Victory Park

Historic Origins

What we now know as Victory Park started its journey back in 1889 as Bluff Park No. 1, before getting its current name in 1919 to honor the veterans of World War I. The park wasn't just a simple land donation - it actually emerged from a legal tussle that ended with the Long Beach Land and Water Company deeding the land to the City as part of a settlement.

The compromise was pretty straightforward: the top of the bluff became a public park (that's our Victory Park), while the company kept the bluff face and the strip between the bluff and high tide line.

Location and Layout

Victory Park stretches along Ocean Boulevard's south side in Long Beach, California. It runs from Queens Way to Collins Way and from Hart Place to Shoreline Drive - though it skips the section in front of the Performing Arts Center Plaza at 300 East Ocean Boulevard.

The park keeps things simple with mostly lawn areas and scattered trees, deliberately designed to preserve those gorgeous ocean views we all love. Rather than being developed all at once, the park came together piece by piece, block by block, over many years.

Features and Amenities

Let's be honest - the star attraction at Victory Park is the stunning panoramic view of the Pacific Ocean. The park provides a green space between Ocean Boulevard and the shoreline, with several benches where you can sit and enjoy the coastal scenery.

During the holidays, the park gets dressed up with festive lights, and there's a fountain that adds a touch of elegance to the space. It's clean, well-maintained, and offers a peaceful escape from the downtown hustle.

If you're navigating around the convention center area, you'll appreciate the sidewalk paths that let you avoid walking on the street. It's also become something of a lunchtime sanctuary for downtown workers looking to enjoy some sunshine with their sandwiches.

Community Use

Victory Park is both pleasant and an active part of the Long Beach community. During the year, you'll find various events happening here, from rallies to marches, where civic engagement takes place.

On any given day, you might spot local workers taking a break, residents walking their dogs, or people simply enjoying a moment of calm. Its location near the library and courthouse makes it a natural gathering spot for all kinds of visitors.

Development and Preservation

In 1980, the City Council and California Coastal Commission put their stamp of approval on the Local Coastal Program (LCP), which aimed to reunify Victory Park throughout downtown Long Beach.

The LCP has some specific requirements: new developments and apartment-to-condo conversions along Ocean Boulevard must rebuild Victory Park according to design guidelines and add enough depth to create a minimum park width of 80 feet from the Ocean Boulevard curb. These measures help maintain this historic green space for future generations.