The Best of Long Beach—

Uptown

Uptown Long Beach is a neighborhood that gets better by taking your time. With locally-owned restaurants, welcoming gathering places, expansive parks and green spaces, there’s plenty of ways to slow down, stay active or just enjoy yourself for an entire day.

With this Uptown itinerary you’ll start with coffee and a little culture, stretch your legs in the parks, refuel with some serious comfort food, then make time for grooming and relaxation before ending the day with tacos. Always tacos.

COFFEE AND A LITTLE QUIET

Ease into the morning at Black Ring Coffee Roasters (5373 Long Beach Blvd.), where small-batch roasted coffee and neighborhood energy make a natural starting point. Grab a signature latte, cold brew or pour-over, then head to nearby Michelle Obama Neighborhood Library (5870 Atlantic Ave), the largest neighborhood branch in the Long Beach Public Library system. Featuring a makerspace with 3D printing and virtual reality technology, a dedicated children’s library, computers, study rooms and learning garden, its landscaped courtyard offers shaded seating and a StoryWalk for reading while walking.

GET OUTSIDE AT HOUGHTON PARK

Head outdoors at Houghton Park (6301 Myrtle Ave), one of North Long Beach’s largest and most active green spaces. Take a leisurely walk, shoot some hoops, watch the action at the skate park or simply find a shady spot to relax. With sports facilities, open lawns and plenty of room to roam, Houghton offers a chance to slow down and enjoy the outdoors while taking in the neighborhood’s everyday energy. Spend a little time exploring while you work up an appetite for lunch.

LOUISIANA-STYLE LUNCH, THEN EXPLORE THE WETLANDS

Come hungry to Sal's Gumbo Shack (4470 California Pl), a North Long Beach favorite serving Louisiana-inspired comfort food, from gumbo and po’ boys to catfish and shrimp. After lunch, trade the table for the trail at DeForest Park and Wetlands (6255 De Forest Ave). Located along the Los Angeles River, the park combines recreation areas with restored wetlands, native plants and nature trails. It’s the perfect post-lunch reset, and a chance to see a quieter, more natural side of Uptown.

FRESHEN UP AND WIND DOWN

If they can restore the wetlands, then why not you? Spend the afternoon getting a little maintenance and a lot of relaxation. At 1984 Barbershop (6080 Atlantic Ave), settle into a classic neighborhood barbershop experience and come out looking sharp for the evening. Offering precision haircuts, fades, beard trims and styling, this professional barbershop welcomes customers of all ages. You can also head to Radiance Infrared Sauna and Salt Lounge (4512 Atlantic Ave) for some serious restorative downtime. Book an infrared sauna session and let the day slow down. After coffee, parks, lunch and plenty of walking, this is your chance to turn the afternoon into a reset.

EXPERIENCE UPTOWN EVENTS

If you’re lucky enough to be in Uptown during one of its numerous community events, festivals or celebrations, make a point of joining the fun. The annual Uptown Jazz Festival is a standout. Usually held one glorious, late summer day, it fills the neighborhood with live music, good vibes and plenty of local food and flavor. Chances are that Unforgettable Lemonade will be there as well, serving its refreshing, tangy, bright and beautiful lemonade. This family-owned operation has built a loyal following as it has grown, making a glass of its one-of-a-kind lemonade a perfect accompaniment to a jazzy afternoon.

FINISH WITH TACOS

If it’s not the law that every evening should somehow end with tacos, well, then it should be. Cap your Uptown day at Guerrero Taqueria (823 E South St), a family-run neighborhood spot where the menu ranges from classic tacos and burritos to hearty caldos, mariscos and other Mexican favorites. Keep it casual, order a few things to share and let dinner stretch into the evening. After a full day of exploring, there’s something fitting about ending with a neighborhood taqueria: no fuss, plenty of flavor and one more taste of the community that makes Uptown worth taking the time.

Author

Steve Lowery
Steve Lowery is a longtime local. Over the years he has written for the Los Angeles Times, ESPN, and others. If you're looking for the hidden gems of Long Beach, Steve is your go-to.

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