Long Beach

Long Beach is a large coastal and port city in Southern California. It is situated at the very southeastern edge of Los Angeles County, bordering both the city of Los Angeles and Orange County, in a region known as the Gateway Cities.
Long Beach is recognized as one of the most culturally diverse cities in America. It has large percentages of Latinos and whites (non-Hispanic), as well as very sizeable percentages of blacks (non-Hispanic) and Asians. As a whole, the city tends to have a more East-Coast/Midwest vibe when compared to the rest of the coastal California cities, so people from those regions of the country may find themselves a little more at home in Long Beach.
You may hear different people say different things about Long Beach, either wonderful or horrible things. This is because the city has quite a large population, with a density rate greater than that of nearby Los Angeles. Therefore, like other large cities, Long Beach encompasses everything, such as large industrial areas, struggling neighborhoods, quiet middle-class communities and exclusive neighborhoods.
Long Beach has some nice people-gathering amenities and genuine tourist attractions, such as a world-class aquarium and the Queen Mary floating museum/hotel. Special events are also held in the city like the annual Long Beach Grand Prix (a premier racing event held on city streets) and the annual Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride event. When compared to other areas like Hollywood, West Hollywood, Santa Monica and West L.A., Long Beach may not always be at the top of someone's tourist visit to the Los Angeles area, but the city draws its fair share of visitors and has proven it can definitely hold its own.
The area code for Long Beach is 562. For emergency services, dial 911 from any phone.

Climate

By plane

Out of the five airports in the Los Angeles metropolitan area, Long Beach can easily be reached from three: Long Beach Airport (LGB), within the city itself; Los Angeles International (LAX), 22 miles away; and John Wayne (SNA), 23 miles away in Santa Ana. All three lie adjacent to Interstate 405. The other two airport options are Burbank (BUR), 37 miles away; and Ontario (ONT), 53 miles away. LGB will obviously be the most convenient to use location-wise and, being a smaller airport, provides less hassle; however, LAX offers more frequent service, service from more destinations, and better fares. Long Beach Airport is limited to around 40 daily flights, the vast majority of which are provided by carrier JetBlue.

Long Beach Airport

Rental cars are available for hire at the airport, which will most likely be needed in Southern California. Long Beach Yellow Cab +1 562 435-6111 is another option, approximate fares to downtown hotels $30-40 one-way. City bus Long Beach Transit Route 111 (Broadway/Lakewood) connects the airport to downtown Long Beach and to the Blue Line at the downtown Transit Mall. It runs south to downtown (40 min ride) from LGB about once every half hour and costs $1.25. To find the bus stop, follow the taxi signs, walk one block beyond the taxi lineup, and turn right. Be sure to ask if the bus goes downtown, since both northbound and southbound Route 111 buses use this one bus stop at LGB.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX): The most direct service is the LAX Flyaway, which offers direct service from the terminals to Downtown Long Beach at Shelter A of the Long Beach Transit Gallery at the northwest corner of First Street and Long Beach Boulevard. This service runs hourly from 5:30AM to 10:30PM daily and costs $9 each way (credit card purchase of a ticket on the bus is available-cash on bus not accepted), with an estimated travel time of 50 minutes (may vary with traffic).
It's also fairly easy to take the Metro Rail from LAX to Long Beach, although it may require a short taxi ride or transfer to a bus to reach your final destination. At LAX, look for the LAX Shuttle & Airline Connections sign on the Lower/Arrival Level islands in front of each terminal, and board the free "G" Shuttle which takes you to the Aviation/LAX Green Line Metro Rail station. Purchase a TAP card with a one-trip fare ($1.75 + $1 for a new TAP card), take a Norwalk-bound Green Line train, exit at the Willowbrook station, and transfer to a Long Beach-bound Blue Line train. Overall travel time from LAX is about an hour and fifteen minutes or so during daytime hours. Daytime travel is fine, but it is not recommended to take the Blue Line late in the evening as the line traverses some very questionable neighborhoods. Two shared van services (Supershuttle or PrimeTime Shuttle) provide door to door service from LAX; advise the representatives that you need a ride to Long Beach, and they will flag the appropriate van. Fare is approximately $28 one way, taking about one hour. A taxi from LAX to Long Beach is about $70. If you do not plan on having a car, the shuttle or taxi is the most convenient if you are traveling with heavy bags, arriving in the evening, or going to a final destination not near a Blue Line station.
John Wayne Airport (SNA), Santa Ana, Orange County: City buses will offer the only public transportation to Long Beach from SNA, which will not be too convenient. Renting a car (as you will probably need anyway) or taking a taxi will be better options. This airport and LAX are about equal distances from Long Beach (albeit, in different directions) and although busy, it is somewhat less busier than LAX for a little less airport hassle.

By rail

Frederick Dennstedt

Long Beach is linked via the Metro Blue Line to Downtown Los Angeles with connections to Hollywood, Union Station, Universal Studios, Pasadena, and East L.A. among other locations.
Amtrak and Metrolink service Union Station in Downtown Los Angeles. To reach Long Beach from Union Station, take the Metro Red Line to the 7th St/Metro Center station and transfer to the Blue Line to Long Beach. Fare is $1.75 and requires a TAP card, which can be purchased at any Metro station for $1. Note: the Blue Line goes through some inner city locations (such as Watts and Compton) and there are not dedicated security guards on the trains, so it may be discomforting to take the Blue Line late at night.

By ship

Carnival Cruise Line has a home port at the new , next to the Queen Mary dock. Cruises return to this port from Baja California and the Mexican Riviera. Others begin or end trips through the Panama Canal destined for or having left major ports in the southern or eastern U.S. In season, some may go to or return from points North, e.g., Alaska. When cruise ships are docked, they receive service from many taxi companies, as well as various shuttle services (noted for LAX above) to and from local airports and select hotels and popular destinations.
A ferry to Catalina Island also operates from Long Beach.

By car

From the west (LAX, Santa Monica) or from Orange County, take the San Diego (405) freeway. Connect to the southbound Long Beach freeway (710) if your destination is downtown Long Beach. From the north, the Long Beach freeway (710) runs along the western city boundary, and the San Gabriel Freeway (605) along the eastern boundary. From the coastal areas of Orange County, a scenic and convenient route is Pacific Coast Highway (Rte 1).

By bus

The majority of the intercity bus stations and stops for the greater Los Angeles area are located in "Skid Row" east of downtown Los Angeles, downtown Union Station, El Monte, Huntington Park and/or east L.A. (along Olympic Blvd but can be elsewhere too). To a lesser extent some also have stops in Hollywood and North Hollywood as well. The following offer direct service to Long Beach:

• Flixbus

  address: (bus stop) 107 E 1st St

• Greyhound

  phone: +1 562 218-3011
  address: (Bus station) 1498 Long Beach Blvd
  Greyhound travel primarly on I-5/405 (San Diego, Oceanside, Santa Ana, Anaheim, Long Beach); I-15/SR-91/I-405 (Long Beach, Santa Ana, Anaheim, San Bernardino Some variations of this route continues from San Bernardino up to Las Vegas); I-110 or 710 (to the downtown Los Angeles Greyhound terminal). Passengers transfer in Downtown Los Angeles, Santa Ana, San Bernardino or San Diego to get to additional destinations.

• Hoang Express

  phone: +1 714 839-3500
  address: bus stop at ABC Supermarket, 8970 Bolsa Ave, Westminster
  Travels between SoCal (San Diego, El Monte, Los Angeles, Westminster); northern California (San Francisco, San Jose, Oakland and Sacramento) and Arizona (Phoenix, Chandler and Tempe). They also have additional stops at the Metro Gold Line Chinatown Station near downtown Los Angeles and at Thuan Phat Supermarket at 2650 N Rosemead Blvd in El Monte.

• LAX Flyaway

  address: bus stop at Shelter A, at the downtown Bus Station along 1st St
  Direct bus service between downtown Long Beach and LAX

By public transit from Orange County

There are several ways to get to Long Beach from Orange County if you don't or can't rent a car. The most direct way is to take Orange County Transit Authority's Route 50 bus servicing Katella Avenue, which passes between Disneyland and the Anaheim Convention Center. The western terminus of this route is California State University-Long Beach (CSULB). If you are in the Beach Cities, take Route 1 servicing the Pacific Coast Highway and also terminating at CSULB. Some trips on Route 60 (Westminster Avenue/17th Street) terminate at CSULA.

A car is the most convenient way to get around Long Beach. Most areas of Long Beach have free parking but be aware that much of Downtown Long Beach has pay parking lots. The free bright red Passport buses serves the Long Beach downtown and waterfront attractions.

• The PassportA free bus, operated by Long Beach Transit, that connects you to downtown Long Beach's finest attractions and destinations, including the iconic Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, Pine Avenue, City Place Mall, The Pike at Rainbow Harbor, Convention Center, Shoreline Village, many downtown hotels and Long Beach Transit's water taxis, the AquaLink and AquaBus.

There are several transit agencies with bus routes in Long Beach.

• Long Beach Transit

  phone: +1 562 591-2301
  Offers 38 bus routes serving the cities of Long Beach, Lakewood, and Signal Hill. Fares Regular: $1.25; Seniors (62 and older), Medicare, Disabled: $0.60; Children 4 and under, Legally blind, persons in wheelchairs: Free. Long Beach Transit also offers a Day Pass Regular: $4; Seniors (62 and older), etc. $2.50. Transfers: $0.50.

• Metro

  phone: +1 323 466-3876 (GO-METRO)
  Includes Blue Line light rail to downtown Los Angeles and Green Line to LAX. Fares Regular: $1.75 (transfers within the MTA system are not free); Seniors (62 and older), Medicare, Disabled: $0.75; Two children under age 5 may travel free with each fare-paying adult. Regular Metro Day Pass: $7, valid on all MTA Bus and rail lines. Transfers to other systems, $0.50.

• Orange County Transportation Authority

  phone: +1-800-636-7433
  Fares Regular: $2; Seniors (60 and older), Medicare, Disabled: $0.75. OCTA also offers a Day Pass Regular: $4; Seniors (62 and older), etc. $1.50. See the website for multi-day passes.

• Aquarium of the Pacific

  phone: +1 562 590-3100
  address: 100 Aquarium Way
  One of the largest aquariums in the United States, its nearly 1,000 species fill 19 major habitats and 32 focus exhibits and take visitors through three regions of the Pacific Ocean: Southern California/Baja, the Tropical Pacific, and the Northern Pacific. There is also a Combo package with the Queen Mary. (Pay parking or take Passport C)

• Queen Mary

  address: 1126 Queens Hwy
  The Queen Mary is a historic Cunard White Star ocean liner — a beautiful Art Deco structure and the largest passenger ship ever built — whose past includes being a troop transport in World War II, and it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Several different tours of the ship are offered including a Ghosts and Legends tour. The Queen Mary also boasts a hotel, several restaurants and bars (a particularly nice one is the Art Deco Bar, where you can get a good cocktail in vintage surroundings and watch the harbor), a shopping promenade and a wedding reception hall. General Admission includes a choice of one of several available tours (you can take a second guided tour for an additional charge), Self-Guided Queen Mary Shipwalk Tour and access to all open exhibit areas. There are several other tour packages including a Combo ticket with the Aquarium of the Pacific. (Pay parking or take Passport C)

• Russian Foxtrot Submarine: SCORPION

  address: 1126 Queens Hwy
  This former Soviet Union submarine is moored adjacent to the Queen Mary. Due to safety issues with the submarine, visitors are no longer allowed inside but it can be viewed from the dock.

• Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

  phone: +1 562 985-5930
  address: 1250 Bellflower Blvd
  The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a 1.3 acre Japanese garden with a traditional tea house and koi ponds. A self-guided tour book is available for $1. Call to verify hours as university events sometimes require early closures. Tours for groups of 10 or more may be arranged by calling the garden office at +1 562 985-8420. Take Passport D.

• Long Beach Museum of Art

  phone: +1 562 439-2119
  address: 2300 E Ocean Blvd
  A small art museum featuring 20th Century art and decorative pieces with a focus on California artists. Take Passport A or D

• Rancho Los Cerritos Historic Adobe

  phone: +1 562 570-1755
  address: 4600 Virginia Rd
  A two-story Monterey-style adobe home built in 1844. A National, State, and Long Beach Historic Landmark, the site includes historic gardens and a research library. Docent led tours on every hour from 1PM to 4PM. Groups over 10 should reserve two weeks ahead. Special events listed on the website.

• Naples IslandA district in the southeast corner of Long Beach featuring canals with million dollar homes and walkways lining the canals. At Christmas, the residents extravagantly decorate their homes drawing crowds of pedestrians to admire the works of decorating art. Take Passport A or D.

• Long Beach Firefighter's Museum

  address: 1445 Peterson Ave
  A collection of historic fire equipment ranging from leather water buckets to a 1965 fire engine.

• Rancho Los Alamitos Museum

  phone: +1 562 431-3541
  address: 6400 E Bixby Hill Rd
  Museum of the old Bixby Farmhouse and gardens.

• Museum of Latin American Art

  phone: +1 562 437-1689
  address: 628 Alamitos Ave
  MOLAA is the only museum in the western United States that exclusively features contemporary Latin American art. The museum seeks to educate through the utilization of its permanent collection, traveling exhibitions, and programs. MOLAA is in the newly developing East Village Arts District of Long Beach.

• Historical Society of Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 424-2220
  address: 3490 Atlantic Ave
  A small exhibit space with rotating exhibits on the history of Long Beach. There is also a publicly accessible research archive at this site.

• Signal Hill Hilltop Park

  address: 2351 Dawson Ave, Signal Hill, CA 90755
  This park is in the city of Signal Hill which is a small, suburban city within Long Beach. The park features breathtaking views where you can see beaches of Orange County, Queen Mary, Palos Verdes Hills, and even Downtown Los Angeles! There are also walking trails and monuments honoring indigenous folks.

Activities

• Gondola Getaway

  phone: +1 562 433-9595
  address: 5437 E Ocean Blvd
  Romantic gondola boat ride along the canals in Naples. Make reservations at least one day in advance (3 weeks is recommended). Reservation office hours 10AM-5PM daily.

• Catalina Express

  phone: +1 562 485-3200
  address: 320 Golden Shore
  Boat service to Catalina Island. Reservations are recommended. Note that each passenger is allowed 2 pieces of luggage, no larger than 37x23x23 inches (94x58x58 cm) and weighing no more than 50 pounds (22 kg) each as well as one carry-on bag.

• Long Beach State Athletics

  phone: +1 562 985-4949
  address: 1250 Bellflower Blvd
  The 49ers compete in NCAA Division 1 collegiate sports, including baseball (the "Dirtbags"), softball, basketball, volleyball, water polo, and women's soccer and tennis. Venues include the blue Walter Pyramid , one of three true pyramids in the United States and Blair Field.

• Belmont Plaza Pool

  phone: +1 562 570-1805
  address: 4000 E Olympic Plaza Dr
  An Olympic-sized indoor pool frequently used for swimming events. Parking metered, 8AM-6PM, $1/hour. Note: The pool building is being rebuilt. A temporary outdoor pool has been erected nearby.

• Long Beach Performing Arts Center

  phone: +1 562 436-3661
  address: 300 Ocean Blvd
  Performances of International City Theatre, Long Beach Symphony Orchestra, and other events.

• El Dorado Park West

  phone: +1 562 570-3225
  address: 2800 Studebaker Rd
  Free to the public portion of El Dorado with Youth Recreation and Senior Center.

• El Dorado East Regional Park

  phone: +1 562 570-1771
  address: 7550 E Spring St
  Very large recreation park with bike paths, playgrounds, and ponds.

• El Dorado Park Nature Center

  phone: +1 562 570-1745
  address: 7550 E Spring St
  Located inside El Dorado East Regional Park, the Nature Center is a large forested park with trails, a museum, two lakes and native Califonia wildlife. See website for special monthly events.

Escape Room Long Beach

phone: +1 562-270-5226

address: 3620 Long Beach Boulevard, Suite C11

Two themed puzzle rooms pit players against the clock to solve the puzzle of a missing celebrity or to steal a rival Prohibition era speakeasy's alcohol.

Golf

Long Beach is a very golf-friendly city, home to several golf courses.

• El Dorado Park Golf Club

  phone: +1 562 430-5411
  address: 2400 Studebaker Rd
  An 18 hole Ted Robinson, Sr. designed course with challenging water hazards and mature tree lined fairways.

• Recreation Park 18 Golf Course

  phone: +1 562 494-5000
  address: 5001 Deukmejian Dr
  A Billy Bell-designed 18-hole layout with rolling terrain and various types of trees lining the fairways.

• Recreation Park 9 Golf Course

  phone: +1 562 438-4012
  address: 5000 E 7th St
  A nine-hole executive course.

• Skylinks Golf Course

  phone: +1 562 421-3388
  address: 4800 E Wardlow Rd
  A championship 18 hole Scottish links tyle course with hilly lies on either side of the fairway. The course was redesigned by Cal Olsen in 2004.

• Heartwell Golf Course

  phone: +1 562 421-8855
  address: 6700 E Carson St
  18-Hole Par 3 course designed by William F. Bell.

Events

• Long Beach Grand Prix

  phone: +1 562 981-2600
  address: Downtown
  A weekend-long event culminating in Indycar racing on a 2 mile track through the streets of downtown. Held every April. Celebrities races are among the events.

• Gay Pride Festival

  phone: +1 562 987-9191
  address: Rainbow Harbor and the Marina Green
  Held every May, the Festival celebrates gay, lesbian, and transgender lifestyles through music, stage performances, and a parade.

• Long Beach Sea FestivalA summer long series of events, many of them free, held throughout the city.

• Grecian Festival

  phone: +1 562 494-8929
  Greek food and entertainment.

• Long Beach Blues Festival

  phone: +1 562 985-1686
  Outdoor jazz and blues festival featuring big name artists like Etta James, Los Lobos and Black Crowes. Held at the California State University Long Beach athletic field. Labor Day weekend.

• Long Beach Triathlon

  phone: +1 714 978-1528
  A 1/2 mile swim, 11 mile bike ride, 3 mile run race along the oceanfront of Long Beach. September.

• Long Beach International Marathon

  phone: +1 562 728-8829
  Scenic marathon along the shores of Long Beach. October.

• Belmont Car ShowThe largest one-day car show on the West Coast. Held in September

• Haute Dog Easter ParadeAnnual Parade featuring dogs in costume.

• Sidwalk Chalk Art and Poetry Contest

• Historical Cemetery Tour

  address: 1095 E Willow Rd
  The Historical Society of Long Beach puts on an annual tour of the historic Sunnyside Cemetery with actors telling stories as figures from Long Beach's past. Tickets are required and go on sale starting in September.

• Music Tastes Good Festival

  address: Downtown Long Beach (main entrance Elm Ave and East 3rd Street)
  A new Music and Food Block Party and Festival in downtown Long Beach with first year being 2016 (Sept 23rd to 25th-check website for dates for future years) featuring numerous bands playing many different kinds of music.

Long Beach is home to two major learning facilities, a California State University campus and a Community Junior College.

• California State University Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 985-4111
  address: 1250 Bellflower Blvd
  CSULB offer a wide range of bachelor's degrees, as well as master's degrees in Anthropology, Fine Arts, Business, and Science. One of the specialities of the campus is International Business.

• Long Beach City College

  phone: +1 562 938-4111
  LBCC is a two-year transfer or AA-degree school, including a highly regarded nursing program. The school has two campuses, one focusing on traditional education, the other on vocational training.

• LBCC Liberal Arts Campus

  address: 4901 E Carson St

• LBCC Pacific Coast Campus

  address: 1305 E Pacific Coast Hwy

• Belmont ShoreBars, restaurants, coffee shops, boutiques, and national store outlets such as the Gap, Banana Republic, Buffalo Exchange and Vans. Take Passport A or D.

• East 4th

  address: Between Cherry St and Junipero along 4th St
  Home to independent retro and hipster bookstores, clothing shops, furniture shops, and an Independent movie theater, the Art Theatre. Check out La Bomba for its extensive selection (including a literal mountain of clothes in the back of the store that you literally dig through.) Take Passport B.

• Magnolia and Willow; antique and vintage

  address: 490 W Willow St
  A mall of antique and vintage dealers. With a showroom over 2,500 sq. feet and over 20 dealers you are bound to find a treasure.

• Los Altos Shopping Center

  phone: +1 562 430-4134 7
  Stores include Target, Trader Joe's, Big Lots, Rite Aid, Golden Spoon Yogurt, Sears, Bristol Farms gourmet food store AM-10PM, includes cafe, Thursday wine tastings 5:30-7:30, $23), T J Maxx, Baja Fresh Mexican Food, See's Candy(across Bellflower). Close to the Passport bus route D to Cal State and downtown Long Beach.

• Shoreline Village

  phone: +1 562 435-2668
  address: 429-P Shoreline Village Dr
  Shoreline Village is a family friendly waterfront shopping, dining and entertainment center that overlooks beautiful Rainbow Harbor. Take Passport C.

• Vons

  phone: +1 562-491-1210
  address: 600 E Broadway
  Large chain supermarket in downtown with a pharmacy which sells alcohol.

Formerly known as "Iowa by the Sea", but now populated by a diverse community, Long Beach has a full range of dining options.

American

• The Breakfast Club of Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 427-2233
  address: 3900 Atlantic Ave
  Relaxed, casual-style restaurant serving American and Korean items.

• Gladstone's Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 432-8588
  address: 330 S Pine Ave
  Seafood dining along the Long Beach waterfront.

• Jongewaard's Bake-n-Broil

  phone: +1 562 595-0396
  address: 3697 Atlantic Ave
  A local secret known for homebaked pies, desserts, soups, and comfort food. Inexpensive (and popular so expect a wait).

• Long Beach Cafe

  phone: +1 562-436-6037
  address: 615 E Ocean Blvd
  Diner, offers burgers, omelets, meatloaf, Greek food.

• Parkers' Lighthouse

  phone: +1 562 432-6500
  address: 435-A Shoreline Village Dr
  Contemporary seafood restaurant with shoreline view of the Queen Mary.

• Polly's Bakery Cafe

  phone: +1 562 595-5651
  address: 3490 Atlantic Ave
  Local chain known for site-baked pies especially fresh strawberry and ollalieberry in season. Roast turkey and chicken dinners.

• Polly's Bakery Cafe

  phone: +1 562 597-6076
  address: 4680 Los Coyotes Diagonal
  Local chain known for site-baked pies especially fresh strawberry and ollalieberry in season. Roast turkey and chicken dinners.

• Rock Bottom Restaurant and Brewery

  phone: +1 562 308-2255
  address: 1 Pine Ave
  Microbrewery known for their in-house beers and root beer.

• Yard House Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 628-0455
  address: 401 Shoreline Village Dr
  Chain restaurant with extensive menu and large selection of draft beer.

• Ahimsa Vegan Cafe

  phone: +1 562 435-7113
  address: 340 E 4th St
  Ahimsa is a vegan/vegetarian/raw cafe

Mexican

• Enrique's

  phone: +1 562 498-3622
  address: 6210 E Pacific Coast Hwy
  In addition to the usual combination plates, menu includes specialties such as pork shank, stuffed pasilla chiles, and bread pudding. Very popular, be prepared to wait. Offers takeout.

• Taco Surf

  phone: +1 562 434-8646
  address: 5316 1/2 E 2nd St
  Bar and taqueria.

• Baja Sonora

  phone: +1 562 981-1950
  address: 3502 Atlantic Ave
  Mexican food voted the Best Local Mexican Restaurants in Long Beach by the Readers of the Long Beach Press-Telegram Newspaper 2013 & 2014.

• Baja Sonora

  phone: +1 562 421-5120
  address: 2940 Clark Ave
  Mexican food voted the Best Local Mexican Restaurants in Long Beach by the Readers of the Long Beach Press-Telegram Newspaper 2013 & 2014.

• Hole Mole

  phone: +1 562-439-2555
  address: 421 Obispo Ave
  Also at 1327 E 4th St and 5209 E Pacific Coast Hwy. Fish Tacos, breakfast burritos.

Italian

• Ecco's Pizzeria

  phone: +1 562 597-3357
  address: 2123 Bellflower Blvd
  Small place with great pizza and Italian dishes. Locals favorite.

• The Deli News

  phone: +1 562 598-2123
  address: 5555 E Stearns St
  Very small place with inexpensive pizza and Italian dishes. Charming and friendly owners.

Cambodian

• Sophy's Thai & Cambodian

  phone: +1 562 494-1763
  address: 3240 E Pacific Coast Hwy
  Small place with Thai and Cambodian dishes.

• Legend Seafood Restaurant

  phone: +1 562 218-0066
  address: 1350 E Anaheim St
  Cambodian restaurant with lots of other varieties.

Japanese

• Tokyo Wako Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 435-7600
  address: 310 S Pine Ave
  Japanese steak house and sushi.

• Sushi West So. California

  phone: +1 562 424-5004
  address: 4105 Atlantic Ave
  Small, quaint place with a friendly atmosphere. Great for quick-order sushi & sashimi. The parking lot is shared with next-door Trader Joe's, so parking may be hard ot find at times. Visa & Mastercard purchases are $10 Minimum without Tax

• Bamboo Teri House

  phone: +1 562 595-6049
  address: 3391 Atlantic Ave
  Nice sit-down restaurant with take-out and online ordering. Great teriyaki sauce! Delivery to local businesses only.

Vietnamese

• Benley, A Vietnamese Kitchen

  phone: +1 562 596-8130
  address: 8191 E Wardlow Rd
  Chic and casual tiny neighborhood cafe in a strip mall. Excellent pho, shaken beef, buttermilk panna cotta with Key Lime anglaise, cassava cake. Free corkage.

Greek

• George's Greek Cafe

  phone: +1 562 433-1755
  address: 5316 E 2nd St
  Friendly Greek restaurant. The house specialty is the lamb chops, but there are fish and vegetarian options, and a selection of Greek wines. Indoor and outdoor seating.

French

• Creme De La Crepe

  phone: +1 562 437-2222
  address: 400 E 1st St
  Picture a Paris street cafe, add sunshine and cool breeze and what you get is "la creme de la crepe..." Authentic French cafe serving breakfast, lunch and diner daily. Award winner every year since 2005 and now recommended by Sunset Magazine, et voila!

Middle Eastern

• Magic Lamp Lebanese Mediterranean Grill

  phone: +1 562 987-3080
  address: 5020 E 2nd St
  Excellent middle eastern food with a great dining atmosphere. Very good dips, lamb and salads.

Upscale

• Michael's on Naples

  phone: +1 562 439-7080
  address: 5620 E 2nd St
  White cloth Italian with award winning wine list, rooftop lounge, brickoven pizzeria next door.

• 555 East American Steakhouse

  phone: +1 562 437-0626
  address: 555 E Ocean Blvd
  Prime steakhouse

Aboard the Queen Mary

• Sir Winston's

  phone: +1 562 499-1657
  Features Continental and California cuisine. Smart-casual attire required and reservations are highly recommended. Due to the historic nature of the ship, Sir Winston's is located in an area that is only accessible by stairs. Accommodations will be made for guests with special needs.

• Champagne Sunday Brunch

  phone: +1 562 499-1606
  Includes a Carving and Entree Station with a selection of cooked meats; an Oriental Station with stir-fry; a Pasta Station with a selection of gourmet pastas and sauces; a Dessert Station with such delectables as chocolate covered strawberries; and a Mexican Station featuring foods from south of the border. There is a special buffet island just for children.

• Chelsea Chowder House & Bar

  phone: +1 562 499-1685
  Seafood specialties

• Observation Bar

  phone: +1 562 499-1740
  Hand crafted cocktails in the former First-Class Lounge which is lined with Art Deco tables, chairs and decor.

• Joe Jost's

  phone: +1 562 439-5446
  address: 2803 E Anaheim St
  Long Beach ClassicOpened in 1924, one of the oldest family operated taverns in the West. Schooners of draft beer, "Joe's Special" (Polish sausage on rye, with Swiss cheese, mustard, and pickle), fresh roasted peanuts, and pickled eggs. Turn of the century pool tables in the back room.

• The Yard House

  phone: +1 562 628-0455
  address: 401 Shoreline Village Dr
  View of Shoreline Village Marina, dockside seating, eclectic uspcale casual menu, 100+ beers on tap, wine by the glass, specialty martinis. Happy Hour M-F 3PM-6PM, Pints $3.25, Martinis $5.25, half-price appetizers.

• Shannon's On Pine

  phone: +1 562 436-4363
  address: 209 Pine Ave
  By far the friendliest bar in Long Beach. Excellently located on the corner of Pine Avenue and Broadway, Shannon's is the perfect place to stop in for an inexpensive, strong drink. The best selection of alcohol downtown. In addition to great drinks, the food is both reasonably priced and excellent. A wide selection of sandwiches, great dinner specials, and $9 bloody mary and omelette on weekends.

• The Sweet Water Saloon

  phone: +1 562 432-7044
  address: 1201 E Broadway
  Situated in a historic building(originally Villa Nova Restaurant in the 1940s), the Sweet Water Saloon is truly a neighborhood bar during the day time, and a party bar at night. Well known for having the coldest beers on the Broadway Corridor, home of the ONLY bar on the strip to offer seasonal beers on tap. Happy Hour 7 days a week, from open until 8PM: $2 draft beers, $3 domestic bottled beers and well cocktails. Wednesday nights are $2 drink days where all well drinks, draft beers, and bottled domestic beers are $2 AND free pool in one of the two pool tables.

• Legends Sports Bar

  phone: +1 562 433-5743
  address: 5236 E 2nd St
  Check out the ribs

• Belmont Brewing Co

  phone: +1 562-433-3891
  address: 25 39th Pl

• Best Western Golden Sails Hotel

  phone: +1 562 596-1631
  address: 6285 E Pacific Coast Hwy

• Best Western of Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 599-5555
  address: 1725 Long Beach Blvd
  AAA-2 Diamond rating. Complimentary continental breakfast, pool. No pets allowed.

• Courtyard Long Beach Downtown

  phone: +1 562 435-8511
  address: 500 E 1st St
  On-site parking for both guests and non-guests, fee:$5/hour, $19 daily. Free high speed Internet. Smoke free hotel and pets are not allowed.

• Extended Stay America - Long Beach Airport

  phone: +1 562 989-4601
  address: 4105 E Willow St
  Clean budget hotel suits with fully-equipped kitchens, plenty of work space and amenities you won't find in a typical hotel room. Practical stay for families with kids. Pets are welcome (fees applied). Office Hours 7AM-11PM

• Hilton Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 983-3400
  address: 701 W Ocean Blvd
  Outdoor heated pool. Pets are allowed. Complimentary health club.

• Holiday Inn Long Beach Airport

  phone: +1 562 597-4401
  address: 2640 Lakewood Blvd
  Smoke-Free accommodation. Overnight Parking Fee at $9.00 Per Day. Complimentary wireless high speed Internet access and fitness center. Outdoor heated pool.

• Holiday Inn Long Beach (Downtown)

  phone: +1 562 590-8858
  address: 1133 Atlantic Ave
  Not in the best part of town but provides free shuttle into the more tourist and business parts of the area. Underground parking available $10. Reasonably furnished rooms with refrigerator, microwave but thin walls. Cafe available which makes a good fresh omelet for breakfast. No pets allowed.

• Hotel Maya

  phone: +1 562 435-7676
  address: 700 Queensway Dr
  Rooms featuring balconies and patios with bay or skyline views in a Latin resort theme. A member of the Doubletree hotel group. Pets allowed up to 50 lb. $50 non-refundable pet fee.

• Hyatt Regency Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 491-1234
  address: 200 S Pine Ave
  Full service luxurious hotel with water views from rooms. Pet allowed with $100 fee for up to 6 days. Additional pet fees after first 6 days.

• Long Beach Marriott

  phone: +1 562 425-5210
  address: 4700 Airport Plaza Dr
  Smoke free hotel. Fee for high speed Internet access. Pets not allowed.

• Motel 6 - Long Beach - International City

  phone: +1 562 591-3321
  address: 1121 E Pacific Coast Hwy
  Free wi-fi. Pets allowed.

• Motel 6 Los Angeles - Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 597-1311
  address: 5665 E 7th St
  Wi-fi available for a fee. Pets allowed.

• Queen Mary

  address: 1126 Queens Highway
  Sleep in one of the Sea Queen's grand first-class staterooms. Non-smoking hotel. Parking is $20/night.

• Renaissance Long Beach Hotel

  phone: +1 562 437-5900
  address: 111 E Ocean Blvd
  High speed wireless for a fee. Smoke free hotel. Pets not allowed. Parking fee of $22/day.

• Residence Inn Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 595-0909
  address: 4111 E Willow St
  Smoke free hotel. Pets allowed with $100 non-refundable fee. Complimentary Wireless.

• Vagabond Inn Long Beach

  phone: +1 562 435-7621
  address: 150 Alamitos Ave
  Free wi-fi and continental breakfast. Pets up to 30 lb allowed for $10/day fee, over 30lb for $15/day.

Stay safe

Most areas of Long Beach are fairly safe, even after dark. There are two major areas that are not quite as safe and should be avoided after dark. Caution is called for even during the daytime in these areas.
The first of these areas is in the southwestern portion of the city. This area is bounded, starting from the southeast corner, by Redondo Blvd. and 4th, running north to the Signal Hill border. Along the Signal Hill border north-west to the 405 Freeway, along the freeway to the western border of Long Beach and Wilmington, down to 4th St.
The second and more dangerous of the areas is North Long Beach (north west of the LGB airport). The approximate boundaries of this area are from Del Amo and Cherry, north to the north border of the city, along the north border to the west border and back south to Del Amo. This area, which borders on Compton, has a reputation for gang activity and is one of the more active police and fire districts in the city.

Police

Long Beach has its own police department operating from four main stations throughout the city. Police can be reached by dialing 9-1-1 toll-free from any phone. The Long Beach Police now receive 9-1-1 calls directly from cell phones however calling 9-1-1 from a cell phone when near freeways will connect you with the California Highway Patrol. To reach the Long Beach Police directly from a cell phone, dial +1 562 435-6711.

• South Station - 400 W Broadway
• West Station - 1835 Santa Fe Ave
• North Station - 4891 Atlantic Ave
• East Station - 4800 Los Coyotes Diagonal

Fire/Emergency Medical Services

Long Beach also has its own Class 1 Fire Department. The Class 1 designation indicates that response times to emergencies average 5 minutes or less. To request emergency assistance from the Fire Department, dial 911 toll-free from any phone.
Every fire engine and truck is staffed by fire-fighters with Basic Life Support training. The department also has a number of Advanced Life Support certified Paramedic Ambulances strategically stationed around the city. Fire Department Ambulances are available for emergency medical transport to a hospital, however, be aware that you will be billed for transport.

Hospitals

Long Beach is well-served by hospitals. There are three major hospitals in the city, including two that are trauma centers (Memorial and St. Mary) capable of handling the most critical emergencies. All five of the hospitals listed below have 24-hour emergency rooms.

• Long Beach Memorial Hospital

  phone: +1 562 933-2000
  address: 2801 Atlantic Ave
  Pediatric emergency services available. Parking is $5/day.

• St. Mary Medical Center

  phone: +1 562 491-9000
  address: 1050 Linden Ave
  Pediatric emergency services available. This hospital has an emergency room reservation service. See their website for details.

• Community Hospital Long Beach

  address: 1720 Termino Ave

While there are three hospitals in the city, they are all south of Interstate 405. In North and East Long Beach, the nearest hospitals are located in neighboring cities.
North:

• Lakewood Regional Medical Center

  phone: +1 562 531-2550
  address: 3700 E South St, Lakewood
  This hospital has an emergency room reservation service. See their website for details.

East:

• Los Alamitos Medical Center

  phone: +1 562 598-1311
  address: 3751 Katella Ave, Los Alamitos
  This hospital has an emergency room reservation service. See their website for details.

Consulates

Most of the foreign consulates are located along Wilshire Blvd in/around the Wilshire neighborhood and West Los Angeles, between downtown and Santa Monica in Los Angeles. The following are in Long Beach instead:

• Cambodia (Honorary)

  phone: +1 562 494-3000
  address: 3448 E Anaheim St

• Panama

  phone: +1 562 612-4677, +1 562 612-4678
  address: 111 W Ocean Blvd, Suite #1570
  The URL is linked to the Panamanian Embassy in Washington DC as the local consulate does NOT have a website of its own.

• Catalina Island -Catalina Express, (800) 481-3470 - High-speed boat service
• Baja California - Carnival Cruise Lines - Long Beach is the home port for the ships "Ecstasy" and "Elation." Carnival built a terminal next to the Queen Mary. Cruises leave from this port to Baja and the Mexican Riviera.
• Los Angeles - Metro Blue Line - (800) 266-6883 - travels to downtown Los Angeles. Additionally, transferring to the Red Line will lead you to Hollywood.
• Disneyland - Travel east on Willow Street until it crosses into Orange County and becomes Katella Avenue - will be to the left side of the road.