If you enjoy trail running in California, Long Beach is a great spot to do it. There are several excellent running trails in Long Beach, as well as a ton of fantastic sights to make the landscape enjoyable. To help you decide which trails to visit, here are the best 10 running trails in Long Beach, CA.
Running Trails in Long Beach, CA
Running trails in Long Beach are stunning; however, no two running trails are the same. Each running trail has distinct characteristics like trail length, opening times, and difficulty level. This article will highlight things you need to know about running trails in Long Beach.
Waterfront Run
General description
The Waterfront Run is a beautiful multi-use path that connects Long Beach’s Belmont Shore area to the end of the breakwater across Island Grissom at the Long Beach Coastal Marina. The trail offers easy access to the Pacific Ocean and the city’s well-known Belmont Veterans Memorial Pier and runs beside a white sand beach for almost the entire course of its route.
There is plenty of space for trail users of all kinds on the 17-foot-wide paved trail, which has dedicated 6-foot-wide bicycle lanes and a 5-foot-wide walking lane. As you might expect, the vistas from the route are breathtaking. In addition to more classically gorgeous images of the delta of the San Gabriel River and the Palos Verdes in the distance, you can see cranes from the container port, oil islands, and ships docked in the outer harbor.
Level of difficulty
Easy
Length
7.5 miles
Number of steps
Average walk (3mph): 16,890
Average run (6mph): 12,540
Opening time
Open year-round
Getting there
Official website
https://www.visitlongbeach.com/neighborhoods/downtown-waterfront/
Elevation gain
47 m
Route type
One way
Map of the trail
Amenities
Easy to park
Benches along the way
Other activities/ features
Walking on the beach
Playing volleyball
Visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific
Opportunities for scenic views
The Lion lighthouse
Long Beach Marina (Los Angeles River meets the ocean there)
Nice views on the ocean and boats
Terrain/ Surface
Mostly paved
Weather Forecast
Long Beach Downtown and Marina
General description
This 5-mile trail in downtown Long Beach is lovely and features a lagoon, a couple of fantastic parks, and a circle around the harbor. If you’re staying close to the Convention Center or downtown, it’s a wonderful choice.
The Hyatt Hotel, next to the Convention Center, is a good starting point for exploring this Long Beach running trail. From there, explorers may complete a 0.8-mile circle around Rainbow Lagoon Park’s walkways. From this point, you can take the Convention Center Walkway, a multipurpose route, eastbound, over Ocean Boulevard, to Promenade Square. This pleasant route passes through a neighborhood with stores and eateries.
If you would like to continue your exploration, you may turn left onto one of the side streets downtown and travel 0.7 miles to Shoreline Dr. From there, you can choose between walking through Cesar Chavez Park or along the bike routes across the Los Angeles River.
Level of difficulty
Easy
Length
5.3 miles
Number of steps
Average walk (3mph): 11,936
Average run (6mph): 8,862
Opening time
Open year-round
Getting there
Official website
https://www.visitlongbeach.com/neighborhoods/downtown-waterfront/
Elevation gain
50 m
Route type
Loop
Map of the trail
Amenities
Easy to park
Other activities/ features
Walking
Exploring parks, the Aquarium of the Pacific, the Shark Lagoon and the Jellyfish Touch Tank
Opportunities for scenic views
The Lion lighthouse
Pleasant parks
Relaxing views on the lagoon and marina
Weather Forecast
Wrigley Greenbelt
General description
The Wrigley Greenbelt is a fantastic 2-mile running trail in Long Beach. It is typically considered an easy course. Although walking, cycling and horseback riding are famous on this path, I found that there are still moments of the day when it is pretty empty. The paved path and bike routes on this running trail makes it one of the best trails. The route is lovely to explore anytime and is open all year.
Level of difficulty
Easy
Length
2 miles
Number of steps
Average walk (3mph): 4,504
Average run (6mph): 3,344
Opening time
Please check the official website
Getting there
Official website
https://www.longbeach.gov/park/park-and-facilities/directory/wrigley-greenbelt/
Route type
Out and back
Map of the trail
Amenities
Horse path, walking and bicycle riding trails
Other activities/ features
Walking, cycling, horseriding
Opportunities for scenic views
Peaceful, with a bit of nature: Ice plants, trees, hawks, American white pelicans, rabbits…
Beautiful sunsets
Relaxing views on the riverbed
Weather Forecast
California State University
General description
The California State University running trail is a trail surface with beautiful views. This easy course has an elevation rise of around 0 feet. For those looking to get outside and explore Long Beach, this running trail will increase accessibility to the region.
The trail creates a lovely multi-terrain circle around campus by going along George Allen Field, Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Atherton St, Earl Warren Dr, Beach Dr and Deukmejian Way.
Level of difficulty
Easy
Length
1.9 mile
Number of steps
Average walk (3mph): 4,279
Average run (6mph): 3,177
Opening time
Open year-round
Getting there
Elevation gain
0 m
Route type
Loop
Map of the trail
Amenities
Several parking lots in the area
Other activities/ features
Walking, inline skating
Opportunities for scenic views
Opportunity to run along George Allen Field, which is home to Long Beach State Women’s Soccer
Weather Forecast
Signal Hill Trail
General description
Signal Hill is one of the best running trails in Long Beach for its great panoramic views of Catalina Island, Orange County and downtown LA.
It takes 42 minutes on average to accomplish what is typically considered an easy journey. Since jogging, walking, and hiking are popular activities here, you can run across other individuals while exploring. The route is lovely to explore anytime and is open all year. I particularly enjoyed the wonderful sunset. It is really worth running there in the evening!
Level of difficulty
Easy
Length
1.7 mile
Number of steps
Average walk (3mph): 3,828
Average run (6mph): 2,842
Estimated duration
42 min
Opening time
Open year-round
Getting there
Official website
https://www.cityofsignalhill.org/588/Walkways-and-Trails
Elevation gain
63 m
Route type
Loop
Map of the trail
Amenities
Kid and wheelchair friendly
Dogs allowed on leash
Parking lot
Benches and picnic tables
Other activities/ features
Walking, hiking, exploring
Opportunities for scenic views
Great panoramic views of Catalina Island, Orange County and downtown LA
Great place for sunset or sunrise
Terrain/ Surface
Paved and smooth sidewalk, 4 feet wide minimum
Some dirt around the upper part of the trail