Guidebook for Long Beach
Essentials
Great bulk warehouse prices without needing a membership card, and a fairly decent organic section.
16 locals recommend
Smart & Final Extra!
644 Redondo AveGreat 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 recommend
Bixby Park
130 Cherry AveProbably 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 recommend
123 E 3rd St
123 East 3rd StreetCityPlace 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).
Long Beach Southeast Farmers Market
6602 E Marina DrSundays 9am-2pm
Marina Vista Park
5355 E Eliot StMarine Stadium Farmer's Market: Wednesdays 3-7pm; Summer 3-8pm.
Cold Stone Creamery
25 Aquarium WayYummy ice cream dessert shop!
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 recommend
Art Theatre of Long Beach
2025 E 4th StOur 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 recommend
Carpenter Performing Arts Center
6200 E Atherton StIf 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 recommend
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
300 E Ocean BlvdThere 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 recommend
Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center
300 E Ocean BlvdOur 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 recommend
The Getty
1200 Getty Center DrPlan 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 recommend
The Pike Outlets
95 S Pine AveA plethora of restaurants, entertainment, bars, and other cool local activities in our downtown area!
Food Scene
Aki's Sushi
665 Redondo AvenueCool little sushi bar within walking distance.
Brite Spot
3721 East Anaheim StreetHole-in-the-wall Mexican eatery, with fabulous shrimp tacos!
Fairly healthy for a fast food chain. I love their fish tacos! And there's lots to do and see in the surrounding Pike area of downtown Long Beach after you dine.
Sharky's
51 The PaseoFairly healthy for a fast food chain. I love their fish tacos! And there's lots to do and see in the surrounding Pike area of downtown Long Beach after you dine.
Eclectic little eatery with a nautical theme, with almost 20 different omelettes to choose from featuring very healthy ingredients and sides. Also a nice little outdoor eating area!
9 locals recommend
Omelette Inn
318 Pine AveEclectic little eatery with a nautical theme, with almost 20 different omelettes to choose from featuring very healthy ingredients and sides. Also a nice little outdoor eating area!
They charge by weight, so you can self serve whatever flavors and toppings you want, quite tasty!
Yogurtland Long Beach
4816 2nd StThey 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 recommend
COCORENOS
3400 E BroadwayGreat 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 recommend
EJ Malloy's - Belmont Heights
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 recommend
Denny's
5751 Sunset BlvdGood 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 recommend
Kafe Neo
2800 East 4th StreetCool 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 recommend
Open Sesame
5215 2nd StExcellent Mediterranean cuisine (including some great vegie selections) and great atmosphere at this awesome Lebanese restaurant! They also have a cool outdoor eating area.
One of my favorite coffee houses...cool atmosphere, great sandwiches, and of course great coffee.
29 locals recommend
Viento Y Agua
4007 E 4th StOne 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 recommend
The Library A Coffee House
3418 E BroadwayOne 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 recommend
Portfolio Coffeehouse LLC
2300 E 4th StVoted one of the best coffeehouses in Long Beach, with lots of entertainment going on there as well.
Hot Java
2101 E BroadwaySmall but cozy, and pretty close.
Great fish tacos (just $1 every night from 8-10pm!), as well as a good vegetarian menu, and just two blocks away.
27 locals recommend
Holé Molé
421 Obispo AveGreat fish tacos (just $1 every night from 8-10pm!), as well as a good vegetarian menu, and just two blocks away.
Long Beach Pizza Co
3430 E BroadwayNot 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 recommend
Cafe Piccolo
3222 E BroadwayOne of my very favorite restaurants in Long Beach...fabulous Italian food in a very cool intimate atmosphere of water fountains and fire pits!
Papalucci's
4611 2nd StIf 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 recommend
Gypsy's Mediterranean Grill
21 39th PlCute 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.
At Last Cafe
204 Orange AvenueSuper cute hole in the wall eatery, with super tasty meals!
Temple Coffee
2769 East BroadwayCool little artsy corner coffeehouse, with a pretty extensive food menu as well.
Awesome gelato, and also really tasty paninis! And a great outdoor dining area along the sidewalk as well.
27 locals recommend
Aroma Di Roma
4708 2nd StAwesome 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 recommend
Long Beach Fish Grill
1201 Redondo AveFantastic 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 recommend
Hof's Hut Restaurant & Bakery
2147 N Bellflower BlvdLocal 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 recommend
Sushi Studio
4917 CA-1Great 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 recommend
zpizza
4612 2nd StI 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 recommend
zpizza
4612 2nd StI 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 recommend
Coffee Cup Cafe
3734 E 4th StOne of my very favorite breakfast/brunch spots! Fantastic omelettes, and a cool, artsy atmosphere. Open 7am-2pm M-F, 7am-3pm Sat/Sun.
The Crooked Duck
5096 CA-1By far one of the very best brunch spots in Long Beach!
Stefano's Pizza
429 Shoreline Village DriveDecent 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 recommend
Your House Restaurant
2838 CA-1Nice 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 recommend
The Attic
3441 E BroadwayThis 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 recommend
Fortune Garden
1538 E 4th StNot 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!
Cold Stone Creamery
25 Aquarium WayYummy 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 recommend
Gallagher's Pub & Grill
2751 E BroadwayI'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 recommend
Pier 76 Fish Grill
95 Pine AveOne 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 recommend
Big Lots
2238 N Bellflower BlvdGreat 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 recommend
Buffalo Exchange
4608 2nd StGreat 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.
Iguana Import Gallery
3440 E BroadwayVery 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 recommend
City Place Shopping Center
151 E 5th StOutdoor 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 recommend
Goodwill Store & Donation Center
25425 Crenshaw BlvdIf 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 recommend
Huntington Library Art Collections and Botanical Gardens
1151 Oxford RdThis 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!
The closest Bally's. This one is huge, three stories, with a pool, indoor track, racquetball courts, and snack bar.
LA Fitness
4438 Pacific Coast HwyThe closest Bally's. This one is huge, three stories, with a pool, indoor track, racquetball courts, and snack bar.
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 recommend
Palm Springs Aerial Tramway
1 Tram WayIf 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 recommend
Fern's Garden
5308 2nd StOne of my very favorite little gift shops, with all kinds of spiritual and home decor items!
Shoreline Village
429 Shoreline Village DriveLots 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 DrI 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 recommend
Gondola Getaway
5437 E Ocean BlvdTreat 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 recommend
The Queen Mary
1126 Queens HwyOne 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.
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium WayA little overpriced, but still a pretty fun excursion.
Our central hub for public transportation info in Long Beach and beyond!
37 locals recommend
Downtown Long Beach Station
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 recommend
California State University Long Beach
Added this to the Guidebook for the benefit of the students that I host!
Sightseeing
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 recommend
Catalina Express
95 BerthOne 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 recommend
Santa Catalina Island
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 recommend
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
Earl Warren DriveA 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 recommend
Griffith Observatory
2800 E Observatory RdAside 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 recommend
Bluff Park
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.
Belmont Pier
Belmont PierClosest 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 recommend
Hilltop Park
2351 Dawson AveAbout 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
Iguana Kelley's
4306 E Anaheim StSmall little local dive bar.
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.
37 locals recommend
The Auld Dubliner
71 S Pine AveGreat 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.