Nestled along the California coastline just south of Los Angeles and two hours north of San Diego lies the city of Long Beach. Its laid-back beach vibes echo those in San Diego and parts of LA, but its small communities and cultural diversity make this city unique in its own right.
As far as neighborhoods go, this city has a little something for everyone. Are you the city slicker, Downtown Long Beach type? Or, are you an artist looking for a little inspiration in your own hood? Read on to see which neighborhoods we think are the best in Long Beach and find the one that feels like yours.
- Eastside
- Belmont Shore-Naples
- Downtown Long Beach-Waterfront
- East Village Arts District
Eastside
Bars and restaurants that cater to a college crowd, international foods and shops, and cultural diversity are just a few of the reasons the Eastside is such a beloved neighborhood in Long Beach.
The hood is sandwiched between California State Long Beach and the officially-named “Cambodia Town,” both of which help define the neighborhood’s character. Cambodia Town, a 1.2-mile corridor along Anaheim Street, is where you can find thriving Cambodian-owned businesses, shops, jewelry stores, restaurants, and temples. It makes sense that this area is a commercial hot spot: Long Beach has the highest concentration of Cambodians of city outside of Cambodia itself, and the Eastside is home for many.
To the neighborhood’s east, CSU Long Beach draws thousands of new students every year, and the surrounding areas are filled with college students. Many students hit the bars in Belmont Shore, although there are a few bars and restaurants in the Eastside along E Anaheim Street and shops and restaurants in Circle Area.
Belmont Shore-Naples
You’ll get the quintessential beachy vibe here, along with college students and young people heading to the shops, bars, and restaurants dotting the seaside. It’s definitely one of the neighborhoods you should know before moving to Long Beach.
Belmont Shore’s main thoroughfare, E. 2nd Street, is the place to go for drinking and dining options, with places like Murphy’s Pub and Simmzy’s offering pub food, craft beer, and outdoor patios that pair perfectly with the California sunshine. If you’re looking for an ocean view, head to Belmont Brewery. This craft-beer producer has been serving up brew and food at their beachside location since 1990, making it the oldest brew pub in Los Angeles County.
Head east down 2nd Street and you’ll enter the charming neighborhood of Naples. Located on an island inside Alamitos Bay, this hood is home to Mothers Beach, which has its own public volleyball courts and picnic tables.
The biggest draw, though, are the canals that give way to beautiful views of the bay; take a stroll along the waking paths and check out the charming houses, the view of the marina, and soak up some sunshine. Water sports enthusiasts will love it here, too; the beach has designated areas for windsurfing, jet skiing and water skiing.
Downtown Long Beach-Waterfront
Looking for retro clothing shops? How about funky coffee shops and bars bursting with character? Welcome to 4th Street’s Retro Row in Downtown Long Beach.
Along 4th Street between Cherry and Junipero Street is where you’ll find all the action, so much so that the New York Times once called this part of the downtown “the soul of Long Beach.” Browse through shops full of tube socks from the ‘70s, fur coats from the ‘40s, and vinyl bar stools from the 80s.
Head to Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach and you’ll be in the belly of the beast. It’s home to the city’s business district, and has the bars and restaurants that cater to the after-work crowd. Grab drinks on the beer garden rooftop at Bo Beau Kitchen + Roof Tap or wine and dine clients at Octopus Japanese Restaurant.
Pine Avenue also hosts a number of events throughout the year, including “Thunder Thursday”, the official kick-off event for the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, and summer events like the Long Beach Pride Festival & Parade.
East Village Arts District
Artists and creative types will love this neighborhood, as it’s the main arts district in the city. Located next door to downtown Long Beach, the East Village is covered in colorful murals painted by local artists. It’s filled with hip coffee shops, restaurants, and bars, making it the perfect for those looking for a little bit of everything. It hosts the monthly Long Beach Art Walk the second Saturday of the month, making this the premier destination for art-lovers.
The pubs and restaurants in the southern blocks of the neighborhood come alive at night, filling with all types of patrons. Local watering hole favorites, House of Hayden and Blind Donkey, both serve up strong drinks and boast games like pool and darts; Blind Donkey has more of a lounge feel while House of Hayden caters to the more laid-back type.
These are just a few of the neighborhoods that make Long Beach, well, Long Beach. They give life to the city’s eclectic character, whether it’s the college-filled bars in Belmont Shore or the Cambodian restaurants in the Eastside.
Look through all of our Long Beach apartments for rent and be sure to pick one in the neighborhood you like best.
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