Long Beach Airport (LGB) with Kids: What Families Will Find

Long Beach Airport does not list a children's play area on its Shop & Dine or Accessibility pages, so pack a few favorite toys or a downloaded show for the gate. The terminal is compact, which keeps walks short for little legs, and food stops can double as a break: a cinnamon roll from Sweet Jill's Bakery or a burrito from Taco Beach Cantina tends to buy a calm half hour. Browsing the local gifts at the 562 Experience store is another easy way to pass the time.

Yes. LGB lists a lactation room located past security in the South Concourse by Gate 1. The airport does not describe what is inside, such as outlets, a sink or a lock, so bring a battery pack for an electric pump and a cover as a backup in case the room is busy. If your gate is in the North Concourse, allow a few extra minutes to walk over. For general accommodation questions, LGB suggests calling Landside Operations at (562) 570-2689 before your trip.

Yes. LGB's official Directory Map, published on its Shop & Dine page, shows two Family Rooms: one in the Ticketing Lobby before security and one in the North Concourse near Gates 9 to 11. The airport does not describe what is inside them or publish where its baby changing tables are, so pack a portable changing pad just in case. Accessible restrooms, along with drinking fountains, are in the Ticketing Lobby and in both the north and south sections of the passenger concourse. For general accommodation questions, call Landside Operations at (562) 570-2689 before you travel.

LGB's Accessibility page does not list a sensory room or a lanyard programme. It does provide an ADA route map, white accessible curbs in front of the terminal, and contact details for its ADA coordinator and Landside Operations for accommodation questions. For screening, TSA Cares offers help for travelers with disabilities and medical conditions: contact them at least 72 hours before travel at (855) 787-2227. A quick call ahead can make the checkpoint far less stressful for a child who finds crowds or noise hard.

LGB does not publish a family lane or checkpoint hours, but TSA's family rules apply. Children 12 and under can keep their shoes, light jackets and headwear on, and they can use the TSA PreCheck lane with an enrolled parent or guardian. Strollers and carriers go through the X-ray, so fold yours before you reach the belt. If you want PreCheck for future trips, LGB has an enrollment pod run by CLEAR in the TSA checkpoint, open 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Long Beach Airport does not mention stroller rental anywhere on its site, so bring your own and check your airline's gate-check rules before you fly. Getting around with a stroller is fairly simple: elevators are in Parking Structures A and B and on the north side of the terminal building, and white accessible curbs run along both lanes in front of the terminal and the Ticketing Lobby. LGB recommends pulling forward in front of the Ticketing Lobby for the easiest access when dropping off.

LGB leans into local Long Beach favorites. In the South Concourse, Sheldrake Coffee Roasting and Sweet Jill's Bakery opens at 5:30 a.m. with its well-loved cinnamon rolls, and Boathouse on the Bay offers sit-down meals from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. In the North Concourse, Long Beach Burger Bar makes burgers to order, Taco Beach Cantina serves big burritos, tacos and nachos, and George's Greek Cafe opens at 10 a.m. There is a second Sheldrake and Sweet Jill's spot there too.

TSA's national rules apply at Long Beach. Formula, breast milk, toddler drinks and baby food, including puree pouches, are allowed in your carry-on in amounts over 3.4 oz (100 ml) and do not need to fit in the quart-sized bag. Tell the officer at the start of screening and take them out of your bag for separate screening. Ice packs and gel packs are allowed too, and your child does not need to be traveling with you to carry breast milk. You can ask for private screening.

LGB lists Structure A at $35 a day and Structure B at $30 a day, with hourly parking at $5 an hour and valet at $42 a day. Both structures have elevators, which makes them easier with a stroller and bags, and you can reserve a space in either one online. If someone is collecting your family, the cell phone waiting lot is free for one hour. In the airport's words, parking is readily available, and Structure B takes the overflow when Structure A is full.