Get to know Second Street
Belmont Shore’s dining and shopping district runs 14 blocks along East Second Street. Restaurants, cafés, boutiques and everyday neighborhood businesses share the street, so there’s plenty to explore beyond a single reservation. Explore Belmont Shore with Visit Long Beach.
The appeal is the variety: a proper sit-down meal, a quick bakery stop, something new for your vacation wardrobe or a gift that feels like Long Beach. Pick a few places you want to visit, then leave room for discoveries. It’s an easy outing for a date, a day with friends or a lunch everyone can agree on.
Plan your visit
- Location
- East Second Street in Belmont Shore, Long Beach, CA 90803
- Opening hours
- Each restaurant and shop sets its own; see the examples below
- Time to allow
- Two to four hours for a meal and browsing (our suggestion); plan parking to match
- Arriving
- Navigate to your first stop or a public parking lot
- Shopping and dinner
- Browse before the shops close, then settle in for your meal
Shop and restaurant hours
Examples to plan around, not hours for the whole district. Pacific Time; check each business for holiday changes.
Where to eat on Second Street
Choose your meal around the day you want: a quick bite, a long lunch with conversation, or dinner once the shopping bags are full. A few to start with:
Saint & Second
Make a sit-down meal the centerpiece. Weekend brunch runs 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., so eat before browsing or take a late brunch break. Menus and reservations.
Open Sesame
Lebanese cooking, with hummus, falafel and chicken tawook among the dishes it highlights. Mix shared starters with mains. Explore Open Sesame.
Sweet Jill’s
Save room for a bakery stop: big muffins, breakfast pastries, cookies and other treats, for a pause between shops or for later. In the Long Beach bakery guide.
For more, browse the Belmont Shore dining directory.
Where to shop in Belmont Shore
Blue Windows
At 5276 E. Second Street, Blue Windows carries clothing, jewelry (some by local artisans), stationery and things for the kitchen and home. A good stop when the list is open-ended: a gift for someone at home, something to wear on vacation, a small piece for the house. Browse Blue Windows.
LB Swag
At 5304 E. Second Street, LB Swag has Long Beach-themed apparel alongside goods from local makers. For a souvenir with a real connection to the city, put it on the list. Explore LB Swag.
A starting point, not the whole street: the Belmont Shore shopping directory has more, and hours vary by shop.
A relaxed eat-and-shop afternoon
- Choose one meal to anchor the day. Weekend brunch, a Lebanese lunch or an evening reservation gives the outing a starting point without filling every hour.
- Browse with time to spare. Visit your must-see shops first, then follow whatever windows catch your eye. Arriving later? Keep closing times in mind.
- Finish with something small. A bakery treat or a gift, then back to your vacation home with the evening still ahead.
For a date night, shop in the afternoon and make dinner the finale. With family, keep the list short and leave room for a snack break. You don’t need to cover all 14 blocks to enjoy it.
Parking on Second Street
Metered spaces line Second Street and the side streets, and there are public lots behind the businesses. The Belmont Shore Business Association lists meters at $3 an hour, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily except holidays, with a three-hour maximum, so pick parking that fits a longer visit. Follow the signs at your space for limits and restrictions. Parking information and lot map.
Second Street questions
What is Second Street in Long Beach known for?
The Belmont Shore stretch is a neighborhood dining and shopping district, 14 blocks of restaurants, cafés, boutiques and other businesses, made for an outing built around eating and browsing. Belmont Shore overview.
What time do the shops open?
It varies by business. Blue Windows and LB Swag both list an 11 a.m. opening. Check the stores you want to visit, especially around holidays.
Is Second Street the same as 2ND & PCH?
No. This guide covers the Belmont Shore district along East Second Street; 2ND & PCH is a separate shopping center at 6480 East Pacific Coast Highway. Double-check your map destination. 2ND & PCH visitor information.
Can you shop and have dinner in one visit?
Yes: shop first, then dinner, since many shops close earlier than the restaurants. Reserve if your dinner time matters.
Is Second Street pedestrian-only?
No, it’s a working street with traffic. Explore on the sidewalks and use the marked crossings between sides.
Do you need restaurant reservations?
It depends on the restaurant and your plans. Check booking or waitlist options directly, especially for a larger group or a set time.
