Artcraft Manor - Long Beach, CA

Artcraft Manor is one of 58 neighborhoods in Long Beach, California. The hill that neighboring Signal Hill is named after stands 365 feet above the surrounding town. Previously populated by Tongva Indians (also called "People of the Earth") before oil was discovered, most of Signal Hill and outlying neighborhoods, including Artcraft Manor, once served as agricultural land where fruits, vegetables and flowers were grown.

Rancho Los Alamitos, an historic adobe ranch home not far from Artcraft Manor, provides those interested with tours of on-site gardens and a ranch.

Visit the Long Beach Museum of Art, a couple of miles away, which showcases art by southern California artists, or MOLAA, a contemporary Latin American art museum.

Fly a kite in Long Beach’s windless indoor kite festival, or catch fireworks at midnight over the ocean on New Years Eve at the Long Beach boardwalk overlooking the Pacific Ocean.

Locals head to the downtown area of Long Beach for restaurants serving ethnic cuisines from all over the globe, along with nighttime entertainment and trendy bars. Art Du Vin Wine Bar, near the art museum downtown, features a homey atmosphere. Music plays from vintage vinyl in the background while diners nosh on fresh-baked bread and meat platters made by owner Stephanie.

Appu's Cafe, a hole-in-the-wall diner located in the back of a medical building, serves up healthy vegan and vegetarian entrees such as the eggplant panini, maharaja burritos and fresh mushroom soup.

For nights out on the town, you can grab a Moscow Mule with housemade ginger beer at dive bar The Stache, or play old school video games, pool or shuffle board while drinking from a wide selection of whiskey available at the bar.

Artcraft Manor is a walkable neighborhood, with well-paved streets and functional sidewalks. The primary modes of transportation within this neighborhood include automobiles, buses and bikes.

Long Beach Transit will take you directly to the city center for less than $2. Just about anywhere else you want to go in Long Beach, Lakewood and Signal Hill, including connections with the Los Angeles Metro and Long Beach Airport, can be made available from routes Long Beach Transit connections.

During the summer months, enjoy the Long Beach Harbor via Long Beach Transit's AquaBus and or AquaLink. Uber is available, providing paid rides within town and further. Interstate 405, also called the San Diego Freeway, will take you south to San Diego or north to Los Angeles. Long Beach is extremely bicycle friendly. Bicyclists can enjoy paths all over the city, with new trails being constructed to lend even better access to those who favor two wheels. A program called Bike Saturdays, under the organization Bike Long Beach provides the largest citywide discount program for cyclists in the nation, with discounts at local businesses on Saturdays. Safe and convenient facilities across the city of Long Beach make cycling fun for families, professional cyclists, and weekend cruisers alike.

You don’t even have to leave your neighborhood if you want to hit a park, with a number of parks with free access to amenities. Stearns Champions Park has night-lit basketball and volleyball courts, two baseball diamonds and open spaces available for picnics.

Discovery Well Park, not far away from the Artcraft Manor neighborhood, affords views of Long Beach and play areas for children. Fitness groups visit this park in particular for in-depth outdoor workouts, due to the large available open space, trails, stairs, and exercise stations.

Los Altos Park is open to dogs that run free within designated spaces.

Drive to the Port of Long Beach to visit the Aquarium of the Pacific, or walk along sandy beaches near the port.

Take part in one of many of nearby Long Beaches annual events, including the Long Street Beach Food Fest and the Long Beach Shore Stroll and Savor. The Long Beach Convention and Entertainment Center, located near the Port of Long Beach about 10 miles from Artcraft Manor, holds a variety of events throughout the year, such as Disney on Ice and the Aloha International Spirit Championships.

The cost of living in this affluent neighborhood averages quite a bit higher than that of neighboring Glendale areas, coming in at $1,629 for a one-bedroom apartment. Beer at the local pub often can be had for as low as $3.50 a draft. Hop on the 111 or the 112 to get to the city center for only $1.25. Gas prices in Artcraft Manor are only one percent higher than the national average.

Many boutiques and a number of high-end shops make their homes near the downtown area of Long Beach, not far from Artcraft Manor. The Marina Pacific Mall near Ralph's grocery store contains everything you need, including a movie theatre, Best Buy, Nordstrom Rack, Pier 1 Imports, and more.

Find multiple grocery stores right outside the neighborhood, including Trader Joe's, Ralph's, Vons and Albertsons. Farmer's markets occur almost every day of the week in Long Beach such as the Bixby Knolls Farmer's Market on Thursdays and the Harvest Farmer's Market on Tuesdays.

Check out the handcrafted items and finds from the 1950s era and up at Vintage Emporium on Orange Avenue, open 7 days a week. Styles For Less in Circle Marina Center features fresh women's fashions at affordable prices. With regular discounts and specials, this chain retailer stocks cute clothing and accessories for today's modern woman.