General Information
Address: 4100 Donald Douglas Dr,
Long Beach, CA 90808
Phone: 562-570-2619
Website: www.lgb.org
Overview
What the Long Beach Airport (LGB) lacks in amenities, it makes up for with efficiency. The television show Wings comes to mind when popping into the quaint terminal (yes, that’s one terminal) with its Art Deco style and historical aviation pictures. With a handful of carriers, some of which aren’t represented at LAX, checking in is a snap. Retrieving your luggage is even easier. Flying into LGB sure beats the sensory overload of walking out into LAX’s smog-ridden, traffic-choked arrivals area.
The best way to get there is to take a shuttle service. Let some other sucker brave the 405 while you read, nap, or crank the iPod. You might want to go on a full stomach, since dining options are traditionally limited, and one can’t live off those JetBlue terra chips. (Some have tried.) LGB is currently undergoing expansion, so a friendly, more modern dynamic may be forthcoming.
How to Get There—Driving
Long Beach Airport can be reached easily from just about anywhere in the Los Angeles basin. From the 405, take the Lakewood Boulevard exit northbound. Proceed past Spring Street and turn left on the next stop light, which is Donald Douglas Drive. From the 91, take the Lakewood Boulevard exit and proceed southbound approximately four miles. Make a right at Donald Douglas Drive into the main airport entrance.
How to Get There—Mass Transit
For $1.25 the Long Beach Transit Bus Route 111 runs from Broadway to South Street via Lakewood Boulevard and makes a stop right at the airport (www.lbtransit.com; 562-591-2301). You can take the Blue Line train from downtown LA to the Transit Mall station in Long Beach to connect with the Route 111 bus (www.metro.net).
Taking a taxi, the best bet is a Long Beach Yellow Cab (562-435-6111). Alternatively, a number of van and limousine services are available including Advantage Ground Transportation (800-752-5211), SuperShuttle (800-BLUE-VAN), Airport Express Limousine (866-800-0700), and Diva Limousine (800-427-DIVA).
Parking
The first twenty minutes in all lots is free. Each hour after that will clock up $2. The maximum daily rate in the long-term parking lots is $19 in Lot A and $17 in Lot B. Try the “Park & Walk” lot at the main airport entrance on the corner of Donald Douglas Drive and Lakewood Boulevard. The rate declines as you get farther from the airport, so decide how far you want to walk versus how much you want to spend ($12 versus $9 per day). If you’ve got a lot of time, try the $6 per day remote off-site lot at Lakewood Boulevard and Conant Street with a free shuttle to the airport. Valet parking is $24 per day with a free car wash thrown in. Short-term parking has a two-hour limit.
Hotels
Holiday Inn • 2640 N Lakewood Blvd • 562-597-4401
Marriott • 4700 Airport Plaza Dr • 562-425-5210
Residence Inn by Marriott • 4111 E Willow St • 562-595-0909
Airlines
US Airways (North Gates)
Delta Air Lines (North Gates)
Alaska Airlines (North Gates)
JetBlue Airways (South Gates)
Car Rental
Avis 800-331-1212
Budget 800-221-1203
Enterprise 800-736-8222
Hertz 800-654-3131
National 800-227-7368