While there are miles of shoreline in the Long Beach area, not all beaches are made equal. There’s Alamitos, which is easily accessed from the downtown area and close to hotels. There’s Rosie’s Dog Beach, which is a great place to bring your furry friends. However, a crowd favorite is Junipero Beach – also called Cherry Beach – which stretches along the Bluff Park area.
This strip of coastline begins where Alamitos Beach ends. At Junipero, the high rises that back Alamitos are replaced with the more residential communities of Bluff Park. Here, the sand is soft and waves are calm, making it an ideal place for families. Because the sand area is wide, there’s plenty of space for visitors to spread out and you’re sure to get a solid spot. The beach has many convenient amenities, such as showers, lifeguards on duty during peak months and bike paths. This is also one of the only areas in Bluff Park with handicap accessible beach entrance. Many people enjoy participating in the free yoga classes that take place on Junipero as well.
No dogs are permitted on the sand, but the street behind the beach is a popular dog walking spot. Bixby Park is located near Junipero and provides great picnic areas, playgrounds and space for activity with views of the sea. Visitors say there are many places to relax on a blanket, and there are a variety of restaurants nearby to grab a bite.
Behind Junipero Beach there are many metered parking spots, street parking and parking lots. The beach is also easily accessible via public transportation. It’s also close to attractions like the Long Beach Museum of Art, so it’s a convenient place to stop on your tour of Long Beach.
