Jeffrey and Kristen donning nothing but smiles on a quick getaway to SF
Image courtesy of @lakandstuff
Fingerprints Music
Image courtesy of @jade_hang
Jongewaard's Bake n Broil
JT: Established in 1965 and going stronger than ever! Sometimes the wait is so long, I get hungry and have to leave. If you make it inside, be sure you leave room for the cake or pie. Sometimes my sister and I would go just to get a slice of chocolate buttercream cake.
Image courtesy of @bakenbroil
Art Theatre of Long Beach
JT: I'm a sucker for neon signs and retro vibes. It was originally opened in 1924 and has been renovated a handful of times over the years. All good though because it still has its old school charm and art deco aesthetic, both inside and out. My cousin proposed to his girlfriend here a couple of years ago and now they're about to have their first kid.
Also, 4th Fridays on Fourth takes place along 4th Street, as the name would suggest, every 4th Friday of the month. Head over and enjoy the good vibes and good people.
Image courtesy of @maestraonthego
Long Beach Antique Market
JT: My cousin is a vintage watch connoisseur and I'd occasionally accompany him to Long Beach Antique Market for the hunt. You can find all sorts of vintage and antique pieces from clothing to furniture. It occurs every third Sunday of the month.
Image courtesy of @sk8thegr8
Pow Wow Long Beach
JT: If you know about Pow Wow Hawaii, then you’ll know what Pow Wow Long Beach is about. Every year they have artists come from all over the world to put up murals all over downtown Long Beach. A couple of years ago, my sister, her boyfriend and I walked around to check it out. It was a scavenger hunt for art, and you get the opportunity to see every aspect of the city. We should have brought out bikes.
Image courtesy of @powwowlongbeach
SteelCraft
JT: It’s a relatively new outdoor space with local eateries showcasing their talent. It has food, dessert and drinks, all wrapped up in an eye-catching outdoor venue.
Image courtesy of @sandramote
The Good Bar (and Eatery)
JT: My good friend AJ recently took part in a rad art show here alongside some of the biggest names in skateboarding. I love this bar because of its all wood interior, old school cash register, and skateboards that line the walls.
Image courtesy of @thegoodbarlongbeach
Blind Donkey
JT: For all you La La Land fans, this is the location that served as the interior of Seb’s bar.
Image courtesy of @theblinddonkeylbc
Proper
JT: Although I don’t buy a lot of sneakers anymore, I obviously still love them. I couldn’t make this list without including Long Beach’s best sneaker shop.
Image courtesy of @ldn2hk
Naples Canal
JT: Gondola rides in Long Beach exist in this small neighborhood of Alamitos Bay; we pretty much stole the idea from our neighbors up the 405 in Venice.
Image courtesy of @pho_op
Roscoe's House of Chicken & Waffles
JT: You have to pay respects to the OGs, even if you know a better chicken and waffle place.
Image courtesy of @roscoesofficial
A Slice of New York Pizza
JT: So this isn’t Lakewood or Long Beach, but it’s close enough. My sister might have loved New York pizza more than I do, and this is the closest we have. We’d come here all the time just to get those New York feelings, and split 2 slices and a soda for 7 bucks. Then we’d walk down to the pier and watch the surfers.
Image courtesy of @bearpire
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LA-born, Georgia-bred and one-half of a set of identical twins, Casha spends her days writing and exploring. She’s a classic film enthusiast, runner, dog walker and collector of quotes and tattoos. Follow her adventures @cashad.
Header image courtesy of @lakandstuff
