With LA tourist numbers dropping like flies and much of the Golden State ready to damage your wallet, it needs to be not a surprise that a person typically overlooked city is surging due to price, less crowded beaches, and a current glow-up drawing in more visitors like moths to a flame.
Sandwiched in between LA and Orange County lies Long Beach, a city we might all understand the name of however may not understand much about.
That’s partly due to the truth that Long Beach was previously known as’Iowa by the Sea’. Des Moines most likely isn’t high on your wishlist, huh? Well, after a much-needed revamp, it’s being reported that Long Beach is flourishing and more inviting than ever! Putting the boring vibes to bed, Long Beach is a decent-sized city of 450,000 with a small-town feel and prettier beaches than provided credit for, and some delightful attractions waiting to impress this summertime.
20 Miles From LA: Invite To California’s Easiest Day Trip
< img width ="1200"height="1200"src="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Ferris-wheel-in-downtown-Long-Beach-CA.jpg.webp"alt="Ferris wheel in downtown Long Beach, CA "/ > Long Beach has its own airport, but it’s almost as if you ‘d never know it, concealing in LA’s large shadow. Found just 20 minutes from downtown LA(well, if you can beat the excruciating traffic), Long Beach is perhaps California’s a lot of leisurely field trip and well worth risking 405 gridlock.
Even if you opt to head back to Los Angeles, Orange County, or any place you’re coming from, you will not leave dissatisfied from the sounds of all the current upgrades, in addition to timeless tourist attractions that have actually anchored Long Beach for several years.
No, there’s no Hollywood indication for selfies or Rodeo Drive, but there are plenty of things to see, do, and eat while you’re visiting this under-hyped city.
< img width= "1200 "height= "1200" src ="https://www.traveloffpath.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Belmont-Pier-in-Long-Beach-CA.jpg.webp"alt ="Belmont Pier in Long Beach, CA"/ > You ‘d be amazed by not only the variety of tourist attractions here, however how cool they are. Take the Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA), for instance, which showcases over 1,000 works of
art from Latin American artists. A few weeks away (July 26) is Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, one of the city’s most enjoyable and cultural celebrations– the perfect reason for a drive down from many surrounding cities to participate in this Chinese-rooted custom of racing dragon boats.
Probably Long Beach’s most popular destination though is the Aquarium of the Pacific ($45 admission), a nonprofit sanctuary for aquatic life and Southern California’s biggest fish tank.
Long Beach’s Glow-Up: New Hotels & A Buzzing Food Scene
If the aquarium isn’t Long Beach’s most well-known location, it’s got ta be the Queen Mary. This historic British ship-turned-hotel sees over 450,000 visitors per year and no informing how many selfie-takers, especially after a comprehensive overhaul, consisting of room upgrades happening in 2023.
Cheerio then!
There are some other noteworthy revamps too:
- City Center Hotel
- Breakers Hotel (Now rebranded as Fairmont)
The food scene is buzzing too. Wan na understand a location that will blow your mind?
I have actually been to Long Beach one time and had to check out King’s Hawaiian Pastry shop and Restaurant( yes, that King’s Hawaiian )in close-by Torrance. However that was then and this is now– Long Beach has actually altered since I last visited. There’s a completely various vibe than the Iowa-esque snoozefest, uninspired restaurants I experienced (besides King’s Hawaiian, of course)
According to local professionals at Longbeachize, these are the 3 most amazing brand-new restaurants opening store this year:
- Due Fiori
- Midnight Oil
- NYC Chop Cheese
Does Long Beach Live Up To The Name?
Fact be told, Long Beach does boast beautiful shores, but it’s not rather Laguna Beach, La Jolla, or Malibu level (well, perhaps now …). What people actually delight in about Long Beach is taking pleasure in time outdoors. There are lush green parks, such as Shoreline Aquatic Park, offering grand views of the Pacific, and there are bike courses lining the coast, ideal for an early morning or midday trip before taking in the sunset.
Though, if you are making a day trip or weekend vacation, do not hesitate to bring Fido along to toss a frisbee at Rosie’s Canine Beach or if you have the kiddos with you, Mom’s Beach is understood for calm waters and as clean of a public beach bathroom that there can be, according to TripAdvisor reviews.
Sam Sears Sam, our Lead Author & Journalist based in San Diego has gone to 36 countries and written over 1000 posts with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.
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