwich place right around the corner. And there is plenty of disabled parking and it is close to the museum and to the student outdoor cafe.

Great hotel to stay. Newly renovated rooms and amazing customer service. Wonderful experience.

What a beautiful, quaint family-run hotel. We loved our experience. Wonderful customer service. They worked with us when we thought we might need to cancel. I noticed how meticulous they cleaned the rooms and the entryway halls. The location was so close to the beach and shopping, as well as restaurants.

Had an amazing stay! Great rooms, wonderful service and the very best staff! Check this place out if you're staying in Long Beach. 10/10 recommended

This hotel is so beautiful! I just stayed here this past weekend for a business conference and wow am I amazed. The rooms are around 200 sq feet small but good for 2 people and have one of the most comfortable beds I slept on. I felt sleeping on clouds. I had paid for an upgrade to the revive rooms which have vitamin c c shower and air purifier as well and made the air feel much cleaner good for my allergies. This hotel is truly like an upscale hotel vibe without other amenities unfortunately. Although they mentioned, something called the revive lounge which is opening next month which I am excited to see on my next stay again. It will be only accesible to guest who book direct! Will be back thank you again

Finding parking is a little crazy in this area.in general, but aside from that, the hospitality. and service i received from the staff/Front desk personnel was 100% warm and welcoming to say the least. Everyone was very polite, very informative and very hospitable. Very nice and reassuring. A young man, by the name of Sam. As well as a young lady Priscilla, I believe her name is. We're very respectful and helpful. I would definitely Recommend. Also It smells sooo freaking good throughout the entire hotel major plus for me. ...Furthermore my 5-year-old usually finds it quite difficult to get comfortable in new places. Not here, he and I slept like babies! There were no loud noises. No disturbances, And the room was tidy and neat with a couple of Unique Features accessible to the room, the mini fridge really came in handy. Thank you for the great stay. Keep up the great work guys.

I had a conference at the convention center and needed a close place to stay. This isn’t a chain motel. What it is is a cute little boutique hotel. I was pleasantly surprised. It had clean rooms, bed was comfortable and I liked the shower (main things I look for), Even though there wasn't air conditioning in the room the room was cool and comfortable and i enjoyed the fan. It is also currently being remodeled. So air conditioning is being installed. It is an older building and hence the rooms aren't huge, but they are nicely appointed and the staff was very nice. Overall I enjoyed my stay and it was within a comfortable walking distance to the convention center.

We had a pretty big group. (6 couples) we decided to stay here because it was close to the port where our cruise started. The manager was super helpful and kind. She even walked outside with us to show us where to walk and find the beach access just one block away. The location is great, and the rooms, though fairly small, were recently remodeled and were super clean and comfortable. The staff made sure to bunch all our rooms close to each other and even let us use the louge area to congregate and plan the next day's event. I would definitely recommend the Green Leaf!

This was our second time staying here during the Grand Prix and we will be back again next year! The recent renovations are awesome, the staff are great, and you cannot beat the location. The new Revive rooms are also well worth it.

Excellent hotel at a fantastic price! Close to everything downtown which is a plus! Everything is walkable. Rooms are perfectly remodeled and colors are astonishing! Such a lovely theme with its location! Super clean and wonderful staff everywhere. Always willing to assist with a smile. Always a plus when I travel! Will return on my next business trip and will recommend all my businessman. Thank you 😊

Great place to be on the second Saturday of the month. The walk is well lit with many different vendors and live music.

Go to the solar sisters booth its sooo amazing. They have hand made soap, and crystal jewelry!!!

I love DTLGB ...don't let Snoop Dogg scare ya

We went towards the end so lots of artists had already packed up and left. The Dark Art Emporium is a must-see!

LOVE DOWNTOWN LB!

(Translated by Google) Cute but very small (Original) Lindo pero muu chico

So sad, not a real opera company. They only perform a few real operas and then fill in with other non-opera events. After the rich beauty of the Chicago Civic Opera House and the inspirational opera performances at the New York Met, the LB Opera is just so very very sad.

Just o k.nothing to brag about.

Awesome company!

Ok,my husband liked it, very boring for me. My husband is originally from Long Beach.

Went to make a donation. In the middle of putting in new display but looks interesting. Might want to call to make sure they have a display up.

I enjoyed looking around at the historical society. Unfortunately there was limited staffing present. And, unfortunately, I probably know more about Long Beach history than most of those people.

Horrible, horrible people in there. The mask mandate had ended in Long Beach 2 weeks prior to me going to pay a visit. When I walked in the door I was set upon immediately by some man Karen demanding that I put a face mask on. I informed him that the mask mandate was over with And that I was not going to wear one. Within a couple of minutes he unleashes the Uber Karen on me. She demands that I put a face mask on as well, I once again had to school them On the end of mask mandates in Long Beach. She then tries to lecture me that this institution still requires them and asked if I am a member of the historical society? (Totally a ridiculous question) I told her I had been up until a year ago and that I would never renew my membership because of the messed up treatment I was receiving in there. I was there to buy some old photos in the gift shop. It was very cult like in there and I don't recommend anyone go there unless they are prepared to still play the covid charade. By the way I was the only customer in the store at the time and wasn't anywhere near anyone until they started haranguing me.( Not that it mattered).

1st time there... it was a GREAT EXPERIENCE learning bout all these great Women come to be & timelines how Long Beach became LONG BEACH. It was a SPECIAL for empowering WOMEN.

This museum is very small, but still has some cool art that I recommend people observe and experience. Plus, admission is free.

Wonderful small museum with an installation called Points of Intersection by artist Daniela Soberman

I don't have a thing for firefighters or firefighting equipment but I have a friend who does, so I end up visiting these kinds of museums across the country whenever we travel together. This museum is probably the second smallest with the least amount of stuff compared to the museums in Hollywood, San Francisco and Boston (smallest). As expected, there are old engines, facts and artifacts, technology and equipment, photographs and old films, and personal effects and knick-knacks. Similar to other fire and firefighter museums, this one is run by volunteer firefighters and have limited hours. You can probably see everything under half hour if you are thorough and if a firefighter decides to give you a quick tour. If you are in the area, this is an interesting and uncommon thing to check out but I probably wouldn't recommend making it the only thing you do while in Long Beach. Street parking can be tough but if you don't mind walking a few blocks or visiting on Wednesdays instead of Saturdays, you will have better luck. If you want to check out just one firefighter museum in your lifetime, I highly recommend the one in Hollywood instead. It is the biggest one that I have gone to, with more to see, plus a second story upstairs for little ones to get their little hands on everything. The coolest thing here is probably the piece of wooden water pipe. Doesn't sound like much but go check it out. Also interesting is an old machine that prints out a code for the fire department which a firefighter back in the day would decipher to locate the firebox from which an emergency call came. Ask a volunteer to show you how that works. Free admissions, but donations accepted. Open only on Wednesdays and certain Saturdays. Check the website and call ahead. If the front is locked go to the side/driveway on the right. Overall, very nice staff and an interesting place to kill a little bit of time.

Small Museum but lovely staff. Please park inside of the Museum's parking lot. do not park in the residential neighborhood.

I went here before with my kids they loved and I took my cousins they loved to

Good place for weekend

540 slingers. Free parking area.

This was very relaxing

Good experience with the lifeguard s