Compton Creek Regional Garden Park is one of many naturally picturesque places in Long Beach that provides solace from the everyday hustle and bustle. The park has many excellent amenities, but one of the most popular is the winding walking trail that stretches out for approximately 2.5 miles. The recreation trail is marked and well maintained and promises a great aerobic workout any time of day.
There is a keen sense of adventure that you will feel the minute you step into the Long Beach Antique Mall. This is an impressive group of merchants and vendors who specialize in all things vintage. The selection of furniture, jewelry, clothing and accessories, glassware, pottery and other types of art is truly staggering. There's something to appeal to every interest, including books, magazines, juke boxes, vintage audio equipment, and every type of collectable you can think of!
Every August, the sounds of America's music – jazz – fills the Long Beach air. Fans of this historic musical genre gather at Rainbow Lagoon Park to hear some of the top artists on the scene performing during the Long Beach Jazz Festival. This popular three day event is staged on a beautiful grassy knoll in the park that makes for an experience that is as visually stunning as it is aurally pleasing. The festival also features a great selection of food, arts and crafts, as well as the wares of various vendors.
Art is born out of both inspiration and reflection. A specific geographic area can inspire the creation of some truly amazing art as well as reflect the attitudes and feelings of a particular point in time. Nowhere is that more obvious than at Long Beach's Museum of Latin American Art. These works seem to come alive with both a dimensionality and a spiciness that gives them a personality all their own. The facility was founded in 1996 and holds the distinction of being the only museum of its kind in the United States.