April 13, 2015

Traveling With Pride: Long Beach, California

Matthew Wexler READ TIME: 4 MIN.

For an unplugged California getaway, head to Long Beach's sandy coastline, which offers charming neighborhoods, a year-round playground of outdoor activities, and a community-driven Pride event that celebrates its 31st anniversary this June.

It's All About That Beach
Eat your heart out, Meghan Trainor. Long Beach is well known for its five-and-a-half miles of picture perfect beaches and offers the idyllic backdrop to strip down to your Andrew Christian swim trunks and show off all that hard work. Remember, that suit is meant to get wet, so dive right into the array of available watersports including kayaking, sailing, windsurfing, SCUBA diving and more.

For those who prefer dry land, well-maintained paths run adjacent to the beach and are perfect for biking, jogging or a casual stroll. You may even witness the migration of more than 15,000 Pacific grey whales that pass through Long Beach on their way to Mexico.

Queen (or Princess) for a Day
Calling all Anglophiles. One of the most legendary ocean liners of all time, The Queen Mary, has found a permanent home, where visitors can bask in all its royal glory. From its inaugural voyage in 1936, the ship sailed as a luxury vessel for three years until being converted to a troopship during World War II. It was restored thereafter was eventually retired to Long Beach in 1967. Current exhibits include Diana: Legacy of a Princess, which showcases a priceless array of heirlooms, evening gowns and other memorabilia.

What's Old is New
Long Beach is packed with interesting and evolving neighborhoods. The Broadway Corridor is brimming with new business and many homes are undergoing historical restorations. For those craving unique cuisine and collectibles, Cambodia Row is home to the largest number of Cambodian immigrants outside of Southeast Asia.

For funky flair, head to Fourth Street, also known as Retro Row. Home to more than 40 retailers and merchants, the district is brimming with vintage stores, eclectic shops, and plenty of dining and nightlife. For authentic Mexican dishes, head to Lola's Mexican Cuisine where you can taste the house specialty, Birria Guadalajara (made with pork and veal instead of the traditional goat). Or bite into some California-style barbecue at Beachwood BBQ, where heart-stoppers like tater tot casserole and Scotch pickled eggs are offset by healthier, innovative options such as blackened Albacore sashimi.

The area is also home to The Art Theatre, a 100-year-old movie house meticulously restored to its original glory.

Walk of Fame
Most of Long Beach's gay bars and clubs can be found on East Broadway between Alamitos and Cherry Avenues. Among them you'll find Paradise on Broadway, a full-service restaurant and piano bar and neighborhood landmark since the '80s. A revolving roster of talent keeps things lively and visitors can take note of historical interior finishings such as the 1,000-pound falcon near the bar, which once perched atop the flagpole at nearby Cooper Arms.

Get friendly with the locals at Falcon, where cheap happy hour drinks (daily until 8 p.m.) abound and the doors stay open every day until 2 a.m.

And a little leather goes a long way at The Mine Shaft, known simply as "The Shaft" to locals. The bar pays homage to California's famous gold rush and the underground mine shafts built in Long Beach. One in particular became notorious as a respite for gay men to gather, and while today's Shaft may not offer gold, you'll be sure to score big with the friendly clientele.

Sweet Dreams
Long Beach has seen a capital investment of $60 million among four of its most iconic hotel properties:

  • The Renaissance Long Beach Hotel completed a $14 million renovation last spring, incorporating a tranquil color palette as well as an upgraded fitness center, lounge and lobby, while its sister property, the Long Beach Marriott, spent $10 million on its public spaces.
  • The Westin Long Beach spent $12 million on its own renovations and continues its innovative New Balance Gear Lending Program, where guests can borrow (free of charge) workout apparel and athletic shoes.
  • The biggest makeover of them all goes to The Hyatt Regency Long Beach, which is investing $30 million to revamp its spectacular waterfront property. All rooms and suites have been completely redesigned. The year-round pool now features an expanded sun deck and mesmerizing fire pit.

    Getting There
    Consider a Long Beach Pride celebration that begins by flying into LAX via Alaska Airlines to take advantage of flight deals and group rates. Alaska offers flights from 18 cities, including Salt Lake, Seattle, and Puerto Vallarta.

    When planning your Long Beach getaway, don't forget these important dates:
    Long Beach Pride (featuring Salt-N-Pepa) - May 16-17, 2015
    Long Beach qFilm Festival - September 10-13, 2015

    by Matthew Wexler

    Matthew Wexler is EDGE's Senior Editor, Features & Branded Content. More of his writing can be found at www.wexlerwrites.com. Follow him on Twitter and Instagram at @wexlerwrites.

    This story is part of our special report: "Traveling With Pride". Want to read more? Here's the full list.

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