how to get to long beach

Of all the beaches in our fair state, I wouldn't pick Long Beach. No waves, low water quality all due to the WWII breakwater.

Try to do this on Tuesday through Thursday
Leave so you won't hit the LA area until after 9AM, 10am is better. This will keep you out of the commuter traffic.
I-15 to I-10 to 710 freeway south to Long Beach. Long Beach is mostly a protected harbor but there are beaches south of the main part of the city.
Take the Ocean Bl exit and head south past downtown Long Beach. You'll find parking along Ocean and some parking lots.

To avoid traffic and see better beaches you might consider heading to Malibu or Ventura instead. These are more traditional California Beaches with less traffic and better parking options.

Do a Google search for Rincon Parkway in Ventura. This would be my choice. Besides camping spots there are lots of day use areas.

If it were me I'd go to Huntington Beach (and I do). It's Surf City. Lots to see and do. Wonderful restaurants at both ends of the pier. Lots of shopping. There is RV parking available in the parking lots next to the beach. Best place to get the beach experience.

+1 for Huntington over LB.

15S, 91E, 55S, 1N (PCH)

Huntington State or city beach will have ample parking (small fee). Lots of sand and good waves.

HUGE traffic coming in 91/55 on a weekday morning. Saturday/Sunday morning would be great.

Can continue North to Seal Beach Blvd to catch back on the 405 and continue your journey.

Seal Beach is also nice. You can park in one of the store parking lots on PCH and walk to the pier. South of LAX on the 405.

Thanks for the great info.It will make our trip much easier.

Long Beach is 6 miles long. Huntington Beach is nicer for tourists.

If you actually get onto the beach watch out for globs of crude oil/tar, they will ruin a pair of shoes worse than dog poop. I have found the crude oil land mines on all the LA beaches. Easy to avoid but hard to remove once stepped on.

Long Beach is probably the only place that I wouldn't go in the LAX area to see the beach. Orange County, or LA county north of Palos Verdes would be my choices.

RE_Todd wrote:
Seal Beach is also nice. You can park in one of the store parking lots on PCH and walk to the pier. South of LAX on the 405.

Seal beach is where we went. Easy parking, not crowded. We walked along the beach and the pier. Finally made it to the Pacific ocean.

Thanks to all.