Guidebook for Long Beach
Everything Else
Our own Rosie's Dog Beach is about a mile away (doesn't show up in this guidebook, so google/yelp it), but the Huntington one is a bit larger if you're up for a little ride down PCH w/your pooch!
29 locals recommend
Huntington Beach Dog Beach
Our own Rosie's Dog Beach is about a mile away (doesn't show up in this guidebook, so google/yelp it), but the Huntington one is a bit larger if you're up for a little ride down PCH w/your pooch!
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!
This is the hospital I go to for my own pets. They have a team of vets, including a holistic vet, as well as extended hours til midnite so you don't need to go to the emergency room!
Long Beach Animal Hospital
3816 E Anaheim StThis is the hospital I go to for my own pets. They have a team of vets, including a holistic vet, as well as extended hours til midnite so you don't need to go to the emergency room!
In case you have an emergency with your furry friend, and missed the midnite cutoff at Long Beach Animal Hospital...
Long Beach Animal Emergency
4720 Pacific Coast HwyIn case you have an emergency with your furry friend, and missed the midnite cutoff at Long Beach Animal Hospital...
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.
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!
Our local neighborhood museum. They also have a sit-down restaurant, Claire's, with ocean views.
211 locals recommend
Long Beach Museum of Art
2300 E Ocean BlvdOur local neighborhood museum. They also have a sit-down restaurant, Claire's, with ocean views.
Food Scene
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!
Cold Stone Creamery
25 Aquarium WayYummy ice cream dessert shop!
Great breakfast and brunch dining spot, with an outdoor area as well. They close at 2pm.
24 locals recommend
Eggs Etc
550 Redondo AveGreat breakfast and brunch dining spot, with an outdoor area as well. They close at 2pm.
Francelli's Italian Restaurant
3404 E 4th StVery tasty and affordable Italian food.
Bangkok Thai Cuisine
3426 E 4th StExcellent Thai food and a nice atmosphere.
Mimi's Bistro & Bakery
6670 Pacific Coast HwyNice variety on the menu, and great muffins!
A close walk to the Belmont Pier for an after dinner stroll after filling your belly with tacos, rice, & beans! Outdoor seating only, so bring a jacket.
29 locals recommend
Chronic Tacos
3601 Pacific Coast HwyA close walk to the Belmont Pier for an after dinner stroll after filling your belly with tacos, rice, & beans! Outdoor seating only, so bring a jacket.
Love, love, love the crepes here!! Very cool artsy atmosphere inside, w/live music, and a sidewalk outdoor eating area as well if you'd rather dine in the fresh air & people watch strollers on 2nd St.
31 locals recommend
La Creperie Cafe
4911 2nd StLove, love, love the crepes here!! Very cool artsy atmosphere inside, w/live music, and a sidewalk outdoor eating area as well if you'd rather dine in the fresh air & people watch strollers on 2nd St.
Just about everything here is good, and they have a nice outdoor area as well. There's also another larger location in downtown LB on Pine.
42 locals recommend
George’s Greek Cafe
5316 2nd StJust about everything here is good, and they have a nice outdoor area as well. There's also another larger location in downtown LB on Pine.
Just about everything here is good, and they have a nice outdoor area as well. There's also another smaller location on 2nd St. in Belmont Shores.
37 locals recommend
George's Greek Cafe
5252 Faculty AveJust about everything here is good, and they have a nice outdoor area as well. There's also another smaller location on 2nd St. in Belmont Shores.
The pie selection is great, and the menu is diverse. Great for brunch.
10 locals recommend
Hof's Hut Restaurant & Bakery
2147 N Bellflower BlvdThe pie selection is great, and the menu is diverse. Great for brunch.
Hopefully you can guess what type of restaurant this is. They have a very charming outdoor dining area, and excellent creamy Italian salad dressing (pizza is also great!).
14 locals recommend
The Pizza Place & Garden Cafe
1431 E BroadwayHopefully you can guess what type of restaurant this is. They have a very charming outdoor dining area, and excellent creamy Italian salad dressing (pizza is also great!).
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!
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.
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.
At Last Cafe
204 Orange AvenueSuper cute hole in the wall eatery, with super tasty meals!
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.
Papalucci's
4611 2nd StIf you like the garlic, this is the place to go!
Long Beach Pizza Co
3430 E BroadwayNot my favorite pizza place, but it's acceptable and close.
Great fish tacos (just $1.25 every night from 8-10pm!), as well as a good vegetarian menu, and just two blocks away.
34 locals recommend
Hole Mole
1327 E 4th StGreat fish tacos (just $1.25 every night from 8-10pm!), as well as a good vegetarian menu, and just two blocks away.
Lots of great live bands play here, and I believe one of the owners is a member of Social Distortion.
39 locals recommend
Pike Restaurant & Bar
1836 E 4th StLots of great live bands play here, and I believe one of the owners is a member of Social Distortion.
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.
62 locals recommend
Ruby's Diner
1 Balboa PierFun 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.
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.
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!
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"!
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!
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.
Closest one…they charge by weight, so you can self serve whatever flavors and toppings you want, quite tasty!
Yogurtland Long Beach
4816 2nd StClosest one…they charge by weight, so you can self serve whatever flavors and toppings you want, quite tasty!
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!
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!
Sightseeing
Aquarium of the Pacific
100 Aquarium WayA 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 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 Bungalow 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 Bungalow 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!
Entertainment & Activities
Great spot if you have youngsters...no waves in the lagoon, a nice playground, and a cool little bridge to the other side of the lagoon. Also good for "grown ups" who want to relax!
43 locals recommend
Colorado Lagoon
Great spot if you have youngsters...no waves in the lagoon, a nice playground, and a cool little bridge to the other side of the lagoon. Also good for "grown ups" who want to relax!
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.
Ralphs
2930 E 4th StClosest grocery store.
You can get to this TJ's by taking the 121 bus that can be caught along on Ocean Blvd.
105 locals recommend
Trader Joe's
6451 Pacific Coast HwyYou can get to this TJ's by taking the 121 bus that can be caught along on Ocean Blvd.
Trader Joe's
6451 Pacific Coast HwyYou can get to this TJ's on either the 121 or 131 LB Transit buses.
Great imported grocery items, and they also have an in-store deli and small dining area, as well as a nightly weekday dinner menu (I have the menu posted on the refrigerator).
30 locals recommend
Olives Gourmet Grocer
3510 E BroadwayGreat imported grocery items, and they also have an in-store deli and small dining area, as well as a nightly weekday dinner menu (I have the menu posted on the refrigerator).