Long Beach Grand Prix

Long Beach Grand Prix

Angel McQuade
It’s that time of year again where the streets of Long Beach are blocked off for the race track. For the race fans who want to explore the city outside of the track, this is the guide for you. It contains places to stay near the event, and spots for breakfast, dinner, nightcap, and even some dancing.
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Places to Stay

Downtown Long Beach

Hyatt Centric The Pike Long Beach
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Hyatt Regency Long Beach
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Marriott Long Beach Downtown
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The Westin Long Beach
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Courtyard by Marriott Long Beach Downtown
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Travelodge by Wyndham Long Beach Convention Center
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Hotel Mai Downtown Long Beach
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The other side of the Marina

The Queen Mary
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With period-style interiors and rumored to be haunted, this is a hotel you stay at more for the experience. Be aware though, that the rooms don’t have AC.
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Hotel Maya - a DoubleTree by Hilton
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Best hotel in this side of the marina. And you have the popular restaurant, Fuego, right at your doorstep.
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Residence Inn by Marriott Long Beach Downtown
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Nice hotel with a view of Downtown Long Beach from the pool.
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Breakfast

The Potholder Cafe Downtown
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Bottomless mimosas on Saturdays. Need I say more? They don’t take reservations though so be ready to be in a line for a while.
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5th Ave Bagelry
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This is my go-to for lox. They have a lot of bagels to choose from and their bagel sandwiches are so good. They also have freshly squeezed juices and Thai tea! If you prefer coffee, their refills are only for a dollar.
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Colonial Bakery
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Donuts! And croissant sandwiches. They have limited tables so it’s more of a grab-and-go place, but the food is so yummy!
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The Breakfast Bar
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Great food, but because it’s a really popular spot for breakfast, there is always a long line.
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Let’s Yolk About It
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My favorite breakfast spot on 2nd Street. Outside tables face is a good place for people watching over some bacon pancakes.
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Lunch

You’re probably going to eat inside the event area but if you don’t want to eat fair food for lunch, these are the places you can go to for a quick lunch break.

solita Tacos & Margaritas
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Broadway Pizza & Grill
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My favorite pizza in the neighborhood. The carnivore is a good choice but my favorite is the pesto pizza. They just remodeled too!
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123 Pho
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Good food and quick service. They have make your own pho where you can choose your noodles and you toppings. The pork bun and the shaken beef are really good too, if you’re not coming in for the pho.
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Dinner

The races are done for the day and you’re not in a hurry to eat your meals. This are my recommendations for some good slow dinner.

La Traviata Italian Restaurant
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The lamb chops at this place is very good. They feature live bands in the weekends, which could be a little loud if you’re eating outside.
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Parkers' Lighthouse
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This place has a wide range of cuisine and they’re all really good food. If it’s warm enough to eat outside, they have the best dinner view of the Queen Mary. The cocktails are good too!
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Michael's Downtown
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Nice outdoor seating, with a fire pit for the cooler months. You have to get the prosciutto & candied pear appetizer. You won’t regret it, you might even want to add another when you finish the first one.
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555 East American Steakhouse
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This is prime destination if you’re craving for steak. As expected, it’s a little pricey, so the trick is to come in during happy hour and order the steak frites. You get get their amazing steak for less, plus 2 for one cocktails. Double win!
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Thai District
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The best Thai food in the area, and great service. The interiors are dimly lit and feels intimate. The Hawaiian curry is the perfec balance of sweet and spicy. Don’t forget to save tummy space for mango sticky rice!
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Sura Korean BBQ & Tofu House Restaurant - Long Beach
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If you’re craving for Korean barbecue and you don’t want the buffet style or eat-all-you-can meat, this is the place to go. They have limited parking in the back so be prepared to find some available street parking spots.
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Padre
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AMAZING tacos. They have outdoor seating in the garden which looks very pretty during the warmer months.
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Night Cap

Mezcalero
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This place is away from the busy Pine Street bars. It’s the rooftop bar above the Mexican restaurant Padre, which is a popular meeting place for locals on the weekends. Notice the stair railign design as you “head up” the bar.
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BO-beau kitchen + roof tap
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One of the hottest spots on Pine Avenue, this place serves dinner too but they are more popular for their roof top bar.
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SALTWATER DECK
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This place is right on Junipero Beach. You should head here is you prefer enjoying your drinks with a view of the beach. Try the empanadas!
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Dancing

Agaves Kitchen & Tequila
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Agave always has the loudest music on Pine, so you know everyone inside is having a blast.
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Sevilla Nightclub of Long Beach
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One of the most popular bars on Pine. They have salsa nights every other Thursday so if that’s your dancing preference, make sure you go.
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Cowboy Country
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Super fun place for drinks and dancing. Everyone comes here dressed up which is really fun, and they have line dancing and a free rides on the mechanical bull. They take credit cards at the bar but it’s cash only for the door charge (starts after 7pm) and food orders. It’s okay if you didn’t come prepared though because they have an ATM inside.
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Gaslamp Quarter
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Different music genre every day, good vibes, amazing lemon drop shot.
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The Bungalow Long Beach
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The bar for the younger crowd. College students and young professionals fill this place up.
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Hope you enjoy watching the race and exploring the neighborhood!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Angel McQuade
Hiii! I'm Angel and I am gonna help you plan your trips so you don't have to stress about everything. I've been to 46 countries in 6 continents, and most of them I explored DIY. I've done the research for every place I visit and actually living out the plan, I see what works and what can make the experience better. It's like a self-check of what the internet tells you to do vs what you can actually do when you're there, and I'm giving you first-hand tips from my personal experiences. I’m a Mariott and Hyatt member so if you are too, you’re in luck because all of my itineraries have these stay options. I've been planning trips for my family and friends for about 10 years now because creating itineraries is just fun for me. I even give them tips like which side to sit on the train to get a better view and they love details like that! I was born and raised in the Philippines and moved to Los Angeles in 2020 (yes, during the pandemic, I know I'm crazy) and I've been coming home every year since, so you'll be seeing a mix of tips, guides, and itineraries for the Philippines, LA, and the places I travel to. Hope you enjoy it!
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