If you are bringing the whole family out for a day of fun in the California sun, then the appropriately-named Mother's Beach is the most obvious choice. This recently-renovated beach park offers plenty of amenities and attractions that will please the whole family. There's a little whale at the center of the kiddie splash pad, rocks to climb, swings to swing on, and of course, lots of sand! A swimming area for adults and older kids is roped off from the area designated for toddlers and kiddies to enjoy.
Art is born out of both inspiration and reflection. A specific geographic area can inspire the creation of some truly amazing art as well as reflect the attitudes and feelings of a particular point in time. Nowhere is that more obvious than at Long Beach's Museum of Latin American Art. These works seem to come alive with both a dimensionality and a spiciness that gives them a personality all their own. The facility was founded in 1996 and holds the distinction of being the only museum of its kind in the United States.
Hit the right romantic notes with your date when you plan an evening at the Long Beach Opera. Founded in 1979, this opera is the oldest opera company in the greater Los Angeles area. The group maintains a highly active performance schedule and maintains a repertory of over 70 operas that range in styles from Baroque to works from the twenty-first century. Check the website for specific performance and ticket information.
Musical Theatre West is Southern California's premier musical theater company. It certainly has an impressive history, as it began as the Whittier Civic Light Opera in 1952. Since then, it has taken great pride in presenting some of the best musicals and theatrical productions in the area by featuring some of the most exceptional performers from all over the country. Some of the most popular shows that have graced the stage here include A Chorus Line, Oklahoma, 42nd Street, and Sunset Boulevard, among many other favorites.