Downtown Long Beach - Long Beach, CA

In the early 1900's, Long Beach started to grow as a seaside resort with some agricultural businesses. The Pike in the heart of Long Beach was one of the most popular attractions in the West Coast until 1969. When oil was discovered on Signal Hill in 1921, an economic boom came to Long Beach as the area became one of the top oil producers in the world. From there, the Ford Motor Company and the Douglas Aircraft Company built factories here. This made Long Beach a competitor in the world economy and brought many residents to the area. Popular annual events include Second Saturday Art Walk, Long Beach Grand Prix, Aloha Concert Jam, Queen Mary Scottish Festival and the Congressional Cup.

Because it is a central city hub, Downtown Long Beach offers a long list of diverse food and nightlife options. For delectable seafood options, stop in Pier 76 Fish Grill. Locals love the live Maine lobster that remains tender after being cooked and dipped in sauce. The lobster includes almond pesto and garlic butter sauce. On the side, you can order the cheddar macaroni and cheese, which is simply divine. Another local favorite includes the clam chowder with clams, potatoes, fresh herbs and bacon. Classic American food keeps hungry diners coming back to the 555 East American Steakhouse. This restaurant serves steaks, baked potatoes, fillet and other traditional meals. The steak remains the most popular meal with a crab gravy topping slathered over the top. They have a beautiful patio for a seated option, so you can look out at the downtown area. Enjoy yummy baked goods at Doly's Delectables. One of the owners graduated from Le Cordon Bleu in Pasadena, and every single item is made from scratch in the French tradition. The macaroons are some of the most popular items with a variety to choose from. With its downtown location, the neighborhood offers many things for residents and visitors to do at night. From comedy clubs, endless bars, jazz lounges and clubs to dance the night away, there is something for everyone. For a classy night out, stop in District Wine. This wine bar has live music on Saturday nights and $7 pizzas during happy hour. Of course, what the restaurant is most known for is its wine. Try it with a delicious cheese pairing. With the place dim, the wines exceptional and live musicians playing classical Spanish tunes, District Wine rates high as a perfect night for relaxation. A fun, lively bar attracts an upbeat crowd to Sgt Pepper's Dueling Pianos. This bar features two dueling pianos that will happily take song requests, but make sure to bring cash to get their attention. Make a reservation, especially on the weekends, since this place can get a line out the door. Other popular evening attractions include the Laugh Factory comedy club, the Center Theatre and the Long Beach Performing Arts Center. You'll also want to check out The Dinner Detective, a murder mystery dinner cruise with interesting, unusual clues and hidden actors that might even be seated with you at your table.

The Long Beach Transit offers residents public transportation options to get around the neighborhood and surrounding areas. Lyft, Uber and various taxi companies are available in the downtown neighborhood and can be seen driving up and down most streets. Many people drive their own cars to get around, but biking lanes are also an option. If you do choose to drive, most parking is paid but easy to find. The Blue Line travels between Long Beach and downtown Los Angeles.

Outside of the sprawling Pacific Ocean to the west of the downtown area, there are many options for outdoor fun. Some of the most popular parks include Rainbow Lagoon Park, Lincoln Park, Palm Beach Park, Shoreline Aquatic Park, Santa Cruz Park, Golden Park, Shoreline Park, Drake Park, and the Promenade. If you aren't sure which one to visit first, one with great starter views is the Promenade. This six block long park goes right through the heart of downtown Long Beach where you can see both the downtown area and also the beautiful ocean.

Compared to downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach is just slightly cheaper, but still higher than the national average. A one-way ticket on the Blue Line costs $1.75. The average one bedroom in Long Beach is close to $1,700 per month. The typical price of a beer at a local bar sits around $3.50 and the gas price sits around one percent higher than the national average.

Downtown Long Beach is home to a wide selection of stores for residents and visitors to explore. Businesses, unique local stores, and boutiques line most of the streets. Locals flock to the Pike at Rainbow Harbor, one of the most popular shopping attractions in the area, and the Aquarium of the Pacific gets over a million visitors every year. As you walk through downtown, swing into Clay on First. This local arts and crafts store offers pottery classes for adults and children and open studio space. Anyone wanting to learn the art of pottery making should stop in for a class or two and invite some friends along. Several grocery stores dot the downtown neighborhood, such as Walmart, Vons, and Kay's Market. There are also several farmers markets to explore. The Long Beach Downtown Farmers Market is held on Fridays along W. 3rd Street between Pacific Avenue and Cedar Avenue. If you enjoy bicycling, this market offers a free bicycle valet service. They'll also do minor maintenance and tune-ups for free (except for the cost of parts) while you do your shopping.

Long Beach Convention Center, Shoreline Aquatic Park, The Pike Outlets, Pine Avenue Pier, Rainbow Lagoon Park, City Hall, East Village Arts District