Alamitos Beach / Downtown

Alamitos Beach is the coastal neighborhood is mainly dense residential, with large condominium buildings along the beach and smaller condominiums, apartment buildings, and single-family residences as one moves inland. A public beach is within short walking distance of all residences with some buildings having direct access. The beach includes the Long Beach bicycle path that starts at Shoreline Village and ends in the Belmont Shore neighborhood of Long Beach. Beginning in 2009 bike lanes were added to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd St. as part of the Long Beach’s citywide effort to become more bicycle friendly. Perhaps not so coincidentally more bicycle shops have since opened around the area.  Alamitos Beach is known for its vibrant nightlife and for its significant LGBT community. The Broadway Corridor business district in Alamitos Beach is home to many well-established bars, restaurants, and other businesses that are mostly gay-owned and operated or cater especially to the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender community. The coffee houses and restaurants, which typically remain open until at least midnight, are “gay-friendly” but also serve a large straight clientele. The 4th Street Corridor, along the constituting northern border of Alamitos Beach, is where bars like The V-Room and The Pike Bar & Fish Grill are located. The shops and restaurants along Shoreline Village and the Pike are also within walking distance. Homes in Alamitos Beach are typically Craftsman or condos or duplexes. Many of the condo have been converted from apartments to condos with a few co-ops still in existence. 

Downtown is the heart of Long Beach, and is the location for most of the city’s major tourist attractions and services. It is also the location for numerous businesses. There are many hotels and restaurants in the area that serve locals, tourists, and convention visitors. The greater downtown area includes the neighborhoods of the East Village Arts District, the West End, North Pine, the Civic Center, and the “Downtown Core” or central business and entertainment area. Homes in Downtown are mainly condos. Most are older historical with mix of newer buildings along Ocean Blvd.