Going Outside of The City by Spending A Day in Long Beach

spending a day in long beach

Going Outside of The City by Spending A Day in Long Beach

No matter where you live in Los Angeles, everyone can use a little adventure in their life. I’m going to show you how spending a day in Long Beach is the optimum staycation. One of the beauties about living in LA is being able to explore so many different parts of the city and all it has to offer.

Long Beach is a city right outside of LA, still within the Los Angeles County lines. I’m lucky enough to call this sweet beach town my home, and every day I find something more that I love about it. Whether it’s enjoying a coffee at one of the great local coffee shops, grabbing a nightcap with some girlfriends at one of the many enjoyable bars, or spending a day walking around Shoreline Village, I always find myself loving my days spent in this chill and laid back city. With so many unique and fun things to do in this town, here’s how to spend a picture-perfect day in Long Beach.

Morning

spending a day in long beach

Source: @egbuck80

Long Beach locals love good food, and there are spots all over the city that have some amazing and distinctive dishes. For breakfast, my personal favorite place to go to is a diner called Coffee Cup Cafe. On the weekend it’s important to get there early to avoid the long lines because this is one of the most popular breakfast spots in Long Beach. If you find yourself stuck on what to order, I suggest the potato scramble. It’s a ideal mix of eggs, cheese, and potatoes. Mix it with some salsa and this is a perfect meal to give you enough energy to get on with your day.

Afternoon

spending a day in long beach

Source: Show Me Home

After an enjoyable breakfast, there’s no better way to burn off the calories than by doing some shopping. Long Beach is filled with amazing boutiques like, Twig and Willow, Prism, Goldie’s and tons of awesome thrift stores on Retro Row, which is located on Fourth Street. Whether you’re looking for hard to find vintage pieces, jewelry and accessories, furniture; or you’re inspired by art-deco, bohemian, or Mexican folk art, you can be sure you’ll find it on Fourth Street. In fact, people come from all over to browse this street in search of finding the ultimate treasure.

spending a day in long beach

When you’re all shopped out, head to Portfolio Coffee House for an afternoon pick me up. Portfolio is spacious with lots of yummy treats to choose from like paninis, salads, and wraps, along with some tasty vegan options. It has a perfect cozy ambiance for you to relax and unwind after a long day.

spending a day in long beach

Take yourself back in time with some Titanic like vibes at this must see Long Beach landmark, The Queen Mary. This cruise ship from the 1930’s is now a tourist hotspot where you can stay and dine. There are tours you can sign up for or you’re free to roam around yourself to check out its rich history (which is rumored to be haunted). The ship has restaurants and bars like, The Promenade Cafe, Sunday Champagne Brunch, The Observation Bar & Art Deco Lounge, and many others that all have stunning ocean views.

Evening

spending a day in long beach

Source: Skyroom

Long Beach is full of impressive restaurants and bars that are ideal for dining at or grabbing a drink before you hit the town. One of my favorites (which happens to be Long Beach’s most known) is The Sky Room. This restaurant and cocktail lounge has a beautiful view of downtown, making it a pristine spot for a date night or to enjoy with a group of friends. Some other restaurants to choose from that are favored by locals are Plunge, Aji Peruvian Cuisine, and Panxa Cocina.

Late Night

spending a day in long beach

Source: @TheFederalLB

The Long Beach night life is full of fun options that never disappoints. There are so many popular spots that will give you an entertaining night on the town. If you’re going downtown, The Federal Bar is a downtown bar that always hosts live music and has an awesome atmosphere. Then there’s Hamburger Mary’s on Pine Ave where you can dance all night and get an amazing drag show. Another favorite is Harvelle’s, which is a dark bar that has burlesque shows that will make you feel like you stepped into the 1930’s. If you were a fan of HBO’s True Blood, Alex’s Bar was used for the set of Fangtasia. This dive bar has an old school punk vibe and regularly features music performers and karaoke nights. One of the many draws of Long Beach’s nightlife is that  all of the best bars are nearby each other. So, you’re free to roam from one spot to the next without needing to spend more than a few dollars on an Uber.

As you can see Long Beach is a city with so much to do and see. It has many well-known tourist attractions, as well as tons of hidden gems that only locals know about. When you’re out exploring, there are so many different directions you can go. This is definitely a wonderful place to enjoy when you have a free day and are looking for a great experience. You’ll be back again and again!

For more fun things to do and see, check out Kristie’s guide to LA—Part 1:  Where to Sleep, Sip, and Shop, and Part 2: Where to Dine, Sightsee, Workout, and Get Pampered.

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