Arts & Life, Features

New adventures on the train

Beach Streets will be closing car traffic to downtown Long Beach on March 19. Patrons are encouraged to walk or bike to the event and discover everything from Retro Row to Pine ave. and back again.

One alternative to arrive at the event may be a ride on the Metro Blue Line, located right at the heart of downtown Long Beach.

The train runs as a main vein between Long Beach to Downtown Los Angeles, stopping at the 7th Street/Metro Center station. At an impressive 22 miles long, the Blue Line has 22 stations along its route.

The Blue Line is the oldest train in the Los Angeles Metro Rail system. Although it has remained unchanged, the same could not be said of the different cities which the train travels through. With 22 stops there is no shortage of fun to be discovered along the Blue Line rail.

Pine Avenue is one of the first stops in Downtown Long Beach. Opposite the Pike, the strip at Pine is full of upstart small businesses and mom and pop shops. There are some chain and corporate businesses such as Starbucks and Gold’s Gym.

If patrons are looking for something smaller and more intimate, they need only look right to find the alternatives,

With plenty of shopping, dining, and fitness options, Pine Avenue is the perfect place for a leisurely stroll on a weekend afternoon. Or if you’re looking to turn up on any given night, hit the spot any time after 8:00 p.m. for a fun night of drinking and (responsible) belligerence with friends. Just remember, safety in numbers, and don’t take candy from strangers.

Kress Market is a small organic grocery store and restaurant offering healthy alternatives to everyday snacks. It is located just two blocks away from the downtown Long Beach blue line station.

Owned by Hilda Kress and her husband, the store is getting ready to celebrate their six-year anniversary this August.

Kress manages the market from 10 a.m. until 10 p.m. seven days a week.

Although she says times were tough in the beginning the store is now doing well and she is happy to celebrate a sixth year at her current location. Kress says she has a lot of regulars from the surrounding apartments and businesses.

Pine and some of the local businesses will be featured as part of this month’s Beach Streets. The event will run 4 miles and will include Retro Row at Fourth Street, the East Village Arts District and the Broadway Corridor.

The event will begin at 10 a.m. and end at 5 p.m.

Beach Streets is a family-friendly event with specific events just for children. There will also be a featured beer garden and music from live bands.

CSULB’s KBeach will be broadcasting from Bixby Park and can be heard live on 88.1 FM.   

Diane Streitfeld, owner of a small boutique called Streitfeld that will be participating in Beach Streets, opened her shop about a month ago. She will be offering a tie-dye workshop for $15 open to all who wish to participate.

Once Beach Streets closes, or rather reopens its streets to traffic, stick around for the nightlife. The Federal Bar is a chain restaurant throughout Los Angeles. One of the Federal Bar locations is at the corner of Pine and First Street across the street from the downtown Long Beach Metro Blue Line station, the Federal is a local hot spot.

Or if you’re not 21 yet, Hamburger Mary’s, located a little further down from the Federal Bar, is an 18-and-over gay club which attracts an eclectic crowd.

Take your pick, but there is definitely no shortage of options when you’re on Pine in Downtown Long Beach — and don’t forget to ride Metro!

This article is a part of an ongoing series surrounding the Metro Blue Line and various things to do at various stops.

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