ShoreLine Aquatic Park

ShoreLine Aquatic Park is a 12.3-acre municipal waterfront park at 200 Aquarium Way in the Downtown Waterfront district of Long Beach, California. Positioned on a man-made peninsula jutting into Queensway Bay between Rainbow Harbor and the Downtown Shoreline Marina, the park was developed during the early 1980s revitalization of the Long Beach tidelands and is managed by the City of Long Beach Department of Parks, Recreation and Marine. Known locally for the Lion’s Lighthouse for Sight at its southern crest, the park provides unobstructed views of the historic RMS Queen Mary, the Port of Long Beach, and the Downtown skyline, making it a primary coastal green space for picnickers, cyclists, and harbor walkers.

What to Expect at ShoreLine Aquatic Park

The park occupies a grassy peninsula encircled by a wide, paved waterside promenade that links Rainbow Harbor on the west with Shoreline Village and the marina mole on the east. Gentle turf mounds rise toward the southern tip of the peninsula, crowned by the 65-foot-tall Lion’s Lighthouse for Sight. Completed in 2000 in partnership with the Downtown Long Beach Lions Club, this decorative red-and-white striped tower honors services for the visually impaired and functions as the signature architectural focal point of the harbor. Benches and shaded picnic tables dot the perimeter, where visitors watch harbor tugboats, Catalina Express high-speed ferries, and private sailboats pass through the channel toward the outer breakwater.

Along the eastern edge of the peninsula, a pedestrian and bicycle bridge known as the Rainbow Lagoon Bridge connects the park directly to the Shoreline Village boardwalk and the start of the Shoreline Pedestrian Bikepath. The park’s expansive lawns regularly host major civic gatherings, cultural festivals, and music events, including the Cali Vibes Festival, Long Beach Pride Festival, and viewing parties during the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. On non-event days, the peninsula remains an open, breezy recreational space where families fly kites, anglers fish from the designated rock jetty edges, and photographers capture sunset reflections across Queensway Bay.

• Lion’s Lighthouse for Sight: A 65-foot red-and-white striped lighthouse atop a grassy hill at the tip of the peninsula, offering 360-degree views of the Queen Mary, Rainbow Harbor, and the downtown high-rises.
• Queensway Bay Waterfront Promenade: A flat, paved loop path hugging the rock seawall around the entire peninsula, ideal for walking, jogging, rollerblading, and cycling along the water.
• Queen Mary & Harbor Views: Direct sightlines across the water to the 1936 ocean liner RMS Queen Mary moored across the channel, alongside active commercial and recreational harbor traffic.
• Picnic Lawns & Shaded Tables: Over 12 acres of rolling Bermuda grass, palm trees, and concrete picnic tables where visitors spread blankets for harbor-side lunches.
• Shoreline Village Pedestrian Bridge: A direct waterfront footbridge linking the park’s eastern lawn to the shops, carousel, and casual seafood stalls of Shoreline Village.

ShoreLine Aquatic Park at a Glance

Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings

Morning hours between 8:00 AM and 11:00 AM bring calm harbor waters and ample parking, while late afternoon around 4:30 PM to 6:00 PM delivers golden-hour light illuminating the hull of the Queen Mary. Travelers arriving by public transit can take the LA Metro A Line (formerly the Blue Line) to the Downtown Long Beach terminus at 1st Street and Pine Avenue, then walk 10 minutes south down Pine Avenue and across the pedestrian bridge over Shoreline Drive, or ride the free Long Beach Transit Passport bus directly to Aquarium Way. For drivers, the nearest paid parking is the Aquarium of the Pacific parking structure at 99 Aquarium Way or the Pike Parking Garage at 65 Cedar Avenue; limited metered parking is also available along Shoreline Drive. Check the City of Long Beach visitor calendar before visiting on weekends, as large ticketed music festivals occasionally fence off the main lawn and peninsula.

The park’s perimeter promenade and bridges are fully paved and step-free, making navigation smooth for wheelchairs and strollers, though the final grass slope up to the base of the Lion’s Lighthouse has a moderate incline with a paved winding walkway to the top. Leashed dogs are welcome throughout the park, and public restrooms are located near the park entrance and adjacent Rainbow Harbor esplanade. Because the peninsula sits at the center of the Long Beach waterfront, you can easily pair a stroll here with a visit to the Aquarium of the Pacific immediately northwest of the park, grab fish tacos or funnel cake across the footbridge at Shoreline Village, or explore the restaurants and Ferris wheel at The Pike Outlets just north across Shoreline Drive.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the opening hours for ShoreLine Aquatic Park?

ShoreLine Aquatic Park is open daily from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM for standard park operations, with the surrounding waterfront promenade remaining accessible for evening harbor walks. Late afternoon just before sunset is the most popular time to visit for photography and cooler coastal breezes.

Is admission to ShoreLine Aquatic Park free?

Yes, admission to ShoreLine Aquatic Park and the Lion’s Lighthouse for Sight is completely free to the public year-round. Only during major permitted music or cultural festivals—several weekends per year—is the park temporarily fenced for ticketed event entry.

How much time should I budget for a visit?

Most visitors spend 45 to 90 minutes walking the waterfront loop, climbing the pathway to the Lion’s Lighthouse for Sight, and relaxing on the grass. If you plan to have a picnic or rent a Surrey bike from nearby Shoreline Village, budget closer to two hours.

Is the park accessible for wheelchairs, strollers, and dogs?

Yes, wide concrete pathways encircle the entire peninsula and include a paved ramp path leading up the mound to the base of the lighthouse, providing step-free access for wheelchairs and strollers. Dogs are permitted inside the park as long as 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 Tequila Jack's Restaurant & Cantina, Nick's on 2nd Long Beach, Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, and Lions Lighthouse (nearby).