Hike, Bike, and Brunch in Long Beach

With sunny days and temperate weather year round, Long Beach is the perfect place to pair an outdoor activity like nature walks, bike rides, or even roller skating with breakfast or brunch at one of our hundreds of local restaurants. Check out our guide below to exploring the outdoors, then find a great local brunch spot nearby.

SHORELINE PEDESTRIAN/BIKE PATH

Undoubtedly the most popular and accessible trail in the city, this paved, three-mile stretch from Shoreline Village to Alamitos Bay, is a flat, 17-foot-wide path along the beach. You can bike it, walk it or skate it – both roller and board. If you find yourself in need of a bike, you can rent one at Wheel Fun Rentals (429 Shoreline Village Dr).

For breakfast or brunch along the path on the western end near downtown, check out Gaucho Beach (780 E Shoreline Dr), where brunch with Argentine flair is available on weekends from 10AM to 2PM. If you’re around the midpoint near Bluff Park, turn off at Saltwater Deck (2630 E Ocean Blvd) and enjoy the likes of Pastrami Breakfast Sandwiches and Vegan Breakfast Burritos while you sit literally in the sand, gazing out at the ocean.

DOMINGUEZ GAP WETLANDS

This 2.2-mile loop located in north Long Beach is generally a flat, easy route popular with both runners and walkers. The fact that Dominguez Gap is a wetlands also makes it a terrific trail for taking it slow while observing the nature around you. Dogs are welcome on the trail but must be on a leash.

After finishing your walk/run, head over to nearby SteelCraft food court (3768 Long Beach Blvd) in Bixby Knolls. There you have several options ranging from açai bowls at Koolberry to a great cup of Joe at Steelhead Coffee. For a hearty morning meal, try steamed bao buns served from 8 to 11AM at I Luv Ur Buns. Breakfast options include a French toast battered bao filled with Nutella and berries, a breakfast sandwich bao with eggs, meat, and cheese, and even a bao version of avocado toast.

EL DORADO PARK BIKE PATH

The four-mile bike trail runs through this 450-acre regional park, taking you past lots of trees, foliage, ducks and ponds. Though El Dorado Park (7550 E Spring St) is located within the city and borders the 605 freeway, you’ll feel a million miles away from all that. And, if you’re in need of a bike, Wheel Fun Rentals has a location in the park.

Coffee Parlor (2944 Clark Ave) is a short drive from El Dorado Park, with a menu offering choices like the BLT of Your Dreams and Horchata French Toast, all made from scratch with seasonal produce. The shop exclusively uses single origin, locally roasted beans from MoonGoat Coffee Roasters to create traditional espresso drinks, cold brew, and pour overs–or you can opt for the Quencher, an iced Mexican Coke with a double shot espresso float.

HEARTWELL PARK BIKE PATH

This 2.5-mile path runs through Heartwell Park’s (5801 E Parkcrest St) scenic landscaped grounds, featuring fishing ponds, a fitness course, and lots of green places for picnics or soaking up the sun. The bike path is flat and a great one to share with kids, who can also enjoy the playgrounds as well as basketball and roller hockey courts, baseball and softball fields.

After playing in the park, you’re a short distance from a foodie haven, where everyone in your group can pick from a different eatery. The Hangar (4069 N Lakewood Blvd) is a food hall at Long Beach Exchange, featuring such breakfast choices as coffee and bagels at Cassidy’s Corner Cafe and superfood acai bowls at Blue Bowl. There’s also poke, gyros, hot chicken, Korean BBQ, tacos, and craft beer.

DEFOREST WETLANDS

Located in DeForest Park (6255 DeForest Ave), the wetlands offers 34 acres of space to walk and commune with nature and includes native plants, wildlife habitats, interpretive signage as well as lots of opportunities for bird watching. A great way to stay active in heart and mind, the walk figures to not only benefit you physically but emotionally as you quietly connect to the land.

After your interaction with nature, you might just be in the mood to have some time to yourself pondering the universe over a latte. Head to Uptown’s Black Ring Coffee Roasters (5373 Long Beach Blvd), generally considered one of the best, most forward thinking coffee roasters in town. You might try their signature Whiskey Vanilla Latte or the very cozy Baby Yoda Latte made with matcha.

SIGNAL HILL TRAIL

This near-two-mile loop located in Signal Hill–which is located in the center of Long Beach–is paved with a gradual 200-foot elevation gain. Some portions are quite steep, so the whole loop makes for a moderately taxing cardio workout and is popular with people training for more demanding hikes. The payoff at the top of the trail is the tremendous view from Hilltop Park. On a clear day, you can see all of Long Beach, Catalina Island off the coast, as well as the Hollywood sign.

After you conquer Signal Hill, head to Union, the restaurant inside community art and wellness space Compound (1395 Coronado Ave), for a brunch in the sunlit sculpture garden. Union opens for brunch at 11AM on Saturdays and Sundays and serves seasonal California cuisine with Southeast Asian ingredients and flavors. Dishes include coconut fried rice topped with a fried egg, chia pudding with fresh berries and granola, and cocktails and mocktails like The Crush, with blueberry syrup, lemon, Giffard orgeat, and club soda.

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About the Author

Steve Lowery

Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.