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Long Beach Waterfront Guide: Sailing Venue Hotels, Food, Things to Do

Long Beach is the coastal heartbeat of LA28—hosting sailing, triathlon, open-water swimming, and fan activations along Shoreline Drive. Use this guide to plan your stay, navigate transit, and make the most of downtime between races.

Quick tips before you dock#

• Lock in waterfront hotels early; rooms with harbor views disappear first.
• Pack layers—ocean breezes keep things 10° cooler than Downtown LA.
• Ride the Metro A Line to skip 710 freeway traffic; our car-free Olympics guide explains the transfer.
• Schedule dining times outside of medal race windows or opt for takeout picnics on the bluff.

Where to stay on the waterfront#

• Hyatt Regency & Westin Long Beach: Steps from Shoreline Village and the athlete marina. Rates hover around $320–$360 on medal days.
• Courtyard Long Beach Downtown: Balanced price point with quick access to the fan zone and Convention Center.
• Boutique vibes: The Varden Hotel and Hotel Royal (both historic) keep rates closer to $240. Walk ten minutes to the waterfront.
• Vacation rentals: Naples Island and Belmont Shore offer beach houses with parking—ideal for groups planning to explore the South Bay after races via our Inglewood essentials guide.

Getting around without a car#

• Metro A Line: End-of-line station drops you ten minutes from the harbor; trains run until 1:30 a.m. on medal nights.
• Coastal shuttles: LA28’s free shuttle loops between Shoreline Drive, the Queen Mary fan village, and parking lots near I-710.
• AquaBus & AquaLink: Hop a water taxi for $5–$7 to reach Alamitos Bay dining or the Aquarium of the Pacific.
• Bike share: Grab a Long Beach Bike Share day pass ($15) and cruise the beach path between Belmont Shore and the racecourse.

Eat & drink like a local#

• Breakfast fuel: The Breakfast Bar (hearty scrambles) and Wide Eyes Open Palms (coffee & toast) open early for morning heats.
• Lunch favorites: Pier 76 Fish Grill for fast seafood bowls, Portuguese Bend for craft brews + sandwiches.
• Dinner & nightlife: Ballast Point’s rooftop taproom, BO-beau Kitchen + Roof Tap, and Congregation Ale House keep energy high after sunset fireworks.
• Budget bites: Food truck pods near Rainbow Lagoon plus $3 taco specials at Lola’s Mexican Cuisine stretch your per diem—tie into our Budget Olympics guide.

Between-event adventures#

• Aquarium of the Pacific: Extended Olympic hours with sustainability activations tied to sailing.
• Retro Row (4th Street): Vintage shops and dessert bars for a quieter afternoon.
• Naples Island gondolas: Sunset rides through the canals if you want a romantic cooldown.
• Shoreline Path: Rent skates or bikes to explore Alamitos Beach, Bluff Park, and Belmont Pier.

FAQs#

Q: Where can I watch without tickets?
A: Public viewing mounds in Shoreline Aquatic Park and Bluff Park offer free sightlines—arrive 90 minutes early for medal races.

Q: Is parking available near the venues?
A: Downtown garages sell day passes around $40, but they fill fast. Park remotely at Long Beach Airport or Lakewood Center and ride the Coastal Shuttle to save time.