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Long Beach reports first year with more than $5 million in beach revenue; operations still run a $663,000 deficit
Summary
City Manager Dan Creighton reported fiscal year 2026 beach revenue exceeded $5,000,000—about $500,000 over budget—and revenue rose roughly 19% year over year, but beach operations still ran a $663,000 loss, down from larger losses in 2023.
City Manager Dan Creighton told the City Council that fiscal year 2026 beach revenue exceeded $5,000,000, topping the budgeted $4,500,000 by about $500,000 and marking roughly a 19% increase from the prior year. "In fiscal year 26, which just ended on June 30, Beach revenue exceeded $5,000,000 for the 1st time," Creighton said during his city manager's report.
Creighton said the revenue growth was concentrated in daily admissions during peak months, with July up 56% and August up 84% year over year, and that May and June remained seasonally stable. He summarized expenditures as "relatively steady" and said operational reforms reduced losses: "We are losing approximately $600,000 a year, $663,000 a year," he said, noting that loss is about $1.4 million less than in 2023. Council President Finn praised the increased vigilance on pass collection and improvements to the beach experience, while the manager said staff will keep looking for efficiencies to move toward breaking even.
Why it matters: the beach subsidy is a recurring budget pressure for Long Beach, and the reported trend—higher revenue and lower losses—could affect decisions about future beach pricing, staffing and capital projects. The manager and members said they will continue monitoring daily attendance to determine whether the gains are sustainable.
