Downtown Long Beach

Downtown Long Beach at night.

Downtown Long Beach is the heart of Long Beach, California, United States, and is the location for most of the city's major tourist attractions and municipal services. It is also the location for numerous businesses. There are many hotels and restaurants in the area that serve locals, tourists, and convention visitors.

Location

Downtown Long Beach.

Downtown Long Beach as seen from the dock of Queen Mary.

The approximate boundaries of Downtown Long Beach are the Los Angeles River to the west, the Pacific Ocean to the south, Alamitos Avenue to the east, and 7th Street to the north.

This greater downtown area includes the neighborhoods of the East Village Arts District east of Long Beach Blvd and north of Ocean Blvd, West End to the west of Pacific Ave and north of Ocean. The area between Long Beach Blvd and Pacific Avenue constitutes the Downtown Core. The Shoreline district south of Ocean Blvd includes many attractions including the Pike, the convention center, Sports Arena, Marina and Shoreline Village.

Most of the commercial and restaurant activity is along Pine Avenue and Shoreline Drive; most of the municipal and governmental buildings are along West Ocean Boulevard and Broadway, and the residential towers are along Ocean Boulevard.

Tourist attractions and shopping

• Aquarium of the Pacific
• Catalina Cruises - boats to Catalina Island
• East Village Arts District
• Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center
  • Terrace Theater
• Long Beach Sports Arena (which has one of Wyland's Whaling Walls)
• Long Beach Plaza - shopping
• Museum of Latin American Art
• The Pike - shopping
• Pine Avenue - restaurants and nightclubs
• Queen Mary - historic ship, hotel, restaurants & conventions (nearby)
• Shoreline Village - shopping and restaurants

Events

• Certified Organic Farmers Market (Fridays)
• Bob Marley Reggae Festival (February)
• Congressional Cup (sailing races, April)
• Long Beach Grand Prix (April)
• Cajun & Zydeco Festival (May)
• Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride Parade & Festival (May)
• Aloha Concert Jam (Hawaiian music, June)
• Anime Expo or AX (SPJA) (Promotion of Japanese Animation & Culture June 29 to July 2)
• Catalina Ski Race (July)
• Queen Mary Scottish Festival - (February)

Government and infrastructure

Local government

• Long Beach City Hall
• Long Beach Municipal Court
• Long Beach Police Dept. Headquarters
• Municipal Library

County, state, and federal representation

The United States Postal Service Downtown Long Beach Post Office is located at 300 Long Beach Boulevard.^[1]

Businesses

The Downtown Long Beach Associates manages the business- and commercial property-based improvement districts in Downtown Long Beach. There are approximately 1,400 businesses in Downtown Long Beach, including several law firms given the proximity of the Los Angeles County Courthouse, as well as over 150 restaurants, wine bars, performing arts venues, and the Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center. A complete and frequently updated business directory is available online at Downtown Long Beach Associates' website.

The California State University system headquarters are at 401 Golden Shore in Downtown Long Beach.^[2]

• Long Beach Rescue Mission
• Long Beach World Trade Center
• Port of Long Beach (nearby)

Transportation

Long Beach Transit has a transit center in Downtown Long Beach. The southern terminus of the LACMTA Blue Line as well as the southern end of Interstate 710 (Long Beach Freeway) is also downtown. Greyhound Lines, Amtrak Thruway, Torrance Transit, LADOT, and LACMTA all have bus service to Downtown Long Beach.

Education

Downtown Long Beach is within the Long Beach Unified School District.

Architecture

• International Tower (700 E. Ocean Blvd)
• Ocean Club (1310 E. Ocean Blvd)
• Tichenor House (Greene and Greene) (852 E. Ocean Blvd)
• Villa Riviera (800 E. Ocean Blvd)

References

1. ^ "Post Office Location - DOWNTOWN LONG BEACH." United States Postal Service. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.
2. ^ Home Page. California State University. Retrieved on December 6, 2008.