Great Picnic Spots in Long Beach
With its temperate weather, abundant parks, calm beaches, and diverse array of restaurants and shops to stock your basket, Long Beach is an excellent place to picnic. Here are several locations where you can spread out a blanket and create a picture perfect memory over a tasty meal enjoyed outdoors.
BLUFF PARK
If you want to see the beach that gave Long Beach its name, picnic at Bluff Park (Ocean Blvd, between 20th and 36th Place). Here you will overlook the long, narrow stretch of sand that once served as an airstrip for early aviators. Bluff Park has expansive views of the Pacific, spacious lawns for kids to play upon and presents plenty of possibilities for excellent people watching. After you eat, stroll the walkway along the bluff or go down the stairs to the biking and walking path on the beach.
SCHERER PARK
Scherer Park (4600 Long Beach Blvd) in the Bixby Knolls area is particularly scenic in the late spring when the jacaranda trees bloom. Set up your picnic on the rolling grassy lawn under the trees or at one of the benches or picnic tables, then later you can stroll the winding pathway along the stream, across the footbridges, and around the duck pond. This park also features a playground, tennis and basketball courts, a dog park, and a recreation center.
EL DORADO EAST REGIONAL PARK
El Dorado East Regional Park (7550 E Spring St) has ample space to set up a picnic on the grass near one of the lakes, or you can reserve a shelter with a barbecue grill. After your meal, you can rent a four-wheel surrey for the whole family from Wheel Fun Rentals, watch the model aircraft at Glider Field, check out the train ride and carousel at El Dorado Frontier, or cross Spring Street for a peaceful walk in the El Dorado Nature Center.
SHORELINE AQUATIC PARK
Set up a picnic on the sloping hill surrounding Lions Lighthouse in Shoreline Aquatic Park (200 Aquarium Way). Sit on the south side for views of the Queen Mary and boats passing in and out of Queensway Bay. Sit on the north side for one of the best views of the Downtown Long Beach skyline. The north side of the park also features sandy dunes and a boardwalk that connects to the Rainbow Harbor Esplanade for post-picnic strolling, shopping, or dining.
HILLTOP PARK
There are views, and then there are views. Hilltop Park (2351 Dawson Ave) sits at the peak of Signal Hill, 365 feet above sea level and, on a clear day, you can see all of Long Beach surrounding you, plus Catalina Island, downtown Los Angeles, and the Santa Monica Mountains. The view of the city lights at night is even more romantic. Spread out on the grass, or contact the City of Signal Hill to reserve one of the two picnic tables under shade structures.
