From Florentina Motel - Los Angeles, Long Beach is a day trip toward the coast, with Downtown’s aquarium, village and harbor departures offering several ways to spend time by the water. Florence station is about 6 minutes away by car; from there, Metro’s A Line connects Downtown Los Angeles with Downtown Long Beach.
- Destination: Long Beach’s Downtown waterfront.
- From the motel: Take the A Line from Florence station to Downtown Long Beach.
- Transit: Metro’s A Line connects Downtown Los Angeles and Downtown Long Beach.
- Seasonal option: The Passport bus serves Downtown on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
What to plan for a Long Beach day
A Long Beach day is easiest to organize around Downtown’s waterfront, where several attractions and transport connections sit within the same broad area. Start by deciding whether the Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village or the Queen Mary will anchor your visit, then leave room for time along the water.
The Aquarium is at 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802. Shoreline Village, at 401–435 Shoreline Village Drive, Long Beach, CA 90802, offers another waterfront stop. Harbor-cruise and whale-watching departures also leave from Downtown, and a waterfront route heads toward the Queen Mary at 1126 Queens Highway, Long Beach, CA 90802.
For a simple sequence, begin at one of the Downtown attractions, walk the waterfront toward another stop, and decide on a harbor departure if one fits your plans. The facts here don’t establish walking times or departure schedules, so check the relevant operators before building a tight itinerary.
If you’re comparing the coastal outing with other ways to travel around the city, the guide to getting around Los Angeles covers transport from Florentina Motel.
Choose a waterfront or museum visit
Choose the Aquarium for a dedicated attraction visit, or make the waterfront itself the focus with Shoreline Village and a harbor departure. The Queen Mary adds another distinct stop along the waterfront route.
Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific is at 100 Aquarium Way in Downtown Long Beach. It’s a straightforward anchor for a day centered on the waterfront; visitors can also ask about the Aquarium’s parking arrangement if they’re driving.
Shoreline Village and harbor departures
Shoreline Village sits at 401–435 Shoreline Village Drive. Harbor-cruise and whale-watching departures are also part of Downtown’s waterfront, so you can combine a village visit with a departure if the operator’s schedule suits your day.
The Queen Mary
The Queen Mary is at 1126 Queens Highway. A waterfront route leads toward it from Downtown, making it a possible addition to a day that starts around the Aquarium or Shoreline Village.
How do you get from Florentina Motel to Long Beach?
Metro’s A Line connects Downtown Los Angeles and Downtown Long Beach, giving you a rail option for reaching the waterfront. In Downtown Long Beach, the Transit & Visitor Information Center at Pine Avenue and 1st Street connects with most Long Beach Transit routes, the A Line and regional bus services.
Long Beach Transit identifies routes 232 and 60 as bus options for travel from Downtown Long Beach to Los Angeles. If you’re planning the return by bus, check the route details before leaving the waterfront so you can choose the right connection.
For transport details around the airport end of your trip, the LAX-to-Florentina Motel guide covers getting to the motel from Los Angeles International Airport.
Hours, tickets and waterfront access
Waterfront hours, fares and parking rules vary by service, so check the official site before you go. Shoreline Village’s retail hours vary seasonally and generally run from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. daily; in summer, Friday and Saturday hours extend to 10 p.m., while Sunday through Thursday hours remain 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Restaurant hours vary.
The Passport bus serves Downtown Long Beach on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with stops including the Queen Mary, Pine Avenue and Shoreline Village. It is free and runs every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
The AquaLink and AquaBus are summer water-taxi services: AquaLink connects Alamitos Bay Landing, the Aquarium and the Queen Mary for $5, while AquaBus travels around Rainbow Harbor for $1. A full AquaBus round trip takes about 20 minutes.
For beach access, Marina Green Park is off Shoreline Drive, and Bluff Park is at Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue. The Alamitos Beach Lot is open daily from one hour before sunrise until 10 p.m. Payment is required daily from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m., including holidays. The lot accepts coins, Visa, Mastercard and Discover, and has EV parking.
Participating smart meters offer the first 15 minutes free when the driver presses the green “OK” button. Aquarium visitors can receive an $8 full-day parking rate at the structure across from the Aquarium by scanning the parking ticket at the Aquarium’s front entrance.
Returning to south Los Angeles
For the return, Downtown Long Beach offers connections to Metro’s A Line and Long Beach Transit buses. The Transit & Visitor Information Center at Pine Avenue and 1st Street is a useful place to connect with local and regional services. Long Beach Transit’s routes 232 and 60 are identified as bus options toward Los Angeles.
If you’re using the Passport bus to get back to a Downtown connection, keep its operating pattern in mind: it serves Downtown on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, with buses every 15 minutes from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. For other services, confirm the route and timing with the operator before setting out.
FAQs
What can you combine on Long Beach’s Downtown waterfront?
The Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village, harbor-cruise and whale-watching departures, and a route toward the Queen Mary are all part of the Downtown waterfront.
Is the Passport bus free?
Yes. The Passport bus is free and serves Downtown Long Beach on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Where can you access the beach?
Marina Green Park, off Shoreline Drive, and Bluff Park, at Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue, are identified as beach-access points.
What water-taxi options serve the waterfront?
Summer services include AquaLink between Alamitos Bay Landing, the Aquarium and the Queen Mary, and AquaBus around Rainbow Harbor.