Los Cerritos, Long Beach, CA

Los Cerritos grew up around two old neighbors on the north side of Long Beach, the fairways of Virginia Country Club and the adobe ranch house at Rancho Los Cerritos. Homes in Los Cerritos run large and span a wide range of styles, from Craftsman and Tudor to Spanish and Mediterranean revival, with a handful by architects like Greene and Greene. Lots get noticeably bigger as you move toward the club, and Country Club Drive carries some of the oldest and grandest houses. Los Cerritos Park on Del Mar Avenue works as the neighborhood green, with two lighted tennis courts, a play area and summer concerts by the Long Beach Municipal Band. Rancho Los Cerritos is a free museum with gardens, open Wednesday through Sunday for reserved self-guided visits. For coffee and something sweet, head to the Long Beach Boulevard strip on the east side. The Merchant roasts its own beans on an all-electric roaster and bakes pastries like its Ranger Cookie. Long Beach Creamery scoops small-batch ice cream a couple of doors down, and Bundts on Melrose shares the same block. Groceries are a short drive to the Trader Joe's on Long Beach Boulevard in neighboring Bixby Knolls, and the Atlantic Avenue restaurants and breweries are a few minutes east. The interior streets are quiet and good for a long dog walk. Summer concert nights are when this part of Long Beach gathers in one place, with neighbors spread across the park lawn on Del Mar Avenue and the old rancho grounds a short walk away.