Long Beach

Long Beach is one of the most ethnically diverse large cities in America. The US Census has recognized it as such. About 4% of its roughly 486,000 residents are of Cambodian descent — the highest concentration of any city outside Southeast Asia. That history is tied directly to the Khmer Rouge genocide and the refugee arrivals of the 1970s and 80s, which gives Cambodia Town a weight and a story behind its restaurants and temples that's worth understanding before you visit.

Beyond that, the city has a deep SoCal beach culture identity running alongside a serious arts and music scene, a major port (one of the busiest in the world), and a working-class core that makes it feel less polished and more real than neighboring beach communities. The East Village Arts District is a genuine creative neighborhood, not a manufactured one. And Long Beach's LGBTQ+ community has roots here going back decades.

Here's the thing: Long Beach often gets lumped in with LA, but locals are protective of the city's distinct identity. Call it part of LA and watch the reaction.

Long Beach has the largest Cambodian population of any city outside Cambodia. If you're eating in Cambodia Town, it's worth knowing that many restaurants run cash-preferred or cash-only operations. Bring bills..

The annual Cambodia Town Parade (April) starts with an interfaith blessing ceremony. It genuinely welcomes everyone — you don't need to be Cambodian or Buddhist to attend and enjoy.. Buddhist temples in Long Beach (especially in Cambodia Town) are open to respectful visitors, particularly on weekend mornings for chanting or meditation.

Dress modestly and remove shoes before entering.. During Grand Prix weekend (April), downtown Long Beach essentially becomes a racing circuit. Streets get closed, parking goes crazy, and restaurant waits balloon.

Plan ahead or skip downtown entirely and enjoy the race noise from a rooftop bar.. Long Beach is a legitimately LGBTQ+-friendly city, particularly around the East Village Arts District and Belmont Shore. The Pride festival in May is a major citywide event, not a niche gathering..

If you're at the beach and it rained in the previous three days, don't go in the water. Serious storm runoff contamination is a real issue. The Long Beach Health Department has a color-coded water quality chart, and you can call (562) 570-4132 to check conditions..

Locals use the free Passport shuttle on weekends to get between the Queen Mary, Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village, and the Convention Center without paying for parking. Tourists consistently miss this.. Car break-ins are common enough that locals don't leave anything — literally anything, not a jacket, not a bag — visible inside a parked car.

Treat this as a firm rule, not a suggestion.

Long Beach has a crime rate above the national average, and it's worth being specific about where. South Long Beach led the city with 1,091 violent incidents in 2024, and the Wrigley area in West Long Beach had a violent crime rate of about 1,209 per 100,000 people. The neighborhoods around the airport, Poly High District, and Wilmington warrant more caution. North Long Beach has improved significantly and has rising home values, but still has pockets of gang activity and higher property crime.

And here's the thing: the safest neighborhoods — Alamitos Heights, El Dorado Park, Lakewood Village, Los Cerritos — all clock crime rates well below the national average. Where you stay matters enormously.

Downtown is reasonably safe during the day with steady police presence and active streets. At night, stick to well-lit Pine Avenue and the waterfront. Avoid alleys.

Car theft is the single most common crime type. Long Beach sits in the bottom 10% of US cities for vehicle theft. Do not leave valuables in your car. Book accommodation with a secure garage if you're driving.

Belmont Shore and the beach areas are generally safe but stay aware of your belongings on the sand and at crowded Aquarium of the Pacific.

Water quality at the beach: call (562) 570-4132 or check the Long Beach Health and Human Services color-coded chart before getting in the water, especially within three days of rain. Storm runoff can make conditions unsafe.

Long Beach is genuinely more navigable without a car than most Southern California cities, though a car still helps for exploring neighborhoods off the main corridors.

**Getting here:** Long Beach Airport (LGB) is small, easy, and usually cheaper than LAX. It's about 20 minutes from downtown. LAX is about 25–35 minutes away on a good traffic day (read: not rush hour). Amtrak has a connection into LA Union Station, from which you can take the Metro A Line straight to downtown Long Beach.

**Metro A Line:** This light rail runs directly between Downtown Long Beach and Downtown LA. Four stations in DTLB. Connects to rail lines reaching Santa Monica, Hollywood, and the Crypto.com Arena. Pay at platform kiosks with a TAP card, cash, Apple Wallet, or the TAP app.

**Long Beach Transit buses:** 250 buses, 37 routes, $1.25 per ride. Covers Belmont Shore, Alamitos Bay, Cal State Long Beach, and Cambodia Town on Anaheim Street. Get a TAP card at the Transit & Visitor Information Center at 130 E 1st Street.

**Free Passport shuttle:** Runs on weekends between major tourist stops — Queen Mary, Aquarium, Shoreline Village, Convention Center, and downtown hotels. Completely free. Use it.

**Water taxis (summer only):** AquaBus ($1) loops around Rainbow Harbor stops including the Aquarium, Shoreline Village, and Queen Mary. AquaLink ($5) runs from Alamitos Bay Landing to the Aquarium and Queen Mary. About 20 minutes for a full round trip.

**Scooters and bikes:** Bird, Lime, and VeoRide electric scooters are available citywide through the city's Micromobility Program. The Long Beach BikeShare program has 8-gear bikes with baskets and lights, pickable at any hub. The 3-mile paved Shoreline Path runs along the beach from downtown to Belmont Shore — perfectly flat, easy cycling.

**Car warning:** Vehicle theft is genuinely among the highest in the country here. If you drive, use secure parking and don't leave anything visible in your car.