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.

Events On Pine is by far the best Event space. There so many reasons I can state as to why…read more. however I will say this. Its beautiful, clean, spacious and the staff is so accommodating. I have no complaints everything went smoothly. I highly recommend Events On Pine you will not be disappointed.

Came here for a convention and the space was just fine. There's restrooms, a small bar area, and an…read moreoutdoor area. Staff is helpful. I thought the space felt a bit dark and small. Not particularly impressive or luxurious - it gets the job done. The surrounding areas have some restaurants within walking distance. The beach is also just a short drive away.

Attended for an event. It's a nice place as far as structure but it's unappealing to enter through…read morean alley, past a portable bathroom to get through to the event. I am more than sure this place looks different in the AM too. I can't say much more because I truly didn't stay long enough. I see the potential in their structure for a beautiful event.

Cute place but. . .the parking sucks. The parking structure smells like a cat litter. It was…read moreactually scary getting stuck here at night. The venue itself is beautiful. I went here for a wedding and thought it was very charming.

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

I recently visited Los Cerritos Rancho and had such a meaningful experience. From the moment I…read morearrived, I was warmly welcomed by the staff, who took the time to share the rich history of the landmark, including stories about the Bixby family. Walking through the home and gardens truly felt like stepping back in time. There's something incredibly special about being able to see and feel how people lived in the past--it creates a deep sense of connection and nostalgia that's hard to put into words. For me, the visit was also a moment of reflection--appreciating the lives and efforts of those who came before us, and how their contributions shaped the world we live in today. In such a fast-paced, modern era, it felt especially powerful to immerse myself in a place that preserves history so beautifully. I even remembered visiting here as a child, and coming back as an adult gave me a whole new appreciation for it. It's more than just a historical site--it's an experience that invites you to reflect, learn, and reconnect. I highly recommend visiting. It's a beautiful reminder that Long Beach is full of incredible history and hidden gems worth exploring.

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.

It felt surprisingly fun and welcoming the moment I stepped into The Grand Event venue in Long…read moreBeach, almost like the whole place was designed to make people feel excited to be there without even trying. I noticed right away that there were a lot of teenagers spending time around the space, and it made perfect sense because the atmosphere has that lively and upbeat energy that teenagers really connect with. The lighting, the open layout, and the way the rooms are arranged all make it easy to move around, talk, and enjoy yourself without feeling crowded or rushed. What really stood out to me was how comfortable it was to simply exist in the space. Nothing felt strict or stiff, and it gave everyone, especially the teenagers I saw, the freedom to be creative, take pictures, and enjoy the moment in their own way. Even though it was my first time visiting The Grand Event, I did not realize how much there was to appreciate until I walked through and saw how thoughtfully everything was put together. I loved how natural it felt to have fun there, and I never doubted that the experience would turn out exactly the way I hoped it would. It honestly reminded me of the same playful excitement I felt at places like Funko Hollywood, where the environment itself makes you feel younger and more energized. I have lived for 24 years, but with the youthful mindset I discovered in the summer of 2024, still physically and mentally 18 with a prefrontal cortex that is more developed than the average 25 year old, I felt completely in sync with the vibe of this place. The Grand Event is one of the most enjoyable and inviting venues I have been to in a long time, and I would highly recommend that teenagers go there because it gives them a place to have fun, feel confident, take pictures, and enjoy an atmosphere that truly supports their creativity.

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden is a beautiful spot if you are looking for a peaceful walk…read moresurrounded by Japanese foliage and well-maintained landscaping. The garden features a large pond filled with koi, including around 30 big koi and what looks like hundreds of smaller ones they are raising. It is a relaxing place to watch the fish swim by and enjoy the scenery. One of the best parts is that visiting is free, but you do need to make a reservation ahead of time. They allow up to six people per reservation, and they typically do not take walk-ins, so plan ahead before coming. The garden itself is on the smaller side, and the walking path takes about 15 minutes at a casual pace. Still, there are plenty of places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. You will find charming bridges, small waterfalls, lily pads throughout the pond, and even a little Zen garden area. Even though it is compact, the peaceful atmosphere and the well-kept grounds make it a great visit. I highly recommend stopping by if you are in the area and want a quiet, refreshing escape.

Beautiful, yes. Quiet, yes. But the staffs really do make people uncomfortable. As if they're the…read morestrict parents or mall cops, telling you to move, to not stand there too long, no picture setup, don't stop for more than 30s, don't talk too loud The garden is the size of a small practice soccer field and there are at least 10 staffs

False Advertising and Total Failure of a "Speakeasy"…read more This place should not call itself a speakeasy. According to their website, they are strict about dress code, reservations, and no large parties. None of that was enforced. People arrived wearing sports clothes, tennis shoes, and flip-flops, and a group of more than 10 people was allowed in. That group was loud, drunk, and screaming, completely destroying any speakeasy ambiance. We had a reservation booked one week in advance for 2 tables of six, yet by 8:30 pm, we were told no food was available, despite the bar being almost empty. The water was already on the table when we arrived and tasted strongly of chlorine, with no ice. The waitress was clearly new, untrained, and unprepared. She did not know the menu, didn't know how to take an order properly, and provided no guidance whatsoever. There was one bartender Ricardo, who took over an hour to prepare cocktails and showed no sense of urgency or care. The dramatic cocktail descriptions sounded impressive, but the drinks did not match the descriptions at all. Because of the delays, we were never even able to properly toast or celebrate our friend. The charcuterie board took forever and arrived with an absurd amount of cheese and only six pieces of bread. To make things worse, part of the food we ordered never arrived at all. The live jazz band advertised and promised never showed up. When asked, the staff responded with: "I don't know, they were supposed to be here. I don't have their phone number." That level of disorganization is unacceptable. At the end of the night, we were shocked to receive a check close to $600 for two tables, despite each person only having one cocktail and shared food. The bartender, Ricardo, approached us and said: "Well, sorry, we really tried tonight! It wasn't the best, but we tried." Honestly, that comment made the experience even more frustrating. I can't imagine how bad it would have been if they hadn't "tried."That statement perfectly summarizes the problem -- trying is not enough when everything fails. I would not recommend this place for a speakeasy experience. This is not a speakeasy. It's a poorly run bar hiding behind a concept it does not deliver. Do not recommend.

I give it a 1 because 0 was not an option. Absolute disaster. Avoid this place at all costs. What…read morewas supposed to be a classy night celebrating a 50th birthday turned into a complete nightmare. This is not a speakeasy, it's a tiny, rundown bar pretending to be something it's not. The staff was inexperienced, dismissive, and unprofessional. Drinks were outrageously overpriced and took forever to arrive. The food was a joke, a $60 charcuterie board made up of cheap grocery store cheese, ham, and crackers that didn't come close to justifying the price. We were served warm water that tasted like chlorine, and the response from staff was literally "I don't know, I just work here." At one point both waitresses vanished, leaving the bartender overwhelmed and everything grinding to a halt. The live jazz band they advertise never showed up, and staff had no explanation or contact info. The so-called dress code was completely ignored, with groups in jeans and sneakers flooding in, turning the place loud, chaotic, and classless. This place delivers nothing it promises. It's not a speakeasy, it's a poorly run bar that shouldn't be in business. Strongly do not recommend, and honestly, I want my money back.

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**