Historic Districts of Long Beach

If you are on a street in Long Beach, look up and check out the street sign.  What color is it?

A blue sign is what you usually see.

A white sign?

That's means you are in one of Long Beach's historic districts. These are neighborhoods that have been recognized as having special architectural and/or historic value for the City of Long Beach.  It is the City Council that designates the historic status for neighborhoods, buildings, places, objects or landmarks. 

The historic districts are houses that would not be significant on their own, but as a group they preserve the visual quality and ambiance of the past.  Typically the older homes are unaltered and intact.  Any changes to the exterior of the homes must go through the City's planning department and meet strict guidelines to keep the architectural compatibility of the area.  At least two-thirds of homes in an area must meet the standards of the historic district to be designated as such.

Homes in historic districts tend to hold their value and are a great investment.  Often the neighbors are close, working to maintain the ambiance and feel through Community Watch groups, tree plantings, seasonal block parties.  Many of the areas have smaller homes, so they are great starter homes for buyers where keeping the value will help as their families grow and they need to step up to a larger home.

There are currently 17 historic districts in Long Beach.  Some of the better known ones are Rose Park, Bluff Heights, California Heights, Wrigley Area, Belmont Heights, Carroll Park.

Here is a link, from the City's website, to a map of the historic districts of Long Beach.
Long Beach Historic Districts

Explore the city and check out the historic districts.  And if you want to move into one, let me know.

California Heights Historic District







Willmore City Historic District

 

Rose Park Historic District

Holiday Traditions - Food!

While getting ready for an annual Christmas party at our home, I was making recipes that were my grandmother's traditions and a couple that friends had handed down.  Making the rounds to the usual area stores (Costco, Trader Joe's, Albertsons) I wondered how many others were shopping for their traditional recipe ingredients, too.  How many Long Beach holiday traditions were in the provisioning stages?  I checked baskets and decided quite a few!

At Thanksgiving and Christmas I always make my Grandma Audrey's cranberry nut bread.  It's a family expectation and one I follow to the letter, using the recipe card my grandmother lovingly wrote out for me.  Although she passed in 2000, I still miss her and making the bread makes me feel close to her.  This year I made her "delicious cake", which calls for a whole can of fruit cocktail, with syrup!  When is the last time anyone bought fruit cocktail?  Luckily, it's still made, and her cake was a hit.  I remember my grandmother making that cake for her potlucks at St. Mary's Hospital so many decades ago.  It might just be a Long Beach tradition on its own.

A new tradition for us, from a friend's recipe, is the inclusion of Eggnog Martinis at the party.  One part eggnog, one part vodka, a little less than 1 part Amaretto:  shake over ice and pour into a martini glass, then top with nutmeg or cinnamon.  In a word?  Yum.  Tradition now.

What traditional things do you make?  What kind of kitchen do you need to make them in?  Do you have that kitchen now or are you looking for it?  I can help you with the search for that special kitchen in a new home.  I might share Grandma Audrey's cranberry nut bread and delicious cake recipes with you, too.  Maybe you already know what the first thing is you would make in that new kitchen to claim it as "yours".

I would love to hear about your holiday traditions.  How about a great latke recipe or the perfect Christmas candy?  Happy 9 days before Christmas!

Naples, Long Beach

Back in 1903, about the time Abbot Kinney was creating the canals up the coast in Venice, CA, the firm of Mayberry and Parker developed Naples in Long Beach.  It is one of my favorite areas in Long Beach, embracing the waterfront location and the easy lifestyle.

Made up of three islands in Alamitos Bay, Naples has many waterfront homes on the canals and the bay.  It's a popular spot this time of year as people walk the Rivo Alto, kayak, hydro-bike or cruise on Duffy boats through the canals to look at the holiday lights.  My husband and I walk the canals as one of our annual Christmas traditions.  From time to time we see friends who live there and stop for a chat and a glass of something.  You might find us out on the evening of the 17th this month, enjoying the light show.

The Gondola Getaway has been offering tours through Naples since 1982.  They have small gondolas for romantic twosomes and larger boats that can accommodate a brunch or pizza party.  Kayak rentals and Stand Up Paddleboards are also great ways to see the islands and beautiful homes.  Duffy boats can be rented from Pelican Joe's and McKenna's.  Watch for the tide levels as the Duffy Boats are only allowed through the canals when the tides are lower.  Any time of day or year is a wonderful time to explore this area.

There are also various swims around the island from the recently introduced Naples Island Swims to local high school water polo and swim teams doing it for training.  Occasionally you will also see seals in the canals.  If you look closely you will find Captain Morgan and Bob's Big Boy, too.

Speaking of food, if you're hungry, there are excellent restaurants on Naples:  Michaels on Naples, Naples Rib Company, Nico's Restaurant, Fora Restaurant, Russo's Neighborhood Ristorante, Naples Sushi, Michael's Pizza, Kelly's and more.  Naples Locker specializes in clothing for that nautical lifestyle, as well as related gifts.  Most of the Naples establishments are locally owned and participate in the community through donations to local charities.

Currently, 7 of the 10 most expensive homes for sale in Long Beach are in Naples.  They include beautiful views, boat docks and true luxury living.  Features of these homes include elevators, floor to ceiling windows, incredible gourmet kitchens and huge walk-in closets.  You can also find a home in Naples for under $1 million if you don't mind not having a water view.  You're never more than a block or two from the water.

This year the 67th Annual Naples Island Boat Parade, themed "Vintage Christmas" will be held Saturday, December 21th at 6:00 p.m. Streets close at 5:00 p.m., so get there early and dress warmly.

And, if you'd like to buy or sell a home in Naples or the surrounding areas, I'd be happy to help.  I'm never too busy for your referrals.

Cruising Naples canals in a Duffy boat with neighbors, December 2012

Holidays in Long Beach - Lights On!

Thanksgiving is over, we are in the middle of Hanukkah and Christmas is fast approaching.  There are the traditional parades to enjoy and new holiday traditions being started here in Long Beach, many centered around lights.

The floating Christmas trees in Alamitos Bay and other public recreation areas have been up for a few weeks and they were turned on the day after Thanksgiving.  The tradition of Trees in the Bay goes back to 1949, but the first of the wooden structures you see today started in 1953.  The trees are maintained and lit through generous donations of local organizations and individuals.

This year Shul by the Shore's Fire & Ice Extravaganza was a public menorah lighting and celebration of Hanukkah.  Located at the Citibank parking lot on 2nd Street, the event was held on December 1st, and was the first one held in the Shore.  Here's hoping that becomes a tradition.

This week we have the 31st Annual Belmont Shore Christmas Parade on Saturday, December 7th.  The parade starts at 6:00 p.m. at the corner of 2nd Street and Livingston, continuing the length of 2nd Street to Bayshore.  You can set up chairs and blankets after 5p.  Dress warmly!

The Shoreline Marina Yacht Club puts on the Parade of 1,000 Lights on December 14th, after the 60th Annual Daisy Avenue Christmas Parade, which begins at 5:00 p.m.

Mark your calendar for the Naples Island Annual Holiday Boat Parade on December 21st.  It's the 67th edition of the floating tradition. 

You don't need a date and a time to walk the canals of Naples to enjoy the holiday lights.  Make your own parade by renting a Duffy Boat to view the lights from the water.

There are so many more events that make Long Beach the place to be for the holidays.  And if you're looking to buy or sell a home here, don't just tell Santa, please let me know!  I'd love to help your holiday home dreams come true.  Wishing you a Joyous Hanukkah, a Merry Christmas, a Happy Kwanzaa and a wonderful holiday season.