I've Lived in California for 10 Years-and This Is the Best Secret Beach Town in the Golden State

"Long Beach is located about half an hour down the coast from Los Angeles proper, though it often gets mixed up in the greater L.A. or Orange County areas. However, hip-hop lovers will recognize the LBC as the stomping grounds of legends like Snoop Dogg and Warren G, but the city's significance extends far beyond what you might hear on the radio."

"Visitors can get a taste of Southern California's legendary cultural diversity by exploring unique enclaves like Cambodia Town, a one-mile stretch of businesses and restaurants home to the largest population of people of Cambodian descent outside of Southeast Asia. Sports fans, meanwhile, should note that Long Beach will serve as a venue for events like beach volleyball and rowing during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Long Beach sits on the Southern California coast between Los Angeles and San Diego, about half an hour south of Los Angeles proper. The city hosts a richly diverse cultural landscape, including Cambodia Town, a one-mile stretch with the largest Cambodian population outside Southeast Asia. Long Beach has strong musical roots in hip-hop, associated with artists like Snoop Dogg and Warren G. The city combines a laid-back beachfront vibe with big-city scale, offering creative energy, sunshine, pleasant weather, and a bustling food scene. Long Beach will host beach volleyball and rowing events during the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Read at Travel + Leisure