THE MURALS OF LONG BEACH – Southern California’s best kept secret
Most people heading to L.A. for a vacation visit Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Venice and Santa Monica beaches, Disneyland, or other theme parks. However, just over 20 miles from downtown L.A. (DTLA), the city of Long Beach is a hidden gem that is often overlooked. It boasts one of the largest outdoor art galleries in the USA. Every year, during the last week of June, invited muralists and artists from around the world gather to paint outdoor murals and set up art installations.
A mural in downtown Long Beach (courtesy Long Beach Walls)
In 2024, the festival celebrated its 10th year. ‘The Long Beach Walls + Art Renzei Festival’ took place from June 22nd to 29th, featuring 25 artists from five countries. Over the past decade, more than 130 murals have transformed the once dreary urban landscape into a vibrant, open-air art gallery. Below is a brief history of the city and how art has played a significant role in its revitalization.
A mural in downtown Long Beach (courtesy Long Beach Walls)
Long Beach, incorporated in 1897, has experienced economic highs and lows. With a population of nearly half a million, it is the seventh-largest city in California. In the early 20th century, Long Beach was a popular local beach destination, with streetcars transporting visitors from DTLA to the beachfront Pike amusement park, which featured a large Ferris wheel and roller coasters. The city was also a favorite surfing spot until a breakwater was built between 1941 and 1949 to protect the U.S. Navy Shipyard after the Pearl Harbor attack.
The breakwater eliminated the waves, leading to a decline in beachgoers. Once a bustling industrial hub with aircraft and auto manufacturing, as well as rich oil deposits, the city suffered economic downturns with the closure of manufacturing plants and a decline in oil revenues. However, in recent years, Long Beach has undergone a transformation, repurposing empty office and historic buildings into apartments and condominiums. An influx of young people and new businesses has revitalized the downtown area, bringing new hotels, bars, and restaurants.
Long Beach is home to one of the busiest ports in the world, as well as a cruise ship terminal, a convention center, and a large aquarium. The historic Queen Mary, one of the largest ocean liners ever built, has been docked in the city since 1967 and now serves as a hotel and museum. Recognized as one of the most diverse cities in the U.S., Long Beach is renowned for its music, food, and art scene.
The ‘Long Beach Walls + Art Renzei Festival’ is a citywide event that is part of the globally recognized Worldwide Walls series of street art festivals. Since 2010, this initiative has introduced murals to public spaces in cities like Honolulu, Seoul, Washington D.C., Taipei, and Tokyo. Art Renzei, a self-guided outdoor sculpture exhibition, blends natural and man-made elements, featuring contemporary installations against picturesque backdrops. Originally launched in Long Beach in 2015 as ‘Pow! Wow!’, the festival has created more than 130 murals across 40 square miles, providing a walkable and bikeable public art experience. Each artist has the freedom to create large-scale works displayed throughout Long Beach, set against beautiful parks and ocean vistas.
A mural in Long Beach (courtesy Long Beach Walls)
To explore the murals, visit the Long Beach Walls website at https://www.longbeachwalls.com/mural-map . The city’s diverse range of murals transforms once-drab buildings into dynamic works of art. You can select murals to visit at https://www.longbeachwalls.com/murals . If you want to see artists in action, plan your next trip for June (check the Long Beach Walls website https://longbeachwalls.com for exact dates, featured artists, and locations). Witnessing a blank wall transform into a stunning mural over a few days is an unforgettable experience.
A mural in downtown Long Beach (courtesy Long Beach Walls)
Long Beach is also home to several museums, including the Museum of Latin American Art (https://www.molaa.org ) and the Long Beach Museum of Art (https://www.lbma.org ). Outdoor enthusiasts can enjoy windsurfing off the coast, kayaking, and paddleboarding in Alamitos Bay and the scenic Naples canals. You can also rent a bike to explore the city’s many trails on and off the beach. For a more relaxed experience, rent an authentic Venetian gondola with a singing gondolier or a Duffy electric boat for a self-guided tour.
The canals of Naples, Long Beach, CA
With nearly 350 days of sunshine, Long Beach is a year-round destination. Average daytime temperatures range from 70-80°F in summer and 60-70°F in winter. The city has its own airport and is only 20 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport. Accommodations range from budget-friendly hotels to upscale options in downtown and other areas of the city. For more information, visit https://www.visitlongbeach.com .
Regardless of your interests, the murals of Long Beach offer a transformative and unforgettable experience.
