Just looking at this photo makes you think, "Wow, this is what American beaches used to be like."

Colorful umbrellas, people lounging on the white sand, families swimming in the ocean... The atmosphere is quite different from today's Long Beach.

Like in this photo, Long Beach in the 1960s was one of the top summer destinations for people in Southern California.

These days, when you think of Long Beach, the image of a "port city" comes to mind first. However, in the past, it was much more strongly associated with beach activities and relaxation.

Families would take the streetcar or drive down from LA on weekends, packing lunches to enjoy at the beach. Back when international travel wasn't as common, spending a day at Long Beach was the ultimate vacation.

If you look closely at the photo, you can see that there are hardly any high-rise condos or hotels. Instead, there are low buildings and wide stretches of sand, with people densely packed on the beach. At that time, the U.S. was experiencing significant post-war economic growth, and the rise of car ownership naturally led to a culture of family picnics. Long Beach was a quintessential beach city symbolizing that era.

Another famous spot was the Pike. Although it has changed a lot now, back then it was one of the best beach amusement parks in Southern California, featuring rides, entertainment facilities, restaurants, and performance venues. In the summer, it was common to see young couples on dates, children riding the carousel, and families enjoying the ocean breeze.

However, starting in the 1970s, the atmosphere began to change gradually. As the port expanded and the container logistics industry grew, Long Beach developed into a global trade port. At the same time, coastal development and urban renewal began to fade the image of a beach-centered tourist city. Now, the cruise terminal, port logistics, aquarium, and convention center are more familiar sights.

For Korean Americans, Long Beach holds a special significance. In the 1970s and 80s, many Koreans primarily lived in LA's Koreatown or the South Bay area, and Long Beach was seen as a place to escape to on weekends. Many people have memories of packing lunches and heading to the beach with their kids. Over time, as the Korean community grew in nearby areas like Torrance, Cerritos, and Lakewood, Korean families began to settle in Long Beach as well.

Today, Long Beach has become a modern city with a well-established international trade port, universities, and medical facilities, but old photos reveal that it was once a truly relaxed and leisurely beach resort. That's why old-timers often say, "Long Beach was much more romantic back in the day."

The people in the photo were likely just enjoying an ordinary weekend, but to us now, it looks like a snapshot of a bygone era in America. Long Beach is not just a city with rising property values or a major port; it is a city where the memories and vacation culture of Southern Californians have been built up over time, which is quite charming.