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Long Beach
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Long Beach Overview
The Long Beach city officials are doing a superb job of reshaping it into a world-class tourist destination. Ten years ago we would not have considered spotlighting Long Beach with its own page. Today however, Long Beach has a plethora of exciting destinations and activities that attract locals and tourists alike. Whether it be a romantic gondola ride through the canals of Naples, sipping a cocktail at sunset as you watch the sailboats return from sea, window shopping on 2nd Street, or a family adventure to the aquarium and the Queen Mary, Long Beach is sure to please everyone.
TIP: Long Beach has a fantastic WEBSITE where online coupons are commonly available. Be sure to check the site before purchasing at full price.
CLICK ON THE MAP TO ZOOM and ROLLOVER TARGETS FOR INFO
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The Queen Mary made her maiden voyage in 1936. Long Beach purchased the the luxury liner in 1967 and has since maintained it as a wonderful hotel with restaurants and activities. The ship resembles, but is smaller than, the Titanic and is a popular tourist attraction. Adjacent to the Queen Mary is the Scorpion, a Soviet submarine used during the Cold War era. Tours are available. MORE DETAILS
Aquarium of the Pacific is a large scale aquarium with fish species from around the world. Shark Lagoon is the only petting pool we've encountered where you can touch 5 foot long sharks. Other exhibits include sea turtles, stingray petting pools, a sealion pool and much more. MORE DETAILS
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Miscellaneous Recommendations
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Long Beach Museum of Art resides in a historic home that overlooks the Long Beach coastline from atop a sea-side bluff. Furniture, paintings, ceramics and more are on display. MORE DETAILS
Museum of Latin American Art features paintings, sculptures, carvings and more by Latino artists from around the world. Exterior garden mixes modern art with plant life. MORE DETAILS
Catalina is an island just 20 miles offshore and is accessible by boat or helicopter from Long Beach. One of the boat pickups and the helicopter pad is near the Queen Mary and dome structure. The other is boat pickup point is at Catalina Landing, a short distance west of Shoreline Village-Rainbow Harbor. Catalina has a multitude of activities including diving, kayaking, fishing charters, hiking, camping, sightseeing excursions and more. Many hotels, restaurants and cantinas await visitors. MORE DETAILS
Zeppelin Airship Tours are available out of Long Beach Airport and fly the coast from Long Beach Harbor to the Palos Verdes Peninsula in quiet comfort. MORE DETAILS
Gondola through Naples aboard a Venician style gondola. Gondolas are available for couples or groups and appetizers are provided. Meander the canals amidst multi-million dollar homes as your gondolier sings Italian songs and educates you on the history of the region. MORE DETAILS
Duffy boating Naples in an electric powered Duffy boat. Bring your own beverages and appetizers as you cruise Alamitos Bay and Naples Island in style. Every boat has a CD player, cooler, table with drink holders, drop-down wind breaks and sun canopy. They're easy to drive even if you've never driven a boat before. Duffy's are available that hold up to 10 comfortably. MORE DETAILS
Helicopter Flight to Catalina Island or a tour up the coast to Santa Monica, Hollywood and back. Or customize your own charter to wherever you choose. MORE DETAILS
Fishing Charters depart from Pierpoint Landing near the Aquarium of the Pacific and Alamitos Bay Landing at the southern end of Long Beach. Catches include several species of bass, cod, sheepshead, rockfish, croaker, squid, halibut and more. Whale watching charters are also available when in season. WEBSITE
Tallship Charter departs from Pierpoint Landing near the Aquarium of the Pacific aboard a sailing tallship. This 130-foot, triple mast ship was once a fishing vessel in the Atlantic. Now, the American Pride hosts weddings, corporate events, whale watching & sunset cruises, weddings, trips to Catalina Island and much more. WEBSITE
Yacht Charters depart from Pierpoint Landing near the Aquarium of the Pacific aboard luxurious yachts. Harbor Breeze operates several fishing vessels and an impressive yacht. Hop aboard for corporate events, whale watching, weddings and more. WEBSITE
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Hyatt Regency is situated within easy walking distance of Shoreline Village, Pine Street, Main Beach and the Long Beach Aquarium. The Hyatt offers astounding views of the Long Beach coastline. The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach encircles the hotel once a year. MORE DETAILS
The Coast Long Beach Hotel - Long Beach is situated at the ideal location between the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific. This waterfront hotel offers tennis, basketball and volleyball courts, a pool, gift shop and complimentary shuttles to are attractions. MORE DETAILS
Westin - Long Beach is located off Interstate 710 near the Downtown/Broadway exit. Situated within walking distance of The Pike and Rainbow Harbor where entertainment, shopping and restaurants are plentiful. The Westin offers views of the Long Beach skyline including the Queen Mary. MORE DETAILS
HOSTELS There is one hostel in Long Beach and one on Catalina Island. These are low cost alternatives to hotels and often require dorm-style living. If you're travelling on a low budget and would like to meet other travelers and share information, this is a great way to see California.
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The Queen Mary
- Sir Winston's - a semi-formal attire dinner only restaurant with continental cuisine
- Chelsea - a business-casual dinner only restaurant with seafood cuisine.
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Shoreline Village is located in Rainbow Harbor.
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Parker's Lighthouse is casual attire for lunch and dinner. This restaurant has the best views of any in Shoreline Village.
- The Yardhouse is casual attire for lunch and dinner. Perhaps the most tapped kegs of microbrews and imports in town.
- Stefano's Pizza is casual attire for lunch and dinner. Italian pizzeria.
- Springbok Bar & Grill is casual attire for lunch and dinner. South African food. Rugby events are shown on big screens.
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The Pike & Pine Avenue extends from downtown Long Beach through 'The Pike' to Rainbow Harbor.
- Alegria's is business-casual attire for lunch and dinner. Latin cuisine with nightly entertainment and homemade sangrias.
- L'Opera is business-casual to semi-formal attire for lunch and dinner. Italian cuisine with fine wine and desserts.
- The Madison is semi-formal to formal attire for dinner only. Continental cuisine with fine wine and desserts. Classic architecture with rich ambience. Live Swing music on Fridays & Saturdays.
- Sevilla for Spanish ambiance including Spanish-influenced dancing. Restaurant includes a Tapas Bar and nightclub. Business-casual attire for lunch and dinner.
- Rock Bottom Brewery for when the food is secondary to the beer. Casual attire for lunch and dinner.
- Auld Dubliner is a traditional Irish pub imported from Ireland. Casual attire for lunch and dinner. Irish food with live Irish bands performing Thursdays through Saturdays.
- The Flame Broiler is a casual fast-food restaurant offering healthy menu items such as steamed vegetables and rice with broiled chicken and beef.
TIP: Their rice bowls with chicken or beef are one of our favorites. And for a little more than $5 they are surprisingly filling.
- Gladstones is casual attire for lunch and dinner. This is the second Gladstones after the famous Malibu location that has long been known for its terrific seafood. This location definitely upholds their reputation for great seafood.
- King's Fish House is casual attire for lunch and dinner. This is a seafood restaurant with several locations in Southern California.
- Chili's is casual attire for lunch and dinner. Chili's has southwestern faire like baby back ribs, country fried chicken, fajitas and mashed potatoes. Monterey Chicken is one of our favorites. This is a chain restaurant with multiple locations throughout the state.
- P.F.Chang's is semi-dress attire for lunch and dinner. They serve terrific Chinese-American dishes like mu shu chicken, kung pao shrimp, dan-dan noodles and so many more. We haven't had a dish yet that we haven't enjoyed thoroughly. P.F.Chang's is a chain restaurant with multiple locations nationwide. Wolfgang Puck was an original chef for P.F.Chang's and Paul Flemming, the owner, has several other successfull restaurants including Pei Wei and Flemming's Steakhouse.
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Ocean Boulevard parallels the coast from Rainbow Harbor to 2nd Street.
- 555 East is business-casual attire for lunch and dinner. Steakhouse cuisine with some seafood choices. Piano music Thursdays through Saturdays.
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The Skyroom is business-casual attire for lunch and dinner with panaramic views of Long Beach. Continental cuisine with live music nightly. Located in the Penthouse Suite of the historic Breakers Hotel, south on Locust Avenue from Ocean Boulevard.
- Claire's is casual attire for breakfast and lunch with expansive views of the Long Beach coastline. American cuisine with live entertainment. Located at the Long Beach Museum of Art.
- Star of Siam is casual attire for lunch and dinner. Thai cuisine made to order spiciness. Located east on Junipero at Broadway.
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2nd Street extends from Belmont Shore through Naples Island to PCH (Pacific Coast Highway - Hwy 1). There are too many restaurants to list along 2nd Street but here are a few favorites.
- Bono's is business-casual attire for lunch and dinner. Italian cuisine.
This is one of two local restaurants owned by Christy Bono, the daughter of the late and great Sonny Bono. "And His Beat Goes On."
TIP: Try their Corn Crabcakes. They're the best we've ever had. Also, the service here is top-notch and has received rave reviews in the L.A. Times newspaper.
- Panama Joe's is casual attire for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Mexican cuisine with live entertainment daily.
- Pasta al Dente is business-casual attire for dinner only. Italian cuisine. Located at the eastern end of Naples Island.
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Alamitos Bay is located at the southern end of Long Beach along PCH (Pacific Coast Highway - Hwy 1).
- Tantalum is casual attire for lunch and dinner. This restaurant is actually a little north of Alamitos Bay in the Marina Pacifica Shopping Center off PCH. Tucked away in the back of the center behind the Acapulco Restaurant, Tantalum offers Mayan decor with harbor views, live music and great Pacific Rim menu items including fish tacos, ahi and teriyaki chicken. Live raggae, R&B, and jazz can be found here most nights of the week.
- McKenna's is business-casual attire for lunch and dinner. Steak and seafood cuisine with live entertainment on weekends.
TIP: this is one of our favorite restaurants for its sunset views as the sailboats return to Los Alamitos Bay. Buster's and Khoury's share similar views.
- Buster's Beach House is casual attire for breakfast, lunch and dinner. California cuisine with a hint of Hawaii. Live entertainment Sunday evenings.
- Khoury's is casual attire for lunch and dinner. Continental cuisine with terrific views. Live entertainment many nights.
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Schooner or Later is casual attire for breakfast and lunch. American cuisine with great views of the harbor.
- The Crab Pot is casual attire for lunch and dinner. Seafood cuisine with terrific views of the harbor.
TIP: The Crab Pot offers terrific views, great food and a large outdoor patio for the perfect California day.
- Joe's Crab Shack is chain restaurant serving seafood in a Louisiana-like setting. Great views of the harbor.
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Mid-Town extends along the inland regions of Long Beach, mostly along Anaheim Street.
- Joe Jost's is a historic bar that began as a barber shop in 1924. Lifetime Long Beach resident Oran Burkey once said, "It was a great place to get a haircut and have a good beer". Today they are known for their sausage sandwiches and pickled eggs.
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Long Beach Convention / Performing Arts Center & Arena is located across from Shoreline Village and can't be missed for its massive 'Planet Ocean' mural. The mural wraps the entire exterior of the arena and was painted by Wyland, a world-renowned conservationist. The complex is the hub for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach every May. The 13,500 seat Arena hosts world-class concerts, ice hockey and other events. The 825 seat Performing Arts Center hosts theatrical plays, classical concerts and more. The Convention Center hosts conventions, trade shows and special events in over 200,000 square feet of exibit space. MORE DETAILS
Long Beach Playhouse is located on Anaheim Street just west of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH). They present theatrical plays based on classics, new works and thought-provoking, socially significant subjects. Long Beach Playhouse produces 16 shows annually with a new play or musical every three weeks on the The Mainstage, or upstairs in the Studio Theatre. MORE DETAILS
Star Party Cruises depart from Alamitos Landing behind McKenna's and Buster's restaurants. They offer harbor cruises with a party atmosphere aboard a large, double-decker ship. Live music, a full bar, barbeque and dancing make for a popular excursion, especially with singles. WEBSITE
The Pike & Pine Avenue
- Vault 350 is a concert venue that started in an old bank building. The Vault 350 welcomes up-and-coming as well as already established bands performing everything from Classic Rock to R&B and Punk Rock.
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Live Music
- Long Beach Arena Top world-class bands perform at scheduled events.
- Alegria's Latin music and dancing Tuesday through Thursday.
- The Madison Classical piano on Friday and Swing on Saturday with dancing.
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Auld Dubliner Traditional Irish music Tuesday through Sunday.
- HUSH Nightclub Three story night club offering dancing to state of the art sound and visuals Thursday through Saturday.
- 555 East Piano music Thursday through Saturday.
- The Skyroom Jazz and classical music Monday through Saturday.
- Panama Joe's Classic rock Sunday.
- McKenna's Classic rock and piano Sunday.
- Buster's Beach House Everything from rock, blues and jazz Wednesday through Sunday to occassional themed parties on Sunday.
- Khoury's Jazz, blues, swing and classic rock Thursday through Sunday.
- Vault 350 Mainstream rock, rap, R&B and punk rock bands mostly Thursday through Saturday.
- Tantalum Live raggae, R&B, and jazz can be found here 5-nights a week.
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Belmont Shore includes the Belmont Pier and a wide sandy beach that continues south and tapers to the Alamitos Jetty. At the pier is the Belmont Plaza Pool, an indoor public pool, a bait shop/snack stand and deep-sea fishing charters. Further down Ocean Boulevard you will find the Leeway Sailing Center where sailboats and kayaks can be rented. Behind the Leeway Sailing Center are the gondola rentals for romantic cruises through Naples' canals.
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Alamitos Bay is on the southern end of Long Beach and consists of several small beaches, Naples Island, a marine stadium and harbor. Sandy beaches can be found along the perimeter of the bay along Bay Shore Avenue and Bay Shore Walk. Mother's Beach is on the north side of 2nd Street along Apian Way and offers kayak rentals during warmer months. All Alamitos Bay beaches are protected from the turbulance of the open ocean. Sailboats and kayaks can be rented at the Leeway Sailing Center on Ocean Boulevard and Duffy boat rentals are available at Bay Boat Rentals at Alamitos Landing along Marina Drive. Also at Alamitos Landing are several superb restaurants, fishing & diving charters and a water taxi to the Queen Mary and Rainbow Harbor.
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Main Beach & Bluff Park is a wide sandy beach that stretches from Shoreline Drive to the Belmont Pier. A paved bike path runs the entire length and welcomes walkers, joggers and rollerbladders also. Bikes and inline skates can be rented along the trail near Shoreline Drive. Sunbathing, swimming, kite flying and Kite surfing are other popular activities.
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Shoreline Village has a bunch of fantastic, quirky shops that are fun to visit even if you're not looking to buy. The Pirate's Cove sells products that have anything to do with pirates. Hot Licks is a hot sauce shop that will astound you on how many versions of hot sauce that are out there. The Purple House carries anything that is purple whether that be candles, clothing or souvenirs. Other shops include American indian products, dolls, hats and more.
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2nd Street literally has too many stores to mention. Along with larger chains such as Banana Republic, 2nd Street also has a multitude of mom-and-pop shops like Romance Etc., Aroma di Roma and so much more. Fourteen city blocks of window shopping and people watching.
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Marina Pacifica Mall is located in the southeastern portion of Long Beach on Pacific Coast Highway (PCH), just north of 2nd Street. This is a larger mall complex situated next to Alamitos Bay. Here you will find stores like Ann Taylor, Barnes & Noble and Starbucks Coffee shop as well as great restaurants like Acapulco, Hof's Hut and Tantalum's. Tantalum's is one of our favorites for food, live music and views.
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Long Beach (LGB) airport offers convenient access to southern Los Angeles County and northern Orange County. LGB is considered by most Southern Californians to be the most convenient airport in the region. MORE DETAILS
Other options to consider would be Orange County or Los Angeles airports.
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Traffic & Transportation
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2nd Street is very popular and can be crowded during summer months. It is sometimes closed to vehicle traffic for events.
Public transportation is great in Long Beach.
City Bus - The Passport Red Line(A) bus follows the coast from Catalina Landing at the north end of Long Beach all the way to the southern end at Alamitos Bay Landing. Bus fare is free when traveling in the area of downtown, The Pike, Shoreline Village, Aquarium of the Pacific and the Queen Mary. In addition, the Aqualink water Taxi transports passengers in a 60 foot catamaran from Alamitos Bay Landing to the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific & Shoreline Village and back for only a few dollars.
Taxi - Yellow Cab of Long Beach has a fleet of English cabs. They look like something the queen of England would be riding in and turn heads more than limousines. You have to specifically request an English cab - (562) 435-6111
Rental Car - See our Resources for a listing of rental car companies.
Train & Bus The MTA Blue Line train connects downtown Long Beach with downtown Los Angeles - Amtrak does not have a station near Long Beach. A bus pickup point is located at the Queen Mary for Amtrak passengers. See our Resources page for links to Amtrak and Greyhound.
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Winter brings average lows in the 50's and highs in the upper 60's. Mostly rain and rare hail storms occur.
Spring brings average lows in the 60's and highs in the mid-70's. Rain showers can occur through May.
Summer brings average lows in the 70's and highs in the mid to upper 80's. Humidity can make those temperatures seem higher. Once or twice a year, Santa Ana winds blow in from the desert reducing humidity and increasing the heat to the high 90's+. Summer brush fires are a regular occurance. Marine layer is a common occurrence and blankets the region with clouds, but often burns off by midday.
Fall brings average lows in the low 60's and highs in the 70's. Mostly rain and rare hail storms occur.
Ocean water temperature ranges from the 50's in winter to the upper 60's in summer.
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April 15-17, 2011 - Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach CART racing through the city. The race takes place around Shoreline Village and the Long Beach Convention Center. WEBSITE
September 4-5, 2010 - Long Beach Blues Festival hosts top blues musicians from around the globe. Artists including War, Joe Cocker, Rickie Lee Jones and more have attended this event. The festival is organized by KKJZ, a popular Cal State University Long Beach radio station and is held on the university campus. WEBSITE
September 5, 2010 - Belmont Classic Car Show features pre-1975 vehicles both stock and modified. Here you'll see 1930's roadsters, 427 Shelby Cobras, lowrider-style Chevys, and much more. The ever-popular 2nd street is blocked off for the event where there is a plethora of live entertainment and shops. WEBSITE
December 4, 2010 - Belmont Shore Christmas Parade follows the shore and the very popular 2nd Street. Over one hundred participants including local businesses and high school marching bands join in the festivities. Even a local boxing gym participates with a mobile boxing ring and exibitions. WEBSITE
December 11, 2010 - Naples Christmas Boat Parade through Alamitos Bay and the Naples canals in Long Beach. This is an exciting way to get into the Christmas spirit with holiday decorated boats and floats. Santa in a speed boat and an awesome water dragon float through the Naples canals as thousands of spectators cheer and celebrate. Walk along the canals amidst multi-million dollar homes and yachts. Locals are very welcoming and have even been known to refill wine glasses. Event is free but parking is tight. We recommend parking away from the event and taking the redline bus to Naples Island. WEBSITE
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