The best ...

Adult Store

Romantix

Discover perfect pleasure pairings at Romantix, a national chain with an intimate Long Beach location in the Alamitos Beach neighborhood. The adult boutique for all genders and orientations sells lubricants, lingerie, sex toys, novelties and more from friendly and knowledgeable salespeople.

Top 5

Romantix 
Purple Onion
Lovers
Love Stuff Long Beach
Temporary Satisfaction

Antique Store

Long Beach Vintage Etc

On Pine Avenue in the heart of Downtown Long Beach, this 7,000-square-foot vintage and antique showroom is packed with timeless treasures. Whether you’re looking for funky and fun clothing and accessories or some 1990s kitsch home décor, there’s something groovy in store for every shopper at Long Beach Vintage Etc.

Top 5

Long Beach Vintage Etc 
Magnolia and Willow
Goods on Orange
Urban Americana
Assistance League of Long Beach Thrift & Vintage Shop

Assisted Living Facility

Bella Palms Senior Wellness Homes

Bella Palms offers individualized care that always strives to make residents feel supported and at home. Amenities include homecooked meals, housekeeping, laundry service, medication management and more. Residents also enjoy a full social calendar including art, fitness, pet therapy and karaoke.

Top 5

Bella Palms Senior Wellness Homes
Bixby Knolls Towers
Villa Redondo Assisted Living
Hacienda Grande Assisted Living
Crofton Manor Inn

Bank

Farmers & Merchants Bank

  • 302 Pine Ave. & Multiple Locations
  • 562-437-0011
  • fmb.com

Farmers & Merchants Bank is a trusted community bank and fifth-generation family business celebrating more than a century in operation, with multiple convinient locations in Long Beach. Founder C.J. Walker opened the bank in 1907, and it’s kept up with changing times, today offering top-tier technology for secure and convenient service.

Top 5

Farmers & Merchants Bank 
Chase Bank
Bank of America
Wells Fargo
Citibank

Barber Shop

American Vintage Barbershop

The old-school barbers at American Vintage Barbershop are a cut above the rest. Founded by Carlos and Annie Gomez in 2011, the Belmont Shore shop is a full experience, one that invites clients to put their feet up, relax and stay awhile.

Top 5

American Vintage Barbershop 
Dappers & Dames Parlour
Razorbacks Barbershop
Syndicate Barber Shop
City Love Salon & Barber

Bicycle Shop

JAX Bicycle Center

JAX, established in 1971, has several locations throughout Southern California, and readers feel the Long Beach location is the best bike shop in the city. The business offers a huge selection of bikes and accessories, plus repair and personalized design services so that every customer finds their own dream machine.

Top 5

JAX Bicycle Center 
The Bicycle Stand
Urban Cycling
A&D Bicycle Shop
Pedal Movement

Boutique

Cone 11 Studio

Cone 11 Studio, which is an expansion of Clay Pottery Studio, is a retail store featuring modern home goods—with an emphasis on handmade pottery. The name of the business refers to the highest temperature pottery is fired to, and our readers are fired up about this local business and its owner Eloise Wood.

Top 5

Cone 11 Studio 
Fair Trade Long Beach
The Wellest
Blue Windows
Twig & Willow

Car Wash

Bixby Knolls Hand Car Wash & Detail Center

When your car needs a little tender loving care, roll on in to Bixby Knolls for the best wash in town. The business, trusted for more than four decades in Long Beach, offers professional washes or self-service options seven days a week.

Top 5

Bixby Knolls Hand Car Wash & Detail Center
Circle Marina Speedwash
Coast Hand Car Wash & Detail Center
LBG Express Car Wash
Beach City Auto Detail & Tint (Tied for 5th)
Coastline Express Car Wash (Tied for 5th)

Chiropractic Clinic

SOHMA Integrative Health Center

Get out of pain and into balance at SOHMA. The company founded in 2014 supports healing in a holistic way, combining Eastern and Western medicinal practices. Drugs and surgeries out of the equation in favor of medical tai chi and ancient wisdom.

Top 5

SOHMA Integrative Health Center 
Apex Chiropractic & Physical Medicine
IMPACT Chiropractic
Bob The Chiropractor
Life Choice Chiropractic

Credit Union

LBS Financial Credit Union

Founded in 1935 as a credit union for Long Beach teachers and school district employees. LBS Financial provides reliable banking services to anyone who lives or works in the local area today. It also gives back to the community—since 2000, the credit union has donated more than $820,000 to schools and community groups and $325,000 for scholarships. It also runs LBS CARES, in which employees get paid hours for volunteering.

Top 5

LBS Financial Credit Union 
 SchoolsFirst Federal Credit Union
Orange County’s Credit Union – Long Beach
Navy Federal Credit Union
Wescom Credit Union

Dispensary

Haven

Haven is the place to be when you need to roll into relaxation. Prioritizing customer satisfaction by offering personalized guidance from knowledgeable experts, all clients are greeted with a welcoming ambiance that aims to create authentic moments of wellness and exploration. With a mission to provide the best possible buying experience for cannabis enthusiasts, Haven provides the best vibes.

Top 5

Haven
Catalyst
The Circle
The Lift
King’s Crew

Elementary School

Lowell Elementary School

In Belmont Shore, Long Beach’s top-rated Lowell Elementary School is a neighborhood school that strives to ensure the personal and intellectual success of all students. Named after the American writer James Russell Lowell, and in operation since 1926, the award-winning school fosters the belief that all students can learn and lead responsible, satisfying lives.

Top 5

Lowell Elementary School
Longfellow Elementary School
Burcham Elementary School
Prisk Elementary School
Fremont Elementary School

Event Venue

Alex’s Bar

A high-energy live music and entertainment venue and bar—with iconic blood-red walls and memorable restrooms—Alex’s Bar is a good time. There’s trivia on Wednesdays, karaoke on Tuesdays and an incredible slate of performances and dance parties every other night.

Top 5

Alex’s Bar 
Long Beach Museum of Art
Rancho Los Cerritos
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
The Bamboo Club

Flower Shop

Devynn’s Garden

David and Cyndi Turk’s flowery business has been beautifying Long Beach and Orange County for 25 years. With locations serving Belmont Shore, Seal Beach and Sunset Beach, Devynn’s Garden creates elegant floral art that turns the heads of those with even the most discriminating taste.

Top 5

Devynn’s Garden
Melinda McCoy’s Flowers
Romance Etc.
Blooms on Broadway
Allen’s Flower Market

Funeral Home / Mortuary

Forest Lawn – Long Beach

For more than a century, Forest Lawn has been a trusted funeral service provider in SoCal, and it also oversees one of Long Beach’s oldest and most beloved cemeteries. Formerly known as Sunnyside, the memorial park features extraordinary examples of Spanish Colonial architecture and a chapel with stained glass windows depicting California’s early history.

Top 5

Forest Lawn – Long Beach 
McKenzie Mortuary Services
All Souls Cemetery & Mortuary
Luyben Dilday Mortuary
Burials At Sea By Captain Johnnie Lee

Garden

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

On the campus of Cal State Long Beach, this 1.3-acre oasis is a peaceful and meditative spot to escape from the city’s noise and worries. Koi glide under wooden bridges and flowers bloom throughout the year. It’s free to enter, but reservations are required.

Top 5

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden 
Long Beach Community Garden 
Sowing Seeds of Change 
Rancho Los Cerritos 
Rancho Los Alamitos

Gift Shop

Cone 11 Studio

Featuring modern home goods, with an emphasis on handmade pottery, Cone 11 Studio is the best place in town to find the perfect gift, according to our readers. The popular business is also rated as the best boutique in Long Beach. And, its sister business, Clay on First is ranked as the best art collective.

Top 5

Cone 11 Studio
Fair Trade Long Beach
Songbird
MADE by Millworks
Luna

Green Business

BYO Long Beach

With locations in the East Village, Alamitos Bay and Bixby Knolls, the goal of BYO Long Beach is to inspire locals to be more green, reducing trash consumption with reusable product alternatives. Since its start in 2017, the green business founded by Julie Darrell continues to grow and blossom.

Top 5

BYO Long Beach
The Wellest
Heritage
Ethikli Sustainable Market Farm
Urbana

Grocery Store

Trader Joe’s

  • 4210 Long Beach Blvd. & Multiple Locations
  • 562-422-1020
  • traderjoes.com

There are three Trader Joe’s in Long Beach, and that’s not enough for our readers, but it’ll have to do. Here in Long Beach, we have long loved the grocery chain’s eclectic selection of fresh foods, prepared meals and wide variety of beverages.

Top 5

Trader Joe’s
Lazy Acres
Olives Gourmet Grocer
Ma N Pa Grocery
Ralphs

Gym

The Belmont Athletic Club

The Belmont Athletic Club is the ultimate gym for flex-appeal! With personal trainers, group classes and more, you will leave feeling endorphin rushed. And with a variety of services, this Long Beach health club is a slam dunk for anyone looking to get fit and have fun doing it.

Top 5

The Belmont Athletic Club
Iconix Fitness
Alpert Jewish Community Center
4th Quarter Fitness & Performance
Orangetheory Fitness (Tied for 5th)
Planet Fitness (Tied for 5th)

Hair Salon

Beachy Waves Salon

Talking about making waves! Beachy Waves Salon is a shore bet for all your hair needs. Businesswoman Alexa Claproth—whose husband owns Beachy Waves Construction (also in the Best of Long Beach ranks)—offers cutting-edge hair styles that her clients rave about. You’re sure to leave feeling like a total beach babe!

Top 5

Beachy Waves Salon
Freebirds Salon
Beauty 1 on 1 Salon
The Hair Collective
Swag by Holly (Tied for 5th)
The Studio O (Tied for 5th)

Hardware Store

Ace Hardware

On Spring Street, this Ace Hardware is among more than 5,000 neighborhood Ace stores locally owned and operated across the globe. Committed to being “the place with the helpful hardware folks,” Ace community stores offer personal service, quality products and a convenient shopping experience from knowledgeable local experts.

Top 5

Ace Hardware
Billing’s Paint & Hardware
Long Beach Ace Hardware
Anaheim Ace Hardware
Lowe’s Home Improvement (Tied for 5th)
The Home Depot (Tied for 5th)

Healthcare Facility

SOHMA Integrative Health Center

SOHMA supports healing in a holistic way, combining Eastern and Western medicinal practices. Established in 2014, the health center takes drugs and surgeries out of the equation in favor of medical tai chi and ancient wisdom. Specialties include treatment following car accidents and personal injuries, always with the goal of leading patients from pain to balance.

Top 5

SOHMA Integrative Health Center
MemorialCare Long Beach Medical Center
Apex Chiropractic & Physical Medicine
Kaiser Permanente
Planned Parenthood

High School

Millikan High School

Robert A. Millikan Senior High School is a 36-acre campus in the Los Altos neighborhood of East Long Beach. Founded in 1956, the award-winning school is known for its small learning communities that help guide students through specific college and career pathways.

Top 5

Millikan High School
Wilson High School
Polytechnic High School
Jordan High School (Tied for 4th)
St. Anthony High School (Tied for 4th)

Home Improvement

Beachy Waves Construction

Beachy Waves Construction is the perfect catch for all your home beautification needs. Businessman Anael Mays—whose wife owns Beachy Waves Salon (also in the Best of Long Beach ranks)—knows how to make a splash! The company’s custom designs are shore to make your home the talk of the town.

Top 5

Beachy Waves Construction
Hendrix Painting, Inc.
5th Generation Construction
Pete’s Plumbing
Steve Harp Plumbing

Hotel

Hotel Maya – DoubleTree by Hilton

The Maya is a breathtaking seaside resort with views of the bay and the city skyline. The lush grounds are dotted palm trees and a man-made beach featuring nearly 300 tons of sand, fire pits and comfortable chairs and loungers. There’s also Fuego at The Maya, an award-winning restaurant.

Top 5

Hotel Maya – DoubleTree by Hilton
The Westin Long Beach
Hyatt Regency Long Beach
Long Beach Marriott
Renaissance Long Beach Hotel

Jewelry Store

McCarty’s Jewelry

A fixture in Belmont Shore since 1932, McCarty’s Jewelry still maintains its historic integrity while also catering to customers looking for something sparkly they can proudly wear in the 21st century. Oh, and yes, the store’s sign (neon at night) is the original one.

Top 5

McCarty’s Jewelry 
 J&L Fine Jewelry
Phnom Pich Jewelry
Mark Schneider Fine Jewelry
Somatic Body Piercing

Landscaper

MC Landscaping, LLC

MC Landscaping, established in 2013 by Marcus Malouf, is a grassroots business that has flourished over the years as its team of experts have installed thousands of residential and commercial landscapes throughout Los Angeles and Orange counties. The company also boasts a two-acre plant nursery and showroom in Lakewood.

Top 5

MC Landscaping, LLC 
Star Landscape & Exterior Designs
California Eco Design, Inc.
LB Holistic Tree
Ruben’s Lawn Service

Lash Bar

Brow Heaven Threading Studio

Feel like an angel with Brow Heaven Threading Studio’s glamourous eyelash extensions, which have topped the list as the best in Long Beach. Plus, the long lash business offers a range of other beauty services, including facials, waxing and threading.

Top 5

Brow Heaven Threading Studio 
Enhanced by Vee
At The Powder Room
Long Beach Lash & Brow
The Lash Lounge Belmont Shore

Law Office

Long Beach Law

With years of experience in the legal industry, Long Beach Law’s team of attorneys specialize in a wide range of practice areas. And with a commitment to delivering personalized attention and results, they are one of the most trusted law firms in Long Beach!

Top 5

Long Beach Law
Williamson and Gentilini
TLD Law
RMD Law
Kinley Law Practice

Massage

Firm Hands

You’ll be in trusted hands with the licensed massage therapists at Firm Hands who have a passion for helping all who are in pain and discomfort. From sports rehabilitation to trigger point therapy, there’s no better hands-on approach to wellness than with Firm Hands!

Top 5

Firm Hands
Apex Chiropractic & Physical Medicine
SOHMA Integrative Health Center
The Belmont Athletic Club Spa
Bliss on Broadway

Middle School

Rogers Middle School

Will Rogers Middle School—“home of the mustangs”—is a highly ranked learning institution located near Long Beach’s picturesque Marine Stadium. Rogers, which first opened in 1980, continues to set the bar for outstanding achievements in academics, athletics and enrichment activities.

Top 5

Rogers Middle School
Marshall Academy of the Arts
Hughes Middle School
Stanford Middle School
Jefferson Leadership Academy

Nail Salon

Polish’d Nail Spa

  • 6261 E. Spring St.
  • 562-425-2252

Polish’d “nails it” when it comes to acrylics, gel manicures, dipping powders and designs. Located in the Lakewood Plaza Marketplace, Polish’d has been beautifying customers since 2019, even offering facials, waxing and massages. Customers say their manicures are long-lasting and reasonably priced.

Top 5

Polish’d Nail Spa
Bliss on Broadway
Eüca Beauty Lounge
Kiwi Nail Lounge
Gem Nail Bar

Nonprofit

The Little Lion Foundation

The Little Lion Foundation is a “claw-some” nonprofit that helps stray kittens. It’s the cat’s meow, providing feline friends with veterinary care, spay and neuter services and adoption opportunities for cats to find “furrever” homes. The Little Lion Foundation’s mission serves as a reminder that everyone deserves a safe and stable home.

Top 5

The Little Lion Foundation
Precious Lamb Preschool
International City Theatre
The Art Theatre
Helen Sanders CatPAWS

Preschool

Precious Lamb Preschool

Precious Lamb Preschool is available free of charge to children living in shelters and rehabilitation programs in the greater Long Beach area. Since 2002, the organization has served hundreds of Long Beach families, helping to break cycles of homelessness and poverty.

Top 5

Precious Lamb Preschool
Lakewood Village Community Church Nursery School
Semillitas Learning Community
Little Owl School
Maple Village Waldorf School

Senior In-Home Care Provider

Cambrian Homecare

Cambrian Caregivers are trusted and experienced in the wide range of skills needed to provide personalized quality care, from the activities of daily living, bathing, ambulating, feeding and or light housekeeping and companionship. The company also has caregivers trained to assist clients with specific diseases and concerns.

Top 5

Cambrian Homecare
WelbeHealth
Trusted Life Care
Haven Health
Keen Home Care

Skate Park

El Dorado Park West Skate Park

  • 2800 Studebaker Road
  • 562-570-3100

With skateboards, bikes and scooters performing tricks, El Dorado West Skate Park is loaded with rails and ledges, plus a couple of bowls, pyramids and quarter pipes. Built in 2000 by designer Purkiss-Rose, the 12,000-square-foot concrete area is popular for all ages and skill levels.

Top 5

El Dorado Park West Skate Park 
Bixby Park Skate Park
Lincoln Park Skate Park
Houghton Park Skate Park
Michael Green Skate Park

Skate Shop

Long Beach Skate

Helping new and seasoned skateboarders since 2010, the pros on staff at Long Beach Skate help customers build completely custom skateboards and dress the part with clothing and accessories. If you’re even thinking about stepping onto a skateboard, Long Beach Skate should be your first stop.

Top 5

Long Beach Skate 
Pigeon’s Roller Skate Shop
Pharmacy Boardshop

Spa

The Belmont Athletic Club Spa

The Belmont Athletic Club is the perfect place to indulge in some self-care. With its full-service health spa, clients enjoy pampering services designed to rejuvenate the body and mind. The experienced team provides the ultimate spa experience for anyone looking to melt away stress.

Top 5

The Belmont Athletic Club Spa
DYLightful Skincare
California Tan & Wellness
Bliss on Broadway
Hudavi Wellness

Summer Camp

Clay on First – Kids Summer Camp

Artists ages 6 to 12 can learn all about pottery at Clay on First’s weeklong summer camps (9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Monday through Friday). The studio focuses on teaching creativity by creating beautiful and functional projects such as piggy banks, boxes, coil pots and more.

Top 5

Clay on First – Kids Summer Camp
Alpert Jewish Community Center
 International City Theatre
 Semillitas Learning Community
 Valter Paiva Tennis Academy

Tattoo Shop

Lapo Tattoos

Lapo Tattoos specializes in bold and illustrative ink. Owner and experienced tattoo artist Lauren Potts puts a permanently original mark on customers in the form of her specialty botanicals, animals and other nature-themed works of art. Follow her on Instagram @thisislapo to see ink examples.

Top 5

Lapo Tattoos
Outer Limits Tattoo & Museum
Paper Crane Studio
Port City Tattoo
Halo Tattoo Collective

Threading Studio

Brow Heaven Threading Studio

When your brows are looking more demonic than angelic, it’s time for an eyebrow-raising transformation at Brow Heaven Threading Studio. The shop’s team of experts offer gentle threading and waxing services for anyone with a wild hair. Eyelash extension services are also available.

Top 5

Brow Heaven Threading Studio
My Perfect Brows
The Lash Lounge Belmont Shore
Wildflower Beauty & Brows
Reva Brow Shapes (Tied for 5th)
Golden Eyebrow Threading (Tied for 5th)

Thrift Shop

Out of the Closet

It may take a little digging, but Out of the Closet is, like most thrift shops, brimming with treasures—books, records, home decor, clothing, antiques. Plus, money collected from the nationwide chain of shops directly supports the AIDS Healthcare Foundation. And, customers can utilize the company’s on-site pharmacy and access free HIV testing with same-day results.

Top 5

Out of the Closet 
Assistance League of Long Beach Thrift & Vintage Shop
Young Ones Kids Resale Store
Clark & Atherton Mercantile
Society of St. Vincent de Paul Long Beach Thrift Store

Tutoring

Tutor Gabby

Tutor Gabby is a two-woman regional math tutoring service that works with students of every age, from elementary school to the college level. In business for more than a decade, the tutors meet students in public places, such as libraries and coffee shops to conduct valuable learning sessions in-person or virtually.

Top 5

Tutor Gabby 
Back to Basics Learning Programs
Kumon Math and Reading Center of Long Beach – Stearns
Sylvan Learning of Long Beach
Cal Heights Music Lessons

Yoga

Nicole Bushong

“Movement is medicine” is Nicole Bushong’s motto. Readers say she’s the best in the city for yoga instruction, and she provides nutritional guidance, personal training and Reiki energy meditation. Check her Instagram to find her latest community events.

Top 5

Nicole Bushong 
Yogalution on the Bluff
Free Yoga on the Beach
RA Yoga
Purple Yoga

... in Long Beach