Bluff Park

Ocean Views That Take Your Breath Away

A 25.8-acre strip of green space running along Ocean Boulevard from 20th Place to 36th Place, Bluff Park offers some of the most beautiful coastal views in Southern California. As the name suggests, the park sits right on top of a bluff, giving you panoramic sights of the Pacific Ocean - a perfect spot to unwind.

The well-kept grassy areas, swaying palm trees, and winding paths create a solid setting for relaxation. There's something genuinely enjoyable about watching sunrises and sunsets here, with the gentle sea breeze keeping things refreshingly cool no matter when you visit.

Get Moving or Just Chill

You'll spot all kinds of activities happening along the pathways - joggers getting their miles in, couples taking leisurely strolls, and locals walking their four-legged friends while soaking in those ocean views. If you're into unique hobbies, keep an eye out for people flying radio-controlled gliders - the natural updrafts from the bluff make this a prime spot for aerial enthusiasts.

On clear days, you can actually see Catalina Island sitting out there on the horizon. The vantage point also gives you a great view of Long Beach harbor with its commercial vessels and sailboats dotting the water. If you're lucky, you might catch kite surfers riding the waves below, adding splashes of color to the blue canvas. For a bit of culture with your nature, the Long Beach Museum of Art calls this park home, occupying the Elizabeth Milbank Anderson house - a Craftsman Bungalow-style residence and carriage house built in 1912 at 2300 East Ocean Blvd. The building is a worthwhile stop even if you have only a passing interest in art, as one of the better-preserved examples of the style along this stretch of the coast.

Looking north along the park from Orizaba Avenue

Photo: Roger Howard (CC0 1.0)

Beach Time and Amenities

Feel like getting closer to the water? Stairways scattered along the bluff lead down to the beach, where a paved path awaits for cycling, skating, or skateboarding adventures. The beach area is thoughtfully designed with separate paths - one for walkers and runners, another for wheels - so everyone can enjoy their beach time without collision concerns.

When nature calls, you'll find restrooms down by the beach. And if you're planning to stay a while, the grassy areas up top make ideal picnic spots with unbeatable ocean views as your backdrop. While the park isn't particularly wide, its impressive length gives you plenty of room to spread out. You can usually find street parking along Ocean Boulevard, but do keep an eye on traffic.

Palm trees line the pathway with blue railings along the bluff

Photo: Fred Miller (CC BY-SA 2.0)

A Dog Lover's Paradise

If you're a dog parent, you'll love this place. Bluff Park welcomes four-legged visitors with open arms, but you'll need to keep them leashed (Ocean Boulevard is right there, after all). If your pup needs some off-leash playtime, Rosie's Dog Beach is just a short distance away.

The open grassy areas provide plenty of space for gentle play with your furry friends amid gorgeous surroundings. It's no wonder so many locals make this their regular dog-walking route - where else can you get your steps in while enjoying million-dollar views?

A view through mature trees frames the ocean pathway

Photo: Fred Miller (CC BY-SA 2.0)

A Piece of Long Beach History

History buffs will appreciate the Lone Sailor statue installed in 2004, a tribute to Long Beach's rich naval heritage. The park offers one of the best spots in town for watching maritime activity in the harbor, and if you're around for the Fourth of July fireworks, you're in for a spectacular show over the water.

As you stroll through the park, take note of the impressive historic homes lining its borders - many date back to the early 1900s and the variety on display is remarkable. The Bluff Park Historic District, designated in 1982, encompasses styles ranging from Greene and Greene and American Craftsman to Spanish Revival, Prairie, Tudor, and Mediterranean, making a walk along the perimeter an impromptu survey of the era's most popular residential architecture. Also worth a look is the Long Beach Monastery at 3361 E. Ocean Blvd., a building originally constructed as a Roman Catholic convent that now operates as a Mahayana Buddhist monastery affiliated with the Ch'an/Zen Dharma Realm Buddhist Association - an unusual layering of religious history that makes it one of the more quietly fascinating structures in the neighborhood.