Rainbow Lagoon Park is a 12-acre municipal waterfront park at 400 E Shoreline Drive in Downtown Long Beach, California, directly fronting the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center and the Hyatt Regency Long Beach. Occupying the north side of Shoreline Drive between Pine Avenue and Linden Avenue, the park takes its name from the historic semicircular Rainbow Pier and municipal auditorium lagoon built in the late 1920s and 1930s. Reimagined during the late-1970s waterfront redevelopment into a landscaped saltwater lagoon with three interconnected islands, Japanese-inspired wooden footbridges, palm-lined turf lawns, and swan pedal boats, Rainbow Lagoon Park is a popular gathering spot for casual waterfront strolls, illuminated night boating, and major annual festivals.
What to Expect at Rainbow Lagoon Park
Set at the base of the Long Beach Arena—recognizable by planetarium artist Wyland’s massive wraparound whale mural, Planet Ocean—Rainbow Lagoon centers on a calm, five-acre saltwater basin fed by pipes connected to Queensway Bay. Paved loop walkways trace the perimeter of the water and branch onto arched wooden pedestrian bridges that link the shoreline to grassy interior islands. Tall Mexican fan palms, mature shade trees, and manicured turf slopes surround the basin, creating open sightlines toward the Marina Green, the Lions Lighthouse for Sight, and the historic Queen Mary moored across the harbor.
On the water, Wheel Fun Rentals operates a fleet of swan-shaped pedal boats from a dock along the lagoon’s western edge, offering both daytime excursions and LED-lit night rides after dark. Because of its central location beside the convention complex and high-capacity lawns, the park frequently transforms into a festival ground for major Southern California events, including the Long Beach Bayou Festival, the Cali Vibes music festival grounds, Pride celebrations, and anime conventions. On non-event days, the park maintains a relaxed pace suited to picnicking, jogging, dog walking on leashes, and watching duck and turtle activity along the water’s edge.
- Swan Pedal Boats & Night Rides: Operated daily from the dock near Pine Avenue, two-person and family-sized swan pedal boats cruise the calm, enclosed lagoon waters, with illuminated LED night rides running after sunset.
- Arched Wooden Bridges & Lagoon Islands: Three landscaped islands inside the basin are connected by traditional Japanese-style wooden footbridges that offer elevated photo angles of the Downtown Long Beach skyline and convention center.
- Long Beach Arena & Wyland Mural Backdrop: The park’s northeastern border sits directly beneath the circular Long Beach Arena, painted in 1992 by marine artist Wyland as the world’s largest Whaling Wall mural.
- Waterfront Promenade & Picnic Lawns: Wide, flat concrete paths loop around the five-acre water basin alongside gently sloped turf lawns shaded by palms and coastal trees, ideal for spreading a picnic blanket.
- Elevated Pine Avenue Pier Overlook: The raised pedestrian walkway along the western boundary connects Downtown’s Pine Avenue directly over Shoreline Drive toward Shoreline Village and Rainbow Harbor.
Rainbow Lagoon Park at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 400 E Shoreline Dr, Long Beach, CA 90802 |
| Neighborhood / Area | Downtown Waterfront / Shoreline Village Area |
| Operating Hours | Daily: 8:00 AM – 9:00 PM |
| Admission / Price Range | Free park entry; Swan boat rentals approx. $13 per adult / $8 per child per hour ($) |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 45 to 90 minutes |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Metro A Line (Downtown Long Beach Station); Convention Center & Pike parking garages |
| Official Website & Phone | longbeach.gov/park | +1 562-570-3100 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
The best times to visit Rainbow Lagoon Park are weekday mornings for quiet waterfront walks or the hour around sunset, when the palm silhouettes reflect across the water and the LED-lit swan boats begin cruising the basin. Check the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center calendar before visiting, as large music festivals or the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in April temporarily fence off portions of the grounds and close Shoreline Drive. Arriving via public transit is straightforward: ride the LA Metro A Line (formerly the Blue Line) to the Downtown Long Beach Station at 1st Street and Pine Avenue, then walk 8 minutes south down Pine Avenue. Drivers can park in the Long Beach Convention Center Terrace Theater garage off Collins Way or the Pike Outlets parking structure on Chestnut Place.
The perimeter concrete pathways around the lagoon are flat and wheelchair- and stroller-friendly, though crossing the arched wooden bridges onto the central islands involves a moderate incline and timber decking. Public restrooms are located near the adjacent Marina Green and inside the nearby Pike Outlets complex. Within a 5- to 10-minute walk across Shoreline Drive, you can pair your visit with the Aquarium of the Pacific, browse the boardwalk shops and carousel at Shoreline Village, or ride the Ferris wheel and dine at The Pike Outlets.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the opening hours for Rainbow Lagoon Park and when is the best time to visit?
Rainbow Lagoon Park is open daily from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM. Early mornings offer the quietest conditions for joggers and photographers, while dusk into early evening is the most popular window for couples and families renting the illuminated swan pedal boats.
Is Rainbow Lagoon Park free to enter, and how much do the swan boats cost?
Admission to Rainbow Lagoon Park and its walking paths is completely free year-round, except when the grounds are ticketed for a private music or cultural festival. Swan pedal boat rentals are priced at $13 per hour for adults (ages 13+) and $8 per hour for children (ages 2–12), with online reservations required for evening LED rides.
How much time should I budget for a visit to Rainbow Lagoon Park?
Plan to spend 45 to 60 minutes if you are strolling the perimeter paths, crossing the wooden footbridges, and taking photos of the Long Beach Arena mural. If you plan to rent a swan pedal boat or picnic on the grass, budget 1.5 to 2 hours.
Is Rainbow Lagoon Park accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and dogs?
Yes, the outer concrete loop paths are wide, paved, and step-free, making them easy to navigate with wheelchairs and strollers, though the arched wooden island bridges have steeper slopes. Dogs are welcome in the park provided they remain on a leash at all times.
When planning your Long Beach travel guide or comparing verified attractions and parks in Long Beach, pair this stop with standout local spots including Lions Lighthouse, Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens, Historical Society of Long Beach, and Yard House (0.3 km away).
