# Formula Drift Long Beach: what to do between sessions in Long Beach

Source: https://eventweekends.com/motorsport/formula-drift-long-beach/
Last checked: 2026-11-02

## In short

- **When:** 9 to 10 April 2027 (expected, not yet confirmed by the organiser)
- **Where:** Long Beach Street Circuit, Long Beach, United States
- **Free time:** Practice starts around lunchtime and qualifying leaves the morning free, so the best free windows are the arrival day, Friday and Saturday mornings and the day after the race.
- **Best base:** Downtown waterfront: Walk to the circuit and the aquarium.
- **Getting there:** Long Beach airport (LGB) is 15 minutes away; LAX is 30 to 45 minutes.
- **Weather:** In April, Long Beach averages highs of about 21°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 19 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 47 min of daylight.
- **Top things to do:** Aquarium of the Pacific; The Queen Mary tour; Catalina Island ferry

## Weather and what to pack

In April, Long Beach averages highs of about 21°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 19 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 47 min of daylight.
- A warm layer for the evenings.
- Ear protection and comfortable shoes: circuits involve long walks between grandstands and gates.

## Airport to venue

Long Beach airport (LGB) is 15 minutes away; LAX is 30 to 45 minutes.

Downtown Long Beach; Metro A Line.

## Where to stay

- **budget:** East Village. Arts district near downtown.
- **mid:** Downtown waterfront. Walk to the circuit and the aquarium.
- **luxury:** The Queen Mary and Belmont Shore. Historic ship hotel or beach area.
- Hotels we would book: Hotel Maya, a DoubleTree by Hilton (budget), Hyatt Regency Long Beach (mid), The Westin Long Beach (luxury)

## Day plans for the free hours

### Arrival day (Thursday 8 April)

Nothing on track that matters yet. Check in, then use the afternoon.
- Half-day: Aquarium of the Pacific. Big aquarium on Rainbow Harbor.
- Eat: Pine Avenue, Restaurant strip

### Practice day (Friday 9 April)

First practice rarely starts before lunchtime, so the morning is free.
- Half-day: The Queen Mary tour. Historic ocean liner.
- Eat: Shoreline Village, Waterfront snacks

### Qualifying day (Saturday 10 April)

Support races fill the morning. Skip them for a slow start in town and reach the track after lunch.
- Easy outing: Gondola ride in Naples canals. Venetian-style gondolas.
- Free: Shoreline Aquatic Park.

### Race day (Sunday 11 April)

Go to the track early and stay after the flag: leaving straight away means the worst of the traffic.
- After dark: Pine Avenue bars.

### The day after (Sunday 11 April)

A full free day before the flight home. This is the best day for a longer trip out of town.
- Full day: Catalina Island ferry. From the Long Beach terminal.
- Eat: Belmont Brewing, Pier brewpub

## Tours worth booking

- [Aquarium of the Pacific](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Aquarium%20of%20the%20Pacific%20tickets&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-formula-drift-long-beach): Big aquarium on Rainbow Harbor.
- [The Queen Mary tour](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Queen%20Mary%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-formula-drift-long-beach): Historic ocean liner.
- [Catalina Island ferry](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Catalina%20Island%20tour&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-formula-drift-long-beach): From the Long Beach terminal.
- [Gondola ride in Naples canals](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Naples%20gondola%20Long%20Beach&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-formula-drift-long-beach): Venetian-style gondolas.
- [Whale watching](https://www.getyourguide.com/s/?q=Long%20Beach%20whale%20watching&partner_id=BJZNH3H&cmp=ew-md-formula-drift-long-beach): Gray and blue whales in season.

## Where to eat

- Shoreline Village: Waterfront snacks
- Belmont Brewing: Pier brewpub
- Pine Avenue: Restaurant strip

## With kids

- Aquarium of the Pacific.

## Rainy-day backups

- Museum of Latin American Art.

## Getting around

- Metro A Line to downtown LA; free Passport shuttle downtown.
- Distances are long: allow 45 to 90 minutes between venues at peak hours.
- Uber and Lyft are the default; ask about event-day pickup zones.

## Questions people ask

### When is Formula Drift Long Beach 2027?

The next edition is 9 to 10 April 2027, following the usual pattern. The organiser has not confirmed it yet.

### What is the weather like during Formula Drift Long Beach?

In April, Long Beach averages highs of about 21°C and lows of 9°C, with roughly 19 mm of rain in the month. Expect about 12 h 47 min of daylight.

### How do I get from the airport to Long Beach Street Circuit?

Long Beach airport (LGB) is 15 minutes away; LAX is 30 to 45 minutes. Downtown Long Beach; Metro A Line.

### Where should I stay for Formula Drift Long Beach?

For most visitors the best base is Downtown waterfront: Walk to the circuit and the aquarium.

### What can we do between sessions at Formula Drift Long Beach?

Good short outings in Long Beach include Aquarium of the Pacific, The Queen Mary tour, Whale watching. See the day plans on this page for a full schedule.

### What is there for kids and families near Formula Drift Long Beach?

Family-friendly picks: Aquarium of the Pacific, The Queen Mary tour, Catalina Island ferry. Aquarium of the Pacific.

### How far is Long Beach Street Circuit from Long Beach centre?

About 1 km in a straight line. Downtown Long Beach; Metro A Line.

More in Long Beach: https://eventweekends.com/city/long-beach/