Welcome to Long Beach
A bustling city with gorgeous beachfront views
In 1921, the discovery of oil near Long Beach and Signal Hill sparked a fast expansion, with a construction boom in Downtown costing a million dollars per month. It also aided in the town's development as a prominent beach resort and port city, with The Pike, a boardwalk entertainment area, attracting a large number of visitors. This prosperous expansion was halted, however, when a 6.4-magnitude earthquake struck the downtown area in 1933, killing 120 people and causing $50 million in damage.
The California Field Act of 1933 was enacted in response to this tragedy, requiring all public schools to be earthquake-resistant in design and construction. Approximately a hundred structures have been classified as historic monuments, with 16 historic districts containing surviving buildings from that era.
Long Beach, California is noted for its diversity in many areas, including the various architectural types seen across the city. Long Beach boasts architectural housing types for everyone, from turn-of-the-century historical homes to modern residences. Some of these styles include Neo-Traditional, Tudor Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Cottage style.
What to Love
- Immensely diverse community
- Stunning beachfront views
- Plenty of attractions and recreational activities
- Beautifully-constructed homes
Local Lifestyle
Long Beach is bordered on all sides by people from various walks of life. As a local, you'll notice a variety of folks out and about when they simply want to get some fresh air and enjoy the sunshine. Long Beach has many diverse communities, yet residents in this region wander around with their families at all hours of the day. This is a destination for visitors from other places who want to see and learn more about what Long Beach has to offer. Apart from being a peaceful and tourist-friendly beach town, it is also a town with plenty of things to do, such as restaurants, activities, exploring, and having a good time at the beach. The community is alive and well, and it is always open to visitors from all over the world. After just one visit to Long Beach, you'll want to stay forever.
Dining, Entertainment & Shopping
For tasty dining options, Long Beach has a diverse array of options to choose from, whether it’s Southern Cuisine from
The Attic or some of the best wood-fired pizza in California at
Michael’s Pizzeria. For car enthusiasts, the
Grand Prix of Long Beach is an IndyCar Series race hosted annually downtown on a street circuit. Indulge in prime steaks, chops, lobster, fresh grilled seafood, handmade drinks, and the most romantic views of Long Beach Harbor.
In Long Beach, you may go shopping at The Promenade or the City Place Shopping Center. At
Belmont Shore, check out the magnificent stretch of 2nd Street stores, and you're sure to find a memento to remember your trip by. They have a diverse choice of shops to pick from, whether it's for retail therapy or grabbing a daily need. There’s also the
Pike Outlets, which offers everything you need, including spectacular harbor views, more than 30 stores and restaurants, a theater, comedy club, boutique hotel, and our classic carousel and Ferris wheel.
Things to Do
You’ll never grow bored in Long Beach with the many different attractions that are available to local residents.
The Queen Mary, which was one of the most opulent and luxurious ships of the early twentieth century, is now honored by a museum that is a replica of this ship. The Queen Mary is more than just a floating museum; it also provides top-notch food, breathtaking views of the city skyline, overnight accommodations in historic first-class cabins, and a full schedule of concerts and activities.
Take your family to the
Aquarium of the Pacific, located on a 5-acre location on Rainbow Harbor. At the Aquarium of the Pacific, embark on a journey of discovery across the world's biggest ocean. In their Tropical, Northern, and Southern California/Baja Galleries, you'll find all of our exhibits, including sea otters, sharks, sea jellies, frogs, and more. There’s also the
Museum of Latin American Art. Through its collection, groundbreaking exhibitions, educational programs, and engaging cultural events, the Museum of Latin American Art increases awareness and enjoyment of modern and contemporary Latin American and Latino art.
Go for a relaxing walk by the beach and bring your furry friend along to
Rosie’s Dog Beach. Off-leash hours for dogs to run on the sand and splash in the ocean are available on a 4-acre length of beach.
Schools
Whether you're looking for a private or public school, these are a few of Long Beach’s most noteworthy schools:
- California State University of Long Beach offers more than 160 fully online and 150 hybrid degree programs and concentrations
- California Academy of Mathematics & Science, 9-12, rated the #1 magnet high school in California
- Polytechnic High School, 9-12, highly rated public high school
- Newcomb Academy, K-8, highly rated public middle school
- Naples Elementary School, K-5, gifted programs offered
