Long Beach is located in southern California, on the Pacific coast. It is situated in Los Angeles County, about 20 miles (30 km) south of downtown Los Angeles. In addition, Long Beach is the largest city nationwide that is not a county seat. Early development of the harbor established its role as a strong player in international trade and a port of call for ships from throughout the world. The Port of Long Beach is one of the world's largest shipping ports. Manufacturers include aircraft, automobile parts, electronic and audiovisual equipment, and home furnishings. It is also home to headquarters for corporations such as Epson America, Molina Healthcare, and Scan Health Plan. Long Beach has grown with the development of high‐technology and aerospace industries in the area, although it was hard hit 10 years ago from a number of factors—the Boeing downsizing, the closure of both the Naval Station and Naval Shipyard, and the state’s fiscal crisis. Long Beach unemployment in December ‐ the last period for which local figures are available ‐ stood at 10.6%, with roughly 25,000 of the city's 240,000 workers out of a job.

Long Beach is beginning to thrive through its revitalized downtown with restaurants, retail, and new housing. Its expanded Convention Center, world‐class Long Beach Aquarium of the Pacific, and two respected art museums make Long Beach a destination point for visitors to Southern California from throughout the world.