01
Best overall pick
Alamitos Beach
Downtown Waterfront • Wide Urban Shoreline • Great All-Rounder For Visitors
A broad, central stretch of sand with classic views, gentle water, and easy access from downtown Long Beach.
Alamitos Beach feels like the city’s front porch, with a wide sandy shoreline backed by the beachfront bike and walking path. The breakwater keeps the surf mellow, so it is better for swimming, paddling, and casual dips than for wave-chasing. Park along Ocean Boulevard or in nearby lots and you can be on the sand within minutes of leaving downtown hotels or the convention center.
02
Best neighborhood vibe
Belmont Shore Beach
Belmont Shore • Classic Neighborhood Beach • Best For All-Day Hangs
A long, lively beach fronting a walkable neighborhood packed with cafes, bars, and casual spots to refuel between swims.
Belmont Shore Beach is where locals mix beach time with coffee runs and evening drinks along nearby 2nd Street. The sand is deep and open, with volleyball courts, fire pits in season, and the beach path running the length of the shore. It is an easy place to spend a full day: grab breakfast in the neighborhood, stake out a spot near a lifeguard tower, and stay for the pastel sunset over the breakwater.
03
Best for families with toddlers
Mother's Beach (Marine Park)
Naples / Alamitos Bay • Protected Bay Beach • Best For Families
A sheltered bayfront beach with almost lake-like water and a playground that makes it an easy choice with little kids.
Mother's Beach sits inside Alamitos Bay, so the water is calm, shallow near shore, and free of surf, which is exactly what parents with small children are looking for. There is a grassy park, shade trees, and a playground right behind the sand, along with restrooms and picnic tables. Arrive earlier on warm weekends, as nearby parking fills quickly when the neighborhood families roll in with coolers and floaties.
04
Top dog-friendly stretch
Rosie's Dog Beach
Belmont Shore Waterfront • Off-Leash Dog Beach • Best For Dogs And Their Humans
The only off-leash oceanfront spot in the area, where dogs can sprint, dig, and splash legally on the sand.
Rosie's Dog Beach is a designated zone along the shoreline where dogs can run off-leash during posted hours, and it has become a social hub for local dog owners. Expect a happy chaos of fetch games, sandy paws, and salty, wet fur, plus a friendly, relaxed crowd that tends to look out for one another's pets. Bring water, waste bags, and a towel for the ride home, and be prepared to walk a bit from Ocean Boulevard parking down to the designated dog area.
05
Best quick getaway
Seal Beach Main Beach
North Of Long Beach In Seal Beach • Small-Town Surf Beach • Best Nearby Surf Scene
A wide beach anchored by a wooden pier and a laid-back main street, just a short drive up the coast from Long Beach.
When you want real surf and a classic Southern California pier scene, Seal Beach is the easy move from Long Beach. The main beach sits at the foot of a low-key downtown, with local surf shops, old-school diners, and small boutiques lining Main Street. Waves can be punchy near the jetty, so check conditions if you are new to ocean swimming, but for experienced surfers and anyone craving a more open-ocean feel, it is worth the short hop north.