Our wedding was a perfectly executed dream come true that was orchestrated by The Modern, and its…read morewonderful team led by Abel and Mary. My wife and I discovered The Modern during a special event right before I proposed, and we knew that if we ever got married, this would be the place. Following our engagement, we had a tour of the place with Mary, and we were 1000% convinced with the place since Mary came with the package lol. The communication throughout the course of our planning was outstanding, and both Abel and Mary addressed all our inquiries and concerns without hesitation and with clear answers. While the conditions of the contract initially seemed rigid, all guidelines and expectations were stated clearly, and both Abel and Mary provided all the support necessary to ensure the vendors understood and executed per the contract accordingly. All terms of the pricing were transparent, and we found the costs to be worth every penny, as we were 1000% satisfied with the venue. Through the course of our two-year planning, Abel and Mary were available and offered the walkthroughs necessary for the vendors and us to plan accordingly and execute an impeccably perfect wedding. Mary did an outstanding job and exerted so much patience with both my Wife and I through the course of food and drink tasting. She assessed our preferences and perfected our specialty cocktails and food menu to reflect my wife, our guests, and I. We appreciated the opportunity to host our rehearsal brunch at their Kitchen and Bar located below the venue. Our guests enjoyed getting a small taste of the delicious food and drinks they'd be having the following day at the actual wedding. The day of the wedding could not have unfolded so perfectly, both aesthetically and logistically. Abel and Mary coordinated and collaborated in unison with our group of vendors, and they really outdid themselves by providing the foundation to our dream wedding, literally. They did an amazing and efficient job at flipping the venue space for the reception. All while our guests were enjoying themselves in the lavish lounge during cocktail hour. The venue itself is perfect. It is very modern, clean, spacious, classy, and their furniture and greenery were the perfect accessories necessary to complete our wedding day. And that's not all. The VIEWS are one of a kind as the venue has an entire wall space made up of windows that overlooks Long Beach Airport and an outdoor terrace that allowed us and our guests to enjoy the views. We literally had airplanes flying up and down during our entire wedding, with a grand exit of us flying off in a helicopter. My wife, our guests, and I cannot believe how perfect the entire day turned out. They will not stop raving about how perfect and beautiful everything turned out. From the food to the drinks and the wonderful bartenders, and of course to how magically, beautiful our wedding was. None of which would have been possible without the fantastic venue, Abel, Mary and their team. While we are saddened to turn the chapter from the wedding planning and wedding, we are so so so happy we chose The Modern. The Modern and team will forever be embedded in our hearts and beautiful memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you, Mary, Abel, team, and The Modern!

The venue is beautiful. It sits across from Long Beach airport. Has a good view of planes taking…read moreoff. The unpleasant part, so many rules, no food Togo containers (a lot of it went in the trash or else where), they closed balcony door at night, and can't bring in own food but doesn't serve drinks till 6. The centering food choices are questionable Costs thousands of dollars to be restricted to the minimum.

We chose Events on Pine for our 25th anniversary celebration. We absolutely made THE RIGHT CHOICE…read more Tre, April and their staff were wonderful. They worked with us to make sure our event went off without a hitch. Our guests were all impressed with the venue and how well it was maintained, along with the very cool downtown/loft vibe that it gives you. THANK YOU EVENTS ON PINE! You helped make our special evening even more special. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND EVENTS ON PINE!!!!

Attended a wedding there this evening. The venue was on the 3rd floor of a building located above a…read morerestaurant. The venue was nice a bit dark and small but perfect for this wedding. The laminate flooring afforded dancing anywhere which was great for this wedding. The venue had a bar and tea/coffee service all night which I loved. The caterer was outside in an atrium type area. A bit tight out there but nice to hang out to get fresh air after dancing or to have more quiet conversations with guests. The ceremony space was turned over into the reception space while that was happening the guests were "escorted" into the cocktail hour. This space was very small as well and my issue was no seating for guests that needed assistance.There was one chair and a loveseat for over 100 guests. I had a rum and coke for over $13 it was a very small plastic cup and there was a splash of rum in my Coke. Not a plus when you are about to celebrate your friend's wedding. The staff was professional and attentive especially all the wait staff and bartenders whom I engaged with the most. *I would have liked some seating in the cocktail hour area as well as more info in parking options for ADA accessibility. *We found valet across the street for $15 the parking next to the venue was $85 for 8 hrs. *The price of the drinks for what I got was a huge negative for me. A very small Bailey's on the rocks, $15. Again just ridiculous prices on the drinks for what you get.

Grey LB is an excellent venue for weddings and special events! We had a wonderful experience…read moreproviding wedding photography here and really appreciated the venue's modern and elegant atmosphere. The space has a distinctive character that photographs beautifully with plenty of great opportunities to capture stunning wedding photos.

The venue itself is beautiful, and our wedding day was perfect. Unfortunately, our experience…read moreworking with our main point of contact, Ciara, was extremely disappointing. Communication leading up to our wedding was consistently poor. Emails and messages often went unanswered for days, which created a lot of unnecessary anxiety during an already stressful time. During our final walkthrough, Ciara reassured us that we would not be rushed to remove our belongings after the wedding and could even return Monday or Tuesday. She specifically shared that she had been rushed after her own wedding at this venue and did not want to do that to us. Unfortunately, the day after our wedding, that is exactly what happened. Our vendor arrived during the 12-2 p.m. pickup window we were given, only to find the venue locked. After multiple unanswered calls and texts, Ciara arrived nearly an hour later, resulting in our vendor charging us for the wait. At that same time, we were suddenly told all of our belongings needed to be removed that day, giving us essentially an hour to figure it out; completely contradicting what we had been told during our final walkthrough. Our wedding itself was wonderful, but the lack of communication and follow-through caused so much unnecessary stress before and immediately after it. As beautiful as the space is, based on our experience with management, we would not host another event here or recommend it to friends or family.

Just called and they actually do not currently have the correct permits to host an event (called…read morespecifically about a wedding), was told that it could be up to five months before they do.

This venue was absolutely wonderful. From the time we met with the wedding coordinator she walked…read moreus thru every detail if we had any questions she responded immediately. The home is beautiful and our reception turned out exceptiona,l they even helped with the set up, ordering linens and furniture they are more then accommodating. Our daughter's wedding was a success and we have the Ahlswede House and staff to thank for it. Many of our guests were in awe of the venue. Thank you all so much! The Coughrans

Adrian Baes is Amazing guy! Very helpful and accommodating. I highly recommend this gentleman.read more

Rancho Los Cerritos is a slightly hidden national historic landmark within Long Beach with…read moreGabrielino-Tongva roots. It was once a sheep ranch, cattle ranch, and even serves as an extension of our public library archives for local history. Entrance is free. Parking is free (and close to the entrance). There are volunteer-lead tours as well as printed maps to help you navigate the property. If you're planning to visit I'd set aside a half hour for everything. Bonus tip: they host events.

I host weekly events at The Grand and have also used it for a school sports banquet, and both…read moreexperiences have been consistently great. The planning process is smooth. Whether it's a business event or a sports banquet, the food delivers every time. What really stands out is the staff's willingness to actually help. Every once in a while we have to change our setup for the weekly meeting, and it's not a big deal. The staff goes out of their way to help you with anything you need. On the personal side, I organized my daughter's sports banquet there. Everyone loved the food. It was a barbecue menu, and folks commented on how much they enjoyed it. They provided outstanding food and service at a price within our budget. They made the whole day easy and memorable for the team and families. If you're looking for a venue that handles the details well, serves tasty food, and has staff that genuinely show up, The Grand is worth your time.

My sisters and I have been to two events here. One inside (50th birthday party) and one outside…read more(wedding). Both events were so beautiful!

Reservations are needed for this lovely little garden tucked into the middle of the CSULB campus,…read moreso we made ours the night before and grabbed a 12:00 PM Sunday spot. One thing to know before you go: check the operating hours. The garden was closing at 1:00 that day, so our visit was shorter than we would have liked. About 15 minutes before closing they started rounding everyone up, which was completely understandable, but next time I'd definitely book earlier. We brought Billy's mom and dad with us, and his father is 92 amazing years old, so we're always paying attention to how much walking, stress, parking drama, or general nonsense an outing involves. This one was about as easy as it gets. There's paid parking right next to the garden. I think we paid around $6.50, and the payment system was simple enough. Once you're inside, it's just beautiful. Little bridges, waterfalls, colorful koi everywhere (bonus! tons of baby koi this time!) lilies on the pond, flowers, and these bright red dragonflies flying around that completely caught my attention. There were families, students, people sketching, people feeding the fish, just a really nice mix of people quietly enjoying the space. What I especially like is that you don't have to make a whole production out of it. You can stroll, sit for a while, watch the koi, cross a bridge, look at the water, and just enjoy being somewhere pretty. Small, peaceful, easy, and genuinely lovely. It makes for a really nice family outing, and it's one of those places that's good to keep in your back pocket when you want to do something without committing to an entire day.

Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a peaceful hidden gem tucked inside California State…read moreUniversity, Long Beach. I walked into a space that is smaller than some larger Japanese gardens, but the layout feels carefully planned with winding paths, traditional landscaping, a koi pond, waterfalls, bridges, and quiet corners throughout. It is the type of place where taking your time matters more than trying to see everything quickly, and the smaller size actually makes the experience feel more intimate. The garden feels like a world apart from the campus surrounding it, and the transition from the university grounds to the garden is immediate and effective. The koi pond is easily the centerpiece of the garden and one of the most enjoyable parts to spend time around. I found myself lingering by the water, watching the fish move through the pond as the sunlight filtered through the trees. The fish are large and active, and the surrounding greenery, stone features, and water elements create a very relaxing atmosphere. The garden does a good job balancing natural scenery with traditional Japanese design, with each section offering a slightly different view and feeling as I walked through. The bridges and stone lanterns add to the sense of place, and the sound of the waterfalls creates a calming background that stays with you as you move through the space. What I liked most about this garden is how calm it feels despite being located on a college campus. It feels separated from the surrounding area once you enter, making it a nice place for a quiet walk, photography, or just taking a break. The landscaping is well maintained, and the entire space has a slower pace that encourages you to actually stop and appreciate the details rather than rushing through. The garden's design rewards a slow approach, with each turn in the path offering a slightly different perspective on the pond, the plants, and the stonework. The visit is fairly quick since the garden is compact, but it works well as a relaxing stop rather than a destination that takes up an entire afternoon. Reservations are required, so it is worth checking availability before going. Admission is free, although parking is an extra cost and can be the main inconvenience, especially during busy campus hours. The garden's location on campus makes it accessible, but the parking situation can require a bit of patience. Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a beautiful spot if you are looking for a peaceful escape rather than a large attraction. The koi pond, thoughtful design, and quiet atmosphere make it a place worth visiting, especially on a nice day when you can take your time walking through the garden. It offers a brief but meaningful pause from the surrounding city and campus life, and the care that has gone into maintaining the space is evident in every corner.

It's a IYKYK kind of place here. We didn't know about it as we were here meeting some friends for…read moredrinks. They made all the reservations. Honestly thought it was the bar that we came inside. First impression, why did we need reservations.... Since we didn't know the hidden entrance. Well, it's a cool concept once we entered. There's a dress code so be advised. What I found out was the entrance of the speakeasy was through a phone booth that next to the pool table of Roxanne's bar. Once reservations is made, you'll received an email with a password to enter. Enter phone booth and to connect to the inside and they'll open the door for you. We had the first reservations I believe they opened at 7pm. We were the first group to arrive. As it was my first time, we had ordered bar food and were waiting for it inside the main bar. So half an hour was used from our time limit. The speakeasy, dark and moody but perfect for the place. Special crafted cocktails by the bartenders which were great. They also have food as well, found out later. We did try the meat pie, which it was just ok. Basically an empanadas, the pickle veggies accompanied it was my favorite. It was good but nothing major to rave about. The drinks were quite nice and tasty. What they offered on the menu did have a load of good choices. Tables scattered throughout as well as bar seating. There's a piano which maybe used for live music. Overall, the moody speakeasy vibe was great. Friendly staff and bartender made some great drinks. What we had to snack on, the meat pie was just ok. They're very strict with the time limits. Once it's reached they'll let you know.

Honestly for a super cute speakeasy, the drinks were very lackluster and not really well thought…read moreout. I expected to pay so much for cocktails that don't really seem balanced or designed with intent. It also took a very long time to receive drinks, the bartender seemed more into doing his sub par flair than getting drinks out at a decent time. Definitely not coming back, such a waste of money and time.

Communication is key and respecting people's time is a must. The Betty staff need to communicate…read morewhen running an hour behind for showings and be prepared. Newlyweds are planning for the most important day of their lives and looking at this place it seems lovely but that does not excuse ignoring to communicate. It takes one phone call to tell people you're late. Hope others have a better experience than my friend. There is definitely room for improvement.

We had our wedding at The Betty this past November, and it was truly the best day ever! After…read morechecking out over a dozen venues across Southern California, I instantly knew this was the one. The outdoor space features a beautiful stone-patterned ground and stunning architecture that create a magical vibe, making it feel like a dreamy getaway. And the reception hall? Absolutely beautiful! I've had so many guests approach me to rave about the beauty of the venue and how wonderful the wedding was! The food was absolutely delicious! While we were required to use TGIS Catering, this turned out to be a fantastic decision; we received numerous compliments on the food. One guest , who's attended countless weddings, even mentioned that it was among the top three wedding dinners she's ever experienced. The team at TGIS was excellent and collaborated with us to create the ideal menu. The servers and bartenders were friendly and efficient. One fantastic feature with TGIS is their bar mixer option, which allows you to provide your own alcoholic beverages--this was a great way to save money. A special shout-out goes to The Betty coordinators, Jeremy and Anastasia. Anastasia, our main coordinator, was especially wonderful--so kind and always ready to assist with any questions or issues that arose. Looking back on our special day, we are incredibly grateful to have chosen The Betty. If you're on the fence about booking, I encourage you to go for it! I've also included pictures of the gorgeous outdoor ceremony space and reception area. Thank you, Jeremy and Anastasia, for helping make our wedding unforgettable! **photos by Love Is Wedding**