Community News

Holiday Tree Cycling

The City of Long Beach Energy and Environmental Services Department will once again offer Holiday Treecycling, providing an accessible and responsible way to recycle live trees for residents. From Friday, Dec. 26, 2025, through Friday, Jan. 9, 2026, residents can drop off their used trees at 13 locations throughout Long Beach, at no charge.

Nearly 155 tons of holiday trees are recycled into landscaping mulch by the city each year, which equates to about 10,000 trees. Proper disposal of holiday trees through the Treecycling drop-off locations prevents fire hazards and reduces the number of illegally dumped trees in alleys and the public right-of-way. 

Holiday trees are not accepted in organics carts as they are too heavy and bulky. To ensure holiday trees are diverted from the landfill, residents are encouraged to drop off their trees Dec. 26, 2025, through Jan. 9, 2026, at any of the convenient locations listed below. Drop-off hours are Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and weekends from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. View a map of the drop-off locations on the city’s website.

• Bixby Park, 1st Street at Cherry Avenue 
• Cesar E. Chavez Park, Golden Shore Street at 4th Street
• El Dorado Park, 2760 N. Studebaker Rd. (South parking lot behind Administration Building) 
• Houghton Park, Myrtle Avenue at Harding Street 
• Hudson Park, Hill Street at Webster Avenue 
• Long Beach Environmental Services Bureau, 2929 E. Willow St.
• Orizaba Park, Orizaba Avenue at 14th Street 
• Scherer Park, 49th Street at Del Amo Boulevard 
• Stearns Park, 23rd Street at Roycroft Avenue 
• Veterans Park, 28th Street at Pine Avenue
• Wardlow Park, Monlaco Road at Rutgers Avenue 
• Whaley Park North, Chatwin Avenue at Atherton Street
• Will Rogers Mini Park, East Paoli Way at 3rd Street 

Residents are asked to remove all decorations, take the tree out of the stand, cut trees in half if they are over 12 feet tall, and leave trees unwrapped. Flocked trees will be accepted; however, artificial trees will not be accepted.

To help ease the post-holiday strain on collection services, residents are strongly encouraged to drop off live trees at designated citywide locations. This is the preferred method, ensuring timely and efficient disposal. For those unable to visit a drop-off location, a one-time curbside collection will be available on Saturday, Jan. 10, 2026. Residents with city refuse, recycling and organics service must place their trees at their regular collection spot by 7 a.m. on Jan. 10 to ensure pickup.

For more information on the Treecycling drop-off program, visit lbcity.info/Treecycling.

Guided Nature Tour

On Jan. 3, from 8 to 10 a.m., check out interesting wildlife, including egrets and herons, at Los Cerritos Wetlands. You will spend time at Marketplace Marsh, currently off-limits to the public. Learn about the innovations and restoration of these long-degraded wetland areas.

The free walk is for ages seven and up. Meet at the corner of PCH and 1st Street in Seal Beach. Email elizabeth@lcwlandtrust.org with questions or to RSVP.

City Holiday Schedule

In observance of New Year’s Day, Thursday, Jan. 1, 2026, City of Long Beach facilities and services listed below will adhere to the following schedules. City facilities and services will adhere to their normal operating schedules on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31, unless specified below.

• All city parks and trails (excluding El Dorado Nature Center)
• Fire Stations and Lifeguard Stations
• Long Beach Airport
• Main Police Station Front Desk
• Gas Services Dispatch (562-570-2140) open 24/7 for emergency calls
• Water/Sewer Dispatch (562-570-2390) open 24/7 for emergency calls
• Emergency Animal Control services are available 24/7 for sick or injured animals

• Billie Jean King Main Library, all branch libraries, including library offices (digital resources available 24/7)
• BizCare Hotline (562) 570-4BIZ)
• Building and Safety services, including the Permit Center, inspections and plan reviews
• City Hall
• City-operated pools
• City Prosecutor’s Office
• Code Enforcement services
• Economic Development & Opportunity’s Long Beach Workforce Innovation Network Adult and Youth Career Services Centers
• El Dorado Nature Center
• Energy and Environmental Services offices
• Fire Headquarters, Support Services, Fire Prevention & Operations, including Marine Safety Administration
• Health Department and Health facilities
• Homeless Services Outreach Line (562) 570-4672)
• Housing Authority
• Long Beach Airport Administration Offices
• Long Beach Animal Care Services and spcaLA (also closed Monday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30 per their normal operating schedule)
• Long Beach Utilities Offices
• Marina offices (Alamitos Bay Marina, Shoreline Marina)
• Mobile Access Centers
• Neighborhood Resource Center
• Parks, Recreation and Marine programs and community park facilities
• Refuse and Recycling collection and Administrative Offices
• Special Events and Filming Offices
• Street sweeping
• Towing and Lien Sales

City Hall

City Hall offices and public services will be closed on New Year’s Day including commercial services typically available at City Hall, such as the Permit Center (located on 2nd floor), Cashiering/Payment Processing, Utility Customer Service, Billing and Collections, and Parking Citations. The public is encouraged to continue taking advantage of the convenient online resources available on the city website, including building permit services and bill payment options.

Street Sweeping

There will be no scheduled street sweeping or enforcement of street sweeping violations on New Year’s Day. Street sweeping will resume its regular schedule on Friday, Jan. 2.

Parking Enforcement

Read your parking meter: Citywide parking violations, including parking meters, will be enforced on New Year’s Day, unless the meter states “Exempt on Holidays.” The days and hours of enforcement are displayed inside the meters.

Refuse/Recycling

There will be no scheduled refuse and recycling collection on New Year’s Day. Refuse and recycling will resume its regular schedule on Friday, Jan. 2.

Towing and Lien Sales

The Towing Operations and Vehicle Storage Facility (3111 E. Willow St., between Temple Avenue and Redondo Avenue) will be closed on New Year’s Day. Normal business hours are:

• Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Saturday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Closed Sunday and holidays.

Vehicles and property are available for release outside of the hours listed above for an additional fee. More information can be found online.

Libraries

All Long Beach Public Library locations will close at 5 p.m. on New Year’s Eve, Dec. 31. All locations and the main phone line will be closed on New Year’s Day. All library locations will resume normal operations on Friday, Jan. 2. Libraries are not open Sundays per their normal schedule. Library patrons are encouraged to utilize the library’s vast collection of digital resources, including the library catalog, downloads and databases, available 24/7.

LGB Rental Cars Move

Long Beach Airport’s (LGB) onsite rental car services have relocated to the airport’s landmark historic terminal building.

For more than 30 years, rental car companies have been operating from modular trailers outside the terminal. The move brings rental operations into a larger, upgraded and more functional space with improved queuing capacity, efficiency and customer comfort, while celebrating the Historic Terminal’s architectural character. The building recently underwent comprehensive seismic and restoration work to preserve its Streamline Moderne design and historic integrity.

There will be rental car counters for Avis and Budget; Enterprise, National and Alamo; and Hertz, Dollar and Thrifty – with Dollar and Thrifty representing new brands added at LGB – located just steps from where passengers exit the concourse.

“Few airports blend history and hospitality like Long Beach Airport, and this move strengthens that reputation,” said Fourth District Councilman Daryl Supernaw. “Offering rental car services inside the Historic Terminal elevates the already first-class traveler experience while proudly showcasing our aviation roots.”

“We are committed to keeping the LGB traveler experience front and center,” said Fifth District Councilwoman Megan Kerr. “By further transforming the Historic Terminal into a modern service hub, we are strengthening the Airport’s operations and also celebrating an important part of Long Beach’s story.”

All rental car companies will continue to serve customers during airline operating hours, and vehicle pick-up and drop-off will remain in the lot directly across from the Historic Terminal. Clear signage and wayfinding will guide customers between the counters and the lot.

The conversion of the former ticketing area into a modern space for rental car services is among the final touches of the Long Beach Airport’s $125 million Phase II – Terminal Area Improvements Program, which focuses on streamlining the passenger journey from curb to gate.

“This move brings rental car services into a much more intuitive location for travelers,” said Airport Director Cynthia Guidry. “By placing the counters just steps from where passengers exit the concourse, we are delivering a smoother, more comfortable experience while making smart use of this beautifully restored historic space.”