This holiday season, as out-of-town friends and family start to arrive, locals are preparing to show them the best Long Beach and Signal Hill have to offer.
Long Beach is full of tried and true staples that families have enjoyed time and again throughout the years including the Rainbow Lagoon Swan Boats, The Aquarium of the Pacific and the string of restaurants and bars along Pine Avenue.
For even more things to do while your loved ones are in town, the Signal Tribune has compiled a list of places that will leave a lasting memory for everyone, from your visiting cousin from the East Coast to your best friend from across the pond—just remind them to bring a mask.
North Long Beach
Uptown Commons
For a quick bite before hitting the town, Uptown Commons, located on Atlantic Avenue in North Long Beach features eateries like hot chicken joint Main Chick and Oi Asian Fusion. The latter is a blend of Korean, Filipino and Japanese influences with options ranging from pork belly bowls to Oi burgers.
Uptown Commons at 6600 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach is regularly open from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Businesses and restaurants inside the complex may have varying holiday hours.
Main Chick at 6614 Atlantic Ave. is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.
Oi Asian Fusion at 6600 Atlantic Ave. is open daily from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. but closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Black Ring Coffee Roasters
For the coffee lovers looking to start their day sweetly, drive down to Black Ring Coffee Roasters on Long Beach Boulevard and grab the popular Whiskey Vanilla Latte (espresso, Mexican vanilla, bourbon extract, whole milk). Stay awhile and hang out at the shop surrounded by plants and art for sale.
Black Ring Coffee Roasters at 5373 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach is open from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. They are regularly open on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Zaferia/Anaheim Corridor
Commodity LB
For family members who used quarantine to turn their homes into jungles of house plants, visit the dual coffee shop and plant store at Commodity LB. Along with coffee from the cafe, the shop also offers bites to eat like the sweet potato taco featuring organic corn, chile dusted sweet potato, Oaxacan cheese, sesame and charred scallion crema.
The plant shop All Time Plants offers a mix of rare and beginner plants that visitors can tote back in their carry-ons (as long as they don’t fall in love with the store’s massive monstera).
Commodity LB and All Time Plants at 1322 Coronado Ave, Long Beach is open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. every day, with food served until 2 p.m. Message @commodity.lb on Instagram for holiday hours.
Urban Americana
After grabbing a cup of joe (or a beer, Commodity LB offers both), take a walk across the street to Urban Americana, a warehouse overflowing with vintage furniture, collectibles, clothing and art. (Beware of bringing fans of mid-century modern to this store, as you could end up coordinating the shipment of your visitor’s new armchair.)
Urban Americana at 1345 Coronado Ave, Long Beach will be open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. They’re regularly open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. every day.
Bamboo Club
As the sun goes down and visitors begin to ask for drinks to alleviate their family-induced headaches, take a quick drive down Atlantic to the Bamboo Club, the city’s much-loved tiki bar, where they can find stiff and sweet drinks topped with pineapples and hibiscus flowers.
The Bamboo Club serves food, but less than a block down the street is an ever-present food truck that serves tacos, burritos and other classics until late into the night.
The Bamboo Club at 3522 E Anaheim St, Long Beach will be closed on Christmas Eve and will be open from 5 p.m. through 2 a.m. on Christmas Day. The bar is regularly open Sunday through Wednesday from 11 a.m to midnight and Thursday through Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 a.m.
Retro Row
Meow Vintage
For the fashionista with a flair for vintage clothing, brave the racks upon racks of vintage clothes ranging from the 1940s to the 1990s at Meow Vintage.
Meow Vintage at 2210 E 4th Street is open Monday and Friday noon to 7 p.m., Tuesday through Thursday noon to 6:30 p.m. The shop is open on Christmas Eve from noon to 5 p.m. and closed on Christmas Day.
Songbird Boutique
Into eccentric gifts? Take a stroll into the quirky world of Songbird Boutique for colorful art prints, profanity-laced enamel pins and a pop culture devotional candle or two.
Songbird Boutique at 2240 E 4th St is open Monday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday and Sunday from 11 a.m to 6 p.m., Thursday and Friday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Saturday from 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Open from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day.
Pigeon’s Skate Shop
For more active members, Pigeon’s Skate Shop has a variety of multi-colored rollerskates and accessories or if you’re feeling adventurous, turn your shoes into skates at the shop.
Pigeon’s Skate Shop at 2148 E 4th St. is regularly open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. For Holiday Hours follow them on Instagram @pigeonsrollerskateshop.
Aji Peruvian Cuisine
Take a break from all the shopping and head to Aji for authentic Peruvian cuisine, and order from the restaurant’s extensive menu featuring items like Ceviche Clasico (halibut, aji, onions and cilantro)
Aji Peruvian Cuisine at 2308 E 4th St. is open Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 5 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 3 p.m. and 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. The restaurant will be closed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
Farther Down Fourth Street
Page Against the Machine
Farther down Fourth Street, book lovers can get a head start on their New Year’s reading goals by browsing through offerings at Page Against the Machine where you can find “Fightin’ words for mass defiance, empowerment, and self-reliance!” according to their Instagram.
Page Against the Machine at 2714 E 4th St, Long Beach will be open from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Dec. 23, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Dec. 24 and closed Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Call (562) 588-7075 for more information about hours during the last week of December. Their regular hours are 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday.
Gusto Bread
Just a few steps away is Gusto Bread, where you can pick up a fresh orchard loaf (featuring cranberries, figs, walnuts and almonds), conchas or pastries to share at home or on the go.
Gusto Bread at 2710 E. 4th St. is open 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Dec. 22 to Dec. 23, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 24 and will be closed from Dec. 25 to Jan 4. Their regular hours are Wednesday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Coffee Drunk
To recharge from book browsing and bread-scarfing, Coffee Drunk across the street offers a number of holiday specials, or you can keep it simple with their signature Bees in the Trap made from local honey, mint, tonic and espresso.
Coffee Drunk at 2701 E 4th St, Long Beach will be open from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Dec. 24, closed on Christmas Day, open 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. on New Year’s Eve and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. on New Year’s Day. Their regular hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. every day.
Signal Hill
Hilltop Park
Secure family members’ Insta-worthy proof of their time in Long Beach with a drive up to Hilltop Park in Signal Hill, where you can get a bird’s-eye view of the city.
Hilltop Park at 2351 Dawson Ave, Signal Hill is open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. every day.
Black Dog Coffee Roasters
Warm up from the cold weather with a cup of fair-trade coffee from Black Dog Coffee Roasters, made from beans freshly-roasted in-house—imported from the owners’ family farm in El Salvador. (The vintage Volkswagen van outside makes for another Insta-worthy moment.)
Black Dog Coffee Roasters at 1390 E Burnett St Suite G, Signal Hill will be open from 7 a.m. to noon Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve and closed on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day. Their regular hours are 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Willow Springs Park
For your more active family members, a jaunt through Willow Springs Park is an opportunity to look at California’s native riparian landscape.
Willow Springs Park at 2745 Orange Ave, Long Beach is open from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day.
Ten Mile Brewing
If they’d prefer a drink over a walk, head over to Ten Mile Brewing, run by a father-son duo with a passion for brewing. The brewery offers typical hazy and session IPAs brewed in-house, but if you’re feeling adventurous grab a glass of Hidden Hollow, a pre-prohibition era Kentucky Common that was highly popular in the late 1800s.
Ten Mile Brewing at 1136 E Willow St, Signal Hill will be open from noon to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s. They will be open for take-out orders on Monday, Jan. 3 and Tuesday, Jan. 4 but closed in-person due to construction. Their regular hours are noon to 9 p.m. Wednesday through Thursday and noon to 10 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Belmont Shore
Bungalow Kitchen
For Instagram-ready dinner and cocktails and a view of the marina, head down to the chic Bungalow Kitchen located inside 2nd and PCH. With options ranging from pizza to burrata, there’s something for everyone. Lounge with a drink or play billiards with friends in one of the many eclectic rooms at the Bungalow.
Bungalow Kitchen at 6400 Pacific Coast Hwy Suite 200, Long Beach is open Tuesday through Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., Saturday from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. and closed on Christmas Day.
Pigeon’s Roller Rink
Head downstairs to the 2nd and PCH shopping center, rent a pair of skates and glide through Pigeon’s Roller Rink.
Pigeon’s Roller Rink at 6400 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Christmas Eve and closed on Christmas Day. To make a reservation visit roller.app/pigeonsrollerrink. For hours through Dec. 31 visit them on Instagram @pigeonsrollerrink.
Naples Canals
Wind down and take a stroll through the Naples Canal Loop and take in the Christmas lights at night from nearby homes or the picturesque landscape by day.
Rosie’s Dog Beach
For those traveling with canine companions, visitors can let them off leash to blow off some steam at Rosie’s Dog Beach.
Rosie’s Dog Beach at 5000 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach is regularly open from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. Call (562) 570-3100 for more information on holiday hours.
