While there are miles of shoreline in the Long Beach area, not all beaches are made equal. There's Alamitos, which is easily accessed from the downtown area and close to hotels. There's Rosie's Dog Beach, which is a great place to bring your furry friends. However, a crowd favorite is Junipero Beach – also called Cherry Beach – which stretches along the Bluff Park area.

This strip of coastline begins where Alamitos Beach ends. At Junipero, the high rises that back Alamitos are replaced with the more residential communities of Bluff Park. Here, the sand is soft and waves are calm, making it an ideal place for families. Because the sand area is wide, there's plenty of space for visitors to spread out and you're sure to get a solid spot. The beach has many convenient amenities, such as showers, lifeguards on duty during peak months and bike paths. This is also one of the only areas in Bluff Park with handicap accessible beach entrance. Many people enjoy participating in the free yoga classes that take place on Junipero as well.

While most trips to Long Beach center on beach adventures and waterfront dining, the East Village Arts District gives the city a cultural edge that's worth exploring. This district is chock full of diverse home designs, eclectic eateries, vintage clothing stores and art galleries. Some of the most popular galleries include Hellada Gallery, The Liberty and C Gallery Fine Art, but there are plenty of others to explore as well.

Many businesses are built into restored buildings, which gives the area a historic yet funky vibe. Murals and mosaics will brighten up your walk as you explore the streets. Previous visitors said the district is a great place to enjoy a cup of coffee and pick up unique pieces from boutique stores. They enjoyed the lack of chain stores but do advise others to pay attention to store hours before planning a shopping trip as many have limited hours.

This Long Beach neighborhood is famous for its water-centric design reminiscent of Venetian canals. Visitors can even take a gondola ride down the canals and pretend they're in an Italian oasis. Kayak rentals are another popular way to view the neighborhood, which is made up of narrow streets and colorful homes. If you're exploring on foot, you'll see the quaint shops and restaurants that make it a great spot for a relaxed, romantic date. If you're visiting Naples Island in the winter, consider strolling through this neighborhood to admire the extravagant holiday lights display.

The Mother's Beach area of Naples Island is small, but ideal for families trying to catch some rays. The beach offers a playground and a protected water area so the waves are safe for children. Calm water sports like paddle boarding are popular at this beach. There are also snack bars and picnic areas for your convenience.

If you're looking for a natural oasis in the middle of the city, consider visiting El Dorado Park. The park's barbecue areas make it a great place to host a nice picnic, while archery areas and fitness courses make for fun exercise options. A campground area is available to reserve if you want to spend some extra time in nature during your Long Beach vacation. A skate park, duck ponds, playgrounds, miles of bike paths and a golf course round out the offerings in this massive outdoor area.

The property includes a 105-acre wildlife sanctuary, complete with 2 miles of walking trails. The center occasionally hosts activities, such as bird walks and family night walks, to better educate visitors on the surrounding nature in an engaging way. Previous visitors enjoyed the natural area because it's family-friendly, and most trails are flat and easy to stroll. Check the website's calendar for upcoming events.