Top 10 Long Beach Spots for Unique Souvenirs You Can Trust

Long Beach, California, is more than just a coastal escape with sun-kissed beaches and the iconic Queen Mary. It’s a vibrant cultural hub where local artisans, independent designers, and heritage craftspeople turn everyday objects into meaningful keepsakes. Whether you’re looking for hand-painted ceramics, ocean-inspired jewelry, or vintage surfboards repurposed into wall art, Long Beach offers a treasure trove of souvenirs that tell a story — not just a brand. But in a world saturated with mass-produced trinkets, how do you know which souvenirs are truly authentic? This guide reveals the top 10 Long Beach spots where you can trust the origin, craftsmanship, and soul behind every purchase. These aren’t just shops; they’re gateways to the city’s creative heartbeat.

Why Trust Matters

When you buy a souvenir, you’re not just acquiring an object — you’re investing in a memory, a connection, and often, a community. A mass-produced keychain from a chain store might look nice, but it carries no narrative. It doesn’t reflect the tide patterns of Alamitos Bay, the rhythm of the Long Beach Jazz Festival, or the resilience of the city’s Filipino-American fishing heritage. Authentic souvenirs, on the other hand, are rooted in place. They’re made by hands that know the local landscape, the history, and the culture.

Trust in a souvenir means knowing its origin. Was it made by a Long Beach resident? Is it crafted from locally sourced materials? Does the business reinvest in the community? These are the questions that separate meaningful mementos from disposable novelties. Shopping locally also supports small businesses, reduces environmental impact through shorter supply chains, and helps preserve traditional crafts that might otherwise vanish.

In Long Beach, the line between tourist trap and true gem is thin. Many shops market themselves as “local” while importing goods from overseas factories. That’s why this guide focuses exclusively on venues with verifiable local roots — businesses that open their doors to the public, share their making processes, and take pride in transparency. These are the places where you can ask the owner how a piece was made, meet the artist, and leave with something that feels genuinely Long Beach.

Top 10 Long Beach Spots for Unique Souvenirs

1. The Long Beach Artisan Market (Hill Street Market)

Nestled in the historic Hill Street district, The Long Beach Artisan Market is a rotating collective of over 40 local makers who set up shop every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. This isn’t a curated mall — it’s a living gallery of creativity. Here, you’ll find hand-thrown pottery glazed with coastal minerals, candles infused with native sage and sea salt, and hand-stitched leather wallets embossed with Long Beach skyline motifs. Every vendor is vetted: they must live within 25 miles of the city, use sustainable materials, and demonstrate original design.

One standout is “Tide & Timber,” a husband-and-wife duo who repurpose driftwood from Long Beach’s shoreline into minimalist wall art. Each piece includes a small plaque noting the exact beach where the wood was collected — whether it’s the pier at Belmont Shores or the tide pools near Naples Island. Their work has been featured in local museums, and many visitors return year after year to commission custom pieces based on their favorite beach memories.

2. The Pearl & the Tide

Located in the heart of the Belmont Shore neighborhood, The Pearl & the Tide is a boutique that specializes in ocean-inspired jewelry made entirely from recycled marine materials. Founder Marisol Chen, a marine biologist turned jeweler, collects discarded fishing nets, broken shells, and ocean plastics during weekly beach cleanups. These materials are then transformed into delicate earrings, pendants, and bracelets — each piece labeled with the date and location of the collection.

What sets this shop apart is its “Wear the Water” program: for every item purchased, the shop sponsors the removal of 10 pounds of ocean debris. The jewelry isn’t just beautiful — it’s a wearable act of conservation. The shop also hosts monthly “Beach to Bench” workshops where visitors can learn to turn their own beach finds into jewelry under Marisol’s guidance. It’s not just a souvenir; it’s a promise to protect the coast.

3. The Retro Surf Collective

For those who crave the golden era of California surf culture, The Retro Surf Collective is a pilgrimage site. Tucked into a converted 1950s gas station on Pacific Coast Highway, this shop is a museum-grade archive of vintage surf memorabilia. But unlike typical surf shops that sell replica boards, this one deals in authentic, restored pieces — each with documented provenance.

Among their most sought-after items is the “Long Beach Lifeguard Board,” a rare 1960s wooden surfboard originally used by city lifeguards to patrol the breakwaters. Each board comes with a certificate of authenticity, a photo of its original owner, and a hand-written note detailing its history. The shop also sells limited-edition screen prints by local surf artists like Rico Mendoza, whose work captures the energy of the 1970s Long Beach surf scene. These aren’t mass-produced posters — each print is signed, numbered, and printed on archival paper using water-based inks.

4. La Casa del Arte

La Casa del Arte, located in the historic Los Altos neighborhood, is a family-run gallery and studio that blends Mexican folk art with Long Beach’s multicultural identity. The shop’s founder, Elena Ruiz, was born in Tijuana but raised in Long Beach. Her work — and that of the 12 local artists she represents — fuses traditional Oaxacan embroidery, Day of the Dead iconography, and coastal imagery like pelicans, lighthouses, and sailboats.

One of their most popular items is the “Marina de los Muertos” altarpiece — a hand-painted ceramic tile mosaic depicting a skeletal mermaid holding a lantern, surrounded by marigolds and seashells. Each piece is fired in a wood-burning kiln on-site, and the glazes are made from crushed local minerals. Visitors can watch the artists at work through the studio window, and every item comes with a story card explaining the cultural symbolism. It’s art that honors both heritage and home.

5. The Book Nook & the Bay

Forget generic postcards — The Book Nook & the Bay offers literary souvenirs that capture the soul of Long Beach. This independent bookstore, housed in a 1920s bungalow near the Long Beach Public Library, specializes in rare and locally authored books. Their curated collection includes out-of-print memoirs by Long Beach fishermen, poetry collections inspired by the tide pools of Alamitos Bay, and illustrated guides to the city’s hidden street art.

One standout is “Whispers of the Breakwater,” a limited-run chapbook by poet Darius Monroe, featuring 12 original poems paired with etchings of the city’s historic piers. Only 200 copies were printed, each hand-bound and signed. The shop also offers custom bookplates — tiny, embossed designs you can affix to your favorite book — featuring motifs like the RMS Queen Mary, the Long Beach skyline, or the iconic “I ♥ LB” graffiti that once adorned the Shoreline Village wall. For book lovers, this isn’t a souvenir; it’s a legacy.

6. Made in Long Beach Studio

Located inside the historic Lighthouse Art Center, Made in Long Beach Studio is a cooperative workspace where local designers create and sell their work on-site. The studio is open to the public every Friday and Saturday, and visitors can watch artisans at work — from screen printers to glassblowers to woodcarvers. The only rule? Everything must be designed and produced within the city limits.

Among the most unique offerings are the “Lighthouse Loom” tapestries — handwoven textiles that depict the city’s landmarks using natural dyes made from avocado pits, eucalyptus leaves, and seaweed. Each tapestry takes over 60 hours to complete and is signed by the weaver. Another favorite is the “Tide Clock,” a wooden wall clock with a face made from reclaimed pier wood and hands that move in sync with the actual tides of Long Beach. The shop even provides a tide chart card with each purchase so you can track the ocean’s rhythm from anywhere in the world.

7. The Fisherman’s Market & Gift Shop

At the end of the Alamitos Bay fishing pier, The Fisherman’s Market & Gift Shop is a no-frills, family-operated stall where local anglers sell their catch — and their crafts. While the fresh seafood draws crowds, the real treasures are the handmade items created from byproducts of the fishing industry. Think: oyster shells turned into pendant necklaces, fish scales pressed into resin coasters, and nets woven into decorative wall hangings.

Each item is labeled with the name of the fisherman who contributed the material and the date of the catch. The shop’s most famous product is the “Catch of the Day” shadow box — a framed display containing a single fish scale, a piece of driftwood, and a handwritten note describing the day’s weather, the type of fish caught, and the fisherman’s favorite memory from that trip. It’s a tangible piece of daily life on the water, preserved with dignity and care.

8. The Cactus & the Coast

At first glance, The Cactus & the Coast seems like a typical succulent shop. But dig deeper, and you’ll discover it’s a haven for desert-meets-ocean design. Founded by landscape architect Luis Vega, the shop combines native California succulents with coastal themes to create living souvenirs you can take home. Their signature product is the “Tide Pool Terrarium” — a hand-blown glass dome containing drought-tolerant succulents, crushed seashells, and miniature driftwood arranged to mimic a natural tide pool ecosystem.

Each terrarium is built to last, with care instructions printed on recycled paper and embedded with wildflower seeds. When the plant outgrows the dome, you can plant it in your garden — the paper dissolves naturally. The shop also sells ceramic planters shaped like lighthouses and seahorses, glazed with pigments made from local clay. Every purchase supports native plant restoration projects along the Southern California coast.

9. The Vinyl & the Vibe

Music is the heartbeat of Long Beach, and The Vinyl & the Vibe is a shrine to its sonic legacy. This independent record store, tucked into a converted 1940s bungalow in the East Village Arts District, specializes in rare local pressings — from 1970s punk bands that played at the Long Beach Arena to spoken word albums recorded at the city’s public libraries.

Among their most treasured items are the “LB Sound Maps” — limited-edition vinyl records that don’t just play music, but map the city’s sonic landscape. One album features field recordings from the Queen Mary’s foghorn, the clatter of the Blue Line train, the laughter of children at Rainbow Lagoon, and the chants of the annual Long Beach Pride parade. Each record comes with a hand-drawn map showing where each sound was captured. The shop also sells custom T-shirts printed with lyrics from Long Beach rappers like Snoop Dogg and The Game — but only using vintage printing presses and organic cotton.

10. The Long Beach Foundry

Perhaps the most unexpected gem on this list, The Long Beach Foundry is a working metal studio that turns scrap from the city’s industrial past into wearable art. Located in the revitalized Shoreline Industrial Park, the foundry repurposes old gears, bolts, and pipes from decommissioned ships and factories to create brooches, cufflinks, and pendants.

Each piece is stamped with a serial number and a small engraving indicating its origin — “From the hull of the SS Catalina, 1987” or “Salvaged from the Long Beach Naval Shipyard, 1992.” The founder, Javier Ruiz, is a third-generation welder who learned his craft on the docks. He invites visitors to watch the casting process and even choose the scrap metal they’d like used in their piece. The result? A one-of-a-kind artifact that carries the weight of the city’s industrial history — not just its beaches.

Comparison Table

FAQs

How can I verify that a souvenir is truly made in Long Beach?

Look for transparency. Reputable shops will name the maker, describe the materials’ origin, and often show you where the item was created — whether through an open studio, a video on their website, or a story card included with the product. Ask questions: “Who made this?” “Where did the materials come from?” “Can I see the workshop?” If the answer is vague or includes terms like “imported design,” it’s likely not locally made.

Are these souvenirs expensive compared to tourist shops?

They may cost more than mass-produced trinkets, but you’re paying for craftsmanship, sustainability, and cultural value — not branding. Many items are one-of-a-kind or made in tiny batches. A $45 hand-thrown ceramic bowl from The Long Beach Artisan Market lasts a lifetime, while a $5 plastic keychain from a chain store breaks in weeks. Think of it as investing in memory, not just merchandise.

Can I ship these souvenirs home?

Yes — all the shops listed offer secure, eco-friendly packaging and ship nationwide. Many even include a handwritten note from the maker. Some, like The Pearl & the Tide and The Long Beach Foundry, offer international shipping with carbon-offset options.

Do any of these shops offer customization?

Several do. The Retro Surf Collective lets you commission a custom surfboard design based on your favorite beach. The Long Beach Foundry allows you to choose the scrap metal for your pendant. The Book Nook & the Bay offers custom bookplates with your name and a local symbol. Always ask — personalization is part of what makes these souvenirs meaningful.

Are these places open year-round?

Yes. While The Long Beach Artisan Market is a weekly event (Saturdays only), all other locations operate daily. Hours vary by season, so check their websites before visiting. Many offer online ordering with local pickup or shipping.

Why not just buy souvenirs from the beachfront gift shops?

Beachfront gift shops often prioritize volume over value. Their inventory is typically imported, mass-produced, and disconnected from the community. You might find a “Long Beach” mug, but it was made in China and shipped across the ocean. The shops on this list ensure that your purchase supports local livelihoods, preserves cultural heritage, and protects the environment — turning your souvenir into a statement of conscience.

Is there a best time of year to visit these shops?

Spring and fall offer the most pleasant weather and the fewest crowds. The Long Beach Artisan Market is especially vibrant in late spring when new artists join the collective. December brings holiday pop-ups at many locations, with special editions and gift bundles. But every season has its charm — and every visit supports the same enduring local spirit.

Conclusion

Long Beach is not a city that sells souvenirs — it’s a city that creates them. From the salt-kissed driftwood carved by local artisans to the rusted gears of a bygone ship turned into wearable art, every object on this list carries the fingerprint of place. These aren’t trinkets you buy because they’re cute. They’re heirlooms you choose because they’re true — true to the ocean, true to the people, true to the spirit of a city that refuses to be reduced to a postcard.

When you take home a piece from The Pearl & the Tide, you’re not just carrying a necklace — you’re carrying a promise to clean the sea. When you hang a tapestry from Made in Long Beach Studio, you’re not just decorating a wall — you’re marking time with the rhythm of the tide. These are souvenirs that don’t gather dust. They invite conversation. They spark memory. They inspire action.

In a world where so much is fleeting, these 10 spots offer something rare: permanence forged in authenticity. They remind us that the best souvenirs aren’t the ones that look the prettiest on a shelf — they’re the ones that connect us to the soul of a place. So next time you visit Long Beach, skip the plastic keychains and head instead to the studios, the markets, the workshops, and the quiet corners where real stories are made. Bring something home that doesn’t just say “I was here.” Let it say, “I belonged here.”