Walking Groups Long Beach: Start One Near Home

Neighbors on 2nd Street in Belmont Shore began a weekly walking group last month that now draws 12 participants each Wednesday morning at 7 a.m.

Interest in these groups has grown as more Long Beach households seek free outdoor activities that fit around work and family schedules. The city’s wellness scene already supports several established routes, yet many blocks still lack organized meetups that start within a five-minute walk of home.

Two local anchors make it simple to pick a starting point. Recreation Park on 7th Street offers flat paths and restrooms, while the shoreline trail at Shoreline Village provides shaded benches and water fountains. Organizers from the Long Beach Parks, Recreation and Marine department have posted maps of both spots on their website since March 2025.

Pick a route and set a regular time

Start with a loop of one to two miles that avoids heavy traffic. Post the details on a neighborhood app or flyer at the corner market. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention lists 150 minutes of brisk walking per week as the target for adults, a benchmark many new groups reach by meeting three times for 50 minutes each.

Keep the first few sessions short and on pavement that stays level. Charge nothing to join. Groups that began in June 2025 at El Dorado Park reported that 70 percent of first-time walkers returned for at least eight sessions when the meeting time stayed fixed.

Keep the group going

Rotate who sends the reminder text each week. After four meetings, ask members if they want to add a coffee stop or extend the route by half a mile. Long Beach residents who followed these steps at the corner of Bay Shore Avenue and 2nd Street now average 18 walkers per outing.

Check the city calendar for any temporary street closures before locking in dates. A simple sign-up sheet passed around after the third walk helps track numbers and lets new neighbors join without pressure.