Where to Propose in Long Beach

If you live in Long Beach and you’re planning to propose, you don’t have to travel far to find the perfect place to get down on one knee. With the beach, several top-notch botanical gardens, and even a few glamorous rooftop bars nearby, Long Beach offers a wealth of locations. But which location fits your proposal style? In today’s blog post I’ll break down the pros and cons of each spot and give you all the details so you know exactly where to propose in Long Beach. From photo permits to parking, I’ve got you covered so get that ring ready for the ultimate Long Beach proposal guide.

Best Gardens in Long Beach for a Proposal

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is by far the most beautiful garden in Long Beach. This tiny oasis is centered around a singular pond filled with hungry koi fish. When I say the garden is small – I mean it. You will only need 30 minutes to view every inch of the garden. That said, you can take a good photo from just about any angle in the garden so the attractiveness per square inch is high here.

If you are simply going to propose in the garden, you should know that it is free to visit, but you will need to make a reservation in advance. Park in lot G4, and you can buy a parking pass for as little as 30 minutes.

For my money, I would propose on either the curved bridge or the main wooden platform. Both are popular spots in the garden for visitors. Your best photos will need to be taken fairly close to the bridge or platform so as to avoid the slotted railing.

Photo Permit Details

If you would like to have a professional photographer for your session, a photo permit costs $400 Monday through Thursday, and $600 Friday through Sunday, with additional time costing $200 per hour. This permit does grant you private access to the garden for two hours which, given the small size of the garden, could be worth the huge fee. The fee also includes two complimentary parking passes. Also included is ‘access to approved photography locations throughout the Garden, including select areas not normally available for casual photography,’ though the website never lists what hidden areas are available. Photo permits must be reserved 30 days in advance.

Crowds

If you are planning to propose without a permit, I will warn you in advance about the size of the crowds. I visited the garden on a Thursday morning at 10am when the garden opened, and it was quite busy, mainly with parents with children. Since the garden is so small, this means that it is nearly impossible to have a moment of privacy. I imagine that the garden would be quite busy on the weekends as well, so as always, I recommend visiting the garden ahead of your proposal to make sure that you are comfortable with your surroundings.

Rancho Los Cerritos

Quietly tucked away behind the Virginia Country Club lies Rancho Los Cerritos. This historical ranch has a number of intimate courtyards, winding footpaths, and a number of gardens to choose from for your proposal. It’s the perfect place for a wedding as well. During my visit on a Thursday afternoon, I pretty much had the place all to myself. Compare this to the crowds I encountered earlier that morning at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden.

By far the best place to propose is at the base of the garden’s behemoth Moreton Bay Fig tree. This tree arrived in 1880 from Australia. If the tree doesn’t suit your style, then wander over to the front of the house where you can bend down in front of the lovely lily pond.

A photo permit for professional photography at Rancho Los Cerritos only costs $150 per hour. Extra time can be granted while on site, and a RLC Staff Liaison must accompany your party at all times.

Rancho Los Alamitos

While Rancho Los Cerritos has its quiet little courtyards, in contrast, Rancho Los Alamitos has bountiful botanical gardens on a far grander scale. With a desert garden rivaling that of the Huntington, Rancho Los Alamitos is the undiscovered gem that you need to visit in Long Beach.

Romance is definitely turned up to the max over at Rancho Los Alamitos. In my opinion, you have four fantastic options for proposal locations: 1) the cozy little rose garden and crepe myrtle walkway, 2) to the fern-laden creek walkway of the Native Garden, 3) the walled Friendly Garden, or 4) for you animal lovers, a barnyard proposal next to the cute little animals. The point is you could get down on one knee over and over again at Rancho Los Alamitos.

The cost of a photo permit at Rancho Los Alamitos is – amazingly! – free. You must, however, make a reservation through the website. The catch with taking photos at Rancho Los Alamitos is its hours of operations: the venue is only open Wednesday through Sunday, 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. with last admission for photography at 4:00 p.m.

There are a strict set of guidelines that you must adhere to when taking photos at Rancho Los Alamitos in order to preserve this historical space and to help protect the livestock. No photography is allowed inside the Ranch House, including on the porch or patio. You cannot climb, lean, or sit on any historic walls, fences, trees, or roots. Furthermore, confetti, glitter, balloons, streamers, or clothing, accessories, or props that shed glitter, sequins, feathers, or other materials that may litter, contribute to microplastic pollution, or pose a risk to the site’s historic resources, livestock, wildlife, or gardens are not permitted.

Long Beach Proposal Locations with the Best Views

Fairmont Breakers Long Beach Hotel, Halo Rooftop Bar

The Fairmont Breakers Long Beach Hotel has two bars both fit for a fabulous proposal. The Sky Bar feels old Hollywood and it exudes elegance. But one floor above is Halo Rooftop Bar, and this bar is a world away. It’s as if you’ve been lifted up into the land of the gods. And God help you if you’re afraid of heights. The drinks are excellent – I can vouch for the mocktails – and the mood is just cool. The best time to be here, is of course, at sunset.

The bar is tiny, so don’t expect to have the place to yourself. You can make a reservation and propose privately in a corner inside the bar.

Hilltop Park

Hilltop Park is a sweet little residential park with a breathtaking view over Long Beach. If you live in the Signal Hill area, then you know. It’s a great place to swing by for proposal right after a nice dinner out in Long Beach. Plus, it’s got the cool oil pump right next-door. There isn’t much in the way of photo opportunities nearby unless you would like to take photos at Discovery Well Park or West Bay View Trail. But, you can’t beat Hilltop Park for the view.

The view is exceptional either day or night. What is not exceptional, however, is the parking situation. Small park equals small parking lot. And on the weekends in the summer especially, you can expect a huge crowd lined up trying to squeeze in to see the sunset. Be smart and schedule your proposal for a weekday.

The Most Unique Long Beach Proposal Locations

The Queen Mary

The Queen Mary is the visual epicenter of Long Beach. This gorgeous ocean liner that now serves as a hotel, restaurant, and all-around tourist attraction. From classic films shown on the upper deck, to paranormal ghost tours, you can experience the ship in a lot of new and unexpected ways. Case in point, I recently came on board to watch Jaws , and took these fantastic photos of Long Beach at sunset.

For your unique Long Beach proposal on the Queen Mary, you have a few location options. Staying on the ship gives you the opportunity to get down on one knee in your own private room. If you would like to dine on the Queen Mary I recommend Chelsea Chowder House and Bar since Sir Winston’s is closed for renovations. Afterwards, take a stroll along the deck and break out the ring with a view of Long Beach in the background.

If you are looking to have a professional photographer capture your special moment (and I’ll be going into much more detail about what it takes to take photos onboard the ship in a later blog post), then you should know that a photo permit costs $1,000 for two hours of access. This includes a personal escort to assist with crowd control and complimentary parking for you and your photographer. A certificate of insurance is required for the photographer and there are limited dates and times available September through November due to the Dark Harbor Halloween haunting exhibit.

The Gondola Getaway

If you are looking to bring a little bit of Venice, Italy over to Long Beach, then look no farther than the Gondola Getaway. These gondola cruises will take you on a romantic, 50-minute boat ride through the waters of Naples Island in Long Beach for your proposal. While you may not exactly feel transported to the shores of Naples, Italy, it is a fun experience. Plus, the cost of only $149.80 for two people certainly beats today’s airline costs. This price includes 1) an authentically dressed, professional gondolier, 2) ice buckets and cups (though you do have to supply your own beverages), and 3) cozy blankets. Tips are not included, but the gondoliers do helpfully provide corkscrews.

Additional services can also include a message in a bottle, a long stem rose, or appetizers. Personally, I say go for the ‘locally world famous’ gondola cannoli over the rose petals.

AquaLink

Proposing on the AquaLink is akin to getting down on one knee on the Staten Island Ferry. While you will no doubt be surrounded by tourists and commuters, it will definitely be a fun experience. You’ll have the wind whipping around you as you dash along the water from Alamitos Bay Landing to downtown Long Beach’s Rainbow Harbor. So, whatever you do, hold on to the ring and perhaps do the actual proposing either at the dock or inside the boat.

Remember, the AquaLink only runs until Labor Day. Sadly, the owners of the company claim that no one would ride it during the winter. If you do happen to catch the AquaLink during its season – mid May through Labor Day – then you should know that the cost of a ride is $5 per person each way. Off season, the AquaLink provides special service for the F&M Bank Amphitheater on event days, so if you happen to be proposing on such a day you may be in luck.

Best Restaurants to Propose in Long Beach

Parkers’ Lighthouse

There are lots of good restaurants in Long Beach. For a proposal, however, you will want a place with something a bit extra. My vote is Parkers’ Lighthouse, located on the waterfront in Shoreline Village. The upstairs bar has an epic view over the water, and it is especially beautiful at sunset. The restaurant also has private rooms available if you are looking for a discreet dinner.

Gladstone’s Long Beach

The restaurants at The Pike offer your choice of cuisine with an excellent view over the water. If you are looking for a spot that is a little less fancy than Parkers’ Lighthouse, my vote is for Gladstone’s with their lobster deviled eggs. You have a view of the waterfront and you are located right in the heart of the action in the middle of the Pike. This place can get loud, so aim for a weekday evening.

Best Places to Propose in Long Beach by the Waterfront

Bluff Park

Bluff Park is classic Long Beach: miles of sandy beach, the Pacific Ocean before you, and the Long Beach Container Terminal in the distance. The paved pathway along the park offers ample time for you to express your love before popping the question either there at the park or down by the water. Either way, it’s a classic Long Beach moment.

Lions Lighthouse

Lions Lighthouse is located at the very tip of Shoreline Aquatic Park. This is the perfect destination after a nice dinner in the surrounding area. While you cannot actually climb to the top of the lighthouse, the outlook from the base of the building offers a fantastic view of the harbor.

The only issue is that you cannot control the crowd. During my visit, there were a few couples, and then a motorcycle gang arrived. Yeah, that’s Long Beach. It’s definitely not private, so you have to pick your moment carefully. Still, you get a nice ocean breeze even if it does come with the intense smell from the petroleum refineries nearby.

Seal Beach Municipal Pier

Seal Beach Municipal Pier reminds me a little bit of Coney Island, so I look on this place fondly. And no, Seal Beach is not technically in Long Beach, but it is right next door.

This is a long pier, so if you’ve got a lot to say before you get down on one knee, then you will have plenty of time. Seal Beach Municipal Pier is quite popular in the summer, and parking is at a premium. The pier is open from 6am to 10pm.

Least Crowded Proposal Location in Long Beach

Rainbow Lagoon Park

Rainbow Lagoon Park is Long Beach’s answer to Echo Park – that is, if Echo Park had a major highway running alongside it. If swan boats are your thing (and who doesn’t love the cheesiness of them) then this is where you go to propose. The lagoon is lovely and there’s a cute little bridge. At the center of it all, people aimlessly float around the lake as traffic drives by at a rapid pace. The road noise keeps it from being all that tranquil, but if you concentrate on the lake, then you can forget about life for a while.

Note: According to the website, the swan boat rentals are currently on hiatus through February 12, 2027 due to lagoon maintenance and construction. That said, the lagoon is still lovely and there are plenty of benches surrounding the lake where you can propose.

Where to Propose in San Pedro

If you live in Long Beach, then you have the added advantage of San Pedro being your next-door neighbor. With San Pedro being so close, you have to consider these options as well.

The Korean Bell of Friendship

The San Pedro proposal spots are all centrally located. You can pick one point for your proposal, and then select any one of these other options for your engagement photo shoot afterwards. Let’s start with the big one, the Korean Bell of Friendship. This impressive structure sits high on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Whether you’re into Asian architecture or not, the view from the top is extraordinary and worth the trip.

This spot is quite open and popular with tourists, so time your proposal accordingly. I would choose an early morning during the week to avoid crowds.

Point Fermin Lighthouse

At the bottom of the hill below the Korean Friendship Bell, you will find the Point Fermin Lighthouse. You can propose either directly in front of the lighthouse, which is a precious little home that is beautifully landscaped, or move to the side in front of a gigantic fig tree with a view over the water. Either way you’ll have waterfront ambience.

Point Fermin Park is quite a nice location for photos afterwards, though of course you technically need to get a permit through FilmLA. There is a public restroom, which makes things easier for outfit changes. Weekends are the most popular time for this park, and this is also when vendors set up booths along the pathways. As such, avoid Saturdays and Sundays at all costs.

Please note there is now a huge fence blocking off the official Pacific Overlook, and you will not be able to get any closer than the large fence at the end of Paseo del Mar.

Corner of Bluffs Place and Pacific Avenue

If you want a monumental stage on which to propose, you might go to the corner of Bluffs Place and Pacific Avenue deep in the heart of residential San Pedro. In my book, there are better views of the ocean, but this is a wide-open place if you are planning a presentation for your proposal. You can view the jetty to the left and the ocean down below you, but that’s about it. Not many people know about this place besides the locals, so you are likely to have it all to yourself. Note that parking is very limited.

Cabrillo Beach – Fishing Area or Jetty

Cabrillo Beach is a postage stamp-sized beach that is popular with residents. You are not going to get much privacy for your proposal unless you are here at night. However, you could go off to either side – either where the fisherman head or towards the jetty – for more privacy. In either case, you’ll have the sound of the ocean roaring in your ears as you ask your beloved to marry you.

Final Thoughts

There are venues in Long Beach that can transport you – both figuratively and literally – to entirely new destinations. Whether you are in the mood for the stylized landscaping of the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden or the romantic boat ride to Venice along the Gondola Getaway, Long Beach has it all. That’s why you never need to leave the city limits for your proposal (except maybe to hop over to San Pedro since it is so close).

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