Long Beach has been called SoCal’s Coolest Beach Town in a Sunset Magazine cover story this month. The magazine touts recent LB developments, saying “Locals are transforming it from a commuter town into SoCal’s hottest creative hub.”
Being the only urban waterfront between San Diego and San Francisco, this is something we (and the article’s writer Amy Preiser) have known for a while now, but hopping up onto the national stage always brings smiles to our faces. And with upcoming Downtown openings like Beer Belly and WeWork, this is only the beginning.
Several Downtown Long Beach businesses are highlighted in the article including The Pie Bar and Recreational Coffee. The Pie Bar’s innovative pie flights take the cake this time. “You can sample four tastes when you order a ‘pie flight’; shot glasses are filled with popular specialties, from Key lime to bourbon pecan.” Recreational Coffee’s Iced Basilfruit coffee and “its evil cousin, the Hoppy Iced Coffee” are what made heads turn at Sunset Magazine.
Beer lovers, the secret on Beachwood Blendery is out as Preiser gives some Beachwood backstory. “They’ve forged a barrel room designed to mimic Belgium’s temperature and humidity. Their beers are served in small pours and bottled in a rustic yet colorful space.” We couldn’t agree more, and that’s before we even start talking about their most recent award of a silver medal for Chaos is a Friend of Mine in the Belgian-Style Lambic category at this year’s Great American Beer Festival.
In the East Village Arts District, 6th and Detroit represents the shopping side of Downtown in the Sunset article. Impeccable taste at affordable prices earn their spot on the list. “It’s how the pieces come together that makes you want to linger. A neutral color palette is livened up by the fairy tale–like case goods, in addition to ceramic owls, macramé hangers, and rare tropical plants potted in wicker baskets.”
The article also points out some interesting trends about Long Beach shopping and business, namely that Long Beach has become a shopping destination for the Southland. An excerpt from Preiser’s interview with 6th and Detroit owner, Michelle Qazi explains, “The first time a shopper journeyed from LA just to visit [her] new curated home-decor shop, Qazi was shocked; now, it’s commonplace for Angelenos to reverse commute to 6th and Detroit.”
Local furniture designer, Eric Trine sums it up well: “The indie-spirited have always lived in Long Beach,” and day by day more are working and creating here too.
The full article is only available in the print edition of Sunset’s Magazine November issue, but you can see featured businesses in their online feature.