Long Beach

Long Beach, California, United States

What better way to get to know a city than to explore the vibrant art and architecture within it? In this Long Beach Getaway, you’ll discover world-class art museums, conversation-starting murals, the East Village creative cultural hub, and a myriad of historic and beautiful architecture.

2300 E Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA

A must for all art lovers, the Long Beach Museum of Art on Ocean Boulevard beside Bluff Park is located within a historic home in Long Beach, the 1911 Elizabeth Milbank Anderson House, the museum is known for rotating exhibitions of its permanent collection, which features more than 3,200 works of American and European art.

Long Beach

Long Beach, California, United States

Thanks to the international mural festival designed to beautify urban spaces, POW! WOW! Long Beach, the city is home to dozens of inspiring and larger than life urban murals, with a high concentration in downtown near the city’s art museums and many architecturally significant buildings. Reputable POW! WOW! creations and other public art installations, including sculptures and mosaics, can be easily discovered on the Art Council for Long Beach’s public art map.

445 E 1st St
Long Beach, CA

After working up an appetite for dinner, tantalize your five senses with a meal at Utopia Good Food and Fine Art. From its California-fresh cuisine to stimulating musical and visual arts performances, as well as an aromatic patio garden, the restaurant in the heart of the city’s East Village Arts District offers a little bit of everything.

335 Pacific Ave
Long Beach, CA

Stay overnight at The Varden Hotel, a 35-room downtown landmark since 1929 — with the original sign outside boasting “a bath in every room.” European historic-chic is the vibe you’ll find at the award-winning boutique hotel. Outside, the urban jewel’s façade is covered in two striking murals: “Dolly Varden” is a fish-eye anti-gravity perspective of a girl in gray scale by artist James Jean; and “The American Way” by artist Tristan Eason is a colorful painting inspired by Margaret Bourke-White’s 1937 photograph of people lined up seeking relief in front of a “World’s Highest Standard of Living” billboard.

628 Alamitos Ave
Long Beach, CA

Founded in 1996, The Museum of Latin American Art (MOLAA) is the only museum in the Western United States which exclusively features modern and contemporary Latin American art. It’s also conveniently located across the street from the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum (PIEAM), the only museum in the contiguous United States to focus on transporting visitors to the Pacific Islands of Oceania in an artistic intercultural exchange.

121 W 4th St
Long Beach, CA

A hidden and truly weird (in the best way) gem in Long Beach, The Dark Art Emporium is a macabre assortment of fine art and oddities; from surrealist paintings to taxidermy, there’s no end to conversation starters at this unique gallery. You’ll find the emporium deep within The 4th Horseman, a wicked-fun beer and wine bar known for its gothic décor, heavy metal soundtrack, and “apocalyptic pizza” with nontraditional toppings.

953 Park Cir
Long Beach, CA

Tour one of the oldest and most majestic historic sites in Long Beach: The Bembridge House! Built in 1906 by Stephen and Josephine Green, this Queen Anne Victorian is resplendent and ornate, with intricate moldings adorning the exterior, 18 rooms with beautiful paneling and woodwork, a grand staircase, and much more. The site is operated by the nonprofit Long Beach Heritage, which provides guided tours.

Long Beach

Long Beach, California, United States

Before leaving town, drive, bike, or scoot around the city to take in some truly magnificent and unique architecture. A few must-sees: - First National Bank Building (1906, -French Renaissance Revival), 115 Pine Ave. - First Congregational Church of Long Beach (1914, Romanesque), 241 Cedar Ave. - Farmers & Merchants Bank Building (1923, Italian Renaissance Revival), 302 Pine Ave. - The Breakers (1926, Spanish) 200 E. Ocean Blvd. - The Broadlind Hotel (1928, Italian Renaissance Revival) - The Villa Riviera (1929, French Gothic), 800 E. Ocean Blvd. - Ocean Center Building (1929, Spanish) 110 W. Ocean Blvd. - The Lafayette (1929, Art Deco), 140 Linden Ave. - The Rowan/Bradley Building (1930, Art Deco), 201-209 Pine Ave. - Long Beach Main Post Office (1934, Art Deco), 300 Long Beach Blvd. - The Walter Pyramid (1994), 1250 Bellflower Blvd.