DISCOVER THE DIVERSITY OF

DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH

Experience the Vintage Architecture, Funky Shops,

Savory Restaurants, Unique Attractions, Cultural Venues,

and Spectator Sporting Events of this Urban Waterfront Destination

By Kathy Westervelt and Elizabeth Borsting

Rainbow Harbor is a vibrant dining, retail and entertainment destination sizzling with an international flavor located on the waterfront in the heart of downtown Long Beach

With its urban edge, bohemian sensibilities, and seaside setting, you will be amazed and excited by all that Downtown Long Beach has to offer. It truly has something for every member of your family. You can certainly fill an entire day with family-fun activities, but will likely want to set aside more time to fully experience all that this City has to offer.

Located along the coast, just 20 minutes south of downtown Los Angeles and a fifteen minute drive to Orange County, Downtown Long Beach is truly unique. Made up of colorful landscapes, storied histories, amusement attractions, and cultural venues, it is the hub of California’s fifth largest city.

Downtown Long Beach is an ideal family destination with amusement venues for the kids, architectural and historical sites for history buffs, shopping districts, sporting events, and plentiful dining options. No one can claim boredom, sometimes a common complaint on family vacations!

Five Neighborhoods to Explore

Alluring attractions and distinctive features entice visitors to explore each of the area’s five pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Depending on the ages of your kids and the make-up of your family, some districts will have a more immediate appeal. Of course there’s much fun to be had in the amusement venues, but there’s also a great deal to be learned just by walking around and observing the historical

Pine Ave in the heart of Downtown Long Beach

architecture or partaking in the rich culture that embodies the arts district. Take a look at Welcome’s Long Beach map on page 41 for a quick and easy reference guide to the neighborhoods.

The Waterfront area, a revitalized seaside locale, offers an excellent selection of family attractions. Visitors to this fun-filled region will find the picturesque boardwalk at Shoreline Village, the Pike at Rainbow Harbor, the famous Queen Mary, and the popular Aquarium of the Pacific.

The East Village Arts District, home to the Museum of Latin American Art (MoLAA), the nation’s only museum to exclusively feature art from Latin America, offers cutting-edge exhibits, one-of-a-kind galleries, and charming sidewalk cafes.

The historic charm of the city’s rich past is showcased on the cozy streets of the North Pine area. Some of the oldest and finest historical buildings are found along the streets that are home to the majority of Downtown residents.

When you head south on Pine Avenue, you’ll discover the region’s dining and entertainment epicenter, radiating energy and excitement during the day with a lively nightlife once the sun begins to set. The area is abundant with nightclubs, performing arts venues, martini bars, billiard clubs and zesty flamenco performances.

Modern high-rise buildings dominating the skyline along Ocean Boulevard identify the West Gateway district, known as the financial and civic center of Long Beach. A feature of this modern locale is the Long Beach World Trade Center, the tallest building in the city.

If, by chance, your visit to Southern California happens to be a house hunting one, Downtown Long Beach offers appealing residential options. Historic buildings are being renovated to create stylish lofts and apartment units, while new developments with luxury amenities and modern appeal are changing the Downtown landscape. Urban dwellers can also opt for tree-lined neighborhoods in the North Pine area or lavish, high-rise condominiums with spectacular views in the Waterfront and West Gateway areas.

Something for Everyone

For much of the 20th century, The Pike, a Coney Island-style seaside amusement park, lured visitors to Downtown Long Beach.  Sideshow stunts and hair-raising rides of yesteryear have been replaced by

The Pike offers dining, retail and entertainment located on the waterfront in Rainbow Harbor

new and unique attractions sure to excite your family. From the underwater wonders at the Aquarium of the Pacific to an authentic Russian submarine moored alongside the legendary Queen Mary, there’s never a dull moment.

The area’s magnificent oceanfront setting beckons visitors to bask beneath the sun both on land and at sea.  A paved, oceanfront bike path allows enthusiasts an opportunity to pedal, Segway or roller blade. Seasonal whale watching excursions and harbor cruises provide seafaring fun and excitement.  A placid lagoon, located beneath the Hyatt Regency, is where paddleboats are tethered and available to rent.

The sports enthusiast in your family will be thrilled if your trip coincides with the annual Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach, a three-day champ car racing event now in its 34th year.  2008’s Grand Prix will be held April 17th – 20th. Race and ticket information can be found at www.gplb.com. Celebrities will be among those racing to the finish line as well as the pros vying for the title along the 1.968-mile street circuit.

Shopping, Dining and Culture

For shoppers, Downtown offers a scope of options, from funky shops and hard to find antiques in the East Village to the latest and greatest at the Pike at Rainbow Harbor. Located at the Waterfront, it is pedestrian-friendly and features a great mix of nationally known retailers and restaurants with a

Top brand name shops line Pine Ave

collection of local favorites. Shoreline Village, reminiscent of an early California seaport complete with a wooden boardwalk, is another Waterfront favorite with an array of shops, restaurants and amusements. A must see and must ride for the family is the carousel in Shoreline Village. When you’re finished, play a few games in the arcade. You’ll feel like a kid again, and your kids will love the prizes you win for them!

After a day of shopping in Downtown Long Beach, dining options are ample. From casual to elegant, visitors get a taste for foods from all corners of the world. Pine Avenue is the known as Restaurant Row with indoor and outdoor dining. Beyond Pine Avenue, there are eateries to be found in all the Downtown areas. Recommendations for family dining include Café Sevilla, Yard House (great kids menu), and Gladstone’s. For a complete list of all the dining choices Downtown has to offer, go to www.downtownlongbeach.org and click on the Lifestyle tab at the top of the page, then on Dining.

Downtown Long Beach is home to a number of distinguished art and cultural venues, such as the Museum of Latin American Art and the much-heralded Long Beach Symphony. The International City Theatre and the Performing Arts Center further demonstrate Downtown’s commitment to providing distinctive cultural choices. The Queen Mary, the famed 1930s Cunard ocean liner, is a floating museum of Art Deco and historic memorabilia. Throughout Downtown, visitors will discover a collection of public art, galleries, and performing art venues. Long Beach Transit offers the Village Tour D’Art shuttle, which ferries passengers to many of the cultural hot spots.

Free transportation is available within the Downtown area aboard Long Beach Transit’s bright red Passport shuttles, and if you’re in the mood for an open-air experience, you can hire a pedi-cab service to take you on a relaxing ride to your next destination.

For a memorable time enjoyed by all, take your family to Downtown Long Beach. With something for everyone, you won’t be disappointed by this sophisticated seaside locale. It is easily reached from the 710/Long Beach and 405/San Diego freeways. For additional visitor information, contact the Downtown Long Beach Associates (DLBA) at 562.436.4259 or take a virtual visit at www.downtownlongbeach.org.