A mere 20 minutes south of California’s famed Los Angeles is the oceanfront town of Long Beach, a surprisingly fun and low-key staycation destination. Boasting equally idyllic palm trees, stretches of California coast, cultural activities, music venues, dining, and shopping as its neighbor to the north, it has one thing that L.A. does not: a pedestrian-friendly surroundings and a comprehensive public transportation system. In other words, a visit to the laid-back urban waterfront destination is a breeze to explore.

Getting Around
If you don’t want to drive to Long Beach, then don’t! It’s easily accessible by public transit since it’s connected to L.A. and Orange County by the Metro Blue Line.

Once you’re there you won’t need a car either. Long Beach was voted the eighth most walkable city in the U.S. by Walk Score. And it’s got $2 water taxis offer scenic public transportation and easy access to the city’s wide array of restaurants, shops, art galleries, and nightlife venues.

What to Do and See
An adventure can be as easy as parking the car and meandering along the beautiful waterfront or restaurants and trendy shops of Pine Avenue where the many restaurants with patio seating and charming shops lend a European feel. The neighboring East Village Arts District is an eclectic neighborhood of independent shops, art galleries featuring local artists, public art, and 1920s architecture. Sprinkled with funky coffee shops and an art deco vibe, it is the perfect area to stroll and soak up classic California culture. Along the way, you can stop by the Museum of Latin American Art.

But you can also take advantage of the town’s free Passport Shuttle to see the entire city; brightly colored mini-buses run from downtown to major attractions such as the historic Queen Mary ship, the Aquarium of the Pacific, and shopping, dining, and entertaining destination Shoreline Village.

As the sunsets, follow the tiki torches to the famous Mai Tai Bar for happy hour, which is help from 8pm to 11pm. With locations in Oahu and Daytona Beach, this vacation staple now takes rightful residence in Long Beach, catering to locals who desire an instant island getaway.
If $4 Mai Tais and live music aren’t enough draw to the area, Rainbow Harbor is also known as a prime dining, retail, and entertainment destination, located on the palm tree-lined waterfront. The area is also home to a ferris wheel with sweeping views of the long stretches of California coastline.

Long Beach is also teeming with arts and culture as the annual music series fills Long Beach’s dynamic music venues and bustling streets from now until Labor Day. Blues enthusiasts should not miss the Passport to Blues, an all-night Blues extravaganza in which more than 25 venues throughout downtown will be alive with Blues sounds from Chicago, Memphis, and Austin.