Belmont Shore is where Long Beach begins to feel more like a relaxed Southern California beach community. The neighbourhood sits east of downtown, with the ocean on one side and a busy commercial strip along Second Street.
If you want to combine beach time with restaurants and shops without driving between every stop, this is one of the easiest areas to explore.
Second Street
Second Street forms the social centre of the neighbourhood. Cafés, bars, restaurants and independent businesses make it useful at almost any time of day.
I would wander rather than arrive with one specific business as the entire purpose of the visit. Belmont Shore works because everything is close enough to turn lunch into an afternoon.
Head towards the water
The beach and pedestrian/bike routes are only a short walk away. Long Beach’s protected shoreline does not offer the same surf experience as some other Southern California beaches, but it works well for walking, cycling and enjoying the coast.
Nearby Naples adds another easy extension if you want to see the canals.
Belmont Shore is also worth considering as a place to stay if you prefer neighbourhood atmosphere to a downtown hotel. You sacrifice some proximity to major attractions but gain restaurants, walkability and a more local evening scene.
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