Visit City Beach, a sweep of golden sand that curves around San Pedro Bay, one of the first places in California to witness surfing. It was a venue for the National Surfing and Paddle Board Championships of 1938. Following the construction of a breakwater, the once pounding waves of City Beach are now gentle ripples.
The water is calm and inviting for refreshing dips beneath the constant sunshine. Lifeguards patrol the beach and put up markers to indicate the safest swimming areas. Bring beach chairs and an umbrella with you or simply spread a towel over the soft sand. Kite flying and kite surfing are popular activities here.
Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier stretches out into the bay at the eastern end of the beach. Stroll out to the end and watch fishermen waiting patiently for a catch. If you have your own equipment, fish here without a license or fees. Admire wonderful views of the city’s shoreline, bluffs and Astronauts Islands, which are four artificial islands decorated to conceal their oil industry usage.
Join locals biking, running, skating or walking the length of Shoreline Way. This meandering 4-mile-long (6-kilometer) trail connects Long Beach Marina with the Belmont Shore neighborhood. It fills up late in the afternoon with people watching the sun drift down behind the harbor, islands and emblematic Queen Mary floating hotel.
For a change of scenery, peruse rotating exhibitions by Southern Californian artists at Long Beach Museum of Art. There’s also a permanent exhibition of English pottery from the 17th to 19th centuries. For additional impressive sea views, walk up to the adjacent JAAN-2 Gun Battery, which remains from World War II.
City Beach is less than a 10-minute drive from Downtown Long Beach. Metered parking is available below the museum. Park for free along Ocean Boulevard. Stairs descend from the bluff and provide pedestrian access between the beach and boulevard.
