Shopping in Long Beach

Mattress Direct culls a variety of mattresses in textures ranging from firm to plush from brands such as Tempur-Pedic and Serta. Serta's iComfort, for example, evenly distributes support across the body with microsupport gel capsules nestled in its memory foam; a specialized material prevents overheating and the resulting unpleasant lava-chase nightmares. Mattress Direct's stock of bed frames, bed linens, and pillows allow patrons to assemble complete bedroom sets in one trip, and an express delivery service prevents the hassle of renting a moving truck or outfitting each leg of a new bed with a rollerblade.

Southern Art & Framing offers much more than its name implies—aside from custom-framing projects and ready-to-hang art, the store also boasts an eclectic gift shop stocked with goods made by local and national artisans. Shoppers can peruse a selection that includes everything from handbags and scented candles to barbecue tools and home decor designed for fans of popular college sports teams. Local artists also host onsite art classes, teaching skills such as impressionist painting and converting your boring sedan into an exciting police cruiser.