With LA tourism numbers dropping like flies and far of the Golden State able to dent your pockets, it needs to be no shock that one typically missed metropolis is surging resulting from affordability, much less crowded seashores, and a current glow-up drawing in additional guests like moths to a flame.
Sandwiched between LA and Orange County lies Lengthy Seaside, a metropolis we might all know the title of however might not know a lot about.
That is partly resulting from the truth that Lengthy Seaside was previously referred to as ‘Iowa by the Sea’. Des Moines in all probability is not excessive in your wishlist, huh?
Nicely, after a much-needed revamp, it is being reported that Lengthy Seaside is prospering and extra welcoming than ever!
Placing the boring vibes to mattress, Lengthy Seaside is a decent-sized metropolis of 450,000 with a small-town really feel and prettier seashores than given credit score for, and a few pleasant points of interest ready to impress this summer season.
20 Miles From LA: Welcome To California’s Best Day Journey
Lengthy Seaside has its personal airport, but it surely’s virtually as should you’d by no means realize it, hiding in LA’s huge shadow.
Situated simply 20 minutes from downtown LA (effectively, should you can beat the insufferable site visitors), Lengthy Seaside is maybe California’s most leisurely day journey and effectively value risking 405 gridlock.
Even should you decide to move again to Los Angeles, Orange County, or wherever you are coming from, you will not go away dissatisfied from the sounds of all the most recent upgrades, in addition to basic points of interest which have anchored Lengthy Seaside for years.
No, there is not any Hollywood signal for selfies or Rodeo Drive, however there are many issues to see, do, and eat whilst you’re visiting this under-hyped metropolis.
You would be shocked by not solely the variety of points of interest right here, however how cool they’re. Take the Museum of Latin American Artwork (MOLAA), for instance, which showcases over 1,000 artistic endeavors from Latin American artists.
A couple of weeks away (July 26) is Long Beach Dragon Boat Festival, one of many metropolis’s most enjoyable and cultural festivals — the proper excuse for a drive down from quite a few surrounding cities to participate on this Chinese language-rooted custom of racing dragon boats.
Arguably Lengthy Seaside’s hottest attraction although is the Aquarium of the Pacific ($45 admission), a nonprofit haven for aquatic life and Southern California’s largest aquarium.
Lengthy Seaside’s Glow-Up: New Inns & A Buzzing Meals Scene
If the aquarium is not Lengthy Seaside’s most acclaimed locale, it is gotta be the Queen Mary. This historic British ship-turned-hotel sees over 450,000 guests per yr and no telling what number of selfie-takers, particularly after an in depth overhaul, together with room upgrades happening in 2023.
Cheerio then!
There are another notable revamps too:
- Metropolis Heart Resort
- Breakers Resort (Now rebranded as Fairmont)
The meals scene is buzzing too. Wanna know a spot that may blow your thoughts?
I have been to Lengthy Seaside one time and needed to go to King’s Hawaiian Bakery and Restaurant (sure, that King’s Hawaiian) in close by Torrance.
However that was then and that is now — Lengthy Seaside has modified since I final visited. There is a utterly completely different vibe than the Iowa-esque snoozefest, lackluster eating places I skilled (moreover King’s Hawaiian, in fact)
In keeping with native consultants at Longbeachize, these are the three most fun new eating places opening up store this yr:
- Due Fiori
- Midnight Oil
- NYC Chop Cheese
Does Lengthy Seaside Dwell Up To The Identify?
Reality be instructed, Lengthy Seaside does boast scenic shores, but it surely’s not fairly Laguna Seaside, La Jolla, or Malibu degree (effectively, perhaps now….).
What folks actually take pleasure in about Lengthy Seaside is having fun with time outdoor. There are lush inexperienced parks, resembling Shoreline Aquatic Park, providing grand views of the Pacific, and there are bike paths lining the coast, excellent for a morning or noon experience earlier than taking within the sundown.
Although, in case you are making a day journey or weekend getaway, be happy to convey Fido alongside to toss a frisbee at Rosie’s Canine Seaside or you probably have the kiddos with you, Mom’s Seaside is understood for calm waters and as clear of a public seaside toilet that there might be, based on TripAdvisor opinions.
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