The United States of America is home to a huge variety of beaches. From the windy, golden sand shores and old-fashioned coastal villages of New England to the white sandy spots and picturesque palm trees of Hawaii, every kind of beach imaginable can be found in the United States, with places like Florida and California consistently ranking as some of the very best beach states of all. California, in particular, is beloved by many Americans and international travelers for its huge range and variety of beaches, from sunny surfing spots to rocky rugged shores.
Home to some of California's greatest attractions and landmarks like the Knott's Berry Farm old-fashioned theme park, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Museum of Latin American Art, and the RMS Queen Mary, Long Beach is one of the best places to visit in the Los Angeles area and it's only a short drive from the city's international airport (LAX). Not only that, but Long Beach, as the name implies, is also situated right on the Pacific Coast and is home to some stunning beaches with very calm waters and silky soft sands.
Best Beaches in Long Beach CA
California has a long list of must-visit beaches to choose from. From the sun-drenched sands and party atmospheres of locations like Venice Beach and Malibu all the way up to the rocky, pristine havens of places like Big Sur, the Golden State is a haven for beach-goers, with Long Beach standing out as one of the state’s very best beach cities. The Long Beach is home to some superb stretches of sand, with many other top class beaches just short drives or walks away. If you’re planning a trip to Long Beach, read on to learn all about the area’s best beaches.
Alamitos Beach
If you're in Long Beach and simply want the closest and most convenient beach, Alamitos Beach is the place to go. It's easily accessible by foot or car from the downtown streets of Long Beach and offers easy access to the various stores and eateries along the oceanfront. This is a sandy beach with pretty views all around and quite a lively vibe. It's not uncommon to see groups of friends hanging out and playing beach games together or families enjoying picnics, and you can snap some super photos of Long Beach landmarks like the Queen Mary from Alamitos Beach too. It's a great spot to watch the sunset and comes with a lot of good amenities like clean restrooms, showers, bike racks, and lifeguards.
Belmont Shore Beach
Belmont Shore Beach runs from the Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier all the way down to the peninsula. It's a lovely spot, with most of the action tending to occur around the beach's fishing pier. Lots of special events and live entertainment can be enjoyed on and around the pier at different times of the year, and it's also a good spot to simply do some fishing as well. You'll find restrooms, showers, lifeguards, volleyball courts, and various benches dotted around at this beach, which is also just a few minutes away from some top class cafes and bars. There's a large outdoor pool at this beach too and it's a good spot for swimming, sunbathing, and eating picnics.
Junipero Beach
Junipero Beach is actually located right by Alamitos Beach, so you can hop from one beach to the other on the same day if you like. Easily accessed from Long Beach, this beach is also sometimes known under the name 'Cherry Beach' due to the fact that it is located off Cherry Avenue. Whatever you decide to call it, this Long Beach beach is a welcoming, comfortable stretch of coastline with some super views and a lot going on. Yoga classes run here on a regular basis and are open to all and part of the beach allows dogs out on the sand, so it's a cool spot to bring a four-legged friend. There are plenty of good amenities at this beach as well, including restrooms, showers, on-duty lifeguards, a local playground for kids, a local outdoor exercise area, and some good eateries just a short walk away.
Peninsula Bayside
As the name suggests, Peninsula Bayside is located on the Long Beach Peninsula, which is found at the far end of Belmont Shore Beach. It's only a small beach but it's definitely worth a visit for its uniquely beautiful and impressive views. Visitors to this beach will be able to admire the upscale residences along the local coastline and snap some photos of nearby Naples Island too. When the conditions are good, you can see a long way out to the horizon here and it's a nice spot to hop on board a kayak or paddleboard and explore the area by water. Amenities at this Long Beach include restrooms, lifeguards, a local cafe, concessions, rentals, and more.
