Ever been to Southern California? If yes, you can relate to how many beach cities it boasts. However, there’s one city that always steals the show, and it’s none other than Long Beach! Known as the fifth largest city in California, Long Beach is one of the most culturally diverse cities in America with a perfect mix of Latinos, Whites, Blacks, and Asians — visitors can be sure of experiencing lots of cultural activities and enjoy foods with unique influences.
For the most part, Long Beach is situated at the very southeastern edge of Los Angeles County — it borders both the city of Los Angeles and Orange County. There’s a good chance of hearing several different things about this large coastal city, and that’s pretty normal. Why? Well, it’s only because the city has a huge population which boasts a density rate that’s greater than nearby Los Angeles.
That being said, you can be seeing everything in Long Beach including large industrial areas, quiet middle-class communities, and exclusive neighborhoods. It’s good to point out that Long Beach has long been known for its ties with industry — the harbor’s towering cranes happens to be part of one the busiest container ports in the world.
Now, Long Beach is not just about shipping! Moreover, the beach is just a beginning of what the city has to offer — it also has a number of world-class tourist attractions. Speaking of attractions, you would want to check out its astonishing aquarium and tour the Queen Mary floating museum and hotel. The city also boasts live music, and there are lots of great places to eat mouthwatering foods. You’ll also be glad to know that this coastal city holds exciting events including the annual Long Beach Grand Prix — its star-studded warm-up race has featured the likes of Jason Priestley and former perennial racer, Paul Newman. Besides the Grand Prix, the city also hosts the annual Long Beach Lesbian and Gay Pride festival among other special events.
Interested in some tips on how to make the most of your time here? We’re pretty sure you are.
Let’s check out a few!
When to Visit Long Beach
The very first thing you should know is that Long Beach enjoys a mild California climate throughout the year — it boasts more than 345 days of sunshine, meaning the city experiences less than three weeks of rain throughout the year. What could be better?
- It’s good to know that the city gets warmer in the summer making it a busy time for tourists. Moreover, the beaches are likely to get crowded at this time — so you can choose to visit if you don’t mind the crowd.
- Don’t want to be part of the tourist crowds? If yes, be sure to visit Long Beach in late spring or early fall. The good thing is, you’ll still get to enjoy the best beach the city has to offer!
- You should know that the hottest months of the year are July and August — at this time, temperatures can be as high as 85 degrees.
- On the flip side, the coldest months in Long Beach are January and February — winter highs hover around 65 degrees, and lows average 45 degrees.
Good to Know
It’s in your best interest to book your room ahead of time if you’re planning to attend a major event in the city.
Looking to Get Around? Here’s what you should know
The Passport Shuttle is your best bet if you’re looking to enjoy free transportation throughout downtown and to many of Long Beach’s biggest attractions. Moreover, the city has public transportation on the water in summer, and that’s great.
You’ll also be glad to know that you can explore most parts of the city on foot — just pack a sturdy, comfortable pair of shoes, and you’re good to go! Moreover, Long Beach is a bike-friendly city, so you can choose to rent a bike and tour the city at your own pace.
Places You Wouldn’t Want to Miss
The great thing about Downtown Long Beach is that it boasts a plethora of attractions that both you and your family are sure to love. Here are few you’ll want to check out:
- Aquarium of the Pacific
- Queen Mary
- Catalina Express
- Rainbow Harbor and Shoreline Village
- Museum of Latin American Art
- Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
- Long Beach Museum of Art
- Rancho Los Cerritos
Eating Out in Long Beach
For a city that has a mix of several different cultures, visitors can be sure of enjoying the best of best when it comes to food. For the most part, Long Beach boasts eight distinct neighborhoods and each has its own assortment of dining options. Just head to Downtown Long Beach, and you’ll find over 100 restaurants there! In Long Beach, you’ll find eateries that serve Italian, Mexican, Japanese and Chinese delicacies. You can be sure that your taste buds are in for a real treat! Some restaurants you wouldn’t want to miss include Parkers’ Lighthouse, Nick’s on 2nd, Yard House, 555 East American Steakhouse, P.F Chang’s, The Queen Mary, Queensview Steakhouse, Saint & Second and a whole lot more!
Alright! Now you’re good to book your flight! We hope you have a great time!
