by Matilda Iem
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Long Beach has a great variety of sights to see and places to experience, and a good number of them can be found not too far from Cal State Long Beach. This article suggests a short list of destinations to visit whether you’re in need of something entertaining to do on an empty evening, a pick-me-up in the morning, or just some fresh air away from class and campus.
We’ll start with a useful academic and community resource.
Billie Jean King Main Library
200 W. Broadway, Long Beach, CA 90802
In the heart of Downtown Long Beach, off Broadway, the newly renovated Billie Jean King Main Library holds a wealth of free knowledge and helpful features including public computers, free wi-fi, and special collections and archives. Additionally, the library provides community workspaces in the form of The Studios, which behold various creative services from sewing, 3D printing, audio equipment, and more. Support for parents is also provided—like their Family Learning Center, designed to help families connect to library staff and helpful resources for children. The area may have traffic, but turning over a new page with the virtue of patience could be worth it to check out the Main Library’s amenities and community events.
(Photo from Google Street View)
Next, here are a couple venues for theater lovers.
Richard and Karen Carpenter Performing Art Center
6200 E Atherton St, Long Beach, CA 90840
Located conveniently on campus beside the Dance Center and Blue Pyramid, the Carpenter Performing Arts Center is a moderately large venue, established in 1994, known for quality entertainment and fantastic acoustics! Shows and tickets are easily available online and often advertised by the college itself, making this theater a great option for entertainment for any free college student. According to reviews, there’s not one bad seat in the house!
(Photo from “bsimonis” on TripAdvisor)
Long Beach Playhouse
5021 E Anaheim St, Long Beach, CA 90804
Albeit a much humbler venue than the Carpenter Performing Arts Center, the Long Beach Playhouse remains one of the city’s epicenters of intimate cultural experiences that encapsulate Long Beach’s inclusive diversity. Established in 1929, this small theater is valued for its affordable year-round entertainment and tight-knit community, making it a nice escape from the monotony of everyday school and work!
(Photo from The Long Beach Playhouse)
Third, we have a few venues for appreciators of art.
Carolyn Campagna Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum
1250 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90840
Sitting right beside LBSU’s Horn Center is the also recently renovated Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, which offers free visits and appointments to CSULB students and faculty. Boasting both professional exhibits and student art, this local gallery holds a pleasing artistic atmosphere. Upcoming and past events are all visible on the campus website.
(Photo by Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum)
Museum of Latin American Arts (MOLAA)
628 Alamitos Ave, Long Beach, CA 90802
Proudly wearing the title of the only museum in the United States to focus on Latin American art since 1996, MOLAA presents a wide variety of information on the history and artists of Latin America. In addition to a rotating schedule of events and exhibits, the museum also holds many community events, such as workshops, classes, and cultural celebrations. All information on events within the museum is available on the website, and certainly worth checking out to plan a visit.
(Photo from Google Maps Local Guide “fernando ramirez”)
Long Beach Museum of Art
2300 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803
Within the historic 1911 home of Elizabeth Milbank Anderson lies a small gallery with an ever-changing array of exhibitions. Established in 1950, the museum features a variety of California modernism, other contemporary art, and 20th century European art. Additionally, the establishment makes good use of its scenic ocean view off of Bluff Park, with a cozy restaurant called Claire’s to complement the artsy visit and area. The Long Beach Museum of Art is a great venue for lovers of art and architecture, and even includes a small student discount that lowers the general admission price from $12 to $10.
(Photo from Google Street View)
Coming up fourth, a few nice places for a quick meal or drink.
The Local Spot
6200 Pacific Coast Hwy B, Long Beach, CA 90803
Being a brief drive south of campus, The Local Spot lives up to its name as a small and beloved breakfast diner serving up meals from pancakes to omelettes. With a sunny view of the highway in their outdoor seating, the restaurant is known for its warm environment and good service. Overall, this a scrumptious stop for anyone in the area and hungry, or even for anyone looking to order takeout.
(Photo from Google Maps Local Guide “angie san.”)
Village Inn Fish and Chips
6406 E Stearns St, Long Beach, CA 90815
A spot, unsurprisingly, specializing in fish and chips, the Village Inn restaurant is a family establishment worthy for a crew of sailors. They’re often praised for their affordability and friendly atmosphere. Moreover, their menu also offers some pastries and other dishes, such as donuts and coleslaw. Overall, it stands as a delicious decision for an afternoon or evening meal.
(Photo from Google Maps Local Guide “Daniel Sarmiento”)
Rose Park Roasters
Three locations; nearest CSULB is 3044 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814
Cozy and calm, Rose Park Roasters is known for its skill in serving specialty, gourmet coffee and related drinks. The cafe boasts a wide knowledge in light-roast, artisan coffee in particular—with orders being offered at their website, albeit at a somewhat high price. Generally, the casual space is perfect for a quick cup of caffeine for a morning rush or a slower, quiet hangout to appreciate the locale’s stylish aesthetic.
(Photo from Google Maps Local Guide “Jordan Patterson”)
Finally, let’s conclude with a handful of options for exploration and relaxation in nature.
Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden
Earl Warren Dr, Long Beach, CA 90840
Settled along the road between Cal State’s Parkside and Hillside dorms, the Japanese Garden has been a staple on the campus since its introduction in 1981. Although it has recently shifted to requiring reservations for all visitors, admission is still free to CSULB students, with 2 and half hours being allotted for a visit. The hungry koi fish and vibrant flora haven’t moved away either, preserving the place as an invaluable space for meditative relaxation or a quiet study session in nature.
(Photo By Google Maps Local Guide “Julia Assenard”)
Rancho Los Alamitos
6400 E Bixby Hill Rd, Long Beach, CA 90815
Nestled among the gated community of Bixby Hill, off the coast of Palo Verde, lies the old but still impressive Rancho Los Alamitos. Officially recognized among the National Register of Historic Places since 1981, the ranch and museum duo offers both a wealth of knowledge of California history and ranching—especially on the family from which the property is donated from—and a variety of opportunities for environmental sightseeing. Additionally, they have been known to host community events often, including a schedule of tours. Generally, the ranch is a great site for a long walk that’s both informative and relaxing.
(Photo by Rancho Los Alamitos Historic Ranch and Gardens)
Bluff Park
2500 E Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90803
A twelve minute drive down to the coast from LBSU sees the scenery of Bluff Park, situated within the identically-named neighborhood. Its namesake guarantees a fantastic seaside view, with a refreshing breeze and, albeit, a considerable amount of stairs down to the shore. The benefits of cardiovascular exercise notwithstanding, the park is a great place to capitalize on fun in the sun, a peaceful stroll, or perhaps a chance to read a maritime novel in the fresh air.
(Photo from Google Maps Local Guide “Jon Williams”)
El Dorado Nature Center
7550 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90815
A solace for nature thriving in the middle of a city, the El Dorado Nature Center is a wildlife sanctuary offering various hiking trails and environmental education. Although the area has a variable parking fee according to the day, the shaded and refreshing trails, alongside a dog-friendly recreational park and camping area, is hard to beat elsewhere. It can be great for anyone who needs a relaxing nature walk or is free for a picnic with friends.
(Photo by Google Maps Local Guide “Frank Morrissey”)
This short list of destinations is but a sampling of places to visit around CSULB, and no less around Long Beach. As a Cal State Long Beach Honors student, we hope you can find the time to balance school work with self-care and entertainment. Safe travels!
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