First time guide to the Grand Prix of Long Beach experience – Click Telegram

It’s almost time for the 49th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach.

The event, named after Southern California’s 200 mph beach party, will offer Grand Prix veterans and first-timers plenty to offer from Friday through Sunday, April 19-21.

There’s so much to see and do at this event — which takes up so much of downtown Long Beach and the waterfront — it can be hard to know how to get the most out of the experience.

But never fear. The Southern California News Group brings you a guide to getting the most out of Long Beach’s biggest party this weekend.

Take a look.

Getting there

Grand Prix may be all about driving – but it’s probably best left to the professionals this weekend. Instead, choose an alternative mode of transportation.

There are many options you can use to avoid dealing with the road closures and parking pains caused by the influx of nearly 200,000 spectators that the event is expected to draw.

Consider taking the Los Angeles Metro. The A Line, formerly the Blue Line, will get you from Union Station to Downtown Long Beach in no time.

Get off the train at Downtown Long Beach Station and walk the rest of the way (about half a block) to the Grand Prix entrance along Ocean Boulevard.

Regular fare is $1.75 per person.

Long Beach Transit also has more than 30 bus routes and multiple stops in the city – including near the Grand Prix entrances.

Take a look lbtransit.com plan your specific route, or use the Moovit app, available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

If you’re feeling a little more adventurous, you can also try Long Beach Transit’s water taxi lines – AquaLink and AquaBus.

AquaLink will shuttle you from Alamitos Bay Landing to Rainbow Harbor at Aquarium Dock 4, near Grand Prix, for just $5.

The very first boat leaves Alamitos Bay at 8:30 am and the last trip leaves Aquarium Dock at 7 pm It’s about a 40 minute trip each way.

The AquaBus, the shortest and cheapest ride at just $1 for a one-way ticket, will take you to the Grand Prix from the Queen Mary.

The trips will start at 9am, with the last AquaBus scheduled to leave Queen Mary at 7.20pm.

More information about AquaLink and AquaBus schedules and parking near Alamitos Bay Landing is available at LB Transit’s. website.

For riders: Grand Prix has an official Uber, Lyft and taxi stop on First Street, between Elm Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard.

And don’t forget about Long Beach Bike Share, which has several pickup locations throughout the city and near Grand Prix.

It costs $7 an hour for pay-as-you-go shoppers; Prepayers can get three hours of ride time for $21. Find a bike near you longbeachbikeshare.com.

Parking

If – despite all the warnings – you plan to drive, be prepared to deal with more traffic and road closures.

On-site parking at Grand Prix is limited, but there are several options available.

One-day and three-day parking passes on the west side of Shoreline Drive are available for purchase on the Grand Prix website.

One-day parking passes are $20; three-day passes total $50.

Pike Stores also offers parking – but only for a three-day package. The passes cost $60, and are also available on the Grand Prix website.

Make a list

These aren’t necessary at all – but here are a few things you might consider bringing to the Grand Prix to help your weekend run smoothly.

You can never go wrong with a battery bank to keep your mobile devices charged. It’s also a good idea to bring a reusable water bottle and sunscreen, and wear layers of comfortable clothing so you’re prepared for hot and cold weather.

Good walking shoes are highly recommended. And don’t forget ear plugs – the Grand Prix is loud.

The following list of items, though, is prohibited by the Grand Prix, so don’t bring them unless you want to be initiated:

Alcoholic beverages, glass bottles and cans.
Weapons (knives, guns, clubs, stun guns).
Folding patio chairs, large umbrellas, lawn furniture, ladders and step stools.
Bicycles, skateboards, hoverboards, skates and rollerblades.
Scooters and motorized bicycles.
Hand-drawn wagons.
Fireworks.
Pets (except service animals).
Posters and signs.
Ice chests over 14 inches.
Drones or RC.

A place to watch the race

Grand Prix spectator gates will open at 7:30am each day.

The type of ticket you have will determine which parts of the event you will be able to access.

General admission attendees, for example, won’t have reserved seating in the various event venues — but there is a GA viewing area set up between the Pike Outlets and the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

General ticket holders also get free access to non-racing entertainment, including the Friday Grand Prix Fiesta and the Saturday evening concert.

Don’t forget to check out the usual Grand Prix attractions, including lifestyle shows and a family fun zone at the Long Beach Entertainment Center.

Those who purchased tickets with reserved seats will be given more information about which grandpa to head to on race days. A map of the concourse is available on the Grand Prix website, gplb.com.

Between races

Once, inevitably, you need a break from all the hustle and bustle, Marina Park is the perfect place to relax and recharge, or just kill time until the next race starts.

Grand Prix attendees can also check out the event’s Lifestyle Expo in the Convention Center.

The show features more than 100 retailer displays featuring automotive, home, entertainment, travel and leisure products – and it’s the perfect place to get an air-conditioned break from the outdoors.

And the Family Fun Zone is there as well, with kids able to enjoy the trampolines, jumps, rock climbing wall and electric cars.

Attendees can also visit Rainbow Lagoon, near Turn 6 and the Hyatt Long Beach Hotel, on swan boats – which are available for rent on site.

Are you hungry yet?

There’s plenty to eat – and drink – at the Grand Prix.

This year, King Taco, one of the Grand Prix’s most beloved food vendors, will celebrate its 50th anniversary – and 30th hosting the event.

They will have several locations near the Grand Prix, including a spit in the Food Truck Village, located behind Grandstand 31 near Shoreline Village.

There is also Bistro Row, east of Vendor Row and across from the NTT IndyCar Series Paddock, which offers many other dining options and places to sit nearby.

Modelo will also have two sports bar pop-ups at the Grand Prix – one in Marina Park behind Grandstand 31 and the other on the Promenade near the Long Beach Convention Center.

Pike Shops, Shoreline Village and downtown Long Beach itself also have many dining options available, including Gladstone’s, Hooters, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., California Pizza Kitchen and Island’s.

Refreshments like Pepsi, NOS energy drinks and Aquafina water are available throughout the circuit — and the Long Beach Water Department will bring its Quench Buggy, a mobile water refill station, to the Grand Prix to help attendees stay hydrated.