The Unique City In Southern California That Is So Much More Than Your Average College Town
By Natasha Kayes|Published February 09, 2024
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Natasha Kayes
Author
I was born and raised in sunny Southern California and will never tire of the West Coast, although I spent several years living in Southeast Asia, about as far from California as you can get. Wherever I am in the world, I love straying from the beaten path, experiencing local life, and discovering hidden gems - camera in hand. The beach is my happy place and when I am not there (or writing), you will usually find me baking, watching movies, and cuddling my pugs. I have traveled around the country and around the world, and it never, ever gets old. Being able to combine my passion for travel and my love of writing is nothing short of a dream.
With its generally mild climate, natural beauty, cultural diversity, and professional opportunities, it is no wonder that California has ranked among the best places to go to school, and Southern California certainly has its share of college towns, cities, and communities. One such college town, Long Beach, CA, is home to the second-largest campus in the California State University system; however, this is hardly just your average college town. For one thing, it is actually a city, though not in the major metropolitan way that Los Angeles and San Diego are cities. Rather, it has an urban vibe, but with a laid-back coastal attitude. I love how much there is to see and do in town, not to mention the gorgeous year-round weather and scenic waterfront.
California State University Long Beach is widely known for its striking blue pyramid and nationally-recognized art museum, its diverse student population, and highly-regarded academic programs including Business, Marketing, Visual and Performing Arts, Journalism, Engineering, Health and Psychology, and others.
Of course, a fine educational opportunity is just a piece of the puzzle when it comes to what makes Long Beach a great city.
For awesome shopping, dining, entertainment, boating, watersports, and more, you cannot beat the seaside communities of Belmont Shores and Naples with their picturesque shores, lagoons, boardwalks, and canals where you can even take a traditional gondola cruise.
Perhaps the most famous attraction in the city is the historic Queen Mary cruise liner and museum ship, which draws a multitude of visitors throughout the year.
Long Beach is also a major commercial port and a gateway to ocean-bound adventures with a cruise ship terminal and daily excursions to Catalina Island.
You could easily spend an entire day (or weekend!) at Rainbow Harbor. This is where you will find the incredible Aquarium of the Pacific, whale-watching tours, a $5 water taxi, harbor cruises, and more. Enjoy a picnic at Shoreline Aquatic Park and walk around Lions Lighthouse while enjoying ocean breezes.
After your harbor adventures, there are plenty of restaurants to choose from, including several in the colorful Shoreline Village and Pike Outlets across the street.
The Long Beach Arena and Convention Center is a cool place to visit, even if it is just to see the massive ocean mural on the outside of the round arena. The expansive facility hosts a wide variety of events, conventions, and shows.
With so much to do, Long Beach is great for more than just a day trip and there are lots of great hotels in town for a comfortable stay. There are also some fun and unique options like this Dockside Boat and Bed near all the waterfront action.
Clearly, there is more to Long Beach than just another college town… which actually makes it a great college town, and our friends at Wear Your Roots think so too! Their Collegiate Collection is a perfect way to show off your school spirit or snag a great gift for your favorite student!
Have you explored the lovely city of Long Beach, CA, or maybe even attended school here? What is your favorite Long Beach site or attraction? We would love to hear from you in the comments. Oh, and if you decide to shop for some cool gear, for yourself or someone else, at Wear Your Roots, make sure you use code CLB10 for 10 percent off your order!
