Things to do in Long Beach, CA
I’ve been living in Long Beach for a little over 5 years and I think it was the perfect city to start my life as a young adult. Long beach is so diverse and with all the beaches, restaurants, and fun things to do.. I can for sure say that I was never bored :) Since I will be moving in a few weeks I wanted to create a Long Beach Guide to see all my favorite places and things to do in the beautiful city.
FOOD AND COFFEE
Playa Amor Mexican Cocina - One of the best Mexican restaurants in town!! Their short rib tacos are to die for and their mexican street corn is bomb. Check out their taco Tuesday’s for all day happy hour.
Ellie’s: Chef Jason has put so much heart and soul into his Italian restaurant and the food is exquisite. Make sure to make a reservation on open table to avoid waiting and uber there because you will never find parking lol.
Portfolio: This coffee shop is a great place to come and enjoy the setting. This is great place hangout or even get some work done.
Nicks on 2nd: Perfect place for a date or to enjoy a craft cocktail. Their menu is constantly changing and is sure to peak your interest. Their salads are so good.. i know.. salad what!! thats how good they are. And I can’t for get their butter cake!! It melts in your mouth.
Schooner or Later: Great place to brunch with a gorgeous view of the marina. Their dish “The Mess” was featured on Diners, Drive-ins, and Dives. Get there early so you are not waiting all day with the other basic brunch people 💁🏼♀️
BO-Beau Kitchen + Rooftap: This place has a rooftop bar with events going on all week long. They are most famous for their brussel sprouts. Drinks are kinda expensive sooo either go to their happy hour OR I believe their corking fee is around $20.
Claire’s at the Museum: Enjoy a beautiful brunch outside by the water. Be sure to try their famous creme brûlée French toast!!! omg and they have bloody mary’s that are v fun!
*** The amount of good food in Long Beach is strong and you’ll discover many others these are just some of my favs.
HAPPY HOUR + NIGHTLIFE
Panama Joe’s Sports Bar has one of the best happy hours in town. Buy 1 drink get the next one for a quarter. Monday- Friday 3pm-7pm. If you go to their brunch, you get 1 free hour of bottomless mimosas with the purchase 1 entree. DANGEROUS!!! Don’t try and pound 15 mimosas in one hour. It can go real bad real quick.. I’ve seen it.
Riley’s: Best bar food I’ve ever had. Happy hour is Monday- Friday 3pm-7pm. Try their pulled pork pizza with honey and chili flakes!!
Shannons: Shannons is a very popular bar on second street. Bring a dollar and write your name on it to leave it up on their walls inside and then buy all your friends a shoot the root for only $4 :)
Legends: Has a DJ on the weekends sometimes with a bar upstairs and downstairs. So many TVs so this is a great place to watch sports.
The Good Bar: This is definitely a local spot. Located off of 7th street and Redondo they have DJ’s every Friday and Saturday night.
The Blind Donkey: This is where LaLa Land’s Sebs’ bar was filmed. A very hip underground bar with karaoke on Fridays.
Federal Bar: This has a speakeasy so make sure you have the secret password.
THINGS TO DO
Rent kayaks and stand up paddle boards at the bay.
London Boat Rentals: Rent a Duffy Boat and bring your own alcohol and snacks while driving around the long beach bay. Bring a speaker (or an aux cord if anyone still uses those).
The Pike: is located in downtown long beach it has shopping, entertainment, restaurants, and even a ferris wheel. The laugh factory has comedy shows a couple nights a week.
Long Beach Aquarium: Enjoy a day learning about the marine life!
Long Beach Art Walk: This occurs every Saturday of the month.
Yoga on the Bluff: Free yoga sessions everyday a 11am.
Check out Long Beach State’s sporting events. The baseball and basketball teams are pretty good.
LA/OC area has so many places to go listen to music. The smaller more intimate settings are my favorite. Check out these venues to find out who is playing
Visit Long Beach Events Calendar to check out everything going on. If anyone has any other favorite things that they think should be added to this post please let me know :)
