Have you been to Long Beach, CA?
Long Beach was voted "Best City" for entertainment and living in the LA Times Best of the Southland 2022! From their local ‘Circuit’ shuttle service and Firework Shows on the waterfront to Thursday Night Markets in DTLB and specialty stores and restaurants, Long Beach has a ton to offer!
Long Beach is also pretty dog-friendly! I have favorited a few spots (look for the red hearts) that I describe in this post.
Here are the some fun things to do in Long Beach:
Naples Canals
Go for a romantic stroll around the canals. Dogs on leash are welcome. Start by the parking lot near Appian Way / Colorado Street. Find a bridge that will lead you to the three islands of Naples. The largest island can be reached via 2nd Street from both the east and the west as well as Appian Way. Entrances are at Ravenna Drive and E The Toledo, Walk along the Rivo Alto Canal loop. Check out Colonnade park, and explore the 3-tiered fountain in the middle of the island at La Bella Fontana Park. Mothers Beach on the NE edge of the largest island faces the bay and is popular with families.
Feel like water activities? Rent a boat experience!
Rent a kayak or a stand up paddle!
Rent a two-hour Duffy boat from Anchors Away or a 20-ft boat from London Boat Rentals and go around the canals as well as along Alamitos Bay, Mothers Beach and Spinnaker Bay. This ride is dog-friendly!
Want to make life a little more exciting? Rent a WaveRunner, and be tutored before you take off to the ocean.
Looking for old world charm? Get on a Gondola by Gondola Getaway and enjoy 50 minutes of cruising, cozy blankets and complimentary photos! Make it more romantic with rose bouquets, petals and food. The company also offers pizza and pasta cruises, wedding getaways and other Venetian adventures!
Spend half a day at Southern California’s largest aquarium. With 12,000 animals and more than 100 ‘Pacific Ocean’ exhibits, the aquarium welcomes over a million visitors every year. The aquarium is located on Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach. Buy your ticket
Shoreline Village
Park in the lot, shop for beach wear or dine at Shoreline Village. Rent bikes or boats, marvel at the lamps at Istanbul Home, dress up for their February Mardi Gras event, check out the fireworks on the waterfront every December, play video games at Pelican Pier and enjoy some funnel cake! Shoreline Village is certainly a happy place for you and a great walking area for your dog!
These links will help plan your day:
Spirit Cruises offers a lovely water experience with its one hour cruise, whale watching cruise and public harbor cruise. If you are looking for a glass-bottom boat, choose this experience by Sea View Cruises that departs from Dock 7.
Marina Sailing has sailing lessons and you can even rent a boat but you should call and check with them. This company operates across many Southern California harbors
Sun Glow Sailing Charters offers a 3-hour sailing lesson, ideal for beginners, right on Rainbow Harbor. Explore this opportunity!
Swan Boat Rental at Rainbow Lagoon is a great activity with kids, and we love the shaded canopies!
Rent a bike at Wheel Fun Rentals and ride along the boardwalk
Dolphin and Whale Adventure
This is a great way to get close to wildlife.
The Harbor Breeze boats are located in Rainbow Harbor in Long Beach. Tours depart morning and afternoons, and the boats are bigger
The SoCal Whale Watching operator meets by the Aquarium, passes by The Queen Mary (boat) and the Korean Bell of Friendship. Their boats are really small and only accommodate 6 people. Buy your ticket
If you are a dog parent, you are going to love this four acre-stretch where dogs run free! Find this beach along Ocean Blvd, between Roycroft and Argonne Avenues. There is no fence, and it is not a dedicated dog beach but there are facilities for dogs to be cleaned up after they enjoy the sun, sand and ocean!
If you are looking to splurge, see Long Beach by air!
California Parasail is located right in Shoreline Village and offers a thrilling air float on the water!
The Anthelion Helicopters offer a coastal excursion tour that takes you over Long Beach ports and over Naples, Alamitos Bay and Seal Beach
Where to Eat - Focused on vegetarian food options!
Looks more like a breakfast spot but don’t be deceived because it's great for dinner too! If you are dining in with kids, order their Cheetos Mac and Cheese. Decent drinks and good vegetarian options as well! Set in an eclectic 1920s style home, this spot marries New American cuisine with southern traditions.
LOVE the owner and also the food! Good vegetarian options too. Award-winning restaurant with Mexican and Latin American influences!
Specialty coffee and seasonal food cafe with many vegetarian options, cute farm to table spot, LGBTQIA friendly!
Organic produce, great for coffee or sit down breakfast. Or just maybe a cocktail while watching the sunset. Simple spot overlooking the Colorado Lagoon
Vegan, local cuisine with great burgers, coffee and bowls. Cool brunch and cocktails too!
Where to Drink, Party or be Entertained!
From salsa to rock and roll, you will find some great entertainment options in Long Beach downtown, near East Village or in Belmont Shore. Check out Alegria for hip hop and Latin music, and Sevilla for some of the hottest entertainment! 4th Street in Long Beach is pretty retro-vibrant with bars such as The Stache and 4th Street Vine. The Bungalow Kitchen by Michael Mina is more upscale with awesome views, cocktails and chic interiors, and Ballast Point Brewery is low-key and at a great harborside location where you can see sunsets and passing boats! Laugh Factory is great spot to catch a show, or watch an independent film at The Art Theater.
Our magazine, Green Sea Shells was recently featured in a Redfin article on Long Beach and was named a top Long Beach, CA, local expert by Redfin.
Long Beach, a Southern California paradise, has risen in popularity for those looking to rent or buy a home in the state. Featuring plenty of beachfront activities, it’s no wonder Long Beach is also home to nearly 450,000 people. The city is rising in popularity and price, so if you’re considering buying a home in Long Beach, know that the housing market is very competitive, and the median home sale price is $771,000. Maybe you’re considering apartments for rent in Long Beach instead? If so, the average rent for a 1- bedroom apartment is $2,856. If those price tags don’t fit into your budget, don’t worry. We’ve collected the 10 best affordable Long Beach suburbs to consider living in. And the best part is that they’re all less than 20 minutes away from the city center. You’ll be close enough to explore all of Long Beach’s best activities without paying the price of city life.
Read the full article here: 10 Most Affordable Long Beach Suburbs to Live In | Redfin
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