Rush Hours
Southern California is notorious for traffic congestion, especially when it comes to freeway driving. If you're planning on visiting one of the area's many attractions, heading to another destination, or need to catch a flight back home plan, the last thing you want to do is sit in traffic. Rush hour is typically Monday-Friday from 7-9am and 4-7pm. Avoid freeway driving at these times if possible. Weekend driving also has its share of traffic, so if you have to be somewhere at a certain hour, allow plenty of time to get there.
Red Passport Shuttle
If you want to explore one of Long Beach's other neighborhoods, such as Belmont Shore, Naples Island or the campus of Long Beach State University, don't bother driving, looking for a parking spot and feeding the meter. For less than a dollar each way, you can hop aboard the red Passport shuttle which runs every 10-20 minutes and makes frequent stops. The Passport is free in and around Downtown Long Beach.
Free for All
Something for nothing. Both the Long Beach Museum and the Museum of Latin American Art are free to the public on Friday. During the summer, most every night the Municipal Band offers free concerts under the stars at rotating parks, and movies under the stars are also free on selected summer evenings.
Local Laws
A few laws of the land. It's illegal to drive and talk on your cell phone. You cannot smoke in a public building, such as a restaurant, bar, movie theater, pool hall, etc. Outdoor smoking at the beach, boat ramps, bike paths, playgrounds and tot lots is also prohibited.