Less than an hour south of Los Angeles, the busy port town of Long Beach has reinvented itself as a laid-back destination for travelers seeking a low-key vacation with coastal bike tours and cute, kitschy shops. The most posh resorts line the waterfront, while more economical options are further inland.

Where To Shop In Long Beach

• Notable for its friendly customer service, ELEV8 offers men’s and women’s clothing and accessories as well as makeup. The selection is eclectic but accessible, as well as affordable and good quality.
• Located on Retro Row, an entire street known for its vintage and antique shops, Inretrospect is a veritable emporium that sells all manners of items, from Harley Davidson kids’ jackets to photos of John Lennon and Yoko Ono.

Places To Explore

• Accessible by car and decked out with gorgeous houses, Naples Island is great for a leisurely stroll. Alternatively, tourists can travel the surrounding canal by gondola or hydrobike.
• Military and history enthusiasts are sure to love the Scorpion Submarine, a Cold War relic with numerous narrow corridors to navigate. Visitors can tour at their own pace, with an audio guide to provide a glimpse of what life was like aboard the vessel.