Long Beach, California

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, with a population of 451,307 as of 2022. As a charter city, Long Beach is the 7th-most populous city in California and the 2nd-most populous city in Los Angeles County.

Incorporated in 1897, Long Beach lies in Southern California, about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. The city is home to 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. Additionally, 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. It was also where they believed their people began.

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 and hard conditions.

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 and loss of life 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 located 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 completely surrounds the city of Signal Hill.

The city has a climate with 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 typically dry.

Long Beach has many different neighborhoods, some named after streets, parks, schools, or special places in the city.

Unfortunately, Long Beach sometimes 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, there were about 451,300 people living 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. About 14% of people live below the poverty line, with a higher rate among children.

Economy

Long Beach's economy has changed a lot over time. In the past, oil extraction helped the city grow and still supports part of its budget. 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.

Arts and culture

Art

Long Beach has many interesting places to see art. The Long Beach Museum of Art is in a historic house and shows many kinds of art. Another museum, 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 that opened in 2010. 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, made by the artist Wyland. It is the world's largest mural. 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, one of the largest in Southern California, performs at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center. International City Theatre produces plays and musicals at the Beverly O’Neill Theatre. The Long Beach Playhouse has shows almost all year. There are also smaller theaters like the Alive Theatre and the Garage Theatre.

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. There is also a celebration for the LGBTQ+ community that has been held since 1984.

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. It was ranked 16th among large U.S. cities for parks access, size, and spending. The city’s parks department manages 92 parks covering over 3,100 acres. It also runs 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 event held every April. It started in 1975 as a race on the city streets and has become a popular car race over the years. During the same weekend, there are also other racing events.

The Long Beach Motorsports Walk of Fame is near the race track. It was started in 2006 to honor important people in car racing. Each year, new names are added with a special bronze medallion.

Long Beach Marathon

The Long Beach Marathon happens every October. It includes many types of races for people of all ages, from short runs to long marathons. Thousands of people join in, making it a fun event for the whole city.

Baseball

The Long Beach State Dirtbags baseball team has been playing since 1954. They are known as 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, covering a long distance. 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. However, 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 kind of city in California called a charter city. It uses a mayor–council form of government, which means it has a mayor and a group of elected leaders called a City Council. The mayor is chosen by all the voters, while the nine council members are chosen by smaller parts of the city. They all work together to make important decisions.

The city runs many of its own services, such as police, fire, water, and health services. It even has its own team to take care of animals and recycling. The city has a big budget and many workers to help keep everything running smoothly.

Federal and state representation

Long Beach is part of the California State Senate, where it is 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 different areas, each with its own representative.

Politics

As of October 19, 2020, Long Beach had many people registered to vote. Most of them were registered with one political group, while some were registered with another, and others did not choose a specific group.

Infrastructure

Police department

Main article: Long Beach Police Department (California)

The Long Beach Police Department helps keep the city safe by providing law enforcement.

Fire department

See also: Fireboats of Long Beach, California

The Long Beach Fire Department offers fire protection and emergency medical services. It has 23 fire stations and a special 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 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, which includes several high schools such as Cabrillo High School, Ernest McBride High School, and Jordan High School.

The city also has two main colleges: California State University, Long Beach, which is a big public university started in 1949, and Long Beach City College, 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 and the tenth busiest in the world in 2001. It shipped about 66 million metric tons of cargo worth $95 billion. The port 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, carrying about half of the goods from the port. Long Beach helped build the Alameda Corridor project, which increased the capacity of rail lines, roads, and highways to the Los Angeles rail hub. This project created a long, deep trench to remove many crossings and cost about $2.4 billion.

Long Beach Cruise Terminal

Operated by Carnival Corporation, the Long Beach Cruise Terminal is home to three cruise ships that carry over 600,000 passengers each year. 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 within Long Beach, Lakewood, and Signal Hill. It operates 38 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 places like the Aquarium of the Pacific, Pine Avenue, Shoreline Village, the Long Beach Convention Center, the Queen Mary, Catalina Landing, hotels, and other spots. In summer, they operate the AquaLink, a large boat that carries passengers between downtown Long Beach and Alamitos Bay Landing. They also have a water taxi called the AquaBus that serves six locations in downtown Long Beach waterfront with $1 fares.

Several other transit services stop at the Long Beach Transit Mall. Torrance Transit offers buses to the South Bay. The Los Angeles Department of Transportation (LADOT) has buses to San Pedro. LA Metro runs regional bus lines. The Orange County Transportation Authority offers limited service to Orange County. Amtrak Thruway runs bus shuttles from San Pedro, stopping at the Queen Mary and downtown Long Beach, then going to Union Station in Los Angeles and ending in Bakersfield. Greyhound Lines has a station in Long Beach. A FlyAway bus route to LAX started service on December 30, 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 via Los Angeles Union Station and Del Mar station in Pasadena. From the 7th Street/Metro Center Station, passengers can connect to Hollywood, Universal Studios, and other places along the Los Angeles Metro Rail subway network. 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, which goes to Redondo Beach, Norwalk, and LAX via a shuttle. The Metro A Line Maintenance Shops are in Long Beach near the Del Amo Blue Line station.

Taxicabs

Taxicabs in Long Beach serve tourists, conventions, and help elderly and disabled residents. Yellow Long Beach is the city's only licensed taxi company, with 199 taxicabs. Long Beach was the first large city to allow taxis to offer discounted fares and free rides to attract customers while keeping maximum fares the same. 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, the South Bay, and northern Orange County. It was once home to a major Boeing aircraft factory, which is the city's largest non-government employer. Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest airport with international flights. John Wayne Airport in Santa Ana is another option, but it only has international flights to Canada and Mexico. 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 and leads to the Golden State/Santa Ana Freeways (I-5). The San Diego Freeway also gives access to Long Beach Airport near Signal Hill. The Long Beach Freeway (I-710) runs north–south on the city's west side, starting near the Port of Long Beach. The Long Beach Freeway is a main route from downtown Los Angeles to Long Beach. With the Harbor Freeway (I-110), it helps trucks carry goods from the ports to rail yards and distribution centers in Los Angeles and the Inland Empire. 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), which meets the San Diego Freeway at the Long Beach/Los Alamitos border. 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 the VA Long Beach Healthcare System, California State University, Long Beach, and Alamitos Bay.

Pacific Coast Highway (SR 1) runs east to southwest through the south part of Long Beach. It meets Lakewood Boulevard (SR 19) and Los Coyotes Diagonal at the Los Alamitos Traffic Circle.

Bicycles and pedestrians

Long Beach has five major bike paths that are separate from roads, covering over 60 miles. The city also has many painted bike lanes and shared-use paths.

In 2019, Walk Score ranked Long Beach the tenth most walkable city out of over 100 cities in the US and Canada.

Modal characteristics

In 2016, 73.6 percent of workers in Long Beach drove alone, 10.2 percent carpooled, 6.2 percent used public transportation, and 3.4 percent walked. About 2 percent used other ways to get to work, like taxis, bikes, or motorcycles. About 4.6 percent worked from home.

In 2015, 10.4 percent of households in Long Beach did not have a car. This dropped slightly to 10.0 percent in 2016. The national average was 8.7 percent in 2016. Long Beach had 1.69 cars per household in 2016, compared to the national average of 1.8 cars per household.

Media

Print

Long Beach's main daily newspaper is the Long Beach Press-Telegram, which is read in many parts of southwest Los Angeles County. It is owned by Digital First Media and shares resources with other newspapers in Southern California.

In 1933, the Press-Telegram published an important letter that helped influence the creation of the country's Social Security system. California State University, Long Beach has its own student newspaper called the Daily Forty-Niner.

There are also free weekly newspapers like The Grunion Gazette that cover different parts of the city. Another free magazine, Palacio Magazine, shares stories about the community in both English and Spanish.

Radio

Long Beach is part of the Los Angeles radio market. Today, the main radio stations based in Long Beach are a jazz and blues station on the Cal State Long Beach campus, and a Christian radio station. A public radio station started 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, has been a popular place for making movies and TV shows. Many famous films and shows have used its streets, schools, and buildings as stand-ins for other places. For example, the home from the movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off is actually in Long Beach, even though the story happens in Chicago. Local schools like Long Beach Polytechnic High School and Robert A. Millikan High School have appeared in films such as Coach Carter and American Pie.

Because Long Beach is close to Hollywood studios, it’s often used as a backdrop for many scenes. Its roads, buildings, and even beaches have stood in for locations all over the world in movies and TV shows. Whether it’s car chases, dramatic scenes, or everyday settings, Long Beach’s diverse landscape makes 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 throughout history. Some well-known individuals grew up there or spent a lot of time living in the city. These people have made their mark in various fields, including entertainment, sports, and more.

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