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- Journey back in time with a docent-led tour of Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos. Microcosms of Southern California history, the 28,000-acre Rancho Los Alamitos and 27,054-acre Rancho Los Cerritos were two of five ranches partitioned out of Rancho Los Nietos, the largest Spanish concession in Nueva California (New California), a province of New Spain. Now spanning only 7.5 and 4.7 acres, respectively, these historic ranchos immerse visitors in ranching heritage and the culture of the Tongva people, the area’s original inhabitants, with their adobe houses, landscaped grounds, and fascinating exhibits. Rancho Los Alamitos, the “Ranch of the Little Cottonwoods,” also boasts the trading and ceremonial village of Povuu’nga, the traditional place of origin and sacred ancestral home of the Tongva.
- Get in the creative spirit by visiting one of Long Beach’s art museums. Running the gamut from cultural exhibits featuring Latin American and Pacific Islander artists to a wide-ranging collection of American and European works, there is something for art lovers of all kinds. The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is the only museum dedicated to modern and contemporary works by Latin American and Latino artists in the country. Part of the East Village Arts District, the museum itself is also located in a true piece of Long Beach and Southern California creative history: the site of the former Balboa Amusement Producing Company, the most prolific silent film studio in the world from 1913 to 1918. Much more intimate in scale, the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum is also unique, as the only museum in the continental United States devoted to the vibrant cultures of Oceania, with a special focus on Micronesia. Finally, the Long Beach Museum of Art (LBMA) is an expansive collection of more than 3,200 artworks spanning 300 years, including paintings, sculptures, decorative art objects, and drawings. Housed largely in the historic Elizabeth Milbank Anderson house, a bluffside California bungalow constructed in 1911, LBMA also offers glorious views of Long Beach Harbor and Catalina Island.
- Embark on a fascinating voyage through maritime history with a trip to the area’s two on-the-water museums, The Queen Mary and the Battleship USS Iowa Museum. After setting sail from Southampton, England, on her maiden voyage on May 27, 1936, the RMS Queen Mary quickly became the paragon of transatlantic travel. More than 30 years later, she dropped anchor for the last time in Long Beach, where she has remained ever since. In the years following, the elegant ocean liner has welcomed guests aboard, offering guided tours on everything from the ship’s Art Deco design and experience hosting Hollywood’s rich and famous to reports of paranormal activity. To experience a different side of maritime history, climb onboard the Battleship USS Iowa instead. Before mooring along the L.A. Waterfront in 2012, not far from Long Beach, this Los Angeles landmark proudly served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Cold War. Today, visitors can explore the iconic battleship on a self-guided or guided tour.
