the city

With a population of almost 500,000 (Fifth largest in California) Long Beach is a popular coastal city in Southern California with the Busiest port on the West coast. First incorporated on February 10, 1888, Long Beach was disincorporated July 24, 1896. The Second incorporation was effective December 13, 1897 and is still in effect today.

Besides our highly successful industrial port, Long Beach is also a major tourist destination. With an average of approximately 5 million visitors a year, visitors can find accommodations in one of our 5,000+ hotel rooms within the greater Long Beach area. The Long Beach Convention Center boasts attendance of approximately 1.6 million annually to support their 224,000 sq. ft. of Exhibit Space, 83,000 sq. ft. of Meeting Space, 75,000 sq. ft. Arena (13,500 seats) and 20,456 sq. ft. of Ballroom space.

Some of the people who visit Long Beach do so for our many attractions. The long popular Queen Mary and Aquarium of the Pacific host a stream of steady visitors. The annual Long Beach Grand Prix is an international event. The Long Beach Jazz Festival is also a favorite desitnation for many throughout the world. The Port of Long Beach is the closest and most convenient way to get to Catalina Island and visitors can enjoy close-by Disneyland and Knott's Berry Farm.

With an average of 345 days of sunshine a year, is it any wonder that the residents and visitors of Long Beach take full advantage of the largest municipally owned and operated marina system in the country? Long Beach Marina, including the Downtown Shoreline Marina, holds 3,400 slips. Alamitos Bay Marina holds 1,991 slips.

Transportation in Long Beach both preserves the past and reaches into the future. Major highways to and in Long Beach include the 710 Long Beach Fwy (north/south), 405 San Diego Fwy (north/south), 605 San Gabriel River Fwy (north/south), 110 Harbor Fwy (north/south), 105 Century Fwy (east west), and scenic Route 1 Pacific Coast Highway (along coastline). For light rail we have the Metro Blue Line that goes from Downtown Long Beach to downtown Los Angeles. This route can be seen as the "blue line" on the MLS Areas map. For busses we have the Greyhound for long distance service and the Long Beach Transit including the "Passport" busses, as well as the famed Long Beach Airport.

Some of the most beloved areas of Long Beach include Belmont Shore and Naples for their European village feel, Bixby Knolls and California Heights for its small town feel, Belmont Heights and Bluff Park for their gorgeous old historic homes and Downtown for a real urban experience. Don't forget to visit the Long Beach Links page for more wasy to get to know Long Beach.