Learn about the rich marine life of the Pacific Ocean at the largest aquarium in Southern California, home to over 11,000 animals across 500 different species. The building's bold facade is inspired by the fluid motion of the Pacific waves; step inside and you'll find over 100 exhibits and 19 unique habitats. Outside, check out the expansive Shark Lagoon with shark touching pools, and the Lorikeet Forest, a 5,400-square-foot aviary.
Experience the charm of Italy in the south of California. Located in Long Beach, Naples is a dreamland consisting of three islands, which are separated by a series of canals that lead to Alamitos Bay. Second Street—a 15-block shopping, dining, and entertainment district—offers everything you need, while breezy Naples Plaza and family-friendly Marina Beach are great spots to enjoy the outdoors. During summer, swing by the Colonnade for live music. To get around the islands, travelers can stroll along tranquil walkways, cruise on Venetian gondolas, or even cycle in the lagoon on hydro bikes.
Old Hollywood glamour. A rich maritime history. Authentic 1930s Art Deco décor. The Queen Mary gives a unique glimpse into an era when steamships were the most regal way to travel.
A walk-up burger stand on 2nd Street, The Win-Dow serves a very good smashburger, and arguably an even better fried chicken sandwich. This mini-chain (with two other locations in Venice and Silver Lake) knows how to make a quality not-too-smashed beef patty with edges that stay crisp under a blanket of gooey American cheese, caramelized onions, and bright pink house sauce. Their short menu also features extra-crispy shoestring fries, milkshakes, a great kale salad, and a juicy, subtly crunchy fried chicken sandwich with jalapeno aioli and sweet cilantro slaw that you need to prioritize.
Marlena is a rare hybrid for Long Beach—a great all-day cafe and a big night-out dinner spot in one. This Mediterranean restaurant in Naples has an open-air dining room where you can order a morning cappuccino, but after 5pm flips into a wine-fueled clubhouse for locals. It’s usually packed with birthday groups, well-dressed people who likely pay dues at the local yacht club, and others who can’t control the volume of their voice. The well-rounded menu has a solid mix of tapas, pastas, and steaks, but it’s the wood-fired pizzas that stand out. The chef used to bake at Bestia and Gjusta, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the pies at Marlena arrive nicely blistered and crispy.
Phnom Penh is one of the best Cambodian restaurants in Long Beach, and one of our favorite spots in the whole city. Open Tuesday through Sunday from 7am-3pm, this tiny place specializes mostly in breakfast dishes like rice porridge and meat pies, but it’s their house special noodle soup with pork bone broth that we’ll brave even the foggiest of mornings to eat. You can choose between rice or egg noodles, but we prefer doing a mix of both. It’s not really a place that can accommodate groups, so most people just stop in with a friend for a midday meal.