I haven't stayed at the Varden, but I live in the area. The Varden has recently undergone renovations and the word is that the new owners did a great job.

The location is fairly good as you can walk to Pine street where there are lots of places to eat. And easy access to the bus system. The hotel is in an area that Long Beach is trying to reviatlize, so it may still be a bit rough around the edges but you should be fine.

As far are Rides...If you like roller coasters then you should go to Six Flags. Of course Dinsey is fun but if you been to Orlando, it may seem quite small.

Lets see, sea food, I'm sure the guys at the Varden can recomend some places. Out in Shore Line Village there is Parkers Lighthouse. Always good and nice location.

There are much better areas to stay in Long Beach. As the previous poster said it can be rough around the edges in that area.

Thanks for your reply, what areas in Long Beach would you recommend.

Stay anywhere East of Pine Avenue, South of 7th St. or East of Cherry, North of Willow.

A nice area to walk around is Belmont Shore. Long Beach has names for the various neighborhoods and Belmont is nice. It's a stretch of several blocks on 2nd Street on the SE side of town starting at Livingston Drive and ending at Bayshore and the bridge to Naples where you can see some of the most expensive homes in LB. But Second Street is chock full of restaurants, shops,and fun things to see. It is two blocks from the ocean with a distinctly laid-back beach ambience. One of my favorite places to eat is George's Greek Deli but I don't usually get seafood there. If you are driving you can continue along 2nd Street, pass quickly through Naples and as you come over the hill you will see signs on the right where you can go to Joe's Crab Shack. A little further up the road, just past Pacific Coast Hwy, on the right in the Marketplace you can enjoy Jimmy's Fish & Grill.