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First time at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach? Here’s what you need to know

April 13, 2023

The 2023 Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach is one day way.

Each day of the event, from Friday to Sunday, April 14-16, is stocked to the brim with world-class racing displays, concerts, food offerings and much more.

But it can be a bit overwhelming for first-timers.

So here’s your go-to guide to get the most out of Long Beach’s biggest party this weekend.

Getting there

Grand Prix attendees are free to drive to the event and pay for parking — but fans are highly encouraged to take alternative means of transportation.

Remember: The Grand Prix draws nearly 200,000 people each year — bringing a lot of traffic as well.

There are several public transit options available. Los Angeles Metro’s A Line (formerly the Blue Line), for example, offers continual service from Union Station to downtown Long Beach. Disembark the train at the Downtown Long Beach Station and walk the rest of the route (about half a block) to the Grand Prix’s entrances along Ocean Boulevard. Regular fare is $1.75 per person.

Long Beach Transit has more than 30 bus routes and plenty of stops in the city — including near the Grand Prix’s entrances. Check lbtransit.com to plan your specific route, or use the Moovit app, which is available in the Apple App Store and on Google Play.

Multiple streets in downtown Long Beach will be closed to vehicle traffic during the Acura Grand prix of Long Beach. This April 23 file photo shows Fernando Garcia setting up the poles for fencing along Shoreline Drive (File photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Long Beach Transit also offers a boat ride to the Grand Prix, dubbed AquaLink. For a $5 dollar fee, the water taxi will ferry you from the Alamitos Bay Landing to Rainbow Harbor at Aquarium Dock 4, near the Grand Prix.

It’s about a 40-minute ride either way.

The earliest boat departs Alamitos Bay at 8:30 a.m. and the last trip departs the Aquarium Dock at 7 p.m. More information about the AquaLink schedule and parking near the Alamitos Bay Landing is available on LB Transit’s website.

For ridesharers: The Grand Prix has an official Uber, Lyft and taxi drop off point located on First Street, between Elm Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard.

And for those feeling athletic, the Long Beach Bike Share has several pick-up points throughout the city and near the Grand Prix. It costs $7 for an hour for pay-as-you-go riders; pre-payers can get three hours of riding time for $21 dollars. Find a bike near you at longbeachbikeshare.com.

Parking

If you plan to drive, check out Southern California News Group’s coverage of Grand Prix-related traffic closures before leaving home.

On-site parking at the Grand Prix is limited — but there are a few options available.

One-day and three-day passes for parking on the west end of Shoreline Drive are available for purchase on the Grand Prix’s website. If headed there from the the 710 Freeway, take the Broadway exit to Magnolia Avenue, turn right on Magnolia to Ocean, then right on Ocean to Golden Shore. Finally, make a left on Golden Shore to Shoreline Drive.

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

The Pike Outlets also offer parking — but only for a three-day package. Those passes cost $60, and are also available on the Grand Prix’s website.

The lot is located at Ocean Boulevard and Chestnut Avenue. From the 710 Freeway: Take the Broadway exit to Magnolia. Turn right on Magnolia to Ocean, then left on Ocean to Chestnut, then right and follow the signs to park.

Indycar driver Josef Newgarden takes the checkered flag to win the 47th annual Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Sunday, April 10, 2022. Josef Newgarden won the race. (Photo by Will Lester, Inland Valley Daily Bulletin/SCNG)

Where to watch the races

Gates to the Grand Prix open at 7:30 a.m. each day. Once you’ve made it inside, the areas you’ll have access to largely depend on the type of ticket you have.

General admission tickets don’t come with reserved seating in the various grandstands smattered around the perimeter of the circuit — but there is a GA viewing location sandwiched between the Pike Outlets and the Hyatt Regency Hotel.

GA tickets also grant attendees access to various other entertainment opportunities, including the Fiesta Friday concert featuring Los Angeles DJ Boombox Cartel, and the Saturday evening concert starring the Kings of Chaos.

The Grand Prix’s concourse will also feature the usual attractions: a lifestyle expo and a family fun zone at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, and tons of options for foodies.

Those who purchased tickets with reserved seating will be given further information about which grandstand to head to on race days. A map of event is available on the Grand Prix’s website, gplb.com.

Where to eat

There are plenty of options for foodies.

Among the most notable is the Food Truck Village, which is located behind Grandstand 31 near Shoreline Village; there, you can find some of Southern California’s best cuisine-on-wheels — including Cousins Maine Lobster, Heritage LA Food Truck, SeoulmatesLA, and the Deli Doctor.

There’s also Bistro Row, located to the east of Vendor Row and across from the NTT IndyCar Series Paddock, which offers a variety of other food choices and places to sit nearby.

King Taco, a popular Mexican fast-food favorite, will have three different locations around the Grand Prix: One in Vendor Row, another behind Grandstands 24 and 25, and the last at the base of Acura Bridge near Grandstand 29.

This year, Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach organizers and vendors sought to bring a more refined culinary experience while also keeping with “county fair” customs. ASM Global’s culinary team Savor served as the official Food & Beverage (Hospitality) for the Grand Prix and curated its new menu. (Hunter Lee, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

The Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach will be safe, city and race officials say, despite an LBPD staffing shortage. This 2019 file photo shows LBPD officers keeping an eye on the crowds during day one of the 45th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach. (File photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Bartender Phillip Martinez estimates that he served 60 drinks by 10:30 AM inside the Lifestyle Expo at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 8, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

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The WhistlePig Sugar Shack, offering distinctive cocktails mixed with the brand’s PiggyBack bourbon, rye and barrel-aged maple syrup, will be in the Promenade viewing area near turns 7 and 8 on the circuit.

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

The Pike Outlets also has myriad food 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 all around the circuit — and the Long Beach Water Department will bring its Quench Buggy, a mobile water-refilling station, to the Grand Prix to help attendees stay hydrated.

Between the races

Marina Park is a great place to relax, recharge and enjoy a moment away from the hustle and bustle of the event — or kill some time until the next race starts.

Grand Prix goers can also check out the event’s Lifestyle Expo at the Convention Center. That event will feature more than displays from more than 100 retailers featuring automotive, home, recreation, travel and entertainment products.

The expo will also host the NTT IndyCar Series Fan Experience and will be home to the Historic Formula 1, Porsche Carrera Cup North America and Stadium SUPER Trucks series paddocks — where fans can watch technical inspections of various vehicles.

A little rock wall climbing in the Family Fun Zone at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 8, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

The Peterson family from Redondo Beach checks out the Tamiya display of cars in the Lifestyle Expo at the 45th Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach in Long Beach on Saturday, April 13, 2019. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

Wyatt McGinnis, 9, of Diamond Bar checks out a 1972 Vega with his grandfather Mike Riley at the Lifestyle Expo during the 44th annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday morning. The expo offers fans off track opportunities for more than 150 displays featuring the latest in automotive, home, recreation, travel and entertainment products and services.
Long Beach April 13, 2018. Photo by Brittany Murray, Press Telegram/SCNG

Ricardo Cruz, 9, sliding into fun inside the Family Fun Zone at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Friday, April 8, 2022. (Photo by Brittany Murray, Press-Telegram/SCNG)

5-year-old Bodhi Kalin, center, goes for a ride in the Family Fun Zone at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach on Saturday, Sept. 25, 2021. (Photo by Howard Freshman, Contributing Photographer)

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Drivers from various series are also expected to do autograph sessions during the expo.

And the Family Fun Zone is there as well, with kids able to enjoy inflatables, a bungee jump, a rock-climbing wall, and electric-powered cars.

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Attendees can also take a tour of Rainbow Lagoon, near Turn 6 and the Hyatt Long Beach Hotel, in swan boats — which are available to rent on site.

What to bring — and what you shouldn’t

The Grand Prix is loud! Bring earplugs, especially if you’re going to be close to the circuit.

It’s also a good idea to bring a reusable water bottle and sunscreen — and wear layers of comfortable clothes so you’re prepared for hot and cold weather. A good pair of walking shoes are highly recommended.

But there are several things prohibited at the Grand prix, including:

Alcoholic beverages, glass bottles and cans.
Weapons (knives, guns, mace, stun guns).
Folding stadium seats, large umbrellas, lawn furniture, ladders and step stools.
Bikes, skateboards, hoverboards, skates and rollerblades.
Powered scooters and bikes.
Hand-drawn wagons.
Fireworks.
Pets (except service animals).
Banners and signs.
Ice chests larger than 14 inches.
Drones or RC aircraft.

Plan ahead

All in all, the Grand Prix has plenty to offer — but to get the most out of the three-day experience, it’s best to plan ahead.

This year, the Grand Prix’s organizers created a mobile app to help attendees keep track of the weekend’s goings-on, and plan for their preferred events ahead of time.

The app is available on both Apple’s App Store and Google Play. With it, Grand Prix attendees can create a personalized race weekend schedule, easily find food and beverage options near by and quickly access a map of the area.

Orange County Register

News Details

First time at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach? Here’s what you need to know

Getting there

Parking

Where to watch the races

Where to eat

Between the races

Related links

What to bring — and what you shouldn’t

Plan ahead

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