Alamitos Beach local guide

Alamitos Beach is one of Long Beach's most walkable neighborhoods — a mix of Craftsman bungalows, palm-lined streets and a relaxed beach-town vibe, tucked between downtown, Belmont Shore and Retro Row. Beachwood Bungalow sits right in the middle of it. Here's how we'd spend a few days.

The beach

The sand is about half a mile from the front door. The bungalow comes stocked with beach chairs, umbrellas, towels, sand toys, a volleyball and ice chests, so you can walk down with everything you need. Complimentary bike-share access is available on request, and the beachfront bike path runs for miles along the coast.

Retro Row on 4th Street

Just a five-minute walk north, 4th Street's Retro Row is home to nearly 100 independent shops, vintage stores, cafés and restaurants, anchored by the historic Art Theatre. It's the heart of the neighborhood's personality — go for coffee in the morning and cocktails at night.

Bixby Park & the bluff

About an 8-minute walk away, Bixby Park hosts a farmers market (Tuesdays and Saturdays) and a free outdoor fitness course. Continue to the bluff for ocean views and free yoga classes.

Where to eat — Ryan's picks

Brunch

• The Attic (Broadway) — Michelin-recommended Southern brunch in a restored 1920s Craftsman. Arguably the best eggs Benedict in the city; expect a wait on weekends.
• Schooner or Later (Marina Dr) — a harbor-view terrace and a crab-and-avocado Benedict.

On Retro Row

• Lola's Mexican Cuisine — creative cocktails, mole and street tacos with outdoor seating on 4th Street.
• The Pike Restaurant & Bar — a modernized 1950s diner famous for fish & chips and lobster tacos.
• #9 to Go (inside Eddie's Market) — a hidden gem for pho, bun and banh mi.

Date night in Belmont Shore

• Roe Seafood — chef-driven sustainable seafood with a garden patio.
• L'Antica Pizzeria Da Michele — Naples-style wood-fired pizza.
• Nick's on 2nd — upscale American for celebrations.

On the water

• Parkers' Lighthouse (Shoreline Village) — seafood with harbor and ocean views.
• Naples Rib Co. — Long Beach's go-to barbecue.

Further afield (a short drive)

• Downtown & the waterfront: the Aquarium of the Pacific, Shoreline Village and the Queen Mary.
• Belmont Shore & Naples: 2nd Street shopping, gondola rides, kayaks and paddleboards in Alamitos Bay.
• Los Angeles & Orange County: Long Beach is a convenient base between LA's attractions and the OC coast.

With kids

• Aquarium of the Pacific: sharks, sea otters and a lorikeet aviary, about 10 minutes away.
• Shoreline Village: carousel, arcade and harbor boardwalk.
• Mother's Beach in Naples: calm, shallow water, perfect for toddlers.
• Rancho Los Alamitos: historic ranch with barnyard animals.
• Battleship USS Iowa: walk the decks of a WWII battleship in San Pedro.

On the water

• Gondola Getaway: Venetian-style cruises through the Naples canals, running for about 40 years. Bring your own wine.
• Harbor Breeze Cruises: whale watching and harbor tours from Rainbow Harbor.
• Catalina Express: about an hour by ferry to Avalon on Catalina Island, an easy day trip.
• Kayaks and paddleboards rent along Alamitos Bay in Belmont Shore and Naples.

Attractions & culture

• The Queen Mary: the historic ocean liner, with Dark Harbor every fall.
• Museum of Latin American Art and the bluff-top Long Beach Museum of Art.
• Art Theatre on Retro Row: a 1920s single-screen cinema, a 5-minute walk away.
• Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden at Cal State Long Beach.

Breweries

• Beachwood Brewing (Bixby Knolls) and Ten Mile Brewing, plus the full brewery list.

Day trips

• Catalina Island: ferry from downtown Long Beach.
• Disneyland: about 30 minutes without traffic. Knott's Berry Farm is about 25.
• Laguna Beach (about 40 minutes) and the Getty Center (about an hour).

Getting around

You can easily spend a whole trip without the car: walk, bike, scooter, bus or rideshare. When you do drive, the bungalow has driveway parking. Long Beach Airport (LGB) is about 15 minutes away, and the bike share has stations along the beach path. Note that Long Beach has weekly street sweeping on alternating sides of the street, so check posted signs if you park on the street (city schedule).