Are you considering moving your family to Long Beach? With tons of outdoor activities, easy access to beaches, fresh seafood, and more—there’s a lot to love about the City of Good Living. Check out these five family-friendly neighborhoods in Long Beach!
Alamitos Heights
- Home Price: $673,967 median purchase price; $1,346 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 85% of Long Beach neighborhoods
Located in southeast Long Beach, Alamitos Heights is perfect for people looking to live close to Downtown Long Beach and near Alamitos Bay. Prospective homeowners will find a mixture of Spanish Revival and Mid-Century Modern homes with well-cared-for lawns on tree-lined streets. Parents commuting to work have convenient access to the Pacific Coast Highway, and California State University, Long Beach is just a short drive away for college-age kids who want to stay close to home. Plus, outdoor areas like Alamitos Heights Park and the Marine Stadium offer plenty of options for families to enjoy a picnic in the park, soak up the sun on the beach, and other outdoor fun.
Things to Do in Alamitos Heights
Make your way around the biking path, try your hand at tennis on the courts, or kick a ball around on the soccer fields at Marina Vista Park. Catch a baseball game and see the Long Beach State Dirtbags (NCAA D-I) race to the bases at nearby Blair Field. Put on your swimming suit, grab some floaties, and pack a lunch before heading down to Colorado Lagoon. Have a blast with Fido and get plenty of exercise at Recreation Dog Park. Sip mimosas while enjoying Bread Budding, Mushroom Quiche, or Breakfast Chilaquiles for brunch in Long Beach at Ubuntu Cafe. Quench your thirst with a Mango Mango Madness Smoothie, Peppermint Chip Smoothie, or Earthquake Shake Smoothie from Earthly Juices. Sink your teeth into the Niner’s Nachos, Blue Hot Dog, or Ortega Burger at the 49rs Tavern. Cool off from the California heat with a Classic Black Milk Tea, Peach Passion Green Tea, or Taro Cooler with toppings of your choice at Cha for Tea.
Bixby Knolls
- Home Price: $695,625 median purchase price; $1,130 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 52% of Long Beach neighborhoods
Looking for a walkable neighborhood in Long Beach with a tight-knit community? Bixby Knolls is the neighborhood for you! You’ll find remodeled condos, single-family homes, and Spanish Revival-style houses and apartments near neighborhood trails. Longfellow Elementary and Hughes Middle School are short distances from home, and Long Beach Blvd—which runs along the neighborhood’s western border—has frequent stops for Long Beach Transit (LBT) buses. And when you want something to do without leaving the neighborhood, there are plenty of events, like First Fridays and Kidical Mass Bike Ride, as well as groups like the Literary Society.
Things to Do in Bixby Knolls
Take pottery classes, participate in Healthy Kids Day, flex in fitness classes, or learn how to swim in the Safety Around Water program when you sign up for a membership at the Fairfield Family Branch YMCA. Catch comedy shows, art exhibits, theatre productions, and other community events at the EXPO Arts Center. Get some fresh air and enjoy a book while the kids climb on the jungle gym in Somerset Park. Let your budding actor, dancer, or singer audition to join the cast at The Kids Theatre Company. Get started with a Butterfinger Mocha or Cafe Au Lait to go with your Veggie Breakfast Wrap, Bacon Avocado Toast, and more at Bixby Joe. Feast on Carne Asada Fajitas, the Shrimp Fiesta Plate, or a Chile Verde Burrito from Brite Spot. Fill your belly with Southern Fried Chicken, a Lonestar Burger, or a Half Rack Baby Back Ribs at Johnny Rebs’ True South. Have a nice date night listening to live music and trying German fares like the Currywurst Platter, Kasekrainer, and Jager Schnitzel at Rasselbock Kitchen & Beer Garden.
El Dorado Park
- Home Price: $458,325 median purchase price; $717 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 59% of Long Beach neighborhoods
If you’re a family of nature-lovers, El Dorado Park is perfect for you! This safe, quiet Long Beach neighborhood is lined with palm trees and one and two-story homes, and access to I-605 and Coyote Creek Trail makes commuting easy. The conveniently located Newcomb Academy is great for K-8 students, but the real hidden gem of this neighborhood is the El Dorado East Regional Park. Spanning nearly 390 acres, this park features playgrounds, a skatepark, El Dorado Neighborhood Library, the Long Beach Community Garden, and more. Plus, this park contains El Dorado Frontier—which hosts annual events, like the fall Pumpkin Market—and the El Dorado Nature Center, whose Visitor Center & Museum, nature programs, and events like the Howl-o-Ween Festival keep the whole family entertained!
Things to Do in El Dorado Park
Run errands and shop at places like Bath & Body Works, IKEA, Old Navy, and other stores at the Long Beach Towne Center. Enroll your young aspiring performers in classes and summer camps at the Emerging Artists Musical Theatre Academy. Take advantage of other fun activities at East Regional Park—like strolling along the El Dorado Park Nature Trail or visiting the El Dorado Nature Center. Classes fill up quickly, so be sure to sign up fast for archery classes of all skill levels at El Dorado Archers! Get started with a gluten-free Apple Crumble Coffee Cake, a Pecan Cinn Roll, or Biscotti to go with your morning cup of coffee at Twice Baked. Stop by and pick up Sliced Beef Rice Vermicelli, Flattened Chicken, or Beef Pho at Benley Vietnamese Kitchen. Chow down fantastic Mexican eats like a Taco de Camaron, Torta, or Burrito Mojado at Taco Factory. Or build your own pizza with fresh ingredients of your choice or pick from specialty pizzas like the Vegetarian Pizza or Special Deluxe Pizza at Pizza Man.
Lakewood Village
- Home Price: $591,314 median purchase price; $1,036 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 74% of Long Beach neighborhoods
Known to locals as “The Village,” Lakewood Village is a quiet neighborhood great for raising a family. This North Long Beach neighborhood offers a variety of home styles—such as Mid-Century Modern, Spanish Colonial, Craftsman, and more—on gorgeous, well-landscaped lots with large backyards. Families looking to enroll their children in top-rated schools can do so at Mark Twain Elementary School and Bancroft Middle School—and those interested in pursuing higher education can attend nearby Long Beach City College Liberal Arts Campus. And everyone in the community can take advantage of Heartwell Park, which runs along the southern border of the neighborhood and features a playground, a variety of courts and fields for sports, and the Heartwood Park Community Center, which offers classes for all ages.
Things to Do in Lakewood Village
Get the whole family involved and sharpen your performance skills with classes and workshops at My Acting Studio. Get your children excited about reading through Baby Storytime, Sensory Storytime, and more at Ruth Bach Neighborhood Library. Learn the complex techniques of jiu jitsu by signing up for classes for all ages at Carpio Jiu Jitsu. Practice shooting hoops on the basketball courts, climb your way through the playground, or enjoy a nice picnic at Pan American Park. Dig in to Chicken Fried Steak, Country Biscuits & Gravy, or Top Sirloin N’ Eggs for breakfast at Dale’s Diner. Savor the delicious flavors in Heavenly Roasted Duck, Pineapple Fried Rice, or Papaya Salad at Panvimarn Thai Cuisine. Sample Italian dishes like Tortellini Boscaiola, Gnocchi al Gorgonzola, or Pollo Saltinbocca at Vino e Cucina. Or pick out a sweet treat like a Chocolate Truffle Crepe, Crème Brulee Crepe, or Country Apple Crepe at The Gathering Cafe.
Naples
- Home Price: $896,633 median purchase price; $1,586 median monthly rent
- Crime Rate: Safer than 63% of Long Beach neighborhoods
A Long Beach neighborhood with a Mediterranean flair, Naples is built on three islands surrounded by canals. This picturesque neighborhood features modern condominiums, Mediterranean-style villas, and Spanish Colonials with amazing waterfront views. Perfect for those who want easy access to water recreation, Naples is just 15 minutes west of Long Beach Shoreline Marina. To top it off, Naples’ community atmosphere is found in annual events like the Naples Christmas Boat Parade, Big Bang on the Bay, and more—in addition to Second Street’s 15 walkable blocks of boutiques, local restaurants, and the annual Stroll & Savor, Sip & Shop event.
Things to Do in Naples
Learn how to sail in Long Beach by enrolling in the Junior Sailing Program or Adult Sailing Program at the Long Beach Yacht Club. Splash in gentle waves and shallow swimming waters or gather the kids to play on the swings at Mother’s Beach. Put on your helmet and knee pads and stop by for free skate at the Bayshore Roller Hockey Rink. Rent a kayak and enjoy the ocean breeze all day with Kayaks On the Water. Start with Fresh Grilled Artichoke before digging into a Basket of St. Louis Ribs or Blackened Cajun Chicken Pasta at Rib Company. Enjoy authentic Japanese entrees like Shoyu Ramen, Albacore Belly, or Yellowtail Sashimi with Jalapeño at Kihon. Indulge in great Long Beach seafood dishes such as Tagliatelle and Clams, Seared Miso Salmon, and Planchet Pacific Sea Bass at Roe Seafood. Or order a Blood Orange Margarita to go with Wasabi Crusted Filet Mignon, Bacon Wrapped Scallops, or Scottish Salmon at Tantalum.
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Neighborhood statistics from AreaVibes.
