A couple sits together at Belmont Shore beach in Long Beach. The smooth blue beach cruiser bicycle is parked on the pavement next to the sand.

Belmont Shore Beach - If you stay away too long from Long Beach beaches, you start to long for them, miss them, pine and decide that you've gotta get back to enjoy a sunset or sunrise.

Don't forget to take a bike ride along the 3 mile concrete path that's made for 2 bike lanes and a jogging lane!

In the photo above a couple huddles, looking down on the sand and thinking or talking about something. The sky often takes on a kind of dull orange as it sets on the days when the region is socked in with overcast.

Located on Long Beach beaches stretching from Shoreline Village to the 72nd Street Beach on the Long Beach peninsula, the beach shown above is located down one of the streets that dead-ends at Ocean Blvd.

These addictive, intoxicating beaches that get under vacationers' skin are somewhat urban. There's a city vibe that excites and energize many who find the flat sandy beaches of OC just a bit too slow for their liking.

When visiting Southern California, be sure to drop by Long Beach and Belmont Shore, where there's also a public pier. It's a unique atmosphere that you may enjoy. From many vantage points you can see the Long Beach and L.A. ports and harbors.

Getting to Long Beach beaches: Head toward Ocean Blvd. in Long Beach You can access it via San Diego Freeway (405), or the Long Beach Freeway (710), or the Garden Grove Freeway (22).

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