The weekend is finally here!  If you are looking for some unique and fun ways to spend it near your Long Beach apartment we have gathered a few for you.

Want to celebrate the weekend “oldskool” style and take a trip down music memory lane to the late 80s and early 90s when hip hop was in its infancy and Salt-N-Peppa was pushing it hard, real hard? Then the Freestyle Festival is the place to be this weekend.

Where and When:

Queen Mary, Long Beach, CA

Sunday, April 24, 2016 (gates open at 1pm and the show starts at 2:30pm)

What:

Check out this line-up: Salt-N-Peppa, Berlin, Stevie B., 2 Live Crew, Sweet Sensation, Debbie Gibson, Lisa Lisa, Debbie Deb, Slick Rick, Trinere, Biz Markie, JJ Fad,  Robin S., Tiffany, Gucci Crew, Nu Shooz, Pretty Poison and Connie.

Cost:

From $45 to $150

Website

Are you looking for something a little milder?  Why not check out the South Bay Home and Garden Show at the Long Beach Convention Center on April 22 to April 24, 2016.

Where:

Long Beach Convention Center – 300 East Ocean Boulevard

When:

Saturday 10am to 8pm

Sunday 10am to 6pm

What:

See and learn about the latest trends in home improvement, decorating, and gardening.

While bar trends for 2016 include drinks made with kombucha, champagne and sherry inspired drinks, elderflower and smoked cocktails, every once in a while you simply want a glass (or bottle) of wine paired with a small plate or tapas.

Well, you are in luck, in addition to a number of bars serving up the latest cocktail trends, Long Beach also has some great wine bars.

Here is a list of some of the top rated wine bars near your Long Beach apartment.

The Wine Bar
250 W Ocean Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

Website

Art Du Vin

2027 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

Website

4th Street Vine 

2142 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA 90814

Website

Hiking and walking are a great way to get exercise, here are a few hiking spots near your Long Beach apartment.  Come on, take a hike!

Dominguez Gap Wetlands

Long Beach, CA 90807

Urban area along the LA River with trails for hiking, walking, and biking!

El Dorado Nature Center

7550 E Spring St, Long Beach, CA 90815

Website

This is a great spot for a short walk or hike.  The Nature center has two miles of dirt trails and a 1/4 mile dirt trail that meanders through woods, around two lakes, and a stream.

Hilltop Park

2351 Dawson Ave, Signal Hill, CA 90755

Website

Portuguese Bend Reserve

Rancho Palos Verdes, CA 90275

Website

The 399-acre Portuguese Bend Reserve has a number of trails of varying levels of difficulty, many with ocean views.

Did you know there are songs about pancakes, a facebook page dedicated to the love of pancakes, and a National Pancake Day in February?  All of these facts are true (if not a bit disturbing)!  So we know that there are pancake lovers out there looking for that cheer me up, covered in warm syrup, eat them for lunch or breakfast food; pancakes!

So where can you find pancakes in Long Beach, CA?  We have put together a few of the area’s favorites.

The Breakfast Bar

70 Atlantic Ave
Long Beach, CA 90802

the-breakfast-bar.com

Enjoy breakfast and lunch (til 3) at The Breakfast Bar.  They have an outdoor patio, an inventive menu, free white sangrias (with Yelp check in) and delicious pancakes.  Try their naked pancakes or Dad’s favorite lemon cake pancake with a zesty citrus frosting and topped with mixed berries.  Their chicken and waffles are a favorite of yelp viewers.

IHOP

2050 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90815

700 E 45th St, Long Beach, CA 90807

5316 Lakewood Blvd, Lakewood, CA 90712

IHOP is known for their pancakes, before it was IHOP it was the International House of Pancakes, so they must know a thing or two about pancakes.  The menu has over 10 and they always have creative and delicious seasonal pancake specials.

Denny’s

601 Long Beach Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90802

5570 Pacific Coast Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90804

3333 Atlantic Ave, Long Beach, CA 90807

2860 N Bellflower Blvd, Long Beach, CA 90815

Yes, Denny’s is still around and more than just a late night spot.  They serve breakfast all day and have some delicious pancakes on their menu.  Try peanut butter cup, banana pecan, or cinnamon pancakes.

 

 

 

The hunt is over!  The hunt for something to do this Easter in Long Beach, CA that is!  We have put together some of the best Easter brunches near your Long Beach apartment.

The Reef

Celebrate Easter at the Reef on Sunday, March 27^th with a delicious brunch from 9am to 6pm.  Go with an appetite, they will be serving eggs benedict, made-to-order omelets, ham, prime rib, lamb carving stations, seafood stations, sushi, smoked salmon, Osso Buco, a chocolate fountain and so much more! If all that weren’t enough, you will receive complimentary champagne, great views, a visit from the Easter Bunny, and face painting.  $49.95 for adults and $21.95 for children.

Address: 880 S Harbor Scenic Dr

Long Beach, CA 90802

The Queen Mary’s Sunday Champagne Brunch

Living in Long Beach you know that the Queen Mary is host to a number of events throughout the year, but you may not know that they have a Champagne Brunch every Sunday.  On Easter, they step it up a bit with Eater egg hunting, face painting, a petting zoo, a visit from the Easter Bunny, children’s games, and prizes.

The fun doesn’t end there, enjoy the ship’s restaurants or make reservations for their Easter Sunday Champagne Brunch with gourmet dishes, deserts for $69.95 and $24.95.  So hop on board this Easter.

Address: 1126 Queens Hwy
Long Beach, CA 90802

Enjoy a wonderful Easter Brunch from 9:30 am to 2:30 pm.  $55 per person and children Spring is in the air and Easter Sunday is near.  Make your reservations today for Easter Sunday, March 27th.

Parkers’ Lighthouse

Address: 435 Shoreline Village Drive
Long Beach, CA 90802

 

It is that time of year again!  No, not Spring, not the presidential primaries, it is MARCH MADNESS!  Whether you are a die hard fan or were convinced to enter the office pool (like 50 million other Americans), the Division 1 NCAA Tournament is a must see event!  So where will you be taking in the game near your Long Beach apartment.

Hooters is famous for their wings and yes, their wait staff, but they are also a great place to watch the NCAA March Madness.  From now until the end of the Men’s Tournament (April 4), they have a Busted Burger special.  Location: 71 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

The Tilted Kilt will be showcasing the tournament on their large TVs and plenty of tournament games on.  Location: 6575 E Pacific Coast Highway, Long Beach, CA 90803

Legends – This sports bar mecca begins highlighting March Madness on March 15th and goes all the way throug the 4th of April on their many large screens.  This bar is a fun place to watch a game with other fans!  Location: 5236 East 2nd Street, Long Beach, CA 90803

The Break Room – This rowdy dive bar has TVs and is a great spot for younger locals to catch a NCAA Game.  Location: 1920 W Willow Street,  Long Beach, CA 90810

Are you looking for fun St. Patrick’s Day events near your Long Beach apartment? Check these out and soon you will be feeling the luck of the Irish.

Long Beach Irish Heritage Parade & Festival

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at the annual Long Beach Irish Heritage Parade and Festival.  The parade goes for six blocks starting at Pine Avenue heading east to the Promenade.  The parade starts at 2:00 P.M., enjoy the festival at the Promenade Park.

Queen Mary Long Beach will be celebrating St. Patrick’s Day with the Shamrock ‘N Roll event!  Enjoy music, contests, food and drink!  Tickets are $20 at the door and there are events all night long!

Check out this great lineup!

6:00pm BELLES of BEDLAM
6:30pm RADIO DOMINGO – Royal Salon
7:00pm MCKINTREE BOYS – Queen’s Salon
7:45pm Luck O’ the Irish Trivia Contest – Royal Salon
8:15pm BELLES of BEDLAM – Royal Salon
8:30pm CALIFORNIA CELTS – Queen’s Salon
8:45pm RADIO DOMINGO – Royal Salon
10:00pm CRAIC HAUS – Queen’s Salon
10:00pm ShamRock Yer Noggin’ Trivia Contest – Royal Salon
11:15pm It’s Not Easy Being Green Contest – Royal Salon
11:30pm HOIST THE COLORS – Queen’s Salon

http://www.queenmary.com/events/shamrock-n-roll/

 

So, you didn’t score an invitation to the 88^th Annual Academy Awards and you didn’t win the lottery to watch the stars arrive on the Red Carpet, but that doesn’t mean you can’t celebrate the Oscars!

The Oscars will air on ABC at 8:30 P.M. and the Red Carpet will air at 7:00 P.M., both on ABC and E!.  Invite some friends over to watch the big night or get all dressed up and attend an Oscar Viewing Party near your Long Beach apartment.

The Red Carpet Oscar Viewing Party at the Art Theatre in Long Beach is open to any one that makes a donation of $25.00 or more.  Located at 2025 E 4th St, Long Beach, CA.  The event starts at 4:00 P.M. with a live viewing on the big screen and wine and champagne ready for purchase at the concession stand.

Get your tickets here.

 

You love your Long Beach apartment; the location, the interior it is all good and then one day, boom, it starts, and construction noise is ruining your once quiet oasis.  What can you do?

The city of Long Beach has a noise ordinance where you can report noise complaints.  Here is the link.

If the construction seems like a long-term project, you may want to consider making some changes within your apartment.

Such as:

1. Purchase a white noise machine.
2. Rearrange your furniture so that your bed or couch are furthest from the window.
3. Purchase some inexpensive curtains that help with noise. Walmart has a large selection in a variety of colors and patterns.
4. Purchase some noise blocking headsets. There is a large variety out there of varying sizes.

One good thing is that the construction will be gone and you will be able to enjoy the peace and quiet of your Long Beach apartment again.

Looking for something fun to do this Valentines Day in Long Beach, CA? Look no further. Long Beach provides a number of entertaining things to do with a loved one or close friends. Check out the Aquarium of the Pacific, a 5-acre site in Rainbow Harbor and get up-close and personal with the creatures of the sea. The swirling colors of these unique and exotic underwater beauties is not a sight to be missed. Though, if that’s a little too fishy for you, try a leisurely stroll through the beautiful greenery at the Earl Burns Miller Japanese Gardens. The romantic site is popular amongst couples and has hosted many a wedding over the years. Regular tours are held and will be available from noon-4pm this Valentines Day. If you’ve got a thing for museums, you might like to check out the Museum of Latin American Art and take in all of the history and culture it has to offer. This beautiful collection is dedicated solely to the modern and historical arts of Latin America and will be open from 11am to 5pm this Valentines. To end your night, check out The Long Beach Waterfront. It provides an excellent place for a late night stroll, with many dining options and places to see along your walk, with of course, its gorgeous view of the water.