Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center

The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center sits on the downtown Long Beach waterfront, combining exhibit halls, ballrooms, meeting rooms, the Long Beach Arena, and the Terrace and Center theaters in one walkable campus. Its scale suits mid-size conventions, trade shows, and consumer events without the sprawl of the region's largest venues.

The location is a big part of the draw. The center is steps from the harbor, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Pike Outlets, and the Rainbow Harbor waterfront, with the Queen Mary just across the water. Downtown hotels, restaurants, and the East Village arts district are within easy walking distance, so attendees can leave the car parked all day.

The campus hosts a varied calendar — industry conventions and trade shows, comic and pop-culture conventions, esports and gaming events, galas, and performances across its theaters and arena. Its waterfront setting and compact downtown make it a popular alternative to the larger Los Angeles and Anaheim centers.

The convention center is at 300 E Ocean Boulevard in downtown Long Beach, just off the 710 (Long Beach) Freeway where it meets the waterfront, and close to the 405. The nearest airport by far is Long Beach Airport (LGB), about 5 miles north and typically a 12-minute drive — one of the most convenient airport-to-venue pairings in the region.

John Wayne Airport (SNA) in Orange County is roughly 19 miles away, and Los Angeles International (LAX) is about 22 miles up the coast, usually 35 minutes or more depending on 405 traffic. Ontario International (ONT) is the farthest common option at around 40 miles inland.

Downtown Long Beach is served by the Metro A Line (light rail) and local transit, and the area is walkable once you arrive. On event days, follow signage for designated rideshare and drop-off zones around Ocean Boulevard and the convention center garages.

Because LGB is so close, a pre-arranged transfer from the airport to the convention center is quick and stress-free — often faster than sorting out parking on a busy event day. RideYeah provides pickups from LGB, SNA, and LAX, plus point-to-point rides between downtown hotels, the waterfront, and the venue, so groups and business travelers can keep a set schedule.

Booking ahead is most useful during large conventions, when downtown traffic and the convention garages fill up, and for catching a flight out of LGB or LAX afterward. A scheduled car also pairs well with a waterfront day at the Aquarium or the Queen Mary on either side of the event.

Several downtown Long Beach hotels are within walking distance of the convention center, many with harbor or marina views. Staying nearby lets you walk to sessions and to the waterfront attractions, skipping traffic and parking entirely.

The surrounding downtown has a dense mix of restaurants, breweries, and the East Village arts district, and the Pike Outlets and Rainbow Harbor are right next door. If your schedule allows, the Aquarium of the Pacific and the Queen Mary make easy add-ons before or after the event.