#Best Places to Visit on a Trip Between Cerritos and Long Beach
If you're planning to take a road trip from Cerritos to Long Beach or vice versa, you're in for a treat! The two cities are just about 15 miles apart and there's so much to see and do along the way. Whether you're traveling solo, with friends or family, or on a romantic getaway, these five attractions are definitely worth a stop.
##Route and Halfway Point: Long Beach, CA
Taking the 605 freeway south from Cerritos into Long Beach will get you to the West Division Street exit, placing you just a couple of turns from Long Beach's attractions. Long Beach is the perfect halfway point for a quick bite, a walk along the waterfront, or a visit to the aquarium.
##1. Seal Beach Pier
- Enjoy the Sun, Sand, and Scenery at Seal Beach Pier
Just a 10-minute drive west on Pacific Coast Highway from Cerritos, Seal Beach Pier is a beautiful stop along the beach with a vibrant, small town feel. Walk onto the pier and grab a coffee at the local shops before taking a stroll down to the end to watch the surfers, wave to the fishermen, and breathe in the ocean air. Take the opportunity for an Instagram-worthy shot from the end of the pier with panoramic views of the coast.
##2. Los Alamitos Race Course
- Feel the Excitement at Los Alamitos Race Course
Just a seven-minute drive north on the 605 freeway from Seal Beach Boulevard is Los Alamitos Race Course, which opened in 1951. It showcases the world's finest thoroughbred horses, has several restaurants and lounges, and offers a comfortable place to experience the excitement of horseracing. Los Alamitos is open year-round except for Christmas and Easter Sunday.
##3. Long Beach Museum of Art
- Experience Art and History at the Long Beach Museum of Art
Located at the cliffs of Ocean Boulevard, this museum offers sweeping views of the Pacific Ocean and rotating exhibits that feature artists from around the world. The building itself is also an architectural gem and has been renovated and expanded as recently as 2015. After browsing the top-notch art collection, take a stroll through the sculpture garden or enjoy lunch at Claire's, the museum's restaurant.
##4. El Dorado Nature Center
- Connect with Nature at the El Dorado Nature Center
Just a few minutes drive from Long Beach Airport, the El Dorado Nature Center is a 105-acre park with walking, bird-watching, and wildlife trails. It's a habitat for many species of birds, rabbits, turtles, and other critters, with a three-acre lake and two streams. The center also offers guided nature walks and other activities at different times during the year.
##5. Aquarium of the Pacific
- Explore the Wonders of the Seas at the Aquarium of the Pacific
No trip to Long Beach is complete without a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific, located right by the waterfront. The attraction has more than 12,000 ocean animals, from seahorses and jellyfish to sea lions and sharks. Its exhibits showcase different habitats from around the globe, including the Southern California/Baja Gallery, the Tropical Pacific Gallery, and the Northern Pacific Gallery. You can even pet a shark or a stingray at the aquarium.
##Conclusion
So, there you have it, five great places to visit on a road trip between Cerritos and Long Beach. If you need to stretch your legs on a long drive, explore the beaches at Seal and Long Beach, enjoy horseracing action at Los Alamitos, dive into history and culture at the Long Beach Museum of Art, and immerse yourself in nature at the El Dorado Nature Center. Or explore the magnificent seas at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Whatever your interests, you're sure to find something perfect along this route.