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Affectionally referred to as \u201cLBC\u201d by locals, Long Beach is both a city and a beach community \u2014 making it an ideal weekend getaway in Southern California.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s situated right on the border of Orange County and Los Angeles County (about a 45-minute drive from the heart of LA \u2014 give or take, depending on the infamous traffic).<\/p>\n
You may recognize it as the home of the Queen Mary or Aquarium of the Pacific, but there\u2019s so much more to see and do! With bike-friendly streets, tons of artist collectives, hip boutiques and vintage stores, and tons of cool restaurants and bars, Long Beach is worth checking out.<\/p>\n
It just so happens Long Beach happens to be one of the best dog-friendly places to explore in Southern California, too!<\/strong><\/p>\nWhether you\u2019re planning a staycation, a quick trip to the coast, or just looking to explore someplace new, Long Beach should be on your radar.<\/p>\n
From the best places to eat to where to stay to the best things to do in Long Beach \u2014\u00a0here is your ultimate guide!<\/h4>\n
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The Best\u00a0 Time to Visit Long Beach<\/h2>\n What\u2019s the weather like in Long Beach? <\/strong><\/p>\nLocated in Southern California, the climate in Long Beach is pretty temperate and it never gets too cold.<\/h4>\n It makes a great summer getaway (June through September), when the waters tend to warm up; though, on occasion, there are sweltering days when the high temps reach into the 90s or 100s.<\/p>\n
That said, fall, winter, and spring are equally fine times to explore LBC, so long as you\u2019re not counting on bikini weather by the beach.<\/em><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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Keep in mind that it\u2019s common for Long Beach to experience \u201cMay Gray\u201d and \u201cJune Gloom\u201d where days can be rather moody and misty.<\/center><\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
Consider the Timing of the Grand Prix<\/h3>\n The Grand Prix of Long Beach usually takes place every year in April. If you\u2019re going specifically for the Grand Prix, you\u2019ll want to reserve your accommodations well in advance as things tend to book up rather quickly.<\/strong><\/p>\nAnd if you\u2019re NOT going for the Grand Prix, I would avoid that weekend as hotel prices can climb and some stretches of Downtown are blocked off, making it somewhat difficult to get around.<\/p>\n
Where to Stay in Long Beach<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n\n
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The Westin Long Beach<\/h3>\n If you\u2019re looking for a dog-friendly hotel, we opted to stay at the Westin Long Beach because it offered the best of everything and was in a prime location.<\/p>\n
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\nHotel Maya<\/strong>: Part of the DoubleTree by Hilton, this Latin-inspired hotel is tucked with a lush tropical garden in the heart of the city.<\/li>\nHotel Current<\/strong>: This beautiful little spot offers cozy guest rooms and oversized apartments in a trendy locale.<\/li>\nWestin Long Beach<\/strong>: This four-star upscale hotel has all of the bells and whistles that you and your furry friend need for a perfect escape.<\/li>\nResidence Inn Long Beach Downtown<\/strong>: This all-suite hotel set on the banks of the Los Angeles River offers kitchenettes, a hot breakfast, and lovely waterfront views.<\/li>\nHyatt Regency Long Beach<\/strong>: Another waterfront gem downtown, this award-winning hotel is a perfect base for exploration.<\/li>\nHyatt Centric The Pike<\/strong>: This upscale hotel is located in the center of the city\u2019s best shopping districts and has a farm-to-table restaurant on-site.<\/li>\nHilton Long Beach<\/strong>: For exceptional service and a posh ambiance, look no further.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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Getting Around Long Beach<\/h2>\n Long Beach is a relatively bikeable city, especially for things close to the coast. There are some stretches that are great for walking, like Belmont Shore and 2nd Street.<\/p>\n
So, if you\u2019re staying close to Downtown, you could get away with just biking around for the weekend. However, some of the activities do have a bit of distance between them, so you might want to look into renting a car or Ubering around.<\/p>\n
While public transportation exists, I wouldn\u2019t say Long Beach is especially known for it.<\/strong><\/p>\n
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The Best\u00a0 Things to Do in Long Beach<\/h2>\n There are tons of fun things to do in Long Beach! Whether you\u2019re looking for family-friendly outings, dog-friendly activities in Long Beach, or just a broad overview as you plan your itinerary, here are some of the best things to do in Long Beach!<\/p>\n
Check Out the Boutiques<\/h3>\n Long Beach is brimming with local shops and eclectic boutiques, especially in the Belmont Shore Area. If you\u2019re looking for vintage clothing and fixings, check out Retro Row on 4th Street.<\/p>\n
If you\u2019re in town for the third Sunday, the Long Beach Antiques and Collectible Market is pretty popular!<\/strong><\/p>\nVisit the Beaches<\/h3>\n It is called Long BEACH, after all. There are a number of sandy stretches, so take your pick!<\/p>\n
Explore 2nd Street<\/h3>\n 2nd Street is dotted with restaurants, bars, and boutiques. A wonderful place for a stroll on a sunny day. Do be mindful that it can get quite rowdy at night, so if you\u2019re looking for a bit of nightlife \u2014 this might just be the place.<\/p>\n
Rent a Duffy Boat<\/h3>\n For the quintessential Southern California experience, you\u2019ve got to go for a Duffy boat ride. Set sail on Alamitos Bay and explore the beautiful canals of Long Beach.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Stroll the Area of Belmont Shore<\/h3>\n Wander the sandy beaches, swim in the calm lagoons, walk along the beautiful boardwalks, and experience one of Long Beach\u2019s most beautiful areas.<\/p>\n
Aquarium of the Pacific<\/h3>\n One of California\u2019s best, this is a fun place for both kids and adults.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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Listen to Jazz<\/h3>\n You may be familiar with Roscoe\u2019s Chicken and Waffles, but did you know that right next door to the Long Beach location is Roscoe\u2019s Jazz Lounge? Whether you take your chicken & waffles to go, or you simply want a night of jazz \u2014 this is a hidden gem.<\/p>\n
Queen Mary<\/h3>\n While I wouldn\u2019t say it\u2019s the most fun activity, a lot of folks like to visit the Queen Mary to explore\u2026and for its supposed haunted history.<\/p>\n
Art Walk<\/h3>\n Bounded by Ocean Boulevard, Long Beach Boulevard, 6th Street, and Alamitos Avenue, the East Village Arts District has a myriad of galleries, art walks, and the First Fridays street fair. The Museum of Latin American Art is also located in this area.<\/p>\n
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\n\t\t\t\t\t The famous Mac and Cheetos at The Attic<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
The Best Restaurants In Long Beach<\/h2>\nFor Brunch & Lunch<\/h3>\n\nThe Breakfast Bar:<\/strong> Close to the beach and in the heart of Downtown, go here for a classic breakfast of eggs and bloody Marys or comfort food picks.<\/li>\nPotholder: <\/strong>Serving up diner favorites, Potholder is an LBC classic.<\/li>\nCoffee Cup Cafe: <\/strong>Looking for homestyle breakfast & lunch options? Coffee Cup Cafe is where it\u2019s at! As a heads up, this place is cash only.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nFor Dinner<\/h3>\n\nThe Ordinarie:<\/strong> With cool decor and great options for brunch or dinner, this gastropub is a top pick. If you go here for breakfast, make sure to get an order of their table scones!<\/li>\nThe Original Yard House:<\/strong> For the best in craft and import beers along in an upscale sports bar, this is the place to be.<\/li>\nCr\u00e8me de la Crepe:<\/strong> For a hearty French dinner, come to this chic Parisian-inspired sidewalk spot.<\/li>\nThe Attic:<\/strong> Known for Mac and Cheetos, this eclectic spot has everything from shakshuka to Belgian waffles to poutine.<\/li>\nSaint & Second: <\/strong>This hip spot features a lot of American fare like burgers and flatbreads. Known for its sort of industrial d\u00e9cor and classic cocktails.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nFor Dessert<\/h3>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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Snow Monster:<\/strong> Snow Monster Cafe on 2nd Street! Depending on the time of day, you might just be able to walk in\u2026or there will be a seriously long line.<\/p>\nIt truly just depends! They\u2019ve got a variety of ice cream and macaron flavors for giant macaron sandwiches here, as well as boba, shaved ice sundaes, and a ton of other tasty treats.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n
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The Best Coffee Shops & Bars in Long Beach<\/h2>\n Long Beach has a thriving foodie scene, so it probably doesn\u2019t come as a surprise that they\u2019ve got some standout coffee shops and breweries. Here are a few to check out in the area:<\/p>\n
For Coffee<\/h3>\nFor Beer & Cocktails<\/h3>\n\nBallast Point:<\/strong> With gorgeous views of the water and a lovely outdoor deck, this is an ideal spot for a beer and apps.<\/li>\nBlind Donkey:<\/strong> This cozy and intimate whiskey bar was used as a filming location for La La Land.<\/em><\/li>\nCongregation Ale House:<\/strong> Take your pick from the many craft beers on tap!<\/li>\nBO-beau Kitchen + Roof Tap:<\/strong> With small-ish bites, a great cocktail menu, and board games, definitely check out the roof lounge area of this place.<\/li>\nPadre:<\/strong> This hip gastropub offers Latin food and artisanal cocktails like knock-your-socks-off cucumber margaritas.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\u00a0Have you explored LBC before? What do you think are the best things to do in Long Beach? I\u2019d love to hear in the comments below!<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
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