Belmont Shore

Long Beach, California, United States

For some, Belmont Shore is Long Beach. And for just as many, Second Street is Belmont Shore. Its concentration of shopping, sand, and dining options provides a heady, enjoyable mix for the uninitiated and devotee alike. In just a few strollable blocks, you can see, shop, eat and drink at homegrown and national establishments – everything from local oldies to fashionable hotspots. Belmont Shore is where you can activate as much or as little as you wish, a place where you can find designer Christmas ornaments, one-of-a-kind jewelry, crystals and candles, Long Beach tchotchkes, or old-school hardware stores (yes, they still exist). Here’s a few suggestions for navigating The Shore.

4120 E Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA

You’d be hard-pressed to find a more local, “locals” establishment than Chuck’s Coffee Shop (4120 E. Ocean Blvd). The menu is traditional diner fare – the exception being its signature “Weasel” (three eggs scrambled topped with homemade chili, cheese and onions optional). They do everything well and the joint is just steps from the beach.

4928 2nd St
Long Beach, CA

Arguably, shopping is what made Second Street a destination. There are a wide range of options: everything from clothes to garden features to the unique items found in gift shops like Blue Windows (5276 Second St.), a curated shop with everything from cookbooks to candles and high-end denim, and Luna (4928 Second St.), which has a year-round supply of some of the most unique Christmas ornaments to be found anywhere in addition to handmade jewelry, home accents and more.

5411 E Ocean Blvd
Long Beach, CA

A popular destination for kite surfers and beach volleyball players is Belmont Shore Beach on the Pacific Ocean, which also features a 5.5-mile bike/pedestrian path that runs all the way to Shoreline Village. If you need anything to make your beach day complete, rent a paddleboard or other small watercraft through Kayaks on the Water, located on the Peninsula side of Bayshore. Bring a hat, and paddle the day away!

5339 2nd St
Long Beach, CA

Whether afternoon or evening, there’s plenty of places to eat on the street, ranging from national chains to local landmarks. Regarding the latter, three of the most popular and time-tested spots are Domenico’s, Nick’s on 2nd and Open Sesame. Domenico’s (5339 2nd St.) is the city’s oldest restaurant and features classic Italian fare, including some of the best pizza in the city.

5236 2nd St
Long Beach, CA

Few places are as electric as Second Street during big sporting events, with cheers echoing up and down the street from its numerous sports bars. Of course, at the top of that list is Legends (5236 Second St.), which basically invented sports bars back in 1979. But this place doesn’t rest on its historical significance. It recently upgraded its TV game and now boasts 30 HD TVs as well as two giant projection screens--240- and 326-inches wide. There are daily drink specials, good food and, yes, wings.

4828 2nd St
Long Beach, CA

Bars, pubs, lounges, sports bars, whatever: there’s so many on 2nd Street, that’s a list in itself. One of the oldest is Murphy’s Pub (4918 Second St.), a classic, laid-back beach bar that features more than 70 draft beers, as well as such bar classics as pastrami and pickled eggs. Saint & Second (4828 2nd St.) has quickly become one of the most fashionable destinations in the shore. That has a lot to do with fantastic food and a great cocktail program that can be enjoyed on their spectacular upstairs patio lounge. It’s a great place to relax and watch the world stroll by below.