What It's Like Living in Belmont Shore, Long Beach
Belmont Shore is a popular neighborhood in Long Beach, California. The neighborhood resides on the coast, allowing residents to spend time at the beach whenever they please. In addition to all of the beach activities, Belmont Shore also has a lively dining and entertainment district located on the famous Second Street.
With so many fun attractions, urban amenities, and an oceanfront setting, Belmont Shore is an exciting place to live.
Homes and Pricing
Belmont Shore is a small beach town with a close-knit community vibe. While it’s still part of a large, booming city, no other part of Long Beach feels quite like this coastal neighborhood. Belmont Shore consists of a variety of housing styles ranging from single-family residences to condos and attached homes. The median sale price in Belmont Shore is just under $900,000, and buyers will find that the most expensive homes—priced over $1 million—are located closer to the beach.
The Bay
Located in the Alamitos Bay, Bay Shore Beach is a prime waterfront destination that attracts large crowds during the busy summer months. Known as “the bay” by locals, Bay Shore Beach provides a relaxing beach environment where residents and visitors alike can lay out on the sand, rent a paddleboard or kayak, or just enjoy the sunshine. The bay is separated from the ocean by the Alamitos Peninsula, which provides a calm and safe place for children and non-swimmers to enjoy the water without worrying about crashing ocean waves.
Second Street
Belmont Shore’s greatest amenity—besides its beautiful beach—is Second Street. Located in the center of the neighborhood, this main drag is filled with shops, restaurants, bars, and cafes, all within walking distance of each other.
There’s definitely no shortage of places to eat or things to do in this local hotspot. No matter what you’re craving, you can get your fill of savory and sweet eats within a 15-block radius. Some popular spots include La Strada for Italian food, Taco Surf for Mexican cuisine, and Rance’s Chicago Pizza for a slice of deep dish pizza. With so many options all in one place, you’ll never run out of new restaurants to check out.
Local Nightlife
If you’re looking to bar hop, Belmont Shore has an active nightlife scene that’ll keep you entertained all night long. Whether you’re looking for a place to grab a beer while catching the game or you’re looking to dance the night away with friends, Second Street has all kinds of bars and entertainment spots.
Check out Dogz Bar and Grill, where you can get gourmet hot dogs and cold beers, or watch your favorite sports team on massive projection screens at Legends Sports Bar. And if you’re looking for a quieter pub, head to Murphy’s Pub at the Belmont or Quinn’s Pub & Grill.
Community Events
During the summer, the Belmont Shore neighborhood puts on a local event called “Stroll and Savor.” This event is held on Second Street on select dates during the summer, and more than 40 restaurants participate. Visitors get to try different foods from some of the best restaurants in the community, and it’s the perfect summer activity featuring great food for you to enjoy with neighbors and friends.
The Belmont Shore Business Association puts on other events for the community as well, including Belmont Shore’s Annual Car Show which features 14 blocks lined with classic and vintage cars. The neighborhood is also home to the annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade, and people from all over the city have been coming out to celebrate with marching bands, floats, and Santa Claus since 1982.
Getting Around
Belmont Shore is the sixth most walkable neighborhood in Long Beach, according to WalkScore. Not only does the community have a high walk score, it’s also a bike-friendly community. Many people enjoy renting bikes through Long Beach Bike Share as well as renting electric scooters from Bird or Lime.
Belmont Shore is so bike- and pedestrian-friendly due to its layout. The bulk of the community’s businesses are all located within close proximity of each other along Second Street. Belmont Shore also has a few public transit buses that are reliable and allow people to travel from Belmont Shore to Downtown Long Beach, Alamitos Bay, and California State University, Long Beach.