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*Disclaimer: HeyAllergy® provides all clinical services furnished to patients in California, Florida, Texas, Illinois, Nevada, Pennsylvania. In New York, clinical services are furnished by Hey Allergy Medicine.
Real-time pollen data for Long Beach — updated daily.
Long Beach's mild Southern California climate allows tree pollen to begin as early as February, with no hard winter freeze to delay the season. Oak is the most significant tree allergen, producing heavy pollen loads from March through May. Pine trees contribute large quantities of visible yellow pollen that coats cars and outdoor surfaces. Cedar pollen appears in late winter and early spring. Mulberry trees are commonly planted throughout Long Beach neighborhoods and produce particularly allergenic pollen. Palm trees, a signature feature of Long Beach's landscape, contribute pollen despite their seemingly benign appearance. Acacia, olive, and pepper trees are common ornamental species that release allergenic pollen. Maple, ash, sycamore, and elm are present throughout residential areas. The city's year-round growing season means some trees pollinate earlier or later than their typical windows, and the diversity of ornamental and native species creates overlapping pollen waves that extend the effective tree pollen season well beyond what residents from colder climates expect.
Long Beach's extended warm season supports a grass pollen period that runs significantly longer than in most U.S. cities. Bermuda grass is the dominant grass allergen in Southern California and thrives in Long Beach's warm climate, producing pollen from spring through early fall. Ryegrass is a significant allergen found in lawns, parks, and open areas. Kentucky bluegrass and fescue are present in irrigated residential landscapes. Timothy grass and orchard grass contribute in areas with less manicured vegetation. The extensive park system, athletic fields, and irrigated residential lawns throughout Long Beach maintain active grass pollen sources through the warm months. Unlike colder climates where grass goes dormant for winter, Bermuda grass in Long Beach can remain partially active well into fall.
Ragweed pollen is the primary fall weed allergen, with the season running from late summer into November. Mugwort is a significant weed allergen throughout the Los Angeles Basin. Russian thistle, pigweed, amaranth, and nettle contribute additional weed pollen. Coastal sage scrub vegetation in undeveloped areas around Long Beach produces pollen from native species. The mild fall temperatures in Long Beach mean weed pollen season extends later than in most of the country, as there is no hard frost to end the growing season. Instead, weed pollen gradually diminishes as temperatures cool and day length shortens through November and December.
Long Beach is adjacent to the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles, which together form the busiest port complex in the Western Hemisphere. Diesel exhaust from container ships, heavy-duty trucks, trains, and cargo handling equipment releases fine particulate matter and nitrogen oxides into the air. These pollutants inflame airways and significantly worsen allergy and asthma symptoms, even in people whose primary triggers are pollen or indoor allergens. West Long Beach and neighborhoods closest to the port experience the highest pollution concentrations. The coastal marine layer creates humid conditions that support mold growth, particularly Alternaria and Cladosporium. Sea spray and marine aerosols can carry organic particles that trigger respiratory symptoms in sensitive individuals. Dust mites thrive in Long Beach's moderate humidity. Indoor allergens including pet dander, cockroach allergens, and indoor mold are present year-round.
Severity: Low to Moderate
Long Beach has no true pollen-free winter. While pollen levels drop to their lowest point in December and January, tree pollen begins ramping up by February as cedar, acacia, and early-blooming species start releasing pollen. The mild winter temperatures — average January highs around 68°F — mean there is no hard freeze to reset the allergy calendar. Winter rain events reduce airborne pollen temporarily but increase outdoor mold growth. The marine layer can trap pollutants and allergens near ground level during still winter mornings. This is the best window for allergy testing and starting a treatment plan before the spring surge.
Severity: High to Severe
This is Long Beach's most intense tree pollen period. Oak, mulberry, pine, olive, sycamore, ash, and palm trees release pollen in overlapping waves. March and April are typically the worst months for tree pollen. By late April, grass pollen begins overlapping with late tree pollen, creating transition weeks with multiple allergen types airborne simultaneously. Santa Ana winds — hot, dry winds from the inland deserts — can occur in spring and dramatically spike pollen counts while also carrying dust and particulate matter from inland areas. The combination of heavy pollen and port-related air pollution creates compounding respiratory stress during this period.
Severity: Moderate to High
Bermuda grass, ryegrass, and other grasses peak from May through July. By August, ragweed and fall weeds begin appearing. Outdoor mold spore counts rise with summer warmth. Long Beach's summer air quality faces additional stress from ozone and smog formation — sunlight and heat react with vehicle and port emissions to create ground-level ozone that irritates airways. The marine layer typically burns off by mid-morning, and afternoon sea breezes can either bring cleaner ocean air or push port emissions into residential neighborhoods depending on wind direction. Summer is when the combined effects of pollen, mold, smog, and port pollution create a multi-source respiratory burden.
Severity: Moderate
Ragweed, mugwort, Russian thistle, and pigweed dominate the fall weed pollen season. Santa Ana wind events are most common from October through December, bringing hot, dry air from the inland deserts that carries dust, particulate matter, and inland pollen into coastal Long Beach. These events spike respiratory symptoms across the city. Unlike colder climates, Long Beach has no hard frost to abruptly end the weed pollen season — instead, pollen gradually diminishes through November. Fall wildfire smoke from inland California fires can affect air quality when winds carry smoke toward the coast.
Severity: Low
December offers Long Beach's closest approximation to a pollen break, though it is never truly pollen-free. Some tree species begin early pollination even in late December during warm spells. Indoor allergens remain active year-round. Port pollution continues regardless of season. December is the best month for deep cleaning, HVAC maintenance, and scheduling an allergy consultation to prepare for the spring ahead.
Long Beach is adjacent to the Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles — together the busiest port complex in the Western Hemisphere. Diesel exhaust from container ships, trucks, trains, and cargo equipment releases fine particulate matter that inflames airways and makes your immune system more reactive to pollen and other allergens. Research shows that air pollution exposure increases both the severity of allergic reactions and the likelihood of developing new allergies. This means Long Beach residents face a compounding effect: port pollution primes your airways, and then pollen triggers an amplified reaction. If your allergy symptoms seem disproportionately severe compared to the pollen counts, the background air pollution is likely a contributing factor. Neighborhoods in West Long Beach closest to the port experience the highest pollution concentrations, but the effects extend across the city.
Santa Ana winds — hot, dry winds that blow from the inland deserts toward the coast — are most common from October through March. These events dramatically worsen allergy symptoms by carrying dust, inland pollen, and fine particulate matter into coastal Long Beach. Air quality deteriorates rapidly during Santa Ana events, and the dry air dehydrates nasal passages, making them more reactive to whatever allergens are present. Pollen counts can spike three to five times their normal levels during strong Santa Ana events. Monitor weather forecasts for Santa Ana warnings and prepare by closing windows, running air purifiers, and increasing your preventive medications before the winds arrive.
Long Beach's coastal marine layer — the foggy, humid air mass that rolls in from the Pacific — has mixed effects on allergies. On one hand, the moisture-laden air can weigh down pollen particles and keep them closer to ground level, actually increasing exposure at breathing height. The humidity also supports mold growth on outdoor surfaces, in landscaping, and inside homes. On the other hand, strong onshore breezes can push cleaner ocean air into the city, temporarily improving air quality. The marine layer's effects shift throughout the day: mornings tend to be foggy with trapped allergens, while afternoon sea breezes may bring relief or push port emissions into residential neighborhoods depending on wind direction.
Unlike most U.S. cities where winter provides a genuine pollen break, Long Beach has no hard freeze to shut down pollen production. Some tree species begin releasing pollen as early as February, Bermuda grass can remain partially active into fall, and the mild winter means weed pollen persists later than in colder climates. Residents who moved from colder regions often expect a defined allergy season with clear start and end dates, but Long Beach's pollen calendar has overlapping seasons and minimal true breaks. If you feel like your allergies never fully go away, you're not imagining it — the year-round mild climate keeps some level of pollen in the air across most months.
Long Beach's outdoor lifestyle — beach running, cycling along the shoreline, outdoor dining — means residents get more allergen and pollution exposure than people in climates where indoor activities dominate. Pollen counts peak in early morning and early afternoon. Port-related pollution is highest during peak cargo operations and morning rush hour. Ozone and smog peak in afternoon heat. The best window for outdoor exercise in Long Beach is typically early evening, after the afternoon sea breeze has cleared some pollen and before the next morning's pollen release. If you exercise outdoors regularly and your symptoms are poorly controlled, the sheer volume of outdoor allergen exposure may be overwhelming your current treatment.
HeyAllergy offers telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in California. Book a virtual consultation from your home in Long Beach, Signal Hill, Lakewood, Seal Beach, or anywhere in the surrounding area. Have allergy blood tests ordered at a convenient local lab and receive your personalized treatment plan. HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops ship directly to your door and treat the root cause of allergies by building tolerance to your specific Southern California triggers — from oak and Bermuda grass to mold and dust mites.
March and April are typically the worst months for tree pollen in Long Beach, when oak, mulberry, pine, and other species peak simultaneously. Grass pollen peaks May through July. However, Long Beach has no true pollen-free season due to its mild year-round climate, and port-related air pollution adds respiratory stress across all months.
The most common allergens in Long Beach are oak pollen, Bermuda grass, ragweed, mulberry, mold spores, and dust mites. The Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles also contribute diesel particulate matter and fine particles that worsen respiratory symptoms. A blood allergy test identifies your specific pollen and environmental triggers.
Yes. Diesel exhaust and fine particulate matter from the port complex inflame airways and increase your immune system's reactivity to pollen and other allergens. This means pollen exposure that might cause mild symptoms in a cleaner air environment can trigger more severe reactions in Long Beach. West Long Beach neighborhoods closest to the port experience the highest pollution levels, but effects extend citywide.
Yes. HeyAllergy provides telemedicine appointments with board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in California. Book a virtual consultation from anywhere in the state, have allergy blood tests ordered at a lab near you, and start a personalized treatment plan without visiting a clinic. No referral needed and no waitlist.
HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy uses customized liquid drops placed under your tongue daily. The drops contain precise doses of the specific allergens triggering your symptoms — whether oak, Bermuda grass, ragweed, mold, or dust mites. Over time, your immune system builds tolerance, reducing allergic reactions and medication dependence. Most patients notice improvement within 3 to 6 months.
HeyAllergy accepts Medicare and most major PPO health plans, including United Healthcare, Health Net, Anthem Blue Cross, Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield, Blue Shield, Cigna, Aetna, Humana, Oscar, and Tricare. Contact your insurance provider with Tax ID: 85-0834175 to confirm your specific telemedicine coverage.
Long Beach combines year-round pollen, port-adjacent air pollution, marine layer humidity, and Santa Ana wind events into a unique respiratory environment. The port pollution primes your airways to be more reactive to allergens, the mild climate eliminates the winter pollen break most cities have, and the marine layer supports mold growth year-round. Together, these factors create compounding respiratory stress that many residents from other regions don't experience until living here.
HeyAllergy offers fast scheduling with no waitlist. Book a telemedicine appointment with a board-certified allergist and connect from home using your phone, tablet, or computer. Long Beach residents can access specialist care immediately without waiting weeks for a local opening.
Long Beach, California, is the seventh largest city in the state with approximately 465,000 residents, positioned along the Pacific coast in southwestern Los Angeles County. The city is defined by two seemingly contradictory identities: a beautiful coastal community with miles of shoreline, parks, and outdoor lifestyle, and a major industrial center home to the Port of Long Beach, which together with the adjacent Port of Los Angeles forms the busiest container port complex in the Western Hemisphere. This duality creates one of the most unique respiratory environments in the United States. Residents breathe air shaped by both natural allergens — pollen from the diverse Southern California plant palette, coastal mold from the marine layer, year-round dust mites — and industrial pollutants from one of the largest goods-movement operations on the planet. Understanding how these factors interact is essential for managing allergies and respiratory health in Long Beach.
The Port of Long Beach and Port of Los Angeles handle over 17 million container units annually, making them the nation's busiest port complex. This cargo movement generates emissions from container ships, heavy-duty diesel trucks, freight trains, and cargo handling equipment. Despite significant reductions since 2005 — diesel particulates down approximately 91 percent, smog-forming gases down roughly 72 percent — the ports remain the region's single largest source of air pollution. Fine particulate matter from diesel exhaust penetrates deep into the lungs, and research consistently shows that air pollution exposure increases both the severity of allergic reactions and the probability of developing new allergies. For Long Beach residents, this creates a compounding effect: port pollution chronically inflames airways, making the immune system more reactive when pollen, mold, or other allergens are inhaled. West Long Beach and neighborhoods adjacent to the port, refineries, and freight corridors experience the highest pollution concentrations. The Long Beach Alliance for Children with Asthma has documented elevated asthma rates in these communities, and the area was among the first designated under California's landmark environmental justice program for air pollution cleanup.
Most U.S. cities have a defined allergy season bookended by frost. Long Beach does not. The average January high temperature is approximately 68°F, and the city essentially never experiences a hard freeze. This means some level of pollen is present in the air across every month of the year. Tree pollen begins in February and extends through May, with oak, mulberry, pine, palm, olive, and acacia as major contributors. Grass pollen follows from April through September, led by Bermuda grass, which thrives in Southern California's warmth. Weed pollen runs from August into November, with ragweed, mugwort, and Russian thistle as the primary triggers. The transitions between seasons frequently overlap, creating windows where tree and grass pollen, or grass and weed pollen, are airborne simultaneously. For residents with sensitivities to multiple allergen types, this means there is no real respite — the calendar shifts from one trigger to the next with minimal gaps.
Long Beach's allergy environment is shaped by two opposing weather patterns. The marine layer — cool, humid air from the Pacific — typically moderates coastal temperatures and can weigh pollen particles down closer to breathing height while supporting mold growth. The Santa Ana winds — hot, dry winds from the inland deserts — blow in the opposite direction, carrying dust, inland pollen, and fine particulate matter toward the coast. Santa Ana events, most common from October through March, can spike pollen counts three to five times above normal levels while simultaneously drying nasal passages and making airways more reactive. The dry air dehydrates the protective mucus lining of nasal passages, reducing the body's natural defense against airborne allergens. When Santa Ana conditions coincide with already-high pollen levels, the combination creates some of Long Beach's worst allergy days. Conversely, strong onshore sea breezes can temporarily improve air quality by pushing cleaner ocean air into the city, though these same breezes can also redirect port emissions into residential neighborhoods depending on exact wind direction.
The Pacific Ocean moderates Long Beach's climate but also introduces persistent humidity from the marine layer. This moisture supports year-round outdoor mold growth on landscaping, building surfaces, and organic debris. Alternaria and Cladosporium are the most common outdoor mold species in the Long Beach area. Indoor mold is common in homes with poor ventilation, particularly in bathrooms and areas where the marine layer creates condensation. Dust mites thrive in Long Beach's moderate humidity levels — higher than desert regions inland but lower than the humid Southeast. Pet dander and cockroach allergens are significant year-round indoor triggers in the densely populated urban environment. The combination of outdoor mold, year-round dust mites, and port-adjacent air pollution means that even during Long Beach's lowest outdoor pollen period in December and January, many residents continue to experience respiratory symptoms from non-pollen triggers.
HeyAllergy's telemedicine platform connects Long Beach residents to board-certified allergists and immunologists licensed in California. A virtual consultation from your home means no fighting Southern California traffic to reach a specialist. Allergy blood tests are ordered at a convenient local lab, and a personalized treatment plan is developed based on your specific triggers. HeyPak sublingual immunotherapy drops ship directly to your door and treat the root cause of allergies by building your immune system's tolerance to Long Beach's year-round allergens. For a city where port pollution amplifies pollen sensitivity, year-round mild temperatures eliminate the winter pollen break, and the marine layer supports constant mold growth, identifying and treating the underlying cause of your allergies offers relief that over-the-counter medications alone often cannot provide.
