Welcome to Long Beach
A busy port city with a rich culture and art scene
The 42nd most populated city in the country and the seventh in California, the 2020 census placed Long Beach at a population of 466,742. A waterfront city at the center of southern California, it provides residents with unique restaurants and shops, a fantastic art scene, beach and ocean fun, and the Naples Canal and Naples Island. It covers 11 miles of coastline, making the ocean and water activities an important piece of the area’s appeal.
Recently christened the Aquatic Capital of the Nation, Long Beach is influential to the global economy with the second busiest container port in the United States, in addition to one of the biggest shipping ports in the world. The city is full of culture, history, art, and more — there is truly something for everyone.
What to Love in Long Beach
- Proximity to downtown Los Angeles
- Waterfront property and access to the beach
- College town
Local Lifestyle in Long Beach
While best known for its stunning beaches and marinas, Long Beach also boasts a vibrant downtown and busy shopping scene. Combining beach-town excitement with urban elegance, the diverse community puts on many events. Between these and the easy access to the beaches, entertainment, music, and arts, there is always something to do. The city has a rich culture, friendly neighbors, and a small-town feel despite the major port city’s busy shoreline.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping in Long Beach
Seabirds Kitchen has a sunny, contemporary atmosphere and serves vegan cuisine. What started as a food truck in 2010 has since grown into a full restaurant with an artisan approach. Using seasonal produce to create unique flavors from innovative techniques, the menu brings out the best in each fruit and vegetable.
Founded in 2007,
Lola’s Mexican Cuisine brings Mexican family recipes to Long Beach. Blending contemporary and traditional dishes, the menu varies with the seasons. Guests can enjoy the relaxing outdoor patio or the festive indoor dining room.
In a bright, light-filled room with a TV and a bar,
The 908 serves comfort food. Featuring seasonal dishes and classic American fare, the setting is upbeat and elevated. The
Boathouse on the Bay is a fantastic dining experience with a stunning water views. Serving seafood classics and premium steaks, the restaurant puts on live music each evening to complement the setting sun.
Donburi Cafe boasts a relaxed setting and high-quality Japanese fare. The restaurant specializes in donburi rice bowls with various toppings, including veggies, fish, and meat.
Domenico’s Belmont Shore began in 1954 and has been providing guests with its award-winning Italian dishes ever since. Many recipes are original creations, with new inventions coming out often. It is best known for its fantastic pizza.
Things to Do in Long Beach
With over 100 exhibits and 12,000 animals, the
Aquarium of the Pacific celebrates the wildlife found in the Pacific Ocean. An estimated 1.7 million visitors come to the aquarium every year. From educational programs to scientific lectures to hands-on activities, it provides ways to learn more about the fascinating creatures of the ocean.
Getting ready for its 76th year, the
Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade involves watercraft and boasts being decorated for the holidays before sailing through the canals along Long Beach. The Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center covers 400,000 square feet of exhibition space available for any special occasion. From the Grand Ballroom to the Terrace Theater to the Wave Pedestrian Bridge, the center has the perfect venue for any event.
The
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach lasts for two nights and three days. It is a festival where more than 185,000 spectators watch the world-class race down the streets of downtown. With a wide variety of vehicles in the event, it is considered the United States’ largest street race, as cars reach up to 200 miles per hour speeds.
Providing playground equipment, picnic tables, sports fields, basketball courts, and a roller hockey practice court,
Whaley Park opened in 1950. It also has a recreation center which puts on many classes, along with a rentable social hall. Long Beach is known for its array of fun beach activities. Residents can take London Boat Rides, enjoy water biking, explore the area's bridges, go paddle boarding, and much more. There’s even a dog-friendly beach called Rosie’s Dog Beach.
Schools in Long Beach
Long Beach boasts many excellent schools for people of all ages.
