With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today .
3 Beach Streets pro tips from Long Beach's mayor
People on their bikes at a Beach Streets event in Long Beach.
(
City of Long Beach
)
Dancing at a Beach Streets event in Long Beach.
(
City of Long Beach
)
Music and food at a Beach Streets event in Long Beach.
(
City of Long Beach
)
Yoga at a Beach Streets event in Long Beach.
(
City of Long Beach
)
Bikes at a Beach Streets event in Long Beach.
(
City of Long Beach
)
Just Married bicyclers at a Beach Streets event in Long Beach.
(
City of Long Beach
)
Music at a Beach Streets event in Long Beach.
(
City of Long Beach
)
Long Beach is holding its own version of CicLAvia — the Beach Streets Midtown event — this Saturday, shutting off streets to cars from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Instead, they'll be open to bikes, pedestrians, skateboards, rollerblades and whatever else you want to stick on your feet. (Other than a car. No sticking cars on your feet.)
See the official map of the event here.
"We're closing off a huge part of Long Beach," the city's mayor Robert Garcia, told KPCC. "This Beach Streets in particular is fun because it's going right through the heart of Cambodia Town, which is the largest Cambodian population outside of Cambodia actually in the United States."
The route runs along Anaheim Street from Orange Avenue to the Pacific Coast Highway, and Garcia said that it runs through a lot of traditionally Asian, Cambodian and Latino markets and areas.
Support for LAist comes from
"It's going to be a great, diverse festival, and we're pretty excited about that," Garcia said.
The mayor offered his suggestions for what to do and how to take advantage of this Saturday:
- Music: "There's going to be numerous concerts throughout the day, at both ends of the route."
- Public transportation: "You can take the Blue Line directly to Beach Streets, so people can get off on the Anaheim Station and literally just ride right into the event."
- Get involved: "There's also going to be all sorts of displays on sustainability and the environment, and how to get involved in the community, and all the local groups from around Long Beach and the county region will be there promoting sustainability and also promoting to get out and walk and be active."
This is the third such event held by the city over the past two years, with tens of thousands of people in attendance over the last couple years, according to the Mayor's Office.
Other highlights, according to a press release from the city:
- Free skateboard lessons
- Roller derby demonstrations
- Yoga
- A martial arts demonstration
- An obstacle circuit course skills track, with another version for kids
- And, of course, food
So get your preferred non-motorized method of transportation ready, whether it be a bike or some sweet new shoes, before this weekend's event.
Watch a promo for the event from Long Beach below:
Support for LAist comes from
Beach Streets Midtown promo video
See more from previous Beach Streets events:
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
The study found recipients spent nearly all the money on basic needs like food and transportation, not drugs or alcohol. -
Kevin Lee's Tokyo Noir has become one of the top spots for craft-inspired cocktails. -
A tort claim obtained by LAist via a public records request alleges the Anaheim procurement department lacks basic contracting procedures and oversight. -
Flauta, taquito, tacos dorados? Whatever they’re called, they’re golden, crispy and delicious. -
If California redistricts, the conservative beach town that banned LGBTQ Pride flags on city property would get a gay, progressive Democrat in Congress. -
Most survivors of January's fires face a massive gap in the money they need to rebuild, and funding to help is moving too slowly or nonexistent.
Best of LAist