10 Amazing Restaurants in Long Beach CA you should try this weekend

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Long Beach has a number of great places to eat. If you’re planning on eating out this weekend, we have a few suggestions for restaurants you won’t want to miss.

Amazing Restaurants in Long Beach CA

 10. Beer Belly

If you are a beer person and value a glass of high-quality brew, you should definitely stop by Beer Belly. You probably heard about them after their success in Koreatown, and now they have opened an amazing restaurant in Long Beach, too. They will impress you with a wide selection of hyper-local craft beers. Here you’re likely to find the moistest turkey burger you’ve ever had, or delicious duck fat fries. The location is great, the service is excellent and there is no reason why you shouldn’t give this place a try.

9.     Plunge

Now, this is mostly about the beach view. It is just marvelous. If you are the type of person who appreciates the opportunity to admire beautiful scenery while having their dinner, by all means visit Plunge. This Long Beach restaurant offers classic American cuisine. It is located inside an old apartment building, so it may seem a bit hidden. Sort of an “underground” place. The food is great (we recommend the pulled pork tacos!) and the service is good. But be warned the it is a bit pricey.

8.     Beachwood BBQ & Brewing

As the name implies, this is a place where you can get barbeque and craft beer. Beachwood pride themselves with the many award-winning beers they brew and serve, so if you decide to come here, make sure it is for the super-fresh, tasty beer. The food is good, but don’t expect anything too fancy. You can enjoy the outdoor seating and sometimes they have live music. The place has a light, happy feeling and maybe that’s why it is popular with newcomers and travelers.

7. Bo Beau Kitchen + Roof Tap

This one is like two restaurants in one. The place has a top floor which is a bit more casual and you can have a quick bite and drink, while the first floor is the real restaurant area, where you can get a whole meal. The food is great and we particularly like the pretzels. The menu features a wide selection of beers, and also wine. The wooden décor sets a very unique, chic atmosphere. Prices are reasonable, given that it’s located in the heart of downtown Long Beach.

6. The Attic

When you open the menu at The Attic you will be amazed. To say that it is creative would be a very vague description. You get to choose from a large variety of dishes which look so delicious in pictures, but we can assure you that they taste just as good. Prices are high, but portions are big. Unfortunately, being so good, makes this place very popular and crowded. You may need to wait quite a while before you get a table, unless you make a reservation in advance.

5. BUONO’S Authentic Pizzeria

If you’re craving some tasty pizza, this Long Beach Pizzeria won’t disappoint you. It has that neighborhood feeling to it. It’s cozy, the staff is friendly, and the atmosphere really lets you relax and enjoy the food. Of course, it’s not just pizza. You can order pasta, sandwiches, and they have a decent salad bar, too. Portions are quite big, so you might want to split it with someone. And keep in mind – this is authentic Italian cuisine!

4. Pier 76 Fish Grill

Long Beach is known to offer supreme seafood. There are many fish restaurants here. And Pier 76 Fish Grill just happens to be one of the best. The fish is always fresh and well-prepared. The lobster roll tastes heavenly! One of the reasons people like this place so much it that the supreme food comes at a very reasonable price. A big portion of grilled salmon would cost you less than $15. A proof of the quality are the long lines, but they move quickly. Definitely worth it if you are a fan of seafood.

3. 4th and Olive

This Long Beach restaurant is relatively new but it’s already very popular and it seems it is going to stay so in the foreseeable future. The secret might be that they are very picky about their stuff, ensuring outstanding quality of food and service. Being new, the restaurant has a very modern, very clean interior, with a very relaxing ambiance. The menu is a combination of French/German/Belgian cuisine, giving you the opportunity to try the most authentic German sausage in the Long Beach area. They have a great wine and beer selection to go with the tasty meals. One thing that makes this place unique is the fact that the owner hires veterans and disabled servicemen and women. Just come and see, you’re going to love the place!

2. 123 Pho

If you like pho, you should come to 123 Pho in Long Beach. The restaurant’s name, 123Pho, stands for its approach to the dish. One, you choose your noodle thickness – thick or thin. Two, you choose protein – mushrooms and tofu, rare beef flank, beef brisket, chicken, meatballs, shrimp. And three, choose your broth – chicken, beef or vegetarian. This simple process allows for everyone to get the pho they like the best. No wonder why this place has been so successful. A bowl of pho will cost you $10, but that’s expected in downtown Long Beach. And there is free parking nearby.

1.     Art & Craft Eatery

This Long Beach Restaurant is ranked number 1 in YELP and there is a good reason for that – the extremely delicious food. It is located in the North Long Beach area and ever since it opened doors it’s been a total hit. If you have the chance to visit it, expect attentive service, more than pleasant ambiance, and a fulfilling choice of meals and beverages. It is like you’re entering a 5-star restaurant in LA. This is definitely the place for food lovers and people who are only happy with the best!

 

5 Free Kids activities in the Long Beach CA Area

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Long Beach CA is one of the most beautiful and attractive cities in Southern California. Living in Long Beach CA area gives you the opportunity to experience the unique weather and fun attractions of the whole region and of Long Beach CA in particular. Here you can expect to find everything that’s common in large US cities – a vast variety of places to eat, vivid nightlife, art events for every taste, children activities, and busy street traffic. And then, there are those things that make this place unique and distinguish it from any other in the USA. While many attractions require a fee, there is also a great variety of free options.

If you decide to spend a nice weekend in the city of Long Beach CA without blowing your whole budget, we can help you with a few ideas.

5 Free Activities in Long Beach CA for Younger Children

If you have small kids, you need some place where they can run for free or do some outdoor activities while learning something new. You always have the option to go on a picnic in any of the city parks which is a great way to spend the day in the nature with your family. If you are looking for some more interesting ideas though, check out these five suggestions:

kids skateboarding

  • Take your kids skateboarding. Southern California is famous for its skateboarding parks. So naturally you can find them in Long Beach area as well. Michael Green Skate Park & El Dorado Regional Park West in the city welcome enthusiasts from dawn till 10 PM everyday. You are required to wear a helmet, knee pads, elbow pads, and a shirt.

 

 

roller skating

  • Go roller skating on Saturdays. If you wanted to teach your kids roller skating, you have the opportunity to attend free roller skate lessons every Saturday at the Moxie Skate Shop. The fun part is that the shop can transform almost any shoe or boot into roller skates and they also do custom colors.

 

 

Biking

  • Biking is another free fun activity for families. One of the most scenic trails is the 28-mile San Gabriel River Bike Trail. Enter at El Dorado Park and ride along the river to enjoy the beauty, peace and silence of the natural surroundings. At the end of the day, you will be pleasantly tired and in a great state of mind, and the kids will have enjoyed a great day outdoors.

 

Simply have a walk

  • Simply take a walk. Walking round Long Beach is also a nice way to spend the day. Especially if you choose the 3.1-mile Beach Pedestrian Bike Path. It is a nice stretch for both pedestrians and bicyclists that starts at the lighthouse in Shoreline Aquatic Park and winds back to the beach.

 

 

community life

  • Experience community life every first Friday of the month. There is an event that you can attend with your whole family on this day. Visit Atlantic Ave from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm to support local business and enjoy live music and artists. This is the so-called County Fair, where you can see local art, music, games, and animals.

 

All of these options offer a great opportunity to spend your day with the kids doing funny free activities that will help you get rid of the stress and energize your little ones.

3 More Attractions for Bigger Kids

If you have more grown-up children, in addition to the above five suggestions, you can also consider the following three attractions in Long Beach:

  • Enjoy street performances at the Art Walk. The event is held in downtown Long Beach the second Saturday of each month. You can listen to good live music and look at different sculptures, paintings, photography, and crafts. It is a nice way to spend the day away from home and relax with the family.
  • Watch a movie on the beach. Mom’s and Grenada Beach offers free moonlight movies that include some classic masterpieces, which are usually family friendly. You can enjoy an evening out June – September. The best thing is that you also get a free parking in the lot. There is the option to buy dinner, snacks or popcorn to complete the night out with your family.
  • Observe the sharks for free on Fridays. The Aquarium of the Pacific offers Shark Lagoon nights that are wonderful way to spend some time with your family or friends. Have a close look at these amazing ocean predators while listening to live bands (on select nights). There is the option to purchase coffee, hot chocolate, beer, wine, desserts, and snacks. Your kids will love the experience!

So, if you live in Long Beach area, make sure to take advantage of these wonderful free kids activities whenever you have the opportunity.

friendly towns in the Long Beach area

10 budget-friendly towns in the Long Beach area CA

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Long Beach is one of the most beautiful and attractive cities in southern California. It falls within the Greater Los Angeles area and is the 7th most populous city in California, 36th in the whole USA. It has very good infrastructure, pleasant climate and attractive cultural life, however it is not the most budget-friendly place to live in.

If you are budget-minded, it makes sense to a choose a smaller town in Long Beach area that will offer attractive housing rates combined with friendly community, beautiful parks and nearby schools. Below you will find a list of 10 budget-friendly towns near Long Beach that are worth considering.

Friendly towns in the Long Beach area CA

Cypress

Cypress is a quiet suburban town about 16 miles away from Long Beach and is a perfect choice for new families who want to move to Orange County. It has a population of less than 50,000 people and you can get an affordable home in one of its great neighborhoods. The combination of low crime rate and excellent weather makes this small town an attractive place to live. It is also worth taking into account that it offers higher median household income than the average for California, which makes it the perfect budget-friendly town for newcomers. Some of its notable natives and residents are Tiger Woods, actors Matthew Morrison and John Stamos.

Anaheim

Despite being home to Disneyland and host of two major sport teams – the Anaheim Ducks ice hockey club and the Angels baseball team, the town is actually a great choice for those who have to live on a tighter budget. The housing value in Anaheim stands at around $415,900, which is much lower than most other places in Orange County. Its theme parks, great cityscape, long history and great temperatures turn it into the epitome of ‘California Dreamin’. If you are looking for a fun and adventurous place that is still affordable, then you can move to Anaheim and enjoy life to the fullest.

Westminster

The motto of Westminster, California is “The City of Progress Built on Pride” and it definitely lives up to the idea. In addition to its excellent climate, proximity to LA and Long Beach and great local amenities, it offers lower housing prices than most of the Southern California (standing at $462,100), stable housing market and high income per capita. The combination of those factors makes Westminster an attractive and budget-friendly place.

Placentia

Placentia is known for its quiet neighborhoods and is even called the “bedroom community”, which means life is quite easy and peaceful there. The town has a population of a little more than 50,000 people and a higher average household income of $75,693 than most California cities. According to the Orange County Register, it was named the second-best place to live in California. Its excellent weather, proximity to lakes and low unemployment rate make it appealing to anyone looking to enjoy what California has to offer on a budget.

Signal Hill

If you want to stay close to Long Beach but avoid living in the city, then Signal Hill is the place for you. Situated on a hill and completely surrounded by Long Beach, the town offers great parks, high employment rates and excellent weather for those who decide to move in. The discovery of oil back in 1921 changed the place forever; however, it still remains one of the preferred California towns for those who want to live on a lower budget.

Carson

Carson has a mild Mediterranean climate with a bit lower summer temperature due to its proximity to the Pacific Ocean. It has a population of almost 92,000 people but is attractive for new families since it is described mostly as a working-class city with middle-class neighborhoods. This means that the quality of life is quite good and yet not too expensive. It offers rich cultural and art life and is home to some of the big employers in the USA including Pacific Bell, Xerox Education Services, Inc., etc.

Hawaiian Gardens

Hawaiian Gardens is the smallest town in Orange County, California and has a population of a little more than 14,000. There was a small decline in house prices last year and at present the median home value in Hawaiian Gardens is $362,400. This is one of the lowest rates in Long Beach area and makes it one of the most budget-friendly places in entire Southern California.

Seal Beach

Seal Beach is a wonderful and cheap town that can easily be the top choice for families moving to the area of Long Beach, California. It offers great education infrastructure and excellent employment opportunities, being home to Boeing. In addition, the housing value stands at just $286,400, which is one of the lowest in the state. Another plus is the close-knit community in this town with population of just over 24,000.

Paramount

Paramount is a city with long history located in the Greater Los Angeles area. It is home to a large community of Mexicans and due to the numerous Mexican restaurants offering delicious food it is also known as the “second Sinaloa.” The city is home to Zamboni Company, whose owner was the inventor of the ice resurfacing machine. It is a preferred place for many people moving to the Long Beach area because of the low home value (around $393,100). The median list price per square foot in Paramount is $305, which is significantly lower than the Long Beach – Los Angeles area rate of $410.

Compton

Compton is one of the oldest cities in Los Angeles County, California and is known as the “Hub City” because of its central geographic location. It has a relatively large population of more than 96,000 people, but the housing price remains quite low compared to the rest of the Los Angeles – Long Beach area. The median list price per square foot is $310 and despite the increase seen last year, the median home value in Compton is still quite low – $369,500. The city is designated as an “Entrepreneurial Hot Spot” and is a great place for those who want to work and live a budget-friendly life.