Long Beach Streets: Volume II

*Originally published in DIG Magazine online.

We’ve already had a look at Long Beach Streets but in a city as infinitely diverse and rapidly dynamic as Long Beach, there’s always going to be more story to tell. Here are a few photos from Downtown, Belmont, Bixby Knolls, Westside, as well as a little piece of fun trivia.

Downtown + East Village

Downtown is the eccentric heart of the already culturally diverse city of Long Beach and has many unique experiences to offer. From shopping at the Pike to drinks on Pine, Downtown and its constant livelihood make it a great weekend choice. Set up on the Promenade every Friday morning is the Long Beach Fresh Farmer’s Market, which features local growers and businesses, such as Caile Cafe.

A business at the Long Beach Fresh Farmer’s Market, Caile Cafe, working on some orders at the grill. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

 A person crosses the front of Edison Theatre located on 213 E. Broadway. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

Pictured above is Edison Theatre, a venue for the dramatic arts that’s unfortunately sat largely unused since 2006. One of many buildings in Downtown symbolic of Long Beach’s significant place in California’s history.

Fingerprints Records, a well-known records store in Downtown Long Beach, is located at 420 E. 4th St. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

For many, Fingerprints is at the core of  Long Beach’s music scene. Widely regarded as the record store, especially in Downtown, this music shop has been host to many legends, upcoming artists and timeless performances. From Foo Fighters to GloRilla, Fingerprints has been serving artists and the Long Beach community for over 30 years. 

The sign for Louis Burger III sits on 6th Street and Atlantic Avenue. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen

One of the few restaurants open well past midnight, Louis Burger III is an iconic restaurant that’s managed to maintain its retro theme and prices. An open till 2 a.m. staple, their selection rarely disappoints!

Belmont

A bicyclist rolls down the beach path, Shoreline Way, that connects Belmont Shore to Alamitos Beach. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

While this is technically Cherry Beach, the photo was taken from Belmont Heights! Shoreline Way is a path for those adjacent or willing to make the trip out to the city’s namesake, a long beach.

A camper van transporting a furry companion stops at a light in front of Bluff Park. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

A home in Belmont Shore features various directive signage for notable areas in the neighborhood. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

Whether it’s Belmont Heights or Belmont Shore, you’re never far from a relaxing or interesting view. Of all the beach locations in Long Beach, the Belmont area gives the most quintessential California “surfer” vibe sought by many tourists and newcomers.

Bixby Knolls

A small community pop-up is held in an alley off of Atlantic Avenue in Bixby. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

Studio Pick, a local all-ages art studio, focuses on the unbridled cultivation of creativity Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

Bixby Knolls is an active local community with its main strip, a stretch on Atlantic Avenue, being lined with many and varied small shops and restaurants. Generally regarded as a suburb, Bixby is a fun area to go for some shopping, a casual meal, desert, or just to kill some time.

Ambitious Ales still sporting the sign of the previous occupant Tuttle Cameras. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

A mini public library sponsored by Little Free Library. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

Like much of Long Beach, Bixby is a dynamic area constantly experiencing transformations and innovations. Bixby Knolls is one of the many places here in Long Beach that exemplifies the positivity that can come when the community is invested in by the community.

Westside

Signs rusting in the parking lot of the USPS Cabrillo Station. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

Located off of Santa Fe Avenue and Pacific Coast Highway, Fabulous West is a small bar prideful of their location. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

West Long Beach is a working-class neighborhood. The neighborhood is separated from the rest of the city by the 710 freeway and is commuted to and inhabited by many of Long Beach’s laborers. Rather than focus on the typical port sights and the Queen Mary, I chose to accentuate the old town-y environment that can be overlooked.

This Pacific Coast Highway bridge links the West and the Central parts of Long Beach. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

A unique sight for those that commute from across the freeway, the recent California showers have filled up the LA River and helped cultivate and spruce up some much needed greenery!

Bonus: Rose Park

Signage in front of another home in Rose Park claiming the building to be over 100 years old. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.

Rose Park is a largely residential neighborhood lined with historic homes, many at least a century old, so it’s a shock to many Long Beach locals that it is also an unsuspecting tourist spot! Featuring one “attraction” aptly dubbed “the Skinny House.” The home, built in 1932 on a slim 10 feet by 50 feet lot, is cited by the Guiness Book of World Records to be the narrowest home in the country. 

However, this record does seem to be in contention as several other similarly constructed homes around the country also claim to be the skinniest. Interestingly, most of these skinny houses share the unique trait of being built to spite or disprove another party.

The skinny home hides behind a tree. Photograph by Charlie Nguyen.