Come out to the coast, have a few laughs, and enjoy all that Long Beach has to offer! Whether you’re looking to get away from the rhythm of Los Angeles for a staycation or just have extra time and are looking to explore our sunny southern neighbor. Here’s a tight list to ensure you have the Best Day Ever while you soak up the sun!
Breakfast:
Blackbird Cafe is where breakfast magic happens. This restaurant gem is open daily from 7 am – 3 pm, making it the perfect place for a leisurely breakfast or quick lunch between vintage shopping stops. Burritos, benedicts, and waffles–oh my–plus they make BROWNIE PANCAKES, packed with walnuts, chocolate chips, and topped with Strawberries and powdered sugar! If you love burgers, then the Ranchero Burger, topped with green chili and havarti cheese, is divine! No matter what time of day you decide to dine, Blackbird Cafe has got you covered.
Let’s open with the fact that the Breakfast Bar has a menu item called “Hung Over”, fries with gravy, scrambled eggs, pork sausage, peppers, onions, and some Pico De Gallo. The creativity doesn’t stop there, with house favorites like the Shrimp Bruschetta, Daily Fuel (a unique twist on Granola and yogurt), and of course the Papa Joe Egg in a Grilled Cheese Hole! From frozen cocktails to housemade Bloody Marys, the crew at The Breakfast Bar might need to roll you out to your car after you’ve had your fill of their fantastic fair.
Lunch:
Three words; Mac And Cheetos! This dish at first doesn’t seem to go together, yet once you take a bite you’ll understand the genius behind it. Cheese-covered pasta with a crunch of flamin’ hot Cheetos will set your soul on fire. Follow it up with their biscuits and Sorghum butter or Cornbread (which takes 20 minutes to prepare and is 100% worth it). This all pairs beautifully with their wide variety of Bloody Marys, specifically The Meaty Man, which comes with bacon and a mini short rib slider.
Dinner:
Whether seeking a happy hour, fantastic lunch, or romantic dinner, Saint and Second is here to serve. Inside or out on their small, yet mighty patio, order their Black Truffle & Gruyere Fondu Truffle fries and you will be healed of anything that ails you. Top it off with an order of the Stone Fruit Glazed Pork Chop or the Shrimp a la Plancha, and you’re set. The cocktails list is simple and classic, but the quality is astounding. From a delightful twist on a Whiskey Fixx to the Rainbow Sherbert; Saint and Second is the type of home away from home that we all crave.
Who says the West Coast doesn’t have good pizza? While this small chain has locations all over SoCal and one in NYC, this Belmont Shores location truly shines. With its Spanish-influenced architecture, a warm and welcoming dining room awaits you for all celebrations. The Proshuitto and Arugula pizza is sheer perfection, and as a big pasta lover, the Tagliatelle Verdi Al Pesto was scrumptious!
Shopping, Activities & Nightlife:
If you are looking to connect with your body, then Yoga on the Bluff is the best way to move and stand in nature! With classes every day from 11 am – 12 pm, and seasonal 6 pm classes (From April – October), these fitness pros are here to help you stretch and release through the power of yoga. Only canceled when it’s actively raining, be sure to bring your water and mat! With yearly yoga pilgrimages worldwide and teacher training, Yoga on the Bluff is an amazing community that exemplifies what fitness should be.
This street is an ideal shopping destination with multiple vintage and gift stores, each with a different vibe and style. Far Outfit, with its clever name, showcases bright and quirky high-quality second-hand finds as well as “Tomorrow’s Vintage” offering new and sustainable products!
Combine Far Outfit with MEOW!, Old Gold, and La Bomba vintage, and you’ve got a walk & shop tour all along a few fabulous blocks! There is always ample street parking around the area making this easily accessible for day-trippers.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet spot to read, a romantic place for a picnic for two, or just some peace and quiet as the sun goes down, Hiltop Park at Golden Hour is a wondrous place to spend your evening before heading out on the town!
You’ll be sayin’ Aloha-ha-ha as you swim in delectable delights whilst wearing your favorite tiki attire! With a completely separate menu for vegetarian and vegan fare, you must start with their spaghetti squash pad thai or for meat lovers the Mochiko Chicken.
The standout is their tiki drink menu! You can find classics like Mai Thais and Zombies and new favorites, such as the River Dragon; with white rum, passion fruit, Aperol, and a chili-infused baijiu! Open for brunch and dinner, this is the place you’ll wanna escape to over and over again while waiting for your next Hawaiian vacation!
Lovers of all things spooky and elegant unite at the Observation Bar on the Queen Mary! Get gussied up and enjoy the panoramic views of Long Beach as you listen to live music, enjoy Happy Hour specials (Mon-Thursday from 4 pm to 7 pm), or sit at the bar with your drink and while away the hours imagining the lives of the passengers who stepped aboard this historic vessel. Plus, you can schedule a paranormal adventure before or after your departure from the Observation Bar–keeping that ghoulish vibe alive all year long!
