It goes by many names- Alamitos Bay, The Bay, and the rarely-used Horny Corner, but all Long Beach residents agree on one thing- The Bay is the place to swim in Long Beach. With a long waveless beach, free parking, and easy access, you’ll find The Bay swarming with locals nearly every day during the week during the season. Read on to find out why it’s such a hit!
I wasn’t born here in Long Beach. So though I’ve lived here since 2003, when locals said they were heading to The Bay, I had no idea what that meant.
It wasn’t until a friend told me exactly where to go and where to park that we first visited the bay as a family. And it quickly became my kids’ favorite place to swim.
With calm, beautiful water, lots of boats to look at, and plenty of friends to bump into, the Bay is a go to destination for many Long Beach families.
So why does everyone love Alamitos Bay so much? Read on to find out all about planning your visit, and why why so many locals would call it the best beach in Long Beach.
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First Up…Why Do They Call It Horny Corner?
There are many rumors as to why this part of Long Beach is referred to as Long Beach. It is believed that the nickname was originally Hornay Corner, after Belmont Shores developer Thomas Hornay.
Then teenagers got hold of the nickname and, because it was a frequent hang out spot for teens and college aged kids, it got changed to Horny Corner.
And you know a name like that is going to stick.
Where is Horny Corner/Alamitos Bay Located?
Alamitos Beach is a beautiful stretch of beach located at the intersection of Bayshore Drive and Ocean Blvd.
If you need an address to map to, I typically use the Bayshore Lifeguard Station Address: 5415 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803
Where to park at The Bay
Parking is either really tricky at Bayshore Beach or really easy, depending on the day and time you go.
Free street parking is most people’s preference (check for street sweeping signs!) You can park in the neighborhoods between Ocean and Second street for free most days. In the summer, Bayshore Drive is closed off, which complicates navigating the area but keeps the place safer.
There is also some free parking along Ocean Blvd, either on the bay or ocean sides.
I typically try to park at the Bayshore Lifeguard Station lot if there’s a space available, as it’s SO easy. If all else fails, there is a paid city lot on the ocean side of Ocean Blvd, where you can pay to park your car without much hassle.
Do you pay to park at Bayshore?
There are several free parking options, but we recommend that you bring money for the metered parking lot, no matter where you plan to park. The free parking is unpredictable, and you don’t want to get stuck with no parking options.
How far do you have to walk to the water?
This is largely dependant on where you park, but no matter which option you go with, the beach is pretty short. You won’t be trekking far across the sand to get to the water.
Is Horny Corner good for kids?
Honestly, I’d say Horny Corner in Long Beach is GREAT for kids. There are no waves, making it a perfect place to splash and play with less risk.
It’s also got lots of that GOOD sand, perfect for building sandcastles or elaborate digging.
There is a small float for jumping off of, complete with water cannons.
But perhaps the best part about the bay are the inflatables located in the center of the marina. Kids must be able to swim out to the floats on their own (floating aids are okay!) and climb on to the inflatables to play.
After that they can jump, climb, and swim in the water playground as long as their turn lasts. Lifeguards take kids out and back in groups, as there is often a long line to use the inflatables.
Related Post: Best Beach Snacks for Kids
Are there bathrooms at Alamitos Beach?
Yep! They are about as clean as any Long Beach park (so they’re just okay).
However, at least the bathrooms are easy to get to from the playground, beach, or even the Sailing Center.
Is Alamitos Bay Clean?
Generally speaking, Alamitos Bay is pretty clean, with an average B+/A water quality rating.
The water in the bay is not stagnant, so water doesn’t sit around getting icky.
Water quality does change day to day. You should always check the water quality before you go at the City of Long Beach site. Note that it’s never a great idea to go to a Southern California beach after a big rainstorm, as the water quality declines signficantly.
Is The Bay Safe?
Lifeguards
Lifeguards are present during peak seasons and hours. They generally turn up around 10 on the weekends and summer weekdays.
Lifeguards here are spread thin between the pier and the long stretch of beach, so you shouldn’t rely on them solely.
Is it on a busy street?
The whole area surrounding The Bay can be pretty busy. There is lots of car traffic, so you should be careful to only use designated crosswalks.
Bayshore Drive is generally closed during the summer to reduce the proximity to a busy street. Once you’re on the beach, it’s very safe from road traffic.
Is there wildlife at the bay?
With so many people, there isn’t much wildlife at the Bay.
You may see teeny tiny little fish up at the shoreline, which your kids are probably going to want to try to catch.
Are boats allowed in Alamitos Bay?
Bayshore Beach has a designated swimming area, marked by buoys, to keep swimmers safe.
There is a water equipment rental place, so you will see Kayaks and Stand Up Paddleboards moving through the bay to open water.
There are also lots of sail boats and other ships visible from the beach, making for good (and safe!) boat watching.
Is Horny Corner Crowded?
The Bay is almost always hopping. Even on a weekday morning, the beach will still be dotted with families.
On the weekend, the bay does get kind of crazy. Parking is going to be hard, even if you get there on the early side. And people often stay for hours on end, so it will stay crowded for quite a while.
What should you bring with you?
Here is what we think you should bring to this particular beach.
- Towels
- A picnic or beach blanket
- Floaties for non-swimmers
- Sunscreen
- Water bottles
- Snacks
- Goggles
- Sand toys
- A water bottle to remove sand after
- An umbrella or tent if you’re staying more than a couple hours
- Bluetooth speaker for music
- A folding wagon to haul your stuff (especially on the weekend, when you’ll likely park far away)
What do we love about The Bay?
Everyone loves Alamitos Bay, so there’s a lot to mention here. If you asked me to pick my favorite parts though, here are my favorite features.
The Waveless Beach
No kid is totally safe in the water, but the water here is calm and clear. It’s relatively easy to keep track of your kids, even in the water.
It’s a pretty safe place for kids to swim, splash, and play, without worrying about a rogue wave taking them down.
All the People!
We almost always run into someone we know at the bay, so there’s always someone to play with.
Even if we don’t see someone we know, people are generally friendly and stay for a long time. Kids can make new friends and entertain each other for a long time.
The Inflatables
Older kids seem to LOVE the inflatables. My kids are still too timid to try it, but it’s a definite highlight.
It definitely extends the longevity of your beach day, especially if you have older kids (probably 8-14).
The Playground
Bayshore Playground is located just a short walk from the beach, so you can pop over to let your kids play on the structure at some point during the day.
It can also be a good way to lure them away from the beach when it’s time to go.
If you’re looking for a fun, family friendly beach in Long Beach, we think you’ll find everything you’re looking for at Horny Corner (aka Bayshore Beach, aka Alamitos Marian, aka The Bay).
Give it a try (and then come to the comments and tell us your favorite place to park there!)