The 51st Grand Prix of Long Beach has nearly arrived and as usual, the Southern California News Group is here to help you make the most of the weekend-long event.
With so much to see and do at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach, which will take place Friday to Sunday, April 17-19, it’s easy to succumb to decision fatigue and end up not taking full advantage of what Southern California’s 200-mph beach party has to offer.
But with this handy-dandy, go-to guide, we’ll make sure you’re equipped with all the knowledge you need to have fun this weekend.
Let’s get started.
Transportation
You may be tempted to take your chances on parking and traffic and drive yourself to the Grand Prix — but that’s an easily avoidable headache.
Nearly 200,000 people converge on Long Beach’s downtown and waterfront during Grand Prix weekend each year. Coupled with regular traffic, plenty of street closures and limited parking options, driving yourself to the event can be quite the hassle.
Fans watch the race from Galpin’s Classic Car Lounge in the Lifestyles Expo during Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
For the first time, the 2024 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach’s Lifestyle Expo will feature an advanced simulated racing tournament, called the “Dyn X Challenge,” for fans to participate in during race weekend. (Photo by Christina Merino, Press-Telegram/SCNG)
The race fans enter the Lifestyle Expo during the 44th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday morning. The expo offers fans off track opportunities for more than 150 displays featuring the latest in automotive, home, recreation, travel and entertainment products and services.
Long Beach April 13, 2018. Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG
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Fans watch the race from Galpin’s Classic Car Lounge in the Lifestyles Expo during Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 21, 2024. (Photo by Dean Musgrove, Los Angeles Daily News/SCNG)
Instead, consider one of myriad public transportation options available. If you’re traveling from out of town, Metro’s A Line will get you from Union Station all the way to the Downtown Long Beach Station. From that stop, the Grand Prix entrances are just about a half a block’s walk away.
Long Beach Transit itself also has more than 30 bus routes with stops throughout the city, including drop-offs near the Grand Prix’s entrances. Specific routes best suited for your needs can be found on ridelbt.com.
But there’s a slightly more whimsical way to get the Grand Prix as well — that is, via Long Beach Transit’s two water taxis, the AquaLink and AquaBus.
The AquaLink, for a $5 fare one-way, will ferry passengers from the Alamitos Bay Landing all the way to Rainbow Harbor’s Dock 4 near the Aquarium of the Pacific, close to the Grand Prix entrances. It’s about a 45-minute ride, and the first boat leaves at 8:30 a.m.
Similarly, the AquaBus offers passengers a much shorter, 10-minute ferry from the Queen Mary to Dock 4 for just $1 one-way. Service for that ride starts at 9 a.m.
You can pay for both the AquaBus and AquaLink fares in exact cash on board, or purchase passes on the Ride LBT app.
There’s also the ridesharing option. Be aware that there’s one official drop-off point for Ubers, Lyft and taxis at the event on First Street between Elm Street and Long Beach Boulevard.
Parking
So you’ve decided that driving is still your only option?
In that case, let’s figure out parking options (which are quite limited for Grand Prix weekend). You’ll definitely want to have parking secured before you head out for your first day at the event.
The Grand Prix does have limited quantities of parking passes available, including a three-day parking pass for The Pike parking lot at Chestnut Avenue and Seaside Way for $60. There are no single-day passes available for that lot.
There are, however, single-day and three-day passes for parking on the west end of Shoreline Drive available on the Grand Prix’s website. One-day parking passes are $20; three-day passes total $50.
You could also try your luck with city-owned parking lots in the downtown area, though many will be inaccessible because of road closures. For a map of those, go to parklb.com/parking-lotsgarages.
Must-have checklist
Now that you know how to get to the Grand Prix, let’s discuss what you should — and shouldn’t — bring with you
Most of the event is outside, so remember to bring sunscreen with you. A reusable water bottle, a battery bank to keep your electronics charged, comfortable walking shoes, and clothing layers for both warm and cold weather are essentials.
You should also consider bringing some type of ear protection — whether that’s ear plugs or headphones.
There are also plenty of things you can’t bring to the Grand Prix, unless you want to get kicked out. Those include alcoholic beverages, weapons, folding stadium seats, large umbrellas, bikes, skateboards, e-bikes or scooters, fireworks and more. For a full list of prohibited items, go to gplb.com.
I’m overstimulated!
There’s a lot going at the Grand Prix, from the sounds to the sights and all the crowds.
If you find yourself needing some time to relax over the weekend, try giving Rainbow Lagoon Park a visit. It’s still within the bounds of the Grand Prix, but can offer a nice bit of respite — and it’s where you can ride the swan boats if you’re feeling fun.
Grand Prix goers can also check out the event’s Lifestyle Expo at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center.
That event will feature displays from more than 100 retailers offering automotive, home, recreation, travel and entertainment products, and it’s a great way to get break from the elements outside.
And the Family Fun Zone is there as well, with kids able to enjoy inflatables, a bungee jump, a rock climbing wall and electric-powered cars. The Family Fun Zone is also home to the Sensory Area for Everyone Trailer, which offers people who may be overwhelmed by the noise and crowds a calm, low-stimulation area to recharge for a bit.
The Grand Prix App
If everything you just read still feels like a lot to keep track of — well, there’s an app for that.
Grand Prix organizers unveiled an event-specific app for the first time a couple of years ago, aimed at helping attendees keep track of and plan out their weekends.
With the app, you can create a personalized race weekend schedule, easily find food and beverage options near by, and quickly access a map of the area.
The app is available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play.