SafekipediaLong Beach, California
Adapted from Wikipedia · Adventurer experience
Long Beach is a big coastal city in southeastern Los Angeles County, California, United States. It is the 44th-most populous city in the United States.
Long Beach lies in Southern California, about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The city has the very busy Port of Long Beach, which is the second busiest container port in the United States. Long Beach also has waterfront attractions such as the permanently docked RMS Queen Mary and the Aquarium of the Pacific.
The city hosts exciting events like the Grand Prix of Long Beach, an IndyCar race, and the Long Beach Pride Festival and Parade. California State University, Long Beach is located there, and it is one of the largest universities in California.
History
For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Long Beach, California.
Tongva period
People have lived in coastal Southern California for over 10,000 years. By the time Spanish explorers arrived in the 1500s, the Tongva people were the main group in the area that is now Long Beach. They had at least three big villages there. One was deep inland near the Los Angeles River, while two others were near the coast. One coastal village, Povuu'nga, was very important to the Tongva. It was a place where they traded, fished, and held special ceremonies.
Spanish and Mexican period
In 1784, the king of Spain gave a large piece of land called Rancho Los Nietos to a soldier named Manuel Nieto. Two smaller pieces of land, Rancho Los Cerritos and Rancho Los Alamitos, were split from this area. The exact borders of these lands were often changed because the Los Angeles River would flood and shift its course.
By 1805, the big Tongva village of Puvunga had almost disappeared. Many of its people had been taken to Mission San Gabriel to live and work. Sadly, many died there from diseases.
In 1843, a man named Juan Temple bought Rancho Los Cerritos. He built a house that is still standing today and became a successful rancher. His ranch was important during the Mexican–American War. Nearby, some Mormon pioneers tried to start a settlement on an island in San Pedro Bay but it did not succeed.
Post-Conquest period
After California became part of the United States, Temple kept his land. In 1866, he sold it to a company from Northern California. They brought in a man named Jotham Bixby to manage the ranch, and he became known as the "Father of Long Beach." In the 1870s, the ranch had as many as 30,000 sheep, and their wool was traded. Later, part of the ranch was sold and became a new community called Willmore City, which was eventually renamed Long Beach.
Incorporation
Long Beach became an official city in 1897. It started as a seaside resort town with some farming. A famous amusement park called The Pike entertained visitors from 1902 to 1969 with games, food, and rides like the Sky Wheel Ferris wheel and the Cyclone Racer roller coaster. Over time, oil drilling, a Navy shipyard, and the port became very important to the city's growth.
Oil was discovered in 1921 on Signal Hill, and later in nearby Wilmington, making Long Beach a major oil-producing area. An earthquake in 1933 caused damage across the city.
During World War II, Long Beach became a busy place for making war planes. After the war, many new homes were built, and the city grew a lot. The Douglas Aircraft Company made many famous planes there until 2015.
Long Beach also was an important part of the Chicano movement in 1968.
Geography
Long Beach is about 21 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The city covers an area of 77.84 square miles, with 50.71 square miles of land and 27.13 square miles of water. Long Beach surrounds the city of Signal Hill.
The city has hot summers and mild winters, often with sunny days. Fog can appear in the mornings during summer, but it usually clears up by afternoon. Long Beach gets most of its rain during the winter months, and summers are usually dry.
Long Beach has many different neighborhoods, some named after streets, parks, schools, or special places in the city.
Sometimes, Long Beach has poor air quality because of pollution from nearby ports and refineries. This can affect the health of people living there. The water near the city can also be affected by pollution, especially after rain, making it less safe for swimming at times.
Demographics
Long Beach has people from many different countries and backgrounds. The top countries for immigrants are Mexico, the Philippines, Cambodia, El Salvador, and Vietnam. Common languages spoken include Spanish, Khmer, and Tagalog. There are communities of Mexican American and Chicano people, as well as Cambodian and Filipino Americans. Christianity is the most common religion, and there is also a Buddhist community.
In 2022, about 451,300 people lived in Long Beach. The city has many different racial and ethnic groups. Over 40% of people identified as Hispanics or Latinos. Other large groups include those of Asian, Black or African American, and White backgrounds. Many families live together, and the average household has about 2.5 people. The median age is around 37 years, and most people are between ages 25 and 64.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | 564 | — | |
| 1900 | 2,252 | 299.3% | |
| 1910 | 17,809 | 690.8% | |
| 1920 | 55,593 | 212.2% | |
| 1930 | 142,032 | 155.5% | |
| 1940 | 164,271 | 15.7% | |
| 1950 | 250,767 | 52.7% | |
| 1960 | 344,168 | 37.2% | |
| 1970 | 358,633 | 4.2% | |
| 1980 | 361,334 | 0.8% | |
| 1990 | 429,433 | 18.8% | |
| 2000 | 461,522 | 7.5% | |
| 2010 | 462,257 | 0.2% | |
| 2020 | 466,742 | 1.0% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 450,901 |  | −3.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2010–2020 | |||
| Historical Demographic profile | 2019 | 2010 | 1990 | 1970 | 1950 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White | 52.3% | 46.1% | 58.4% | 91.8% | 97.4% |
| —Non-Hispanic Whites | 28.4% | 29.4% | 49.5% | 86.2% | N/A |
| Black or African American | 11.3% | 13.5% | 13.7% | 5.3% | 1.7% |
| Hispanic or Latino (of any race) | 43.2% | 40.8% | 23.6% | 6.0% | N/A |
| Asian | 11.8% | 12.9% | 13.6% | 1.9% | 0.7% |
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980 | Pop 1990 | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 246,110 | 212,755 | 152,899 | 135,698 | 121,970 | 68.11% | 49.54% | 33.13% | 29.36% | 26.13% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 39,864 | 56,805 | 66,836 | 59,925 | 55,894 | 11.03% | 13.23% | 14.48% | 12.96% | 11.98% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 3,029 | 2,231 | 1,772 | 1,349 | 1,119 | 0.84% | 0.52% | 0.38% | 0.29% | 0.24% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 20,729 | 55,234 | 54,937 | 58,268 | 59,308 | 5.74% | 12.86% | 11.90% | 12.61% | 12.71% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 5,392 | 4,915 | 3,937 | 1.17% | 1.06% | 0.84% | ||||
| Other race alone (NH) | 1,152 | 989 | 1,013 | 1,118 | 2,736 | 0.32% | 0.23% | 0.22% | 0.24% | 0.59% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x | x | 13,581 | 12,572 | 19,781 | x | x | 2.94% | 2.72% | 4.24% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 50,450 | 101,419 | 165,092 | 188,412 | 201,997 | 13.96% | 23.62% | 35.77% | 40.76% | 43.28% |
| Total | 361,334 | 429,433 | 461,522 | 462,257 | 466,742 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
| Year | Pop. | ±% |
|---|---|---|
| 2015 | 2,345 | — |
| 2017 | 1,863 | −20.6% |
| 2019 | 1,894 | +1.7% |
| 2020 | 2,034 | +7.4% |
| 2022 | 3,296 | +62.0% |
| Source: Long Beach Homeless Count | ||
Economy
Long Beach's economy has changed a lot over time. In the past, oil extraction helped the city grow. The city was also an important place for the Navy and the aerospace industry. Companies like Douglas Aircraft Company, which later became part of Boeing, built many airplanes there, including ones used in World War II. Boeing continued making airplanes until recent years and is still the biggest private employer in the city.
Many other businesses have offices in Long Beach, including companies that make car parts, electronic products, and healthcare services. The city has also supported new technology businesses and works to help the environment and local shopping. The Port of Long Beach is very busy, handling a lot of trade and supporting many jobs.
| # | Employer | Employees (2022) | Industry | HQ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Long Beach Unified School District | 12,049 | Education |  |
| 2 | City of Long Beach | 5,395 | Government | |
| 3 | Long Beach Memorial Medical Center | 4,950 | Healthcare | |
| 4 | VA Long Beach Healthcare System | 3,524 | Healthcare | |
| 5 | California State University, Long Beach | 3,336 | Education | |
| 6 | Long Beach City College | 3,321 | Education | |
| 7 | Boeing | 2,019 | Aerospace |  |
| 8 | St. Mary Medical Center | 1,547 | Healthcare | |
| 9 | CSULB Research Foundation | 1,261 | R&D | |
| 10 | Molina Healthcare | 1,119 | Healthcare | |
Arts and culture
Art
Long Beach has many places to see art. The Long Beach Museum of Art is in a historic house and shows many kinds of art. The Museum of Latin American Art shows modern and contemporary art from Latin America.
There is also a museum called The Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum. Long Beach State hosted the first International Sculpture Symposium in the United States in 1965 at a college or university. Now, there are over 20 sculptures on the campus.
Long Beach is famous for its street art and murals. One very large mural is on the Long Beach Sports Arena. In the East Village Arts District, shops and galleries have art shows and walks on the second Saturday of each month.
Music
The Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSULB has many concerts of classical, jazz, and world music. The Long Beach Symphony plays classical and pop music at the Terrace Theater. Long Beach Opera, started in 1979, is the oldest opera company in the Los Angeles and Orange County areas.
There are also many music festivals, like the Bob Marley Reggae Festival, the Cajun & Zydeco Festival, and the Long Beach Jazz Festival. The Long Beach Municipal Band, started in 1909, is one of the oldest bands in the country.
Theater
Long Beach has many theaters. Musical Theatre West performs at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. International City Theatre produces plays and musicals. The Long Beach Playhouse has shows almost all year. There are also smaller theaters.
Cultural events
Long Beach has many fun events. In October, there is the CSULB Wide Screen Film Festival. There are also parades like the Naples Island Christmas Parade and the Parade of A Thousand Lights.
There is a festival called the Long Beach Sea Festival in the summer with beach activities.
Sites of interest
The RMS Queen Mary is a big old ocean ship turned hotel and museum in Long Beach. The Aquarium of the Pacific is a popular place to see sea animals.
There are also historical sites like Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos. Bembridge House is a Victorian house open for tours. The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden on the CSULB campus is also a nice place to visit.
Long Beach has gondolier trips through the canals of Naples.
Parks and recreation
Long Beach has many parks and green spaces. The city has 92 parks covering over 3,100 acres. It also has four public swimming pools and four boat launch ramps.
Some popular spots include El Dorado Regional Park, which has fishing lakes, an archery range, and picnic areas. Willow Springs Park was created from a restored oil well site and will soon be the largest green space in Central Long Beach. The Long Beach Green Belt path features native plants and wildlife. Other natural areas include Los Cerritos Wetlands, Bluff Park, and Colorado Lagoon. There is also a special dog beach called Rosie’s Dog Beach in Belmont Shore.
Sports
Grand Prix of Long Beach
Main article: Grand Prix of Long Beach
The Grand Prix of Long Beach is a big car race held every April. It began in 1975 and has become very popular. There are also other racing events on the same weekend.
The Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame is near the race track. It started in 2006 to honor important people in racing. Each year, new names are added with a special bronze medallion.
Long Beach Marathon
The Long Beach Marathon happens every October. It has many types of races for people of all ages, from short runs to long marathons. Thousands of people join, making it a fun event for the city.
Baseball
The Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball team has been playing since 1954. They are called the Dirtbags and play at Blair Field.
Basketball
Long Beach has had several basketball teams over the years. Some have played in local leagues, and others have been part of bigger national competitions.
The Southern California Summer Pro League is held here in July. It gives players a chance to practice and show their skills.
The Long Beach Blue Waves have been playing since 2022.
Sailing
The Congressional Cup is a big sailing event held every April. It is one of the most important sailing competitions in the United States. Many winners of this race have also won the America's Cup.
There is also a youth sailing program at the Leeway Sailing and Aquatics Center.
Water skiing
Every July, there is a race called the Catalina Ski Race. Skiers race from Long Beach Harbor to Catalina Island and back. This race has been happening since 1948 and attracts skiers from all over the world.
Surfing
Long Beach was an important place for surfing in the early 1900s. A structure built in 1949 changed the waves, making surfing less common here today.
Rugby union
The Belmont Shore rugby team is part of the US Rugby Super League. They have been in several league finals and have won championships three times.
College sports
Long Beach State has teams that compete in many sports. Their teams have won national championships in several areas and often appear in big tournaments.
Long Beach City College also has teams that have done well in national and state competitions.
Archery
El Dorado Regional Park was where the archery competition took place during the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics.
CSU Long Beach has one of the few university archery teams left in California.
2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics
Long Beach will host many sports events during the 2028 Summer Olympics and Paralympics, including water polo, open water swimming, sailing, rowing, canoeing, sports climbing, shooting, beach volleyball, and handball. During the Paralympics, Long Beach will also host shooting, swimming, para climbing, sitting volleyball, blind football, rowing, and paracanoe.
Government
See also: Government of Los Angeles County
Municipal
See also: Long Beach City Council
Long Beach is a special city in California called a charter city. It has a mayor and a group of elected leaders called a City Council. The mayor is chosen by all voters, and the nine council members are chosen by smaller parts of the city. They work together to make important decisions.
The city runs many services, like police, fire, water, and health services. It also has a team for animals and recycling. The city has a big budget and many workers to keep things running.
Federal and state representation
Long Beach is part of the California State Senate, represented by a person named Lena Gonzalez. In the California State Assembly, the city is split between two areas, each with its own representative.
In the United States House of Representatives, Long Beach is also split between two areas, each with its own representative.
Politics
Long Beach has many people who can vote. Most are registered with one political group, some with another, and others are not registered with any group.
Infrastructure
Police department
Main article: Long Beach Police Department (California)
The Long Beach Police Department helps keep the city safe.
Fire department
See also: Fireboats of Long Beach, California
The Long Beach Fire Department offers fire protection and emergency medical services. It has many fire stations and a team that watches over the water and beaches.
County
Main article: Government of Los Angeles County
The Los Angeles Superior Court has a big building in downtown Long Beach, and a health center nearby helps people stay well.
State and federal
The city has important buildings for government work, like a big post office and an old shipyard that is now closed.
There is also a special hospital for people who have served in the military.
Education
Long Beach has many schools for children and adults. Most of the city is served by the Long Beach Unified School District. This district has several high schools, including Cabrillo High School, Ernest McBride High School, and Jordan High School.
The city has two main colleges. California State University, Long Beach is a large public university that started in 1949. Long Beach City College is a community college with two campuses. There is also a private law school called Pacific Coast University in Long Beach.
Transportation
Ports and freight
The Port of Long Beach was the second busiest seaport in the United States. It ships lots of cargo and connects the United States with the Pacific Rim. Together with the Port of Los Angeles, it is the busiest port in the US.
Rail shipping is provided by Union Pacific Railroad and BNSF Railway. Long Beach helped build the Alameda Corridor project to make travel easier.
Long Beach Cruise Terminal
Operated by Carnival Corporation, the Long Beach Cruise Terminal has three cruise ships. Passengers use a large dome building that once housed the Spruce Goose.
Catalina Landing
Catalina Express runs trips from the Catalina Landing.
Public transportation
Bus and coach services
Long Beach Transit provides local bus services. It operates many bus routes, most starting or ending at the Long Beach Transit Mall in downtown Long Beach.
Long Beach Transit also runs the Passport shuttle in downtown Long Beach. This free shuttle goes to many places. In summer, they operate the AquaLink, a large boat, and a water taxi called the AquaBus.
Several other transit services stop at the Long Beach Transit Mall. Torrance Transit offers buses. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) has buses. LA Metro runs regional bus lines. The Orange County Transportation Authority offers limited service. Amtrak Thruway runs bus shuttles. Greyhound Lines has a station in Long Beach. A FlyAway bus route to LAX started service in 2015.
Light rail
LA Metro runs the Metro A Line, a light rail service between Downtown Long Beach Station and the Pomona–North Metrolink station. From the 7th Street/Metro Center Station, passengers can connect to Hollywood and Universal Studios. From Union Station, passengers can access the Metrolink rail system and nationwide Amtrak trains. The Metro A Line also connects to the Metro E Line at several stations, with service to Santa Monica and East Los Angeles. At Willowbrook Station, passengers can transfer to the Metro C Line. The Metro A Line Maintenance Shops are in Long Beach.
Taxicabs
Taxicabs in Long Beach serve tourists and help elderly and disabled residents. Yellow Long Beach is the city's only licensed taxi company. Long Beach was the first large city to allow taxis to offer discounted fares. Many cities have since responded to Uber and Lyft by adding more rules for these services.
Airports
Main article: Long Beach Airport
Long Beach Airport serves Long Beach and nearby areas. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest airport with international flights. John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana is another option. Other airports with regular flights include Bob Hope Airport in Burbank and Ontario International Airport in Ontario.
Freeways and highways
Several freeways go through Long Beach, connecting it to the Greater Los Angeles area and Orange County. The San Diego Freeway (I-405) divides the city's north and south. The Long Beach Freeway (I-710) runs north–south on the city's west side. The south end of the Long Beach Freeway connects Long Beach to Terminal Island via the Gerald Desmond Bridge.
Southeast Long Beach is served by the San Gabriel River Freeway (I-605). The Artesia Freeway (SR 91) runs east–west near the north edge of Long Beach. The western part of the Garden Grove Freeway (SR 22) gives access to VA Long Beach Healthcare System and California State University, Long Beach.
Pacific Coast Highway (SR 1) runs through the south part of Long Beach.
Bicycles and pedestrians
Long Beach has five major bike paths that are separate from roads. The city also has many painted bike lanes and shared-use paths.
In 2019, Walk Score ranked Long Beach among the most walkable cities.
Modal characteristics
In 2016, most workers in Long Beach drove alone. Some used public transportation, walked, or used other ways to get to work. About 4.6 percent worked from home.
In 2015, 10.4 percent of households in Long Beach did not have a car. Long Beach had fewer cars per household than the national average.
Media
Long Beach's main daily newspaper is the Long Beach Press-Telegram. Many people in southwest Los Angeles County read it. It is owned by Digital First Media and works with other newspapers in Southern California.
In 1933, the Press-Telegram published a letter that helped create the country's Social Security system. California State University, Long Beach has a student newspaper called the Daily Forty-Niner.
There are free weekly newspapers like The Grunion Gazette. Another free magazine, Palacio Magazine, shares stories about the community in English and Spanish.
Radio
Long Beach is part of the Los Angeles radio market. The main radio stations in Long Beach include a jazz and blues station on the Cal State Long Beach campus, and a Christian radio station. A public radio station began broadcasting in Long Beach in 2018.
Online
The city has several online news websites, such as Long Beach Post, Long Beach Local News, and LBReport.com.
In popular culture
See also: Los Cerritos in movies and television, The Pike in film and television, and Polytechnic High School as a filming location
Long Beach, California, is a popular place for making movies and TV shows. Many famous films and shows have used its streets, schools, and buildings. For example, the home from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off is in Long Beach, even though the story happens in Chicago. Schools like Long Beach Polytechnic High School and Robert A. Millikan High School have been in films such as Coach Carter and American Pie.
Because Long Beach is close to Hollywood studios, it is often used for scenes. Its roads, buildings, and beaches have looked like places all over the world in movies and TV shows. Long Beach’s different landscapes make it a favorite for filmmakers.
Notable people
Main article: List of people from Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California, has been home to many famous people. Some well-known people grew up there or lived there for a long time. These people have become famous in areas like entertainment and sports.
Sister cities
Long Beach has special connections with several cities around the world, called sister cities. These include:
- Mombasa in Kenya
- Phnom Penh in Cambodia
- Qingdao in China
- Sochi in Russia
- Taoyuan in Taiwan
- Yokkaichi in Japan
- Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea
Friendship cities
Long Beach also has a special friendship with one city:
- Bacolod in the Philippines
Images
Related articles
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