Guidebook for Long Beach

Lara
Guidebook for Long Beach

Arts & Culture

Our local vintage movie theatre...lots of character, and they even have an outdoor patio area with a wine bar on one side and cofffeehouse on the other!
83 locals raden deze aan
Art Theatre of Long Beach
2025 E 4th St
83 locals raden deze aan
Our local vintage movie theatre...lots of character, and they even have an outdoor patio area with a wine bar on one side and cofffeehouse on the other!
If you're looking to catch a show, this is a great performing arts venue at my alma mater.
16 locals raden deze aan
Carpenter Performing Arts Center
6200 E Atherton St
16 locals raden deze aan
If you're looking to catch a show, this is a great performing arts venue at my alma mater.
There are cool conventions, gatherings, and events at the Convention Center just about every week, and you can easily get there by bus from our place to avoid the cost of parking.
172 locals raden deze aan
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
300 E Ocean Blvd
172 locals raden deze aan
There are cool conventions, gatherings, and events at the Convention Center just about every week, and you can easily get there by bus from our place to avoid the cost of parking.
Our main arts and entertainment venue, and you can easily get there by bus from our place to avoid the cost of parking.
172 locals raden deze aan
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
300 E Ocean Blvd
172 locals raden deze aan
Our main arts and entertainment venue, and you can easily get there by bus from our place to avoid the cost of parking.
Plan to spend a whole day here if you want to see both the inside museum displays and the outside grounds. Great views of the city as well!
2309 locals raden deze aan
The Getty
1200 Getty Center Dr
2309 locals raden deze aan
Plan to spend a whole day here if you want to see both the inside museum displays and the outside grounds. Great views of the city as well!
A plethora of restaurants, entertainment, bars, and other cool local activities in our downtown area!
246 locals raden deze aan
The Pike Outlets
95 S Pine Ave
246 locals raden deze aan
A plethora of restaurants, entertainment, bars, and other cool local activities in our downtown area!

Essentials

Great bulk warehouse prices without needing a membership card, and a fairly decent organic section.
16 locals raden deze aan
Smart & Final Extra!
644 Redondo Ave
16 locals raden deze aan
Great bulk warehouse prices without needing a membership card, and a fairly decent organic section.
Probably the closest Farmer's Market...Every Tuesday: 3-7pm; Summer: 3-8pm
45 locals raden deze aan
Bixby Park
130 Cherry Ave
45 locals raden deze aan
Probably the closest Farmer's Market...Every Tuesday: 3-7pm; Summer: 3-8pm
CityPlace parking structure...2 hours of free parking for the Downtown Farmer's Market held on Fridays 10am-3pm (market is 1 1/2 blocks away in a parking lot on 3rd St. between Pacific & Cedar Ave).
7 locals raden deze aan
123 E 3rd St
123 East 3rd Street
7 locals raden deze aan
CityPlace parking structure...2 hours of free parking for the Downtown Farmer's Market held on Fridays 10am-3pm (market is 1 1/2 blocks away in a parking lot on 3rd St. between Pacific & Cedar Ave).
Sundays 9am-2pm
29 locals raden deze aan
Long Beach Southeast Farmers Market
6602 E Marina Dr
29 locals raden deze aan
Sundays 9am-2pm
Marine Stadium Farmer's Market: Wednesdays 3-7pm; Summer 3-8pm.
10 locals raden deze aan
Marina Vista Park
5355 E Eliot St
10 locals raden deze aan
Marine Stadium Farmer's Market: Wednesdays 3-7pm; Summer 3-8pm.
Closest grocery store.
61 locals raden deze aan
Ralphs
2930 E 4th St
61 locals raden deze aan
Closest grocery store.

Food Scene

Cool little sushi bar within walking distance.
Aki's Sushi
665 Redondo Avenue
Cool little sushi bar within walking distance.
Hole-in-the-wall Mexican eatery, with fabulous shrimp tacos!
Brite Spot
3721 East Anaheim Street
Hole-in-the-wall Mexican eatery, with fabulous shrimp tacos!
They charge by weight, so you can self serve whatever flavors and toppings you want, quite tasty!
Yogurtland Long Beach
4816 2nd St
They charge by weight, so you can self serve whatever flavors and toppings you want, quite tasty!
Great Mexican food in a tiny little hole-in-the-wall location. I recommend the shrimp tostada! It's attached to the Reno Room bar, so you can go shoot some pool after your meal.
22 locals raden deze aan
COCORENOS
3400 E Broadway
22 locals raden deze aan
Great Mexican food in a tiny little hole-in-the-wall location. I recommend the shrimp tostada! It's attached to the Reno Room bar, so you can go shoot some pool after your meal.
If you like sports bars, this is a cool one within walking distance & they also have a nice outdoor heated patio area if you're not into the noise indoors from the sports shows and lively cheering!
16 locals raden deze aan
EJ Malloy's - Belmont Heights
16 locals raden deze aan
If you like sports bars, this is a cool one within walking distance & they also have a nice outdoor heated patio area if you're not into the noise indoors from the sports shows and lively cheering!
Good ol' Denny's, the 24-hour diner stand-by if you really need some food "after hours"!
125 locals raden deze aan
Denny's
5751 Sunset Blvd
125 locals raden deze aan
Good ol' Denny's, the 24-hour diner stand-by if you really need some food "after hours"!
Cool atmosphere & outdoor dining area, excellent Greek food, good veggie selection, & great coffee & tea bar!
17 locals raden deze aan
Kafe Neo
2800 East 4th Street
17 locals raden deze aan
Cool atmosphere & outdoor dining area, excellent Greek food, good veggie selection, & great coffee & tea bar!
Excellent Mediterranean cuisine (including some great vegie selections) and great atmosphere at this awesome Lebanese restaurant! They also have a cool outdoor eating area.
147 locals raden deze aan
Open Sesame
5215 2nd St
147 locals raden deze aan
Excellent Mediterranean cuisine (including some great vegie selections) and great atmosphere at this awesome Lebanese restaurant! They also have a cool outdoor eating area.
Fun retro atmosphere, great location with awesome ocean views, and splendid milkshakes! There's also a closer location at PCH & 2nd St., but I like this one better.
Seal Beach Police Department
888 Ocean Ave
Fun retro atmosphere, great location with awesome ocean views, and splendid milkshakes! There's also a closer location at PCH & 2nd St., but I like this one better.
One of my favorite coffee houses...cool atmosphere, great sandwiches, and of course great coffee.
29 locals raden deze aan
Viento Y Agua
4007 E 4th St
29 locals raden deze aan
One of my favorite coffee houses...cool atmosphere, great sandwiches, and of course great coffee.
One of my favorite coffeehouses in Long Beach, and yes, they do have a "library" of books to read! They also have good food, great desserts, and even ice cream.
27 locals raden deze aan
The Library A Coffee House
3418 E Broadway
27 locals raden deze aan
One of my favorite coffeehouses in Long Beach, and yes, they do have a "library" of books to read! They also have good food, great desserts, and even ice cream.
Voted one of the best coffeehouses in Long Beach, with lots of entertainment going on there as well.
67 locals raden deze aan
Portfolio Coffeehouse LLC
2300 E 4th St
67 locals raden deze aan
Voted one of the best coffeehouses in Long Beach, with lots of entertainment going on there as well.
Small but cozy, and pretty close.
29 locals raden deze aan
Hot Java
2101 E Broadway
29 locals raden deze aan
Small but cozy, and pretty close.
Great fish tacos (just $1.25 every night from 8-10pm!), as well as a good vegetarian menu, and just two blocks away.
27 locals raden deze aan
Holé Molé
421 Obispo Ave
27 locals raden deze aan
Great fish tacos (just $1.25 every night from 8-10pm!), as well as a good vegetarian menu, and just two blocks away.
Not my favorite pizza place, but it's acceptable and close.
8 locals raden deze aan
Long Beach Pizza Co
3430 E Broadway
8 locals raden deze aan
Not my favorite pizza place, but it's acceptable and close.
One of my very favorite restaurants in Long Beach...fabulous Italian food in a very cool intimate atmosphere of water fountains and fire pits!
23 locals raden deze aan
Cafe Piccolo
3222 E Broadway
23 locals raden deze aan
One of my very favorite restaurants in Long Beach...fabulous Italian food in a very cool intimate atmosphere of water fountains and fire pits!
If you like the garlic, this is the place to go!
7 locals raden deze aan
Papalucci's
4611 2nd St
7 locals raden deze aan
If you like the garlic, this is the place to go!
Cute little hole-in-the-wall restaurant with great Mediterranean dishes, very friendly staff, and a lovely outdoor patio dining area. My personal favorite is the Salmon Kabob Plate.
13 locals raden deze aan
Gypsy's Mediterranean Grill
21 39th Pl
13 locals raden deze aan
Cute little hole-in-the-wall restaurant with great Mediterranean dishes, very friendly staff, and a lovely outdoor patio dining area. My personal favorite is the Salmon Kabob Plate.
Super cute hole in the wall eatery, with super tasty meals!
20 locals raden deze aan
At Last Cafe
204 Orange Avenue
20 locals raden deze aan
Super cute hole in the wall eatery, with super tasty meals!
Awesome gelato, and also really tasty paninis! And a great outdoor dining area along the sidewalk as well.
27 locals raden deze aan
Aroma Di Roma
4708 2nd St
27 locals raden deze aan
Awesome gelato, and also really tasty paninis! And a great outdoor dining area along the sidewalk as well.
Fantastic seafood place with very reasonable prices! Within walking distance, altho the neighborhood is not the best.
16 locals raden deze aan
Long Beach Fish Grill
1201 Redondo Ave
16 locals raden deze aan
Fantastic seafood place with very reasonable prices! Within walking distance, altho the neighborhood is not the best.
Local coffeshop-style restaurant, a great alternative to Denny's. A wide menu assortment, including awesome pies!
10 locals raden deze aan
Hof's Hut Restaurant & Bakery
2147 N Bellflower Blvd
10 locals raden deze aan
Local coffeshop-style restaurant, a great alternative to Denny's. A wide menu assortment, including awesome pies!
Great sushi bar, with awesome nightly happy hour specials and a very fun and festive vibe!
8 locals raden deze aan
Sushi Studio
4917 CA-1
8 locals raden deze aan
Great sushi bar, with awesome nightly happy hour specials and a very fun and festive vibe!
I love the variety and "healthy" pizza options here...they even have gluten-free crusts available, along with very tasty salads! There is another location on 7th St. as well.
25 locals raden deze aan
zpizza
4612 2nd St
25 locals raden deze aan
I love the variety and "healthy" pizza options here...they even have gluten-free crusts available, along with very tasty salads! There is another location on 7th St. as well.
I love the variety and "healthy" pizza options here...they even have gluten-free crusts available, along with very tasty salads! There is another location on 2nd St. as well.
25 locals raden deze aan
zpizza
4612 2nd St
25 locals raden deze aan
I love the variety and "healthy" pizza options here...they even have gluten-free crusts available, along with very tasty salads! There is another location on 2nd St. as well.
One of my very favorite breakfast/brunch spots! Fantastic omelettes, and a cool, artsy atmosphere. Open 7am-2pm M-F, 7am-3pm Sat/Sun.
58 locals raden deze aan
Coffee Cup Cafe
3734 E 4th St
58 locals raden deze aan
One of my very favorite breakfast/brunch spots! Fantastic omelettes, and a cool, artsy atmosphere. Open 7am-2pm M-F, 7am-3pm Sat/Sun.
By far one of the very best brunch spots in Long Beach!
13 locals raden deze aan
The Crooked Duck
5096 CA-1
13 locals raden deze aan
By far one of the very best brunch spots in Long Beach!
Decent pizza, great salads, but most of all a fun locale and view.
7 locals raden deze aan
Stefano's Pizza
429 Shoreline Village Drive
7 locals raden deze aan
Decent pizza, great salads, but most of all a fun locale and view.
Nice place...good restaurant section, and small sushi bar, with Happy Hour 3-7pm and live music some nights.
12 locals raden deze aan
Your House Restaurant
2838 CA-1
12 locals raden deze aan
Nice place...good restaurant section, and small sushi bar, with Happy Hour 3-7pm and live music some nights.
This place is usually packed, with a great outdoor seating area and a nice, friendly vibe. Delicious food as well, altho the menu is a bit limited. Very close to walk to, however!
154 locals raden deze aan
The Attic
3441 E Broadway
154 locals raden deze aan
This place is usually packed, with a great outdoor seating area and a nice, friendly vibe. Delicious food as well, altho the menu is a bit limited. Very close to walk to, however!
Not the best Chinese food in town, but for the money, you get a lot and I find it quite tasty. And delivery is FREE with just a $5 minimum, probably the best delivery value in town!
7 locals raden deze aan
Fortune Garden
1538 E 4th St
7 locals raden deze aan
Not the best Chinese food in town, but for the money, you get a lot and I find it quite tasty. And delivery is FREE with just a $5 minimum, probably the best delivery value in town!
Yummy ice cream dessert shop!
17 locals raden deze aan
Cold Stone Creamery
25 Aquarium Way
17 locals raden deze aan
Yummy ice cream dessert shop!
Yummy ice cream dessert shop!
17 locals raden deze aan
Cold Stone Creamery
25 Aquarium Way
17 locals raden deze aan
Yummy ice cream dessert shop!
I'm not a huge sport bar fan, but this spot has a wide variety of REALLY great food on their menu! Fairly large outdoor sidewalk seating area, and even bigger indoor area w/TVs streaming sports.
20 locals raden deze aan
Gallagher's Pub & Grill
2751 E Broadway
20 locals raden deze aan
I'm not a huge sport bar fan, but this spot has a wide variety of REALLY great food on their menu! Fairly large outdoor sidewalk seating area, and even bigger indoor area w/TVs streaming sports.
One of my favorite seafood restaurants...simply outstanding, and very affordable!
23 locals raden deze aan
Pier 76 Fish Grill
95 Pine Ave
23 locals raden deze aan
One of my favorite seafood restaurants...simply outstanding, and very affordable!

Shopping

Great discount household, bed & bath, furniture, electronics, etc. shopping if you are here for an extended stay!
9 locals raden deze aan
Big Lots
2238 N Bellflower Blvd
9 locals raden deze aan
Great discount household, bed & bath, furniture, electronics, etc. shopping if you are here for an extended stay!
Great clothing store, where you can trade your old threads for cash or get store credit for "new" (good condition) and hip vintage, 2nd hand, and sometimes new threads and shoes! Super friendly staff.
16 locals raden deze aan
Buffalo Exchange
4608 2nd St
16 locals raden deze aan
Great clothing store, where you can trade your old threads for cash or get store credit for "new" (good condition) and hip vintage, 2nd hand, and sometimes new threads and shoes! Super friendly staff.
Very cool gift shop!
11 locals raden deze aan
Iguana Import Gallery
3440 E Broadway
11 locals raden deze aan
Very cool gift shop!
Outdoor mall. Nearby is also the Downtown Farmer's Market on Fridays 10am-3pm (you can park in the CityPlace parking structure at 51 E. 3rd St. for both).
8 locals raden deze aan
City Place Shopping Center
151 E 5th St
8 locals raden deze aan
Outdoor mall. Nearby is also the Downtown Farmer's Market on Fridays 10am-3pm (you can park in the CityPlace parking structure at 51 E. 3rd St. for both).
If you don't want to carry linens/blankets/towels with you (sorry, I do not provide them in my listings), then you may want to pick them up here for a good price and donate them back after use.
8 locals raden deze aan
Goodwill Store & Donation Center
25425 Crenshaw Blvd
8 locals raden deze aan
If you don't want to carry linens/blankets/towels with you (sorry, I do not provide them in my listings), then you may want to pick them up here for a good price and donate them back after use.

Everything Else

This is absolutely one of my favorite day trips in the L.A. area! A little bit of a stretch to Pasadena, but so worth it for the gorgeous gardens and art displays...don't forget to bring your camera!
999 locals raden deze aan
Huntington Library kunstcollecties en botanische tuinen
1151 Oxford Rd
999 locals raden deze aan
This is absolutely one of my favorite day trips in the L.A. area! A little bit of a stretch to Pasadena, but so worth it for the gorgeous gardens and art displays...don't forget to bring your camera!
If you enjoy hiking, this is a unique must-see day trip! The 10-minute tram ride will take you from the stark desert to a lush forest of hiking trails, trees, & streams, w/awesome views of SoCal!
1213 locals raden deze aan
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
1 Tram Way
1213 locals raden deze aan
If you enjoy hiking, this is a unique must-see day trip! The 10-minute tram ride will take you from the stark desert to a lush forest of hiking trails, trees, & streams, w/awesome views of SoCal!
One of my very favorite little gift shops, with all kinds of spiritual and home decor items!
6 locals raden deze aan
Fern's Garden
5308 2nd St
6 locals raden deze aan
One of my very favorite little gift shops, with all kinds of spiritual and home decor items!
Lots to do and see in this little touristy area of Long Beach!
158 locals raden deze aan
Shoreline Village
429 Shoreline Village Drive
158 locals raden deze aan
Lots to do and see in this little touristy area of Long Beach!
I used to be one of the sailing instructors here, and some of my instructor friends still work there. They offer ASA Sailing Certification, as well as charters.
Pacific Sailing & Yachting Club
419 Shoreline Village Dr
I used to be one of the sailing instructors here, and some of my instructor friends still work there. They offer ASA Sailing Certification, as well as charters.
Treat your sweetheart to a romantic gondola ride thru the canals of Long Beach's version of Naples!
62 locals raden deze aan
Gondola Getaway
5437 E Ocean Blvd
62 locals raden deze aan
Treat your sweetheart to a romantic gondola ride thru the canals of Long Beach's version of Naples!
One of our landmark tourist sites...they have a pretty cool museum tour, and a restaurant and hotel on board as well. If you don't want to pay for parking, take one of the Passport shuttles.
624 locals raden deze aan
Queen Mary
1126 Queens Hwy
624 locals raden deze aan
One of our landmark tourist sites...they have a pretty cool museum tour, and a restaurant and hotel on board as well. If you don't want to pay for parking, take one of the Passport shuttles.
Our central hub for public transportation info in Long Beach and beyond!
37 locals raden deze aan
Downtown Long Beach Station
37 locals raden deze aan
Our central hub for public transportation info in Long Beach and beyond!
Added this to the Guidebook for the benefit of the students that I host!
48 locals raden deze aan
California State University Long Beach
48 locals raden deze aan
Added this to the Guidebook for the benefit of the students that I host!

Sightseeing

A little overpriced, but still a pretty fun excursion.
806 locals raden deze aan
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium Way
806 locals raden deze aan
A little overpriced, but still a pretty fun excursion.
One of two departure points in the area for the nearby getaway of Catalina Island...this one is the closest and you can actually get to it by bus from our place.
132 locals raden deze aan
Catalina Express
95 Berth
132 locals raden deze aan
One of two departure points in the area for the nearby getaway of Catalina Island...this one is the closest and you can actually get to it by bus from our place.
Super fun getaway destination...ideal for a day trip out of the hustle and bustle of the L.A. city!
16 locals raden deze aan
Santa Catalina Island
16 locals raden deze aan
Super fun getaway destination...ideal for a day trip out of the hustle and bustle of the L.A. city!
A little spiritual and natural oasis at my alma mater!
57 locals raden deze aan
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
Earl Warren Drive
57 locals raden deze aan
A little spiritual and natural oasis at my alma mater!
Aside from being the site of James Dean's Rebel Without a Cause, this is also a pretty cool place to check out for both astronomy interests as well as a great view of the city, especially at night!
4367 locals raden deze aan
Griffith-observatorium
2800 E Observatory Rd
4367 locals raden deze aan
Aside from being the site of James Dean's Rebel Without a Cause, this is also a pretty cool place to check out for both astronomy interests as well as a great view of the city, especially at night!
Just a 10 minute walk from the Treehouse and you're at the beach! Bluff Park has a nice greenbelt, with stair access to the beach and LB Strand bike path below.
73 locals raden deze aan
Bluff Park
73 locals raden deze aan
Just a 10 minute walk from the Treehouse and you're at the beach! Bluff Park has a nice greenbelt, with stair access to the beach and LB Strand bike path below.
Closest pier, with access to the LB Strand Bike Path.
23 locals raden deze aan
Belmont Pier
Belmont Pier
23 locals raden deze aan
Closest pier, with access to the LB Strand Bike Path.
About a five minute drive straight up Temple Ave (which then turns into Skyline Dr.) will end you at Hilltop Park at the top of Signal Hill, with a very cool 360 degree view of the entire L.A. area!
46 locals raden deze aan
Hilltop Park
2351 Dawson Ave
46 locals raden deze aan
About a five minute drive straight up Temple Ave (which then turns into Skyline Dr.) will end you at Hilltop Park at the top of Signal Hill, with a very cool 360 degree view of the entire L.A. area!

Drinks & Nightlife

Great Irish pub, and they also serve lunch and dinner (fish & chips are awesome!), with live music most nights. There's an outdoor area as well, and lots to do in the surrounding Pike area.
37 locals raden deze aan
The Auld Dubliner
71 S Pine Ave
37 locals raden deze aan
Great Irish pub, and they also serve lunch and dinner (fish & chips are awesome!), with live music most nights. There's an outdoor area as well, and lots to do in the surrounding Pike area.
Small little local dive bar.
6 locals raden deze aan
Iguana Kelley's
4306 E Anaheim St
6 locals raden deze aan
Small little local dive bar.