Downtown Long Beach facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Downtown Long Beach
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Aerial view of downtown Long Beach, California, looking southwest. San Pedro Bay and the Port of Long Beach are visible beyond, with Catalina Island faintly visible on the horizon.
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| Country |  United States |
| State | California |
| County | Los Angeles |
| City | Long Beach |
Downtown Long Beach is a vibrant part of California, United States. It is home to many of the city's main tourist spots. You can also find important city services and lots of businesses here. The area has many hotels and restaurants. These serve local people, visitors, and those attending big events.
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Where is Downtown Long Beach Located?
Downtown Long Beach is next to the Los Angeles River on its west side. Ocean Boulevard forms its southern edge. The area south of Ocean Boulevard is called the "Downtown Shoreline." Alamitos Avenue generally marks the eastern boundary. However, the city's official downtown zone goes a bit further east. To the north, downtown usually ends around 7th Street. But the city's downtown zone reaches as far north as Anaheim Street in some parts.
The larger downtown area includes several neighborhoods. These are the East Village Arts District and the West End. It also has North Pine, the Civic Center, and the "Downtown Core." The Downtown Core is the main area for businesses and entertainment.
Fun Things to Do and Places to Shop
Downtown Long Beach offers many exciting places to visit and explore. You can find shopping, dining, and unique attractions.
- Aquarium of the Pacific: See amazing ocean animals and learn about marine life.
- Catalina Express: Catch a boat here for a fun trip to Catalina Island.
- East Village Arts District: Discover art galleries, unique shops, and creative spaces.
- Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center: This is a huge place for big events and shows.
- Terrace Theater: Enjoy concerts, plays, and other live performances.
- Long Beach Sports Arena: This arena hosts many sports and entertainment events. It features one of Wyland's famous Whaling Walls, a giant mural of whales.
- Long Beach Plaza: A great spot for shopping with many different stores.
- Museum of Latin American Art: Explore art from Latin American artists.
- The Pike: A popular outdoor shopping and entertainment center.
- Pine Avenue: Known for its many restaurants and fun nightclubs.
- Queen Mary: Visit this historic ship, which is now a hotel and museum. It's located very close by.
- Rainbow Harbor: Enjoy shopping and dining with beautiful harbor views.
- Shoreline Village: Another charming spot for shopping and restaurants by the water.
- Harvey Milk Promenade Park: A park named after a famous civil rights leader.
Exciting Events in Downtown Long Beach
Downtown Long Beach hosts many fun events throughout the year. There's always something happening for everyone to enjoy.
- Second Saturday Art Walk: Explore art in the East Village every second Saturday.
- Third Fridays Twilight Walk: Enjoy an evening stroll and activities on Historic Pine Avenue.
- Certified Organic Farmers Market: Buy fresh, local produce every Friday.
- Bob Marley Reggae Festival: Celebrate reggae music in February.
- Queen Mary Scottish Festival: Experience Scottish culture and traditions in February.
- Congressional Cup: Watch exciting sailing races in April.
- Long Beach Grand Prix & Formula DRIFT: See thrilling car races in April.
- Cajun & Zydeco Festival: Enjoy lively music and food in May.
- Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Parade & Festival: A colorful celebration in May.
- Aloha Concert Jam: Listen to Hawaiian music in June.
- Anime Expo or AX (SPJA): A big event promoting Japanese animation and culture in July.
- Catalina Ski Race: Watch a challenging water ski race in July.
Downtown Long Beach and the 2028 Summer Olympics
Downtown Long Beach will be a special place during the 2028 Summer Olympics. It will host several exciting water sports events. These include Sailing, water polo, triathlon, and open water swimming.
Businesses and Work in Downtown Long Beach
The Downtown Long Beach Alliance helps manage businesses in the area. There are about 1,500 businesses in Downtown Long Beach. This includes many law firms because the Los Angeles County Courthouse is nearby. You can also find over 150 restaurants, wine bars, and places for live performances. The Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center is also a major business hub.
The main office for the California State University system is located in Downtown Long Beach. Other important organizations here include the Long Beach Rescue Mission and the Long Beach World Trade Center. The Port of Long Beach, a very busy port, is also nearby. Molina Healthcare has a presence here too.
Bringing Old Buildings Back to Life
Downtown Long Beach is working to give old office buildings a new purpose. These buildings, which might be too old for modern offices, are being turned into homes. This process is called "Adaptive Reuse." It means changing an existing building to fit a new use. The city has a program to help developers do this.
Reusing buildings is good for the environment because it avoids tearing them down. It also helps keep the historic look and unique style of downtown Long Beach. For example, an old Verizon office building on 200 W. Ocean Blvd. was changed. It is now an apartment building with shops on the ground floor.
The Long Beach Professional Building is another great example. This eight-story building was built in 1929. It is a beautiful Art Deco style medical office tower. It was once in danger of being torn down. But it was recently updated in 2018. This historic building is now called The Regency Palms. It is a place for assisted living and memory care.
Getting Around Downtown Long Beach
Downtown Long Beach has many ways to get around. It's easy to explore the area and connect to other parts of the city and beyond.
- Long Beach Transit: This is a main hub for the city's bus system.
- Los Angeles Metro Rail A Line: The southern end of this train line is at the Downtown Long Beach station.
- Interstate 710: The southern start of this major freeway is in downtown.
- Bus services: You can find buses from Greyhound Lines, Amtrak Thruway, Torrance Transit, LADOT, and LACMTA.
From 1902 to 1961, the area was also served by the Pacific Electric Long Beach Line train.
Schools in Downtown Long Beach
Downtown Long Beach is part of the Long Beach Unified School District. This district serves the schools in the area.
Famous Buildings and Architecture
Downtown Long Beach has many interesting and historic buildings. Some of them are listed as city landmarks.
- Farmers and Merchants Bank Office Tower, Alexander Curlett, Claud Beelman, William Horace Austin
- International Tower (700 E. Ocean Blvd.)
- Ocean Club (1310 E. Ocean Blvd.)
- The Edison Building (100 Long Beach Blvd.)
- Adelaide M. Tichenor House (Greene and Greene) (852 E. Ocean Blvd.)
- Breakers Hotel (200-220 E. Ocean Blvd.)
- Walker's Department Store
- First National Bank of Long Beach
- Masonic Temple (Long Beach, California) (230 Pine Ave.)
- Ocean Center Building (110 W. Ocean Blvd.)
- Scottish Rite Cathedral
- The Willmore (315 West Third Street)
- Villa Riviera (800 E. Ocean Blvd.)
Gallery
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Downtown Long Beach
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Golden Shore and Ocean Boulevard
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Downtown Shoreline, 2009
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Pine Avenue
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Dr. Rowan Building, constructed 1930
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Security Pacific National Bank Building, constructed 1924
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Farmers and Merchants Bank Office Tower, constructed 1922-1923
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Pacific Tower, constructed 1923, Renaissance Revival architecture
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Walker Building, designed by Meyer & Holler
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Californian Apartments
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Lincoln Park, the city's oldest park, depicted on a postcard, c. 1930-1945
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Aerial view, c. 1930
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Bird's-eye view looking west on Ocean Avenue, probably photographed from Cooper Arms Apartments, 1924
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Ocean Avenue looking southeast from Pine Avenue, c. 1910
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