Neighborhood Spotlight: Long Beach, CA

Located just 30 minutes south of Los Angeles, Long Beach, California, is a coastal gem with its own unique, laid-back vibe. As the seventh most populous city in the state, Long Beach has much to offer both residents and visitors — from waterfront adventures to world-class cultural attractions. Let’s take a closer look at this one-of-a-kind Southern California city.

Long Beach at a Glance

Long Beach is part of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Area and has a population of just over 462,000. Located 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles, Long Beach is home to the second busiest container port in the United States and is situated over a minor oilfield. The city features 11 miles of sandy beaches as well as a host of prominent attractions such as the Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific. It’s also home to one of the largest universities in California by enrollment, California State University, Long Beach.

Long Beach real estate

While real estate in Long Beach is among the most expensive in the nation, it is relatively affordable compared to some of the most expensive cities in California. The median home price in Long Beach is approximately $450,000. Long Beach has a wide variety of real estate available, from high-rise apartment and condo complexes to large, single-family homes. Row houses and attached homes are also common in Long Beach, making it one of the more walkable cities in Southern California. About half of the homes in Long Beach were built between the 1940s and 1960s, many of them designed in a cape or ranch style. There’s also a large percentage of homes built between 1970 and 1999, and some homes built in 2000 and later. No matter what style of home you’re looking for, chances are you’ll find it in Long Beach.

Long Beach history

Indigenous people have lived in the area that is now Long Beach for thousands of years. Spanish explorers arrived in the 16th century and the Spanish Empire issued land grants throughout the area. In 1843, Jonathan Temple arrived from New England, purchased Rancho Los Cerritos, and established a cattle ranch, becoming the wealthiest man in Los Angeles County. In 1866 he sold Rancho Los Cerritos to a sheep-raising firm Flint, Bixby & Co. In 1897, the City of Long Beach was officially incorporated. Over the years Long Beach has grown into a seaside resort. Oil was discovered in 1921 and made Long Beach a major oil producer. In fact, the Long Beach oilfield was the most productive in the world in the 1920s. 

Long Beach amenities

Long Beach offers some of the best dining, shopping, and entertainment choices in the Greater Los Angeles Area. One of the most prominent attractions is the Queen Mary, the historic ocean liner that is permanently docked in Long Beach. Enjoy a meal onboard, attend one of their many events, or step back in time with an overnight stay. The Aquarium of the Pacific, Southern California’s largest aquarium, is a wonderful place to get up-close-and-personal with the marine life found in the Pacific Ocean.

Long Beach has a thriving arts scene. It is home to several excellent art museums including the Long Beach Museum of Art, the Museum of Latin American Art, and the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum. The city is also known for its vibrant street art, and East Village Arts District in downtown Long Beach is home to many galleries and hosts a monthly Artwalk.

There are many outdoor adventures to be had in Long Beach. Enjoy the miles of sandy beaches, especially Marine Park or “Mother’s Beach”, which is great for families. Take a whale-watching tour or a romantic gondola ride in the canals of Naples Islands. There are 92 parks within the city of Long Beach, including El Dorado Regional Park where visitors can enjoy fishing lakes, an archery range, bike trails, and picnic areas. Long Beach is also home to the Grand Prix of Long Beach, the city’s largest event.

Long Beach schools

Most students in Long Beach are served by the Long Beach Unified School District, which has the reputation of being one of the best in the country. The school district serves approximately 75,000 students and has a student-to-teacher ratio of 27-1. In addition, Long Beach is home to California State University, Long Beach, Long Beach City College, and Pacific Coast University, a private non-profit law school.

Explore Long Beach today

Are you ready to explore everything that the dynamic City of Long Beach has to offer? Then view available properties and schedule your private showing today!