Top 10 Reasons to Go to Long Beach

Long Beach is the home of this year’s MANA CAM 2017 Annual Midwives Conference (MANA’s 35th conference!). Mark your calendars now for Nov 2 – 5th and come enjoy all that this beachfront community has to offer.

Top 10 reasons to visit Long Beach: 

1. The atmosphere: Also called the “Beach with Benefits,” Long Beach, California is known for its city atmosphere combined with shoreline small town culture. With all the benefits and conveniences of a big city, it also offers the atmosphere of a tropical escape to a seaside village.

2. Convenience of travel: There are multiple airports serving the area, including one in Long Beach directly, and two more in closeby Los Angeles (LAX) and Santa Ana (Orange County John Wayne SNA).

3. Easy access: If you don’t have a car, no worries! A Long Beach bus service called Passport offers free bus transportation to and from many waterfront destinations and tourist attractions. With its close proximity to Los Angeles (only 24 miles away), Venice Beach (28 miles), and Santa Monica (30 miles), transportation by airplane, bus, or train is also widely accessible.

4. The weather: With its Mediterranean climate Long Beach is warm and sunny all year round. If you need a break from the bleak winter months of more northerly climates, Long Beach is the ideal holiday destination. Approximately 287 days of the year are sunny, with a July high of 82 degrees and a January low of 46.

5. Dining: Because of its diverse population Long beach offers a wide variety of ethnic cuisine as well as more traditional American dining options. The Long Beach Southeast Farmers Market, open on Sundays, offers fresh fruits and vegetables as well as prepared food. If you’re looking to keep it healthy, Whole Foods is just one of the natural food markets located downtown. 

6. Diversity: Long Beach is considered to be one of the most culturally diverse cities in the United States. Located in Southern California, it has a thriving Latino community, as well as large Black and Asian communities. With an active LGBTQ population, Long Beach is an open and supportive destination for people of all sexual orientations. Long Beach Lesbian & Gay Pride, Inc. is a large organization that has been holding an annual Lesbian & Gay Pride festival in Long Beach since 1984. This festival is considered the second largest lesbian and gay pride festival in the country. Because of its diversity Long Beach offers a tolerant and welcoming environment for each conference attendee.

7. The waterfront: There is no shortage of things to do in Long Beach, particularly when it comes to the seaside! With multiple white sand beaches, you will have no trouble getting away to sunbathe or swim during the day. In addition to the public beaches, dolphin and whale watching are also popular attractions. In Long Beach you’ll find a seemingly limitless list of cruise ship options, and island getaways are only a short boat ride away.

8. Museums and entertainment: Don’t miss Long Beach’s wide array of museum destinations! These include the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Art Theatre of Long Beach, the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden, the El Dorado Nature Center, the Long Beach Museum of Art, the Museum of Latin American Art, the Pacific Island Ethnic Art Museum, and the historic ocean liner Queen Mary, which is now a floating museum and hotel.

9. Amusement parks: If you’re looking for a fun family day trip or just fancy a roller coaster ride, you’re in luck! Disneyland is only 20 minutes away by car; Universal Studios Hollywood and Knott’s Berry Farm, half an hour; and Six Flags, an hour.

10. Nightlife: Busy during the day? Don’t worry, Long Beach has a bustling nightlife scene. Catch a rock n’ roll concert, dance to some salsa in a Latin club, see a classical performance in a local theatre or restaurant, or explore taverns and cafes buzzing with live jazz music.