When in Long Beach

Shima 0 comments 27.04.2026

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗩𝗶𝗹𝗹𝗮𝗴𝗲 is easily one of the most popular waterfront spots in Long Beach. 🏖️

AKA, a great place to take family and friends visiting SoCal. There are boardwalk vibes, colorful shops, and harbor views all in one place.

It was designed to feel like a quaint seaside village
(Cape Cod–style) with wooden walkways and bright buildings.

There’s so much to do! Below are some of my personal favorites.

𝗘𝗮𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗮 𝘃𝗶𝗲𝘄 🔭
There are several indoor/outdoor seating options available at the waterfront restaurants that face the marina and boats. Casual to nicer dining options available.

𝗦𝗵𝗼𝗽 & 𝘀𝘁𝗿𝗼𝗹𝗹 🛍️
Enjoy small boutiques, souvenir shops, jewelry, beachwear. Not in the mood to shop? A great “walk around with coffee/ice cream” kind of place.

𝗙𝘂𝗻 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 🪂
My personal favorite thing to do is rent a bike and cruise along the coast. If that’s not your thing, you can consider renting a boat to sail or even parasailing. Be sure to check out the arcade, too.

𝗦𝗰𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗰 𝗩𝗶𝗲𝘄𝘀 🌅
Enjoy a sunset view over the marina. You can also catch the Queen Mary, just across the water. A great spot for photos, date nights, or just walking.

𝘼 𝙛𝙚𝙬 𝙚𝙭𝙩𝙧𝙖 𝙛𝙪𝙣 𝙛𝙖𝙘𝙩𝙨:
It is a walking distance to the Aquarium of the Pacific. 🐠
Definitely a family-friendly environment during the day and I’d say more romantic in the evenings.

Finally, be sure to visit the Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. 🤤 🍫

Enjoy one of their famous caramel apples, fresh fudge made in-store, or chocolate-covered strawberries. 🍓 SO good!

Mrs. Claus’ Holiday Tips for Long Beach

Shima 0 comments 09.12.2025

Long Beach is a hidden gem during the holidays! Whether you’re looking to enjoy a festive drink or hop on a classic cable-car trolley for a waterfront tour that will showcase the best light displays around, there’s something for everyone. 

The tour includes the famous floating Christmas trees of Alamitos Bay, and beautiful Naples Island!

Learn more by visiting bigredbus.com for hours and operation. @bigredbuslb 

To Remodel or Not?

Shima 0 comments 28.09.2020

Aiding our Troops back to Health

Shima 0 comments 24.02.2016

Every Wednesday, I will share a resident of the South Bay contributing to making our community a better place.

Today’s WCW title belongs to Sarah Tuflija who is a Certified Surgical Technologist (CST) at the Veteran Affairs Hospital in Long Beach.

Sarah, 26, grew up in North Torrance and graduated from North High school in 2007.   Upon graduating from North High, Sarah spent some time in community college where she realized she needed a change.

She found that she had an interest in the medical field, but dove straight into the surgery department because of her family’s history in the field. “My mom was a surgical tech and still works in the operating room at Harbor UCLA and my grandmother was a CRNA, Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist for Kaiser Permanente,” she says.

Her duties include assisting surgeons in the operating room from procedures that range from general surgery, urology, vascular, ENT, thoracic and so on. Sarah says, “There is no better feeling than every morning walking into the VA for work and seeing old war pictures, propaganda and memorials of all of our heroes and knowing that I am here to care for them.”

Sarah says that the veterans have served their time and duty and feels it is her job to make them better again. “The stories and personalities of some of the older veterans always make me smile. We are starting to get a shift as younger generation of veterans come in for care and an increase in women veterans,” she says.

The VA’s mission statement is to fulfill Lincoln’s promise: “to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and his widow, and his orphan” by serving and honoring the men and women who are America’s veterans.” Sarah feels grateful to be on the team of helpers who aid veterans.

Today, Sarah resides in Gardena and is the proud wife of a veteran. When she is not busy assisting veterans as a surgical technologist, she enjoys being outdoors at the beach, walking her dogs, being with friends and a having a good dinner and movie date with her husband. She loves the South Bay mostly for the, “beautiful weather, beaches and Mexican food.”

In five years, Sarah sees herself still working for the veterans in Long Beach and starting a family. She is proud to say that all of the men in her family are military veterans and the women work in operating rooms.

Thank you Sarah for aiding and assisting our heroes every day!

 “Being bed side, serving care for our veterans who have served and sacrificed so much for us is a job that I leave everyday feeling amazing about.”

– Sarah Tuflija