Bike Month is here! Come out and enjoy Lifestyles of Long Beach
Bike Month is here in Long Beach!
Bike Long Beach – LIfestylesOfLongBEach.com
Long Beach Mayor Bob Foster kicked off National Bike Month on May 7 with his annual Bike Ride to City Hall, one of more than a dozen exciting activities and special events taking place in Long Beach during May 2013.
The mayor’s bike ride promotes awareness of the annual Tour of Long Beach & Bike Festival, the annual bicycle circuit around Long Beach benefiting Miller Children’s Hospital. This year’s event and daylong celebration at The Pike in Rainbow Harbor will take place on Saturday, May 11.
Other upcoming events include Fix Your Bike Day & Safety Rodeo on May 11 at McBride Teen Center; Bike to Work Day on May 16 at City Hall and CSULB locations; and Kidical Mass on May 19 in Bixby Knolls.
An updated listing of events will be posted throughout the month at BikeLongBeach.org/events
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The Downtown Long Beach Associate presents the Bike Fest of Long Beach. Grab your bike and cruise to THE PIKE AT RAINBOW HARBOR to Celebrate Bike-Friendly Long Beach at the Finish Line of the Tour of Long Beach!The event is FREE and will feature the BEACHWOOD & FRIENDS CRAFT BEER GARDEN, a Vintage Bike Exhibit & Fashion Show, Live Entertainment and Swing Bands, a FREE Bike Valet, Children’s Activities, Vendor Village and food specialties from Downtown’s Restaurants.
LifestylesOfLongBeach.com
This weekend is when Long Beach puts its money where its mouth is when it comes to championing bicycle culture.
This will be the fourth year of the Tour of Long Beach, which begins as early as 6 a.m. Saturday, May 11, near Shoreline Village. The Downtown Long Beach Associates’ BikeFest will take place at the finish line from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., at The Pike’s grassy area near Shoreline Drive and Pine Avenue.
“The Tour of Long Beach and its finish line festival is a celebration of the bike friendliness and bike culture in downtown Long Beach,” said Julie Meigs Korinke, DLBA communication manager. “And this year, BikeFest will be highlighting downtown’s vintage and biking fashion with two new elements.”
The Tour of Long Beach was an idea of the late Mark Bixby and Long Beach’s Bike Ambassador Tony Cruz (2000 U.S. Olympian). The tour has a variety of ways to participate with the Family Fun Run (free, 5 miles), Tour of Long Beach ($55, 31 miles), Metric Century Ride ($65, 62 miles) or the Cruz Gran Fondo ($120, 100 miles).
“With all the different rides, anyone can participate, whether you are a kid who just got a bike or an avid cyclist,” said Brett Beck, Memorial Medical Foundation director. “It’s designed to be a great weekend for families and neighbors to show off what Long Beach has been trying to do to be one of the most bike-friendly cities in the nation.”
The Tour of Long Beach puts money toward the Miller Children’s Hospital Jonathan Jaques Children’s Cancer Center. Beyond an entry fee, riders also can choose to fundraise for the race — $200 raised by May 10 gets the cyclist a special Champions Club jersey.
“There’s a lot of rides for different diseases and diagnoses, but you don’t really know what the money is specifically going to,” said Renae Waestman-Furlow, marketing manager for Jonathan Jaques. “We’re really big on transparency.”
The hospital is part of the Children’s Oncology Group, working to cure cancers in children and teenagers — specifically certain types of leukemia.
“Our goal is to make pediatric cancer a survivable disease, to make sure each child is curable,” Waestman-Furlow said. “And any advances we receive here, a patient in Texas will get that same knowledge. When you come and ride and make every pedal count, you’re doing something locally, but also helping every patient across the country.”
The main Tour of Long Beach route begins along the water in downtown Long Beach, goes north along the Los Angeles River, cuts across the city roughly parallel to Heartwell Park, back down along the San Gabriel River and across the boardwalk back downtown. The special Cruz Gran Fondo will be led by Tony Cruz, and its path reaches south all the way to the Laguna area and back.
The event is trying to raise about $500,000 and race officials said they expect about 3,000 cyclists of all ages and types. One-way of traffic along Shoreline Drive will be closed from about 4 a.m. to 10 a.m.
At the finish line, the BikeFest will be a daylong celebration for riders and spectators alike.
There will be a vintage bike and fashion show at 1 p.m. inspired by Bernard Serrano and the Cyclone Coasters, featuring fashion from the 1920s-1990s. A vintage exhibit will take place all day. Live swing performances will serenade the celebration.
“Guests will be encouraged to hit the dance floor with their best swing moves,” Korinke said.
The Beachwood and Friends Craft Beer Garden is returning with a larger footprint. There will be about a dozen breweries with 20 craft beers to choose from — five-ounce souvenir glasses and $20 for 10 tastings. There will be a bike shop vendor village, free bike valet, face painting and bicycle safety classes aimed at families.
“The festival really serves two purposes: To be a celebration of the participants in the tour and the other is to celebrate our biking community here in Long Beach,” Korinke said.
BikeFest Long Beach is happening this month so make sure you come out and join us for some of the festivities. http://www.LifestyleOfLongBeach.com
For all of your Real Estate needs and more… Call RicardoTheRealtor.com 562.533.4003
Our Real Estate Team always outperforms an individual.
Lifestyles of Long Beach encourages you to Race through Long Beach with the Toyota Grand Prix!
The Toyota Grand Prix is a great reason to come and visit Long Beach.
On April 19th through April 21th 2013, Shoreline Drive in downtown Long Beach is transformed for a weekend into the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach. This unique racetrack hosts the longest running street race in North America. Ricardo the Realtor and his team are here to show you the real Lifestyles of Long Beach opportunities and give you the haps on this year’s event!
For all you racetrack fans, there are plenty of car speeding events to quench our high speed thirsts. On top of six racing events, the weekend also includes a great deal of other attractions including: a Lifestyle Expo which features the latest in automotive, home, recreation, travel, and entertainment products & services; a Family Fun Zone that offers enjoyment for folks of all ages; concerts in the evening; and an exotic car show with Lamborghinis, Ferraris, and much more!
Every mid-April this greatly anticipated event draws a crowd of 200,000 people! These people include Long Beach locals, tourists from across the nation and also international guests from across the globe! As a warm-up to the main event, the 37th annual pro/celebrity race will amp up the energy as the crowds cheer on for their favorite celebrities. This year’s list of celebrity racers was recently announced and includes the likes of steamy Jesse Metcalfe (Desperate Housewives), hilarious Wanda Sykes (Comedian), our home town celeb, Long Beach native and 2012 Olympic medalist Jessica Hardy (was in this year’s Belmont Shore Christmas Parade), and hunky Jackson Rathbone (The Twilight Series). These celebrities are participating to benefit “Racing for Kids,” a fundraising effort that supports children’s hospitals across America. The exciting celebrity event will entail our fabulous drivers navigating the new 210-horsepower Scion FR-S sports cars in an exhilarating 10-lap race.
The 1.968-mile track circles around the Long Beach Convention Center and The Pike, a historic seaside amusement zone. Drivers race along the palm tree-lined, waterfront course and pass by scenic locations such as The Aquarium of the Pacific and Rainbow Harbor and Shoreline Village. The track also features a harrowing hairpin turn that will sure have the spectators on the edge of their seats.
Whether you’re a seasoned Long Beach pro or interested in seeing what the city has to offer, the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is definitely a great start. You can enjoy the camaraderie and the excitement of the event. Who knows? Maybe you’ll even see Ricardo the Realtor there! Come and visit this beautiful city and take a moment to see what Homes for Sale we have to offer. For more information and to buy your tickets, check out http://www.gplb.com/ticket-prices/.
Happy racing! 
Photo Collage and bottom photographs by Breanne Patterson
Easter activities around town brought to you by Lifestyle of Long Beach
Lifestyle of Long Beach Wishes you a happy Easter
and wants to share with you all of these great Easter activities around town.
Easter Happenings in Long Beach
Ricardo the Realtor and his team have compiled a list of places in Long Beach
that are offering Easter fun and delicious Easter meals!
Easter Activities
Easter “Eggstravaganza”
An Easter Celebration for all children. Games, crafts and an Easter Egg hunt!
Where: California Heights United Methodist Church (3759 Orange Ave.);
When: Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m. to noon
- Free for children through fifth grade
- Crafts, games, and the Easter Bunny
Spring Easter Egg Hunt
Councilman Patrick O’Donnell is hosting an Egg Hunt to kick off spring in an age old tradition.
Where: Located at Los Altos Park (5485 Stearns St.);
When: Saturday, March 30, 10 a.m.- 12 p.m.
- Free of Charge and open to the public
- Features include music, arts & crafts, face painting, giveaways, and a bounce house!
- Activities for the whole family
Free Easter Bunny Pictures with Radio Disney
Where: Center Stage at Marketplace Long Beach (Second St. & PCH)
When: Saturday, March 30, 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
- Take a picture with the Easter bunny for FREE, bring your own camera!
- Opportunity drawings and giveaways including a $100 gift card for any of the shops in the Marketplace
Russo’s Neighborhood Ristorante & Bar
Where: 5856 E. Naples Plaza, Long Beach (NAPLES ISLAND), CA 90803, PH: 562.433.1616
When : Good Friday, 5 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.
- 1/2 off All Appetizers
- A wide selections of fish & seafood dishes available including Crushed Halibut.
- Full Range of dishes available, including Pastas, Pizzas, and Salads
K.C. Branaghan’s Irish Pub & Restaurant
When: Easter, Sunday March 31, 2013 ALL DAY
Where: 5734 East 2ND Street, Long Beach, CA 90803 Pub
- Breakfast Items available all day
- 10% off entire order with reservations, Call (562) 370-0975 to RSVP
- Entire menu available
- No price increase for Easter Brunch.
Easter Sunday Champagne Brunch Buffet at Parker’s Lighthouse
When: March 31st 10:00AM – 2:30PM
- Adults: $42; Children 5 to 12: $19, Call (562) 432-6500 to RSVP
- The Easter Menu is inviting and the view is pure heaven!
- Price to include unlimited Champagne and Mimosas!
Champagne Easter Brunch at Claire’s
at the Long Beach Museum of Art
- Adults $44.95, Children 10 & under $12.95, Reservations required; call 562.439.2119 ext. 270
- Claire’s at the Museum prides itself in excellent service and artistic presentation.
- Enjoy brunch on the bluff, served buffet style
- accompaniment of Live Music.
Aquarium of the Pacific’s Event
Come enjoy Easter Brunch and a day at the Aquarium! Meet over 11,000 animals and sitting down to a gourmet brunch on this special holiday.
When: March 31, 2013, 10:30 AM–1:30 PM
- Adult: $48; Kids (3-11): $38
- Members: Adult: $38; Kids: $28
- Call (562)590-3100 to RSVP or visit their website (click here to check out the menu and) to purchase tickets
Easter Brunch at Fuego, Hotel Maya
- $54.00 per adult and child 13 and older; $27.00 for children, 12 and under; plus tax and gratuity.
- Enjoy a great buffet including an Omelet Station!
- Live Latin Jazz on the Patio
Long Beach is full of many fun activities throughout the year. Living in Long Beach gives you the opportunity to participate in all the fun. Whether you already reside in Long Beach or you are looking for a Long Beach Home for Sale, Ricardo the Realtor and his team can help you. We look forward to seeing you around town!
EXPLORE LONG BEACH’S RICH HISTORY WITH LIFESTYLES OF LONG BEACH
Lifestyles of Long Beach Presents:
LONG BEACH HISTORIC DISTRICTS
Long Beach is full of interesting history which can still be enjoyed.
Long Beach is a thriving and bustling metropolis that’s constantly changing, as evident in the construction and development of various neighborhoods such as The Promenade between Broadway and 3rd Street, the North Neighborhood library, and even housing with the revitalization of three vacant buildings on Pine Avenue in Central Long Beach called Collage. With all of this growth, it’s hard to imagine what Long Beach was like back in its early days. Don’t worry, Ricardo the Realtor is here to bring you a list of exciting facts and introduce you to the city’s historic districts.
The Bembridge House is a Queen Anne Victorian style home built in 1906 on Park Circle Drive in Long Beach
For all of you architectural buffs, be sure to check out our historic districts spread around the city. In order for the region or building to be considered historical it must “have historical/architectural value and have retained the original exterior forms and materials,” according to Long Beach Development Service. In all, there are 17 neighborhoods each with its own charm and significance. These residences, along with the streetscape features, such as trees or light standards, conjure up an image of the past and contribute to a sense of community pride. The architecture on these houses range from Craftsman Bungalows to Tudor Revival to even Victorian designs such as the Bembridge House on Park Circle Drive.
Aside from the historical homes, Long Beach itself has quite a history. Incorporated in 1897, the city was first used for agricultural purposes with the development of Rancho Los Alamitos and Rancho Los Cerritos. In the early 20th century, it became more of a seaside resort with less emphasis on agriculture. The Pike, the most famous amusement zone on the West Coast from 1902 to 1969, offered tourists and residents access to foods, games, and rides. The port, oil industry, and Navy shipyard and facilities gradually became the main focus of the city in the 1950s. For a more in-depth look at Long Beach, refer to Long Beach Historical Society and Long Beach Heritage.
In a city that has been in existence over 100 years, you will be able to find something for which you’re passionate and cultivate that passion with the help of Ricardo the Realtor. Ricardo and his team are experts in the Long Beach housing market and are always ready to show you the home of your dreams. Whether you are looking for a new home or to take part of history by living in a historical home, Long Beach is definitely the place for you.
Neighborhood |
Time Period |
Architectural Styles |
Area Encompassed |
Other Notes |
| Belmont Heights | Period of architectual significance 1905-1939 | Craftsman Bungalow, Mission Revival, Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, & Neo-Traditional | Newport Ave., Roswell Ave.,4th St. 7th St. |
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| Bluff Park | 1903-1949 | mostly Craftsman Bungalows and Period Revival styles | Junipero Ave., Loma Ave., Ocean Blvd. 2nd St. |
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| California Heights | late 1920s-early 1940s | Craftsman Bungalow, Tudor Revival, Neo-Traditional |
Wardlow Rd., Bixby Rd., Lime Ave. Gardenia Ave. |
|
| Drake Park/ Wilmore City |
early 1900′s | Victorian, Craftsman Bungalows, Mission, Prairie, Italian Renaissance and Spanish Colonial Revival styles | Loma Vista Dr., Park Court, 4th St. Magnolia Ave., Nylic Court – Magnolia to 7th St. |
|
| Hellman Street Craftsman | Not Available | Craftsman Bungalow, Spanish Colonial Revival and Victorian stles | North of 9th St., Btwn Orange & Walnut Ave., Hellman St. (fr. Orange to Walnut), Both sides of Orange Ave. fr. 730-937, W. of Walnut Ave., Btwn Hellman & 9th, Fr. 733-915 Hoffman Ave. (804-918) | |
| Lowena Drive | 1919-1926 | Chateauesque styles | ∙230, 260, 280 Junipero Ave. ∙2202, 2220, 2230 Lowena Drive. |
|
| Rose Park | 1910-1922 | Craftsman Bungalows, Spanish Colonial Revival, Neo-Traditional styles | East of St. Louis , Alley north of 7th St. Coronado and 10th St. |
|
| Sunrise Boulevard | 1908-1924 | Predominantly Craftsman Bungalows | 2515-2596 Lime, 2444-2588 Olive 638-836 Sunrise, 701-745 Vernon St. 804 E. Willow |
This neighborhood was a ranch, then a milk sanitarium and is adjacent to the Pacific Electric Railway line |
| Wrigley Area | 1928-1934 | Spanish Colonial Revival styles | 2008-2191 Eucalyptus Ave. 439 W. 20th St., 417 W. 21st St. |
The developer of the two-block neighborhood, William S. Wrigley, Jr., is also the chewing gum magnate. |
| Bluff Heights | 1910-1923 | Craftsman Bungalows | ∙East of Junipero Ave. (not incldng Carroll Park or Lowena Dr.) ∙West of Redondo Ave. S. of 4th St., N. of Broadway |
|
| Brenner Place | 1923 | Spanish Colonial Revival styles | One block district located East of Alamitos Ave., Btwn 7th St. & Hellman St. | 10 small identical single-story structures on both sides of a narrow private street, culminating in two two-story structures adjacent to the alley. |
| Carroll Park | 1898-1923 | Craftsman Bungalows and several old barns | Carroll Park E., W., & N. Junipero Ave., 3rd St. |
|
| Eliot Lane | 1923 | Mission Revival and Craftsman Bungalows | ∙Between 3rd and Colorado ∙St. Joseph and Argonne in Belmont Heights |
|
| Linden Avenue | early 1900s | Greek Revival, Craftsman, Victorian/ Craftsman blend, Am. Foursquare, & Mediterranean multi-family structure | ∙Alley north of Anaheim to 14th St. ∙1324-1357 Linden Ave. |
|
| Minerva Park Place | 1925 | Spanish Colonial Revival styles | ∙1045-1085 Minerva Park Place ∙1724 and 1746 E. 11th St |
|
| Rose Park South | Craftsman Bungalow | N. of 4th St., S. of 7th St., Cherry & Coronado/Obispo, Only residential homes facing the aves. | ||
| Wilton Street | 1924 | Spanish Colonial Revival and Mission Revival styles | ∙3800 – 3926 Wilton St. ∙Btwn Termino & Grand Ave. ∙1634 Grand & 1637 Termino Ave. |
Long Beach has 17 historical districts around the city.
Help Clean Long Beach by volunteering at one of our many beach clean up events
LifestylesOfLongBeach.com , We are a Team of Realtors that work and live in Long Beach. “For all of your Real Estate needs & more… Call Ricardo the Realtor 562-533-4003
Help Clean Long Beach by volunteering at one of our many beach clean up
HelpCleanLongBeach.com
Ricardo the Realtor and his team of agents help promote Long Beach Clean Up events to keep our city clean. Please like our Help Clean Long Beach Facebook page
The Long Beach Water Department organizes a quarterly beach clean-up in our perennial effort to help make this a more ‘Beautiful Long Beach’ and to promote environmental stewardship and education.
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE?
Everyone is invited to participate and support this environmental clean-up effort. There is no pre-registration required, just show up on the day of the event. High School and College Students receive volunteer service credit for their participation and Scouts receive credit toward merit badges. Also, any person in need of completing community service is invited to help out and receive service credit.
WHEN IS IT HELD?
Upcoming dates and times are:
- March 16, 2013 9 AM to 12 PM
- June 15, 2013 9 AM to 12 PM
- September 21, 2013 9 AM to 12 PM
WHAT TO BRING
- Hat
- Shoes
- Sunscreen
WE PROVIDE
- FREE GIVEAWAYS
- Trash Bags
- Gloves
- Volunteer Service Verification Forms
- Official Recognition from the Long Beach Board of Water Commissioners
LOCATION
We clean Bluff Park Beach and meet at the intersection of E. Ocean Blvd. & Coronado Ave.
Being part of Long Beach is not just helping our clients buy and sell homes. We are here for long term prosperity for both our clients and the city. For all of your Real Estate needs and more… Call RicardoTheRealtor.com 562-533-4003
