The Active Habitat

Downtown & East Village Long Beach Neighborhood

If someone asked me the ideal city I would love to live and grow old in I would say Long Beach, California. People who don’t know this city don’t know what they are missing out on. It is the hidden jewel of California. It has everything LA has to offer, but in one city from a downtown area to an art district, water cannel neighborhoods to beaches. The one thing I love is its diverse cultures, income level, and yuppies and hippies all living side by side. Within the city there are different neighborhoods and areas to explore. To continue my neighborhood guide I wanted to focus on a city I truly know and love.

Let’s start with East Village and Downtown Long Beach, since this is where I call home.

For Morning Breakfast and Coffee

Long Beach has as many cute hipster cafes as Venice Beach does. Even from where I live there are 5 coffee shops walking distance from me not including Starbucks. If you are in the mood for an artisan coffee two places are Cuppa Cuppa and Recreational Coffee. If you are looking to brunch on Sunday morning I recommend places like The Breakfast Bar and southern cooking Sweet Dixie Kitchen. Another staple in East Village is Linden Public, they serve stumptown coffee with yummy breakfast options.

@lindenpublic @cuppacuppaca

Lunch

Nothing is better than enjoying a Saturday afternoon lunch sitting in a restaurant patio with the ocean breeze cooling you down. Great Society Cider and James Republic both have great outside sitting and afternoon drinks that will make your day. If you are near the convention a restaurant to check out is Modica Deli. There are also vegan and vegetarian options like Steamed Organic Vegetarian Cuisine and Under the Sun for delicious lunch spots.

@underthesunlb

Dinner Dates

This area is the perfect location for date nights and there are numerous extraordinary dinner spots. Padre has a romantic feel perfect for a first date and upstairs there’s a tequila bar opening soon, called Mezcalero . If you’re more in the mood for a gastro pub there are Beer Belly and BO-beau Kitchen, both exceptional places with their rooftop sitting and great interior design. Looking for dinner and music then Utopia is the place to hit up with Saturday night live Jazz music. If you really want a picturestic views go down to Shoreline Village to Parkers’ Lighthouse and sit near the fire pits while looking out at the ocean.

@bobeaurooftap @beerbelly_la

Late Night Drinks

There is variety for great places for late night drinks from breweries to wine bars. The Federal Bar has a speakeasy at the back of the restaurant or if closed the back of the club. If you want a more grownup vibe then District Wine is a cute joint for a few drinks. My secret gems is the Observation Deck in the Queen Mary. Take a seat in an art deco bar while looking out into Long Beach skyline or head over to Maya Hotel for the same amazing view. If you’re into the sour beer graze, like me, check out Beachwood Blendery for their great selection.

@beachwoodblendery @districtwine

Activities

For fun daytime activities there is the Aquarium of the Pacific or go whale watching. Also if your reserve ahead of time there are boats which take day trips to Catalina Island. My favorite activity is taking coffee walks around to look at the old Art Deco Buildings.

Los Angeles Guide of Abbott Kinney

California Lifestyle Travel United States

On non-busy weekends it was always nice to explore your own city like a tourist. Especially in Los Angeles, where there are so many diverse neighborhoods. LA is currently going through a revival. New neighborhoods are becoming gentrified with cute coffee shops, restaurants, and boutiques. There are those who don’t love the change, but it does make staying in town a lot more interesting.

I wanted to start exploring neighborhoods in Los Angeles, so selfishly I decided to create a series of different areas in LA that either I know very well or want to check out. This way it gives me an excuse to get out and try new places. First one on my list is Abbot Kinney.

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Coffee Shop

Abbott Kinney has coffee shops in practically every corner. They have well known places like Intelligentsia Coffe and Blue Bottle Coffee to unique ones like Tom’s coffee shop and Shuhari Matcha Cafe. Personally my favorite is Abbot’s Habit. What it lacks in hipster decor it makes up with good coffee.

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Shopping

This street is full of unique and stylish boutiques. Great ones are Huset, The Piece Collective, and Burro. They also have well know brands like Rag and Bone, Steven Alan, and Lucky Brand. If your looking for a more casual basics there is Alternative or Roots. Many of the stores are too rich for my blood, but there are a few low priced boutiques like Skylark. One of the best places to shop is during the Flea & Arts Market, were you can find one of a kind finds from local vendors.

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Eat

If you’re a foodie and health nut than, Abbott Kinney is heaven. There are restaurants catering to the healthy Cali lifestyle we all know and love, like Greenleaf, Lemonade, and Plant Food + Wine. This is where you can find the notable celebrates favorite Gjelina pizza joint. They are known for their fresh ingredients pizzas (not going to lie it’s pretty good). If you don’t have reservations, no problem! They have take-away restaurant, called GTA. Other foodies will enjoy Butcher Daughter or The Tasting Kitchen.

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Drink

If you want go dance and not dress up, we love going to The Brig for it’s casual environment and good music. If your looking for a place to sit and talk I recommend The Other Room.

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Other reads you might enjoy: Great Places to Visit in California, Best Coffeehouse in LA, and List of Healthy Eateries in LA.

Great Places to Visit in California

California Lifestyle Travel

I am very proud that I live in the great state of California. This state has tons to offer, from a variety of national parks, iconic cities, small towns, and best of all vineyards along the coast. We have been fortune enough to visit many places, so here are our favorite places often underrated when talking about California.

San Francisco

We have visited this city once a year since we were 12 and we haven’t gotten sick of it. Although this city defiantly not underrated, it deserve every bit of the hype. The city is like a museum of the past with the Victorian houses, the tram, and hippie district Abbot Kenny.

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Lake Tahoe

Since we went in June we’ve been dying to go back. It is almost too picturesque to even put into words. I recommend stopping by South Lake Tahoe, where there is something for everyone from casinos to water sports to even a beach.

Santa Ynez Valley / Los Olivos

This area is a hidden gem that I love to tell people about. This valley produces many of California great wines and had some amazing vineyards to visit. Los Olivos is a small town in the valley that has a street full of wine tasting stops and looks like Main Street in Disneyland.

Santa Cruz

When I think of authentic California beach coast I think of Santa Cruz. With the oldest surviving boardwalk it’s like going back in history. The boardwalk has old-fashion carnival games, snack booths, and wooden roller coaster. This is the perfect place for any family.

Joshua Tree National Park

Although I had been to Joshua Tree Park in the past is wasn’t until our last trip that I feel in love. This place looks like you’re in a different planet, with boulders as far as the eye can see. It is the perfect getaway since the only activities are hiking and relaxing in nature.

Long Beach

This city has bad reputation in the past, but these days it is such an amazing city. There is so much to do and see in this city. There are great coffee shops and restaurants, old art deco buildings, kayaking around the canals, new breweries. I never get sick of this place.

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Julian Historical Town

Located in the San Diego hills, this place feels like you stumble upon small mountain town in old days. The town dates back to the 1800’s and downtown is full of historical building and great pie shops. The town is also popular for apple picking during the fall season.

How we do Christmas in LA

California Holiday Lifestyle Travel

Christmas in LA usually consist of warm weather, which lets be honest, doesn’t have the same Christmas feeling as as areas colder with weather. There are times I do wish we had snow to make it feel more like Christmas. If you live in LA or are just visiting this month and want the holiday spirit here are my top recommendations.

ONE: Go to the Chill Event at Queen Mary for ice skating, sledding, and holiday festivities. If you have never been to the Queen Mary ship this is a great excuse to go.

TWO: Pack the family or friends in a car and drive down Christmas Tree Lane in Altadena, CA. Watching all the Christmas lights as you listen to holiday music is the best way to spend a night.

THREE: Stroll down the Venice canals with hot coco to look at the beautiful homes all lit up. Or visit the less popular Nepal’s canals in Long Beach (which I personally prefer).

FOUR: Although Disneyland is of course is a must see, Knott’s Berry Farm is another great theme park. Majority of the park resembles an old mining town and during the holiday season there’s a Christmas market in the middle of the park.

FIVE: Go to the Walt Disney Concert Hall for the LA Philharmonic Holiday Sing-Along or to the several Nutcracker performances going on in LA (LINK).

SIX: Take a day trip to either Lake Arrowhead or Big Bear for a day in the mountains. If your lucky, the snow. Nothing says holiday season then drinking hot coco and feeling the cold mountain air.

SEVEN: Grab some blankets and go watch the Christmas boat parades in either Marina Del Rey or Newport Beach.

EIGHT: Visit Solvang,CA for the weekend and enjoy the Dutch style city in its holiday glory.

The Best Coffeehouses in LA for Locals and Tourist

California Lifestyle Travel

If you happen to follow popular bloggers on Instagram you could tell there is no a shortage of coffee shops in LA. There are so many unique ones that it can be overwhelming. As we have mentioned before my sister and I love going to coffee shops. We love the ambiance of a good coffee shop, but it’s also why we are particular about which ones we go to. Here is our list for our best coffee houses in LA.

Side note: some are near tourist spots and other that are probably better if you live in LA.

Groundwork Coffee House in Venice Beach

Although we loved their coffee before coming here, this place is a recent favorite. The rustic décor has that California beach feel that Venice Beach is known for.

La Monarch Bakery in East LA and South Pasadena

We discovered this coffee shop when visiting our older sister in East Los Angeles and fell in love. This cafe feels like ones in Mexico and they even have Cafe de Olla and Mexican pastries. I prefer their South Pasadena location, since it’s situated in a new neighborhood.

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Two Guns Espresso in Manhattan Beach

This coffee shop is probably our most visited because of their location and they use coffee beans from Australia, which is our favorite. The ambiance is casual just like the South Bay area of LA is. Try not going during Saturday mornings tho because the line gets long.

Portfolio Coffeehouse in Long Beach

This is by far our favorite. We have been going to this coffee shop since we were in high school. It’s the best place for studying, chit chatting, and just people watching. Although it’s changed in the recent years it still has everything you want in a coffee shop.

Gjusta in Venice Beach

Unlike the other’s, this one is very trendy and can get crowded. The coffee is amazing which is why it is on list! They even serve you cheese and crackers if you sit at the bar. I know weird combo if your drinking coffee instead of the wine, but still cool.

24 Hours in Joshua Tree National Park

California Lifestyle Travel

As you can tell from our previous travel posts, we’ve enjoyed exploring places closer to home. Not only is this more cost efficient, but it also reminds us that we don’t need to go far to travel. We wanted to end summer on a good note, so we decided to visit Joshua Tree National Park.

We left LA in the morning and after a stop to pick up supplies, we made it to Joshua Tree before the afternoon. Since the campgrounds are first come first serve we were lucky enough to find a campsite at the Jumbo Rocks.

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After we unpacked, we decided to hike to the Skull Rock. The Skull Rock hike is less than 2 miles and is mostly flat. The best part of Joshua Tree is climbing all the large boulders. It is like a jungle gym for adults, all the climbing makes you feel like a kid again!

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Once we got back we chilled and barbecued dinner. As the sun went down we scaled some boulders to enjoy the sky turn into a beautiful pink color. It always amazes me how time stops when your in nature.

Any camping trip isn’t complete until you cap the night with campfire and s’mores.

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Next morning, we woke up early to watch the sunrise. As the sun rose from the sky, we cozied up near the fire with come coffee in our hands. This is the way I wish I woke up every morning.

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Once we packed up the car we headed to Cholla Gardens. These plants are beautiful, but dangerous. A small swipe along their thorns can cause clothing items, shoes, or worse skin to be pricked, and can be even more painful to remove.

The next stop was Barker Dam Trail. Since we woke up early, we were able to beat the crowd and enjoyed the scenery to ourselves. The hike was a 1.8 hike loops passing through large boulders and dams, and to what feels like the middle of the desert.

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Being in the Joshua Tree feels like you’re in another planet since the plants are so unique and boulders as far as eye can see. I can see why Dr. Seuess was inspired by this place. Since this was a short trip, after the hike we headed back home.

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Where To Eat Healthy In Las Vegas

Lifestyle Nevada Travel

When we were in our early twenties we would go Las Vegas several times a year and would party all day, drink non-stop, and eat at fast food places. Now that we are older, we still do an annual trip to Vegas. The difference being we only party for a few hours, drink minimally, and go to healthier alternatives to eat. So if your planning a trip to Vegas and want to stay on track, here are 3 places we recommend. Unfortunately not all of these places are on the strip.

Protein House : This is our favorite place since it has so many options. They even have a protein acai bowl, which is surprisingly hard to find in LA.

The Protein Source : If you’re are in Vegas and trying hard to stick to a strict diet then this place for you. They have designed every meal to be healthy, with complex carbs, fresh veggies, and of course protein.

VegeNation : This place serves 100 percent plant-based foods that are sourced from local places. They have a varity of international cuisines and several salad options.

Veggie House : In Vegas, it’s hard to get your veggies, so this is a perfect option, especially if you’re vegetarian. They have options like seaweed salad and veggie lettuce wraps.

-Denise

Northern California and Nevada Road Trip

California Travel

After our mini road trip last holiday season, my sister and I had so much fun that we wanted to do it again. Although we have traveled to northern California many times, there are still so many places we hadn’t seen. So once I got tickets to the Lantern Fest we decided it was time for another road trip.

Typically when we drive up north we drive along the coast of California, this time we drove up closer to the Nevada state line. I never knew that Death Valley, Red Rocks Canyon, and Mount Whitney were so close to LA. We wanted to share our northern California and Nevada roadtrip.

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Red Rocks Canyon

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Bishop – Mt. Whitney backdrop

Bodie Ghost Town

First stop was Bodie, the largest ghost town in California. My sister and I had heard of this place years ago and we have been dying to go since. Bodie has over 200 structures still standing since late 1800’s. Walking and peaking into these homes, you will still see personal belongs. It was somewhat creepy and it felt as if you were taking a look back in history.

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Reno

That same day we drove straight to Reno. Although Reno is nothing like Vegas, it still had a nice charm to it. As soon we we settled in, we took a long walk to see the city and stop for coffee.

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Lantern Fest

The second day we drove to the outskirts of Reno where the Lantern Fest was being held at. The event was a great place to drink, relax, and make s’mores on the bon fire pits. Once it turned dark, we let go our lanterns fly. It was a magical moment and we enjoyed every minute of it. The best part was Danni boyfriend proposed!!! So of course that made the evening even more romantic.

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Lake Tahoe

We decided to visit the South Rim of the lake, since there was more to do there. We had a nice lunch near the lake and rented out a speedboat for the afternoon. The boat ride was by far the funniest part of the trip, partially because we rode to Emerald Bay, but mostly because it was fun flying thru the lake.

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Last Day

Saying goodbye to a vacation is never easy. Road trips are even harder since you pass other places you wish you can stop and visit, like Bridgeport or Mammoth Lakes. We did make time to have some delicious BBQ in a town called Bishop.

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Bridgeport, CA

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Bridgeport, CA

List of Healthy Eateries in LA

California Lifestyle Travel

Abbot’s Pizza Company – Salad Pizza

One of the best parts about living in Los Angeles, is the abundance of healthy eateries to choose from. This is probably why so many people here are fit. Here is a list of our favorites spots for when we are looking for healthy eateries.

Cafe Vida

For those who crave Mexican food this is a great option. They serve healthy alternatives to your favorite Mexican dishes and other low calorie options. I highly recommend the brown rice pancakes or low carb protein bowl.

Good Stuff

Located only in South Bay, Good Stuff has tons of options for those who are trying to hit your protein intake. They even have a section in their menu called “Beach Body Fitness”.

Abbot’s Pizza Company

This is not necessarily a healthy eatery, but it does have one great option…salad pizza! With all the greens and no cheese this a delicious why to enjoy pizza without the guilt.

Lemonade

This cafeteria-style eatery has some of the best veggie options around. With a seasonal menu there are always something new and tasty to try like.

Shop House

This is my favorite inexpensive grab and go option for when I’m on my lunch break. Shop House is the Southeast Asian cuisine version of Chipotle, but with more veggie options.

Here are other amazing other great options for healthy dining that we are dying to check out.

Fire House: Popular in body building community
Cafe Gratitude: Vegetarian and organic bowls
Gracias Madre: Plant based Mexican food
Tru Foods: Wide range of of vegan, vegetarian, or gluten free options
Urban Plates: Similar to Lemonade
Tender Greens: Again similar to Lemonade

L.A. Summer Events For Everyone

California Lifestyle Travel

Summer is hands down the best time to come to LA. There are so many events happening on any given day that you will never be bored. So here is a list of L.A. Summer Events:

If you want a memorable night in LA: Hollywood Bowl

One the best memories I have during the summer is watching Ray Lamontange perform here during sunset. If you want a night you won’t forget then attend one of the many concerts or even a sing-a-long movie night.

If partying during the day is your thing – Do-Over

This is the original day club in Hollywood and it’s even on Sundays. If you love hip-hop and sangria this is the spot.

If you love pool parties – Pool Parties in LA

There a plenty of pool parties during the summer in LA and even on weeknights. Pool parties are a great way to relax and cool down during the hot summer months.

If you love to dance – DTLA Night Dance

We mentioned this in a previous post. This is a great way to spend Friday evenings. Just pack a bottle of wine and enjoy free dance lessons from salsa to Bollywood.

If you love the beach and listening to music – Twilight Concerts on the Santa Monica Pier

If you want to relax then grab a blanket and listen to some great music at the beach. They even have special nights where they stream live Operas from DTLA music center.

If you’re into modern art – Summer of Soul at the Hammer Museum

During the summer it feels like the weekends begin on Thursday and this is an event that will get you in the weekend mode. Hammer Museum opens it’s doors for some art viewing and dancing.

If you love old movies – Outdoor Movie Nights

Just like pool parties, LA folks love watching their movies outdoors. There are plenty of outdoor cinemas during the summer months and they all provide food trucks and sometimes live music.

If you love art and music – Saturdays Off the 405 at the Getty Museum

The Getty not only has an amazing view of the city and great art, but combine with a live DJ during sunset and it becomes a recipe for a good night.

If your a food lover – 626 night market

Night markets are a popular hangout in Asian countries with a variety of unique street food.

Santa Ynez Valley / Los Olivos

Julian Historical Town

As you can tell from our previous travel posts, we’ve enjoyed exploring places closer to home. Not only is this more cost efficient, but it also reminds us that we don’t need to go far to travel. We wanted to end summer on a good note, so we decided to visit Joshua Tree National Park.

Typically when we drive up north we drive along the coast of California, this time we drove up closer to the Nevada state line. I never knew that Death Valley, Red Rocks Canyon, and Mount Whitney were so close to LA. We wanted to share our northern California and Nevada roadtrip.

One of the best parts about living in Los Angeles, is the abundance of healthy eateries to choose from. This is probably why so many people here are fit. Here is a list of our favorites spots for when we are looking for healthy eateries.

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