16 of the Best Beaches in Long Beach

Long Beach, California is a renowned vacation destination with a rich cultural mix and vibrant neighborhoods that will keep you making a return for more. Long Beach Island’s beaches are a significant reason many people choose the island as their summer vacation destination.

Whether visiting the island for a honeymoon, family getaways, or even lengthy weekend adventures, you won’t be too far from the soft sand and beautiful panoramas. Long Beach has a remarkably different atmosphere from Orange County’s beaches, which are better renowned for surfing. Long Beach has flatter water, which is advantageous for several reasons.

Are you pumped up for some good times this summer? With so many beaches to choose from, it might be challenging to select the best. We’ve compiled a list of the 16 best beaches in Long Beach for you to explore.

1. Alamitos Beach

If you’re looking for the most immaculate beach in Long Beach, California, Alamitos is a fantastic choice because it’s closer to the ocean’s shores. Enjoying the sands is one of the nicest things to do in Long Beach, and the beach has had enough of it.

The beach’s vast expanse of natural dunes offers one-of-a-kind amusement for lone visitors and tourist groups. After you’ve had your fill of soaking up in the sun’s rays, you can head to one of the many hotels or stores that line the shoreline.

There’s much to keep you entertained when you’re here. It’s a popular spot for brunches and beach games. Alamitos Beach is also a great vantage point from which you can capture Long Beach monuments such as the Queen Mary.

Arrive early because the parking area off Shoreline Drive tends to fill up fast. After a day of relaxation, head to Broadway Corridor for supper and cocktails. The area has a thriving nightlife, and many establishments are owned by LGBT individuals, rendering it a particularly gender-diverse spot to chill.

2. Bayview Park Beach

Look no further than Bayview Park if you’re seeking an ideal area to take your children for a swimming experience. The place has picnic spaces with shade and a playground where children can roam, climb, and bounce to their hearts’ delight, making it a perfect place for splashing around on a hot day.

The place has a lovely sand beach, a shallow cove, and spectacular amenities, including parking, restrooms, and showers. Paddleboard rentals and lessons are available right on-site at the park.

3. Belmont Shore Beach

Belmont extends from the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier down to the peninsula. The beach’s fishing jetty is where most of the activity occurs. Throughout the year, the jetty hosts different events and performances. It’s also a great place to go fishing and enjoy live concerts.

Belmont is possibly the city’s most beautiful beach, offering spectacular coastline scenery. You have the option of swimming or riding a bike. If swimming in the ocean isn’t your thing, the beach’s public pool is an excellent alternative.

The beach is just a few minutes from some of the finest restaurants and pubs. You’ll find sufficient lavatories, bathrooms, lifeguards, play areas, and many benches. The beach has a large outdoor swimming pool making it ideal for sunbathing and picnicking.

After a day at the beach, head to the Belmont area’s shopping complex for a wide selection of stores, eateries, and nightclubs. The “Stroll and Savor” event, which takes place along Second Street in the summer, allows visitors to sample food from all local eateries.

4. Junipero Beach

Junipero Beach is a hospitable, friendly stretch of shoreline with spectacular vistas and a great deal of activity. Regular yoga lessons are available for everyone, and a portion of the beach is dog-friendly, making it a wonderful place to tag along with your canine companion.

The beach also offers various services, including restrooms, bathrooms, lifeguards on duty, a children’s playground, an outdoor workout area, and nearby restaurants.

There are also two parks within walking distance of the shore. Bluff Park is a pleasant spot to wander and view the beach. Bixby Park has a fitness facility and restrooms, making it more conventional.

5. Peninsula Bayside

As its name suggests, Peninsula Bayside is situated on the Long Beach Peninsula. It’s only a small beach, but it’s worth a visit due to its distinctive beauty and fantastic scenery. Guests will have a chance to view the affluent homes on the neighboring shoreline and take images of Naples Island, which is just a short distance away.

When weather conditions are favorable, it is possible to see a great distance to the horizon from this location, making it an ideal place to launch a rowing boat or surfboard and enjoy the scenery by sea. The beach also has bathrooms, lifeguards, a fast food joint, refreshments, accommodations, and other amenities.

The place offers an authentic Long Beach experience. Leisure is abundant here, particularly when there are activities taking place. You can, of course, check out days when there are no events to appreciate the calm waters and beautiful dunes.

6. Colorado Lagoon Park

Colorado Lagoon Park is an excellent place to take the family for enjoyment and recreation due to its extensive pristine beaches on both sides of the lagoon. Numerous parks and golf courses surround the lagoon, so tourists can enjoy a wide range of recreational activities.

There is a designated swimming spot and ample space for sunbathing on the beach. During summertime, visitors can come to the park to cool off, eat, hike in the nearby parkland, or play some golf. The beach also has convenience facilities that include: 

• Bathrooms
• Picnic tables
• Barbecue grills

7. Rosie’s Dog Beach

Also called Granada Beach, Rosie’s Dog Beach is an ideal place for taking a stroll with your dog. The beach has an open dog-friendly section where you can let your pet run wild without worrying about them getting hurt. Dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their pets.

There is no requirement for leashes, so let your puppy run free. Nevertheless, if you are aware that your canine friend has behavioral issues or doesn’t get along well with other canines, a leash is strongly recommended to avoid uncomfortable scenarios.

There are various conveniences, including a boat ramp, restaurants, bathrooms, and a cycling path, on the beach’s central section, which is a famous venue for events. Swimmers can feel safe knowing that there are lifeguards who are on duty.

8. Marine Stadium Beach

Marine Stadium Beach’s greatest distinguishing feature is that it blends elegance and amusement, owing to its pure shore and abundant vegetation. Here, you may find both leisure and enjoyment, particularly if you enjoy water skiing.

The beach is a popular destination for boats because of its history as the 1932 Olympic Rowing Competition site. ‎Parking ‎‎is ‎‎never ‎‎an ‎‎issue here as the beach has free and convenient parking options. The yearly Dragon Boat Festival and outrigger canoe races are held at the beach each summer.

9. Seal Beach

Seal Beach offers a breathtaking view and a refreshing breeze. The beach’s Shore Avenue is designed for pedestrians and cyclists, so visitors can stroll and ride bicycles along it. If you’re the athletic type, there are also volleyball courts available.

The sands are most beautiful around dusk, as the sun begins to set. You will be greeted by many lights and hues that reflect exquisitely on the calm sea.

10. Huntington Beach

Huntington is a favorite spot for both domestic and foreign visitors. The 121-acre state beach features a lengthy pier, a gorgeous sand beach, and dunes that provide habitat for various bird species.

The beach features different convenience amenities, including parking spaces, restrooms, showers, a lifeguard tower, and bonfire rings. Surfers, walkers, joggers, and fishers may enjoy the beach in all its glory here.

It’s a fantastic place to go surfing because of the amazing conditions. The best waves come in from the south during spring and autumn. When they get to deeper water, the swell reaches its pinnacle and unleashes its full force on the sand beneath them.

11. Torrance County Beach

The silky, white sands are located at the base of a stunning cliff. If you’re looking for an Instagram-worthy photo, you’ll have no problem capturing one. Torrance County Beach has lifeguards on duty daily and convenient amenities such as parking and showers.

Common activities include surfing, fishing, and kayaking. Volleyball nets are also available for those who want to work up a sweat on land.

12. Descanso Beach

Descanso offers a wide range of outdoor recreation activities. The beach has picnic tables, bike lanes, and a grassy park for visitors. In addition, the famous beach hosts thousands of people every year to sunbathe and relax on the beautiful white sand.

Visitors love sea glass collecting and snorkeling. You can also bring snorkeling gear if you plan to explore various fish species with your friends or family. Interestingly, you will find snorkeling equipment at a small fee. Don’t forget to carry shoes because the beach has many rocks.

Alternatively, you can rent a paddle board and soak it with your family members in the magnificent views. Your kids will be excited to explore different creatures, including sea lions and rays. Descanso is a great place to enjoy the scenery only rivaled by a few beaches.

13. Long Beach City Beach

The beach has a lengthy shore suitable for cyclists and skateboarders. If cycling is not your primary pastime, you can choose to enjoy the coastal breezes. Swimming is also possible here in Long Beach City Beach. However, asking a lifeguard on the shoreline is better before getting in the water.

The beach has vegetation behind the promenade, which stretches the entire length of the beach and is a popular place for joggers and walkers to take a breather from the sands.

14. Mothers Beach

Mothers Beach is Long Beach’s most enjoyable and safest beach for children. Since there are no waves and the shoreline is well-protected, it’s a great place to bring kids.

You can take your children to the nearby big playground when they have finished playing on the beach. When it’s time to relax, the picnic tables give a place to enjoy a delicious lunch and drinks.

The surrounding grassy area has a tree canopy that provides shade when you’ve had enough sun-basking. The tranquil seas off the beach are great for kayaking, stand-up paddle boarding, and a pier for tying up your craft. The beach’s location on the bay protects it from sudden fluctuations in the tide, as would be the case in the ocean.

Even on weekdays, it can become quite crowded, so consider arriving a couple of hours earlier than planned to secure parking and family-friendly spaces.

15. Alamitos Park Beach

Alamitos Park Beach is ideal for visitors searching for calm waves and an exceptional sunbathing experience. The beach is protected from breakwaters, making it a perfect location for less-capable swimmers. You can enjoy a family picnic in the afternoon beneath the pine trees.

The beach offers various services, including restrooms, bathrooms, lifeguards on duty, picnic tables and benches, and a children’s playground.

16. The Horny Corner

Head over to Horny Corner for a night of dancing and drinking with your friends. The beach is not family-friendly and is mainly frequented by adults seeking a wild time.

On party days, the beach will be packed with cabanas, music will be blaring, and nearly everyone will be holding a red Solo cup.

Parting Shot

Long Beach, California is well known for having near-perfect weather. It never gets too cold or too hot. The city receives only around 20 inches of rain a year whenever it rains, and no snow falls here.

While the name Long Beach may imply just one beach, the city boasts multiple superb beaches. Whether it’s something for your family, your canine friend, or water sports activities, there is a beach for everyone.

If you’re seeking a summer escape where you can enjoy the coastal winds and the sand below your feet, we recommend the 16 best beaches on our list in Long Beach, California.