Good Reads

BOOKSTORES

Gatsby Books. A cozy bookstore with lots of heart. Browse their collection of new and used books then, curl up with their resident cat and enjoy a cup of complimentary, self-serve coffee. They also host weekend readings, as well as book clubs and midweek writer’s groups.

Bel Canto Books. Nestled inside a warehouse called The Hangout—where you can buy everything from clothing to succulents—this small but mighty bookstore occupies a large corner of the space and offers a selection of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, children’s books, and cookbooks. It also hosts workshops, book clubs, and an excellent reading series with an impressive lineup of visiting authors. Check out their schedule here.

Page Against the Machine. True to its name, this bookstore specializes in titles with a political bent and carries a vision to spark community activism. Come for their curated shelves of books on philosophy, poetry, music, and a limited list of fiction.

LIBRARIES

Billie Jean King Public Library. A sparkling, downtown library that just reopened its doors in 2019 after getting a major facelift. Stroll through the small art gallery or take a deep dive into Long Beach history in their Special Collections room.

Bay Shore Public Library. This small neighborhood branch boasts ocean views and is surrounded by plenty of great restaurants and boutiques along 2nd Street. There’s also a cheese shop tucked into the side street, which is definitely worth checking out.

Eldorado Public Library. Grab a book, then take a stroll among the trees at the El Dorado Nature Center right around the corner. Its sprawling pathways meander through ponds with ducks, turtles, and local vegetation. A perfect spot for writing, reading, and reflecting.

READINGS & CONFERENCES

Literary Women. This annual festival celebrates female writers and tickets sell out fast. On the first Saturday in March, women of all generations crowd the Long Beach Convention Center to hear from an impressive list of visiting authors. Everyone from Meg Wolitzer to Octavia Butler has taken the stage to discuss their writing process and shake hands with readers, face-to-face.

Long Beach Literary Arts Center. Run by a dedicated group of local authors, the LBLAC hosts quarterly readings, as well as writing workshops.

OTHER FINDS

Silent Book Club. Bring whatever you are currently enjoying and read to your heart’s content alongside other book nerds. Meetings happen on the second Wednesday of every month. You can find updated info about location and time right here.

RIVETED: A Storytelling Series. In the spirit of The Moth, this free, monthly storytelling event features headlining speakers and storytellers followed by an open mic. Each evening usually explores a particular theme and is held at the Elinor Bar, which means it is 21+ and over.

Women Who Submit. A monthly writing group that meets at Fox Coffee House. Participants encourage one another to bravely pitch their written work to editors, contests, and agents. 

Blue Windows. An independent boutique selling journals, books, stationary, clothing, and accessories. It has a warm, artful aesthetic that is sure to inspire from the moment you walk through the door.

LIBATIONS

The Queen Mary. Climb aboard this historical ship and explore the art deco rooms, or get inspired to write your next mystery novel by taking their Ghost Tour. (Bonus Tip: When you’re finished at the Queen Mary, Long Beach’s water taxi the Aqualink can pick you up and drop you off at Alamitos Bay Landing where you will find Ballast Point Brewery. Enjoy a pint of beer from their ocean front patio, then ride the Aqualink back to downtown.)

District Wine Bar. A cozy wine bar located in the East Village Arts District. Grab a table or an armchair in the corner and peruse their wine list, which is organized by tasting notes. If you happen to be a teacher, then you’re in luck! Every Tuesday is “Teacher Tuesday,” where educators get to partake in an extended happy hour just for them.

Street Art Mural Walk. Every summer since 2015, a new group of professional artists are commissioned to create murals on buildings all over town. There are now dozens of them scattered throughout Long Beach. You can tour them by downloading the Pow! Wow! app, which has a map of all the murals and also provides some background information about the artists and what inspired them.  

Good Eats

COFFEE SHOPS

Rose Park Roasters. Started by two college roommates in 2009, Rose Park’s humble beginnings include roasting bags of coffee and delivering them to Long Beach residents via bicycle. Today, they have two brick and mortar locations, perfect for reading a book, catching up with friends, and enjoying sustainably sourced coffee. In the market for a bag of beans to take home with you? The Hakuna Matata Roast from Ecuador is one of my favorites.

Viento Y Agua. With great wifi, loads of comfy seating, and an artistic neighborhood vibe, this classic coffee shop is one of my favorite places to write or study. Try the Mexican Mocha and peruse the rotating artwork lining the walls.

Wide Eyes Open Palms. What began as a pop-up coffee shop at the weekly farmer’s market now has a permanent home off Cherry Street. They also have an incredible brunch menu serving homemade and locally sourced ingredients. The burrata and jam toast can’t be missed.

Portfolio. The first coffee shop in Long Beach to present poetry readings back in 1990, Portfolio has preserved its spot as a favorite gathering place for students, artists, and locals of all stripes. Take a seat at one of their sidewalk tables and enjoy some great people watching on trendy, Retro Row.

Long Beach Coffee Club. For a more detailed list of the coffee shops around town, or to attend one of their monthly cuppings and brewing workshops, check out their website.

A PROPER MEAL

Taste Wine-Beer-Kitchen. My hands down favorite restaurant in all of Long Beach, Taste has a low-lit atmosphere with an incredible wine list and farm-to-table ingredients. Their menu changes with the seasons, but recent favorites include homemade pappardelle pasta and crispy duck confit.

Open Sesame. This always crowded hot spot has some of the freshest mediterranean food in town. From the hummus and falafel to the lamb chops and chicken kafta, you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu. There’s also a lovely selection of red wines from Lebanon that round out the meal and are reasonably priced.

Michael’s Pizzeria. Yes, you can get anything from salad to oven-baked lasagna (and it’s all delicious), but the real reason to visit one of their two locations is for the Napoli-style, wood-fired pizzas. Gluten-free crust is available, and if you happen to be in town on a Monday night, they run a special: half off Margherita pizzas with the purchase of any other pizza on the menu.  

Starling Diner. Tucked away on a residential street in the Belmont Heights neighborhood, this former craftsman home was converted into one of the top brunch spots in Long Beach. Try their basket of homemade scones with lemon curd, followed by the smoked salmon and caramelized onion scramble. 

Padre. A Latin-fusion gastropub serving a variety of inventive tacos from beer-battered avocado, to classic carnitas. There’s outdoor seating on a patio covered with ivy and white lights, plus a lively rooftop bar called Mezcalero which emphasizes agave and tequila, but also offers other craft cocktails.

Queensview Steakhouse. Located at the top of Parkers’ Lighthouse, this top-rated spot specializes in steaks and seafood, from the New York Strip au poivre, to the Chilean Sea Bass. The atmosphere is especially lively on Friday or Saturday when there is a three-piece jazz band playing. (Disclaimer: I’m employed by Select Restaurants, which owns the Queensview Steakhouse.)

TREATS

The Pie Bar. A modern pie shop serving a mix of traditional flavors like Dutch apple, as well as newer renditions like Amaretto Cherry. Buy a slice a’la mode, or sample several different flavors in the flight of pie “shots” that come in a jar. 

Pietris. This Greek Bakery is a feast for the eyes and stomach. Their glass case features everything from gelato to cheesecake and baklava. There’s something for every sweet tooth.

Happy Cow. A quaint, hole-in-the-wall bakery offering incredible cookies, cinnamon rolls, French pastries, quiche, and sandwiches. The ingredients are fresh and legend has it, there’s a bit of magic mixed into everything. NOTE: This is a cash-only establishment and is only open from 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. on weekends.