15 Best Things to Do in Bellflower (CA)

Bellflower is a city of about 78,00 people situated in Los Angeles County. It’s about 20 miles away from Los Angeles, so the attractions of a major urban centre are only a short drive away.

The city is known for its central location and proximity to popular attractions, including Universal Studios and Disneyland. Other major cities, such as Long Beach and Anaheim, are also nearby.

There are a number of parks, museums, restaurants and shopping areas, such as Bellflower Plaza, around the city. Bellflower hosts a variety of festivals and events throughout the year, including the Liberty Day Parade and Summer Streetfest.

Below are the 15 best things to do in and around Bellflower, California.

1. Unwind and Stay Fit at Thompson Park

Stretch your legs with a stroll in a beautiful green space or catch up on your workout at Thompson Park in Bellflower.

This spacious municipal park has several baseball and softball fields, a fitness area, an indoor basketball court, and a children’s playground. There’s also an outdoor pool and an indoor pool, so you can enjoy swimming at any time of the year.

2. Sit Down to a Hearty Meal at Chris’ & Pitt’s BBQ Restaurant

Said to be one of the best BBQ restaurants in the area, Chris’ & Pitt’s BBQ Restaurant is a family-run eatery, a favourite among residents and visitors to Bellflower. For more than 70 years, the restaurant has been serving unique, mouth-watering Texan-style dishes.

On the extensive menu, you’ll find a variety of appetizers and main courses, including baby back ribs, boneless chicken breast, Hawaiian style chicken, chicken fried style steak, and home-style meatloaf.

It’s also known for its signature homemade sauces, including Hawaiian chicken sauce and ranch and blue cheese dressing.

3. Hit the Greens at Lakewood Golf Course

Book a tee time and spend an afternoon on the greens at Lakewood Golf Course. This 18-hole, 7,033-yard championship golf course has been designated one of the best courses in the area.

Lakewood Golf Course has many challenging features, including sand bunkers and par 3’s. There’s also a practice area with two putting greens and a pitching green. Lessons for golfers of all ages and levels are offered.

4. Learn About the Ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific

At the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, visitors have the opportunity to explore the bottom of the Pacific Ocean without actually getting into the water.

As you make your way through this giant aquarium, you’ll get a pretty good idea of what it’s like, and what type of creatures make their home there.

On-site are 32 displays in 19 different habitats representing the Pacific Ocean’s unique environment. Within these habitats are more than 11,000 marine animals representing 500 species; these habitats are as close to their natural design as possible.

Along the way, you’ll watch a series of 3D and 4D films, see sharks in the Shark Lagoon, witness how things work behind the scenes, and even touch some of the sea animals.

5. Cool off at Knotts Soak City

The best place to spend a hot, sunny day is near the water, and Knotts Soak City in nearby Buena Park is the perfect hot-weather escape for all ages.

This fun water park has a variety of water attractions, including several styles of water slides, a lengthy lazy river, and the Pacific Spin – a tunnel that drops 75 feet.

Also on site is a children’s play area featuring interactive water attractions and the Toyota Beach House, boasting 200 water guns and a 500-gallon tipping bucket.

6. Get a History Lesson at The Los Angeles County Fire Museum

The Los Angeles County Fire Department has a long history, and visitors to Bellflower can learn all about it at The Los Angeles County Fire Museum. A number of exhibits are on display, and you’ll see a variety of antique fire engines, some dating back to the mid-1800s.

7. Enjoy a Night Out on the Town at The Gardens Casino

The Gardens Casino in nearby Hawaiian Gardens is the perfect place to enjoy a night out on the town. On-site are a variety of table games, such as Texas Hold’em, flat-screen televisions, and a cocktail bar.

The Triple 7 Sports Bar and Grill offers a variety of dishes from around the globe made with fresh, local ingredients. Handcrafted cocktails and local craft beers are also served.

8. Spend a Day at Hollywood Sports Paintball & Airsoft Park

As the world’s top paintball and airsoft facility, visitors to Hollywood Sports Paintball and Airsoft Park are sure to have a fun and exciting day.

This high-tech, 28-acre property features fields where visitors can play both these competitive games on real movie sets. Starship Troopers, Godzilla, and Saving Private Ryan are a few of the movie sets you can let loose on.

9. Get Inspired at the Long Beach Museum of Art

At the Long Beach Museum of Art, art lovers and wannabe art-enthusiasts can admire, learn about, and be inspired by regional and international art.

Some of the exhibits are permanent, while others change from time to time, so there’s always new artworks to see. While there are many beautiful paintings on display, this museum also showcases artworks in a variety of other forms, such as textiles, glassworks, and sculptures.

Throughout the year, workshops are held. Once a week, there’s a museum tour, where visitors can get a more in-depth lesson on each piece.

10. Have a Unique Dining Experience at Pirates Dinner Adventure

Pirates Dinner Adventure, Buena Park — Pirates Dinner Adventure

Take your evening meal to a whole new level with a pirate-themed feast at Pirates Dinner Adventure in nearby Buena Park.

This unique dinner and show experience is suitable for all ages, and there are a variety of shows to choose from. You can enjoy your tasty meal while watching pirates attack the Loch Ness Monster or chase vampires. Either way, you’ll enjoy stunts, music, and dance.

11. Explore the San Gabriel River Area

Break away from the urban jungle for a while and head into nature with an excursion to the San Gabriel River.

On-site, you’ll find the West San Gabriel River Parkway Nature Trail, which runs alongside the picturesque San Gabriel River. There are 2.5 miles of trails in total, and along the way, you’ll see native plants, wildlife, and beautiful natural landscapes.

The trails are suitable for bikers and runners, and there’s a skate park and horse trail on-site as well.

12. Learn about Science and Technology at the Columbia Memorial Space Center

The Columbia Memorial Space Center in nearby Downey is a combination of museum and national memorial to the crew lost in the Columbia Space Shuttle disaster.

The museum aspect of this 20,000-square-foot space features many interactive exhibits highlighting various topics related to science, technology, engineering, and outer space.

Some of the interesting things you’ll see during your visit include a robotics lab and HD computer lab. A number of workshops and other events are held throughout the year.

13. Catch Some Thrills at Knotts Berry Farm

Knotts Berry Farm is the oldest amusement park in the United States, so it has had plenty of experience entertaining people of all ages for many decades.

There are many thrilling rides on-site, including Pony Express and Supreme Scream. Other rides are more suitable for families with young children, including Iron Reef, the Timber Mountain Log Ride, and classics like bumper cars and a Ferris wheel.

To get a bird’s eye view of the entire park, visitors can hop on a platform that rises 180 feet in the air. Throughout each day, a variety of shows take place, including stunts, musical performances, theatre, and dance shows.

14. Get Outdoors at the Norwalk Nature Center

The Norwalk Nature Center is the perfect place to enjoy an escape from the city and enjoy a relaxing afternoon immersed in a natural, peaceful setting.

As you wander the grounds, you’ll be able to interact with the domesticated animals that live on-site. Take a stroll in nature before enjoying a peaceful rest in a beautiful garden with fruit trees and a pond.

15. Sample Delicious Ethnic Dishes at Jazz Melody Thai BBQ

Jazz Melody Thai BBQ is a well-known eatery in Bellflower renowned for its fantastic service and modern Thai cuisine inspired by classic favourites.

The menu features a wide variety of options made with only the freshest, highest-quality ingredients available. Appetizers, soups, salads, fried rice dishes, noodles, and main courses, such as orange chicken, chicken teriyaki, eggplant lover, and spicy basil are just some of the items offered.