Long Beach is a city located in southern California, on the Pacific coast. It is situated in Los Angeles County, about 20 miles south of downtown Los Angeles. Long Beach borders Orange County on its southeast edge. Living in Long Beach puts you in close proximity to all of Southern California.  Long Beach's eclectic downtown offers busy suburban centers with every type of local business one would desire.  Surrounding the lively downtown area are numerous established residential neighborhoods in every income bracket and style, all served by the award-winning Long Beach Unified School District.

Long Beach is the 36th largest city in the nation and is the 2nd largest city within the Los Angeles Metropolitan area. The city completely surrounds the city of Signal Hill.

The Port of Long Beach s one of the world's largest shipping ports. The city also has a large oil industry; oil is found both underground and offshore. Manufacturers include aircraft, automobile parts, electronic and audiovisual equipment, and home furnishings. It is also home to headquarters for corporations such as Epson America, Molina Healthcare, and SCAN Health Plan. Long Beach has grown with the development of high-technology and aerospace industries in the area.

Commerical businesses and several local hospitals serve as major employers of Long Beach residents, including Boeing, the Long Beach Grand Prix, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center and Verizon. The shipping industry is also prominent in the Long Beach community with The Port of Long Beach being the third busiest seaport in the United States. The port serves shipping between the United States and the Pacific Rim.

For recreation, culture and entertainment, Long Beach is where the action begins and the fun never ends. From the regal Queen Mary and spectacular Aquarium of the Pacific to stirring Broadway shows, live music venues and hundreds of exclusive dining destinations--all centrally located. Airport-close, a brief and pleasant cruise away from Catalina Island and a short distance from Disneyland, Universal Studios Hollywood and everything Southern California has to offer--Long Beach is the perfect destination!

Local residents enjoy the various well-known eatery establishments and shopping venues.  Pine Avenue in downtown Long Beach, as well as Second Street in Belmont Shore, are known for their restaurants and nightlife.  Some of the favorite picks include local restaurants: Christys, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and PF Changs.  Shopping enthusiasts rave about the 4th Street Corridor and its funky shops, antique stores and vintage clothing stores.  Carsons Mall and Trader Joe's are other notable local retailers.

Housing Cost

Real estate in Long Beach offers a wide-range of housing types and neighborhoods.  The average home price is $563,000 with a range of homes starting at around $450,000 up to the luxury waterfront properties near $2.5 million. 

Demographics

Population in July 2008: 463,789. Long Beach Covers 50.4 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 29 feet above sea level. Area code: 562

Weather

Long Beach, CA climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and cool during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 50's.

The warmest month of the year is August with an average maximum temperature of 84.60 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is December with an average minimum temperature of 45.30 degrees Fahrenheit.

Temperature variations between night and day tend to be fairly limited during summer with a difference that can reach 19 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 21 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at Long Beach is 12.94 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is February with an average rainfall of 3.01 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com