Harry Bridges Memorial Park—also officially known in city records as the Queen Mary Events Park—is a 4.1-acre waterfront green space located at 1126 Queens Highway on the Pier J peninsula in Long Beach, California. Positioned directly beside the historic RMS Queen Mary and facing north across Queensway Bay toward the Downtown Long Beach skyline, the park was dedicated in honor of Harry Bridges (1901–1990), the influential founder and longtime president of the International Longshore and Warehouse Union (ILWU). Originally developed as part of the Pier J waterfront expansion and former theme park complex, the site today provides an open-air lawn for coastal sightseeing, ship-watching, and large-scale music festivals.
What to Expect at Harry Bridges Memorial Park
Designed as a multi-purpose amphitheater lawn and coastal promenade, Harry Bridges Memorial Park features gently sloping turf bordered by mature palms and a paved waterfront walkway along Queensway Bay. Because it sits on the north-facing edge of the Pier J peninsula at the terminus of Harbor Scenic Drive, the park offers unobstructed sightlines across the harbor channel toward the Lions Lighthouse for Sight, Shoreline Aquatic Park, the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, and the high-rise towers of Downtown Long Beach. On the eastern side of the lawn rises the massive hull and iconic red-and-black smokestacks of the RMS Queen Mary, paired with the neighboring Long Beach Cruise Terminal dome (historically constructed to house Howard Hughes’s H-4 Hercules “Spruce Goose” flying boat).
On non-event days, the 4.1-acre expanse functions as a relaxed public park where visitors stroll the seawall, photograph harbor tugs and cruise ships, or picnic on the grass. Throughout the year, the City of Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine department and private promoters transform the grounds into a premier outdoor festival venue. When major concerts, regggae andcali-roots music weekends, or holiday festivities take over the lawn, temporary fencing and stage rigging are erected; during those ticketed events, general public access to the central turf is restricted to ticket holders, though the adjacent Queen Mary boardwalk remains accessible.
- Downtown Long Beach & Queensway Bay Views: Uninterrupted panoramic vantage points looking directly north across the water toward Shoreline Village, the Lions Lighthouse, and the downtown skyline.
- Close-Up RMS Queen Mary Vantage: Situated immediately beside the stern and port side of the 1936 Cunard ocean liner, making it one of the best free locations to photograph the ship’s full profile.
- 4.1-Acre Sloping Festival Lawn: A wide, manicured turf bowl engineered to accommodate open-air concerts, cultural festivals, car shows, and maritime celebrations.
- Paved Waterfront Seawall Promenade: A flat, paved bayside path ideal for short walks, harbor breeze relaxation, and watching pleasure craft and port pilot boats navigate the channel.
- Maritime & Labor Heritage Context: Named for West Coast labor leader Harry Bridges, connecting Long Beach’s recreational shoreline with the industrial heritage of the Port of Long Beach.
Harry Bridges Memorial Park at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 1126 Queens Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Pier J / Queensway Bay Waterfront |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM (subject to closure during private ticketed events) |
| Admission / Price Range | Free public park access on non-event days ($); paid parking in adjacent Queen Mary lots |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 to 60 minutes (longer during scheduled festivals) |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Long Beach Transit Passport Bus (Queen Mary stop), AquaLink Water Taxi, paid surface parking at Queen Mary lots |
| Official Website & Phone | City of Long Beach Park Directory | +1 562-570-5333 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
To reach Harry Bridges Memorial Park without a car, ride the free Long Beach Transit Passport bus shuttle from Downtown Long Beach or the Metro A Line (formerly Blue Line) Downtown Long Beach Station directly to the Queen Mary terminal stop. During peak spring and summer schedules, you can also board the Long Beach Transit AquaLink water taxi from Aquarium Dock (Dock 4) in Rainbow Harbor, which drops passengers steps from the park entrance. Drivers should follow Interstate 710 south to the Harbor Scenic Drive / Queen Mary exit; parking is located in the gated Queen Mary surface lots immediately adjacent to the park, which offer brief grace-period drop-offs and tiered hourly or flat daily parking rates.
The park’s perimeter promenade and paved approaches from the parking lot and bus turnaround are step-free and easily navigated with wheelchairs and strollers, though moving across the central grass incline requires traversing natural turf. Because there are limited permanent concessions or shaded pavilions inside the 4.1-acre lawn on standard weekdays, bring sun protection and drinking water. Pair a morning or late-afternoon walk through Harry Bridges Memorial Park with a historical tour or dining aboard the adjacent RMS Queen Mary, a stroll across the Queensway Bridge pedestrian walkway to Shoreline Aquatic Park, or an afternoon at the Aquarium of the Pacific and Shoreline Village just across the bay.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours and best times to visit Harry Bridges Memorial Park?
Harry Bridges Memorial Park is open daily from 6:00 AM to 7:00 PM. The late afternoon golden hour—roughly 90 minutes before sunset—is the best time to visit, as the setting sun illuminates the Downtown Long Beach skyline and the hull of the RMS Queen Mary across the calm waters of Queensway Bay.
Is admission to Harry Bridges Memorial Park free?
Yes, entering Harry Bridges Memorial Park is completely free on standard non-event days. However, visitors arriving by car must pay to park in the surrounding Queen Mary parking lots, and access to the lawn requires an event ticket when private concerts or festivals rent the grounds.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
Most sightseers and photographers spend 45 to 60 minutes walking the waterfront promenade, taking in the views of the Queen Mary and downtown skyline, and relaxing on the turf. If you are attending a scheduled concert or combining your stop with a tour of the Queen Mary, plan for 3 to 5 hours.
Is the park suitable for families, dogs, and wheelchair users?
Yes, the open lawn and bayside promenade are family-friendly, and leashed dogs are welcome on non-festival days under City of Long Beach park rules. Wheelchair users and strollers have flat, step-free access along the paved waterfront perimeter path from the adjacent transit stop and accessible parking spaces.
When planning your Long Beach travel guide or comparing verified attractions and parks in Long Beach, pair this stop with standout local spots including Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum, Long Beach Firefighter's Museum, Rosie's Dog Beach, and The Queen Mary (0.4 km away).
