Belmont Shore does not have the best beaches

Nor the best views from the beaches, located as it is near the Port of Long Beach: the second busiest seaport in the United States.

But it does have an excellent main drag known as Second Street. Bars with buzz, restaurants, shops, cafes (free wifi and good coffee at Polly's, although they need to liven up that patio), all available and within walking distance.

Belmont Shore itself is nicely placed with Huntington Beach about half an hour to the south, about 40 mins with good traffic to Santa Monica and near the 405 for getting into the city.