This past weekend we drove up to Long Beach for a day trip with some friends. We spent most of the day just hanging out, a bit of day drinking, and eating some delicious food. We’ve been up to the Los Angeles area a few times now and we’ve enjoyed it every time. I can comfortably say that I never want to live there though; it’s just a bit to much for us. We got lucky driving into Long Beach because we were coming from the south and were able to miss much of the traffic that LA is known for.
The area that we were in very much reminds me of downtown San Diego. The downtown is small and close to the water. Right next to the water there are a bunch of small shops and an outlet mall, great for all the tourists, of which there were plenty because there’s a cruise ship that ports close to downtown.
There is so much do that is located in a small area. They have the Aquarium of the Pacific which offers over 11,000 species. I love a good aquarium. The Queen Mary is also located very close to the downtown area. The Queen Mary offers tours, restaurants and a floating hotel. You can take a short boat ride over to Catalina Island or take the short drive over to Anaheim to visit Disneyland.
Long beach has a small art community, which Josh and I always try to find in every city. Thats what going to an art school has done to us. Long beach has a theatre, opera, performing house and art museum.
One thing that we try to do in every city is find the local breweries. There is something so wonderful about traveling and enjoying new beers. We are the crazy people that have a full on conversation about each beer that we try, just call us crazy beer nerds. Long Beach has some great breweries to offer.
Smog City Brewing
Ballast Point
Belmont Brewing
Beachwood Brewing & BBQ
Steelcraft
Congregation Ale House
If we aren’t at the local watering hole, you can most likely find us at a coffee shop. I always give Josh a hard time about his coffee habits. Then I realize that most of his strange coffee quirks have rubbed off on me over the years.
Recreational Coffee
Steelhead Coffee
Commodity
Portfolio Coffeehouse
Restaurants
If beer is our first love, and coffee our second, good food would have to be our third. We love to try new places and this area has a great mixture of familiar chains, such as Yard House and small mom and pop places. If you are in the area, skip the Bubba Gump Shrimp and opt for one of the more local dining spots.
The Attic
Yard House
The Breakfast Bar
George’s Greek Cafe
Nick’s on 2nd
Pier 76 Fish Grill
Hers
shirt urban outfitters (similar) | jeans levis | shoes steve madden
sunglasses thrifted (similar) | bag dooney & burke vintage (similar)
His
shirt (similar)| pants (similar) | glasses warby parker
slightly luminous 