Long Beach, not Venice, shines in Olympics closing ceremony featuring Snoop, Dr. Dre, and Billie Eilish.

Aug. 11, 2024 

By M Muzamil Shami

      Snoop Dogg takes the stage at Rosie’s Dog Beach in Long Beach during the Olympics closing ceremony. (Kevin Mazur / Getty Images for LA28)

When film trucks began arriving in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore last week, it barely caused a stir.

The oceanfront residential area is often used for filming—Jeep commercials, "Dexter," and Netflix's miniseries "Griselda"—so locals usually pay little attention when crews show up, simply keeping their curious dogs away from the catering tents.

However, last week was different. The number of trucks continued to grow, more than anyone had seen before. There was an almost amusing level of secrecy as dozens, and eventually hundreds, of workers bustled around Rosie’s Dog Beach.

"I have no idea," said a worker holding a clipboard and walkie-talkie when asked about the filming. Behind her, a replica of the city's iconic lifeguard stand was being assembled—much cleaner and a brighter blue than the real one just 20 yards away.

"It might be a commercial," another worker guessed as large cranes with stadium-style lights were positioned. He wasn't sure what kind of commercial.

By Saturday morning, with that part of the beach enclosed in a privacy tent, it became clear they were filming a segment of the Olympics closing ceremony, where the torch is handed over to the next host city.

      Finneas and Billie Eilish took the stage in Long Beach to celebrate the Olympic Games handover ceremony. (Emma McIntyre / Getty Images for LA28)

When the massive "LA28" sculpture appeared, the enigma was unraveled.

Soon after, Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Billie Eilish were set to perform on a temporary stage adorned with faux palm trees, in front of a small, enthusiastic audience of extras.

Despite some parking and traffic issues, residents generally adapted well. However, confusion arose when some media mistakenly labeled the location as the more famous Venice Beach.

"Scandal!" exclaimed @brandonwenerd on X.

"This is Long Beach erasure," lamented alyssayung on TikTok. Her TV screen clearly displayed offshore oil rigs camouflaged as islands with palm trees in the background.

Anyone from Southern California, especially Long Beach, would immediately recognize them.