Welcome to Retro Row — Long Beach's Most Uniquely Itself Neighborhood

There is no place in Long Beach quite like Retro Row.

Stretching along East 4th Street between Junipero Avenue and Cherry Avenue, Retro Row is a three-block corridor that has been called the "soul of Long Beach" by the New York Times, LA Magazine, and generations of locals who simply refuse to live anywhere else. It's where the city's creative, independent, community-driven spirit concentrates into something you can walk through, taste, shop, and feel.

For buyers who want to live somewhere with genuine character — not manufactured "lifestyle" branding, but a real neighborhood built by real people over a century — the blocks surrounding Retro Row are among the most coveted addresses in Long Beach. And for first-time buyers especially, the range of property types here means there's a real path in, even in today's market.

What Makes Retro Row Special

40+ Independent Businesses — and Counting

Retro Row is home to more than 40 independently owned and operated merchants. Vintage clothing boutiques, antique furniture galleries, art studios, bookstores, roller skate shops (yes, really — Moxi Roller Skate Shop is a Long Beach institution), plant shops, wine bars, coffee houses, and restaurants that don't exist anywhere else. This is not a chain. This is not a mall. This is a street built by people who love Long Beach and wanted to create something worth staying for.

The Art Theatre — opened in 1925 and the only remaining independent single-screen cinema in Long Beach — anchors the eastern end of the strip. It screens a rotating mix of art films, classics, live performances, and community events. It is irreplaceable.

Fourth Fridays — A Monthly Community Tradition

Every fourth Friday of the month, 4th Street comes alive for Fourth Fridays — a free outdoor community event running from Temple Street to Cherry Street, 6 to 9pm. Businesses stay open late, local artists and vendors set up outside, live music fills the sidewalks, and the neighborhood shows up. It's the kind of event that makes you understand why people who live near Retro Row never want to leave.

A Designated Bike-Friendly Business District

4th Street is one of the few officially designated bike-friendly business districts in Long Beach — which says something about both the neighborhood's values and its walkability. Whether you're cycling from Bluff Park, the beach path, or the surrounding residential streets, Retro Row is genuinely accessible without a car.

Nationally Recognized Character

Retro Row has been featured in the New York Times, New York Magazine, Sunset Magazine, and Los Angeles Magazine — not because it was marketed to them, but because people discovered it organically and couldn't stop writing about it. That kind of reputation doesn't happen by accident. It happens when a neighborhood actually earns it.

The Neighborhoods Around Retro Row

Retro Row itself is a commercial corridor, not a residential neighborhood. But the residential neighborhoods that border it are some of the most desirable — and most historically rich — in Long Beach. Here's what buyers need to know about each.

Bluff Heights

Bluff Heights is the residential neighborhood that most directly surrounds Retro Row. Bordered by Broadway to the south, 4th Street to the north, Junipero/Wisconsin to the west, and Redondo to the east, Bluff Heights is one of Long Beach's official city-designated historic districts.

The architecture here is extraordinary — Craftsman bungalows built between 1910 and 1923, Spanish Colonial Revival homes, Prairie-style residences, and Tudor cottages. Originally marketed as "Iowa by the Sea" by early 20th-century developers, Bluff Heights was designed to offer Midwestern architectural warmth in a California coastal setting. It succeeded, and the neighborhood has maintained that character ever since.

The Bluff Heights Neighborhood Association is one of the most active in the city — hosting walking tours, a 4th of July block party, neighborhood forums, and ongoing historic preservation advocacy.

Home prices: Single-family homes in Bluff Heights typically range from $750,000 to $1,100,000+ depending on size, condition, and whether the property has been historically updated. Condos start lower — some well under $700,000 — making this one of the more accessible historic neighborhoods in Long Beach.

Alamitos Beach

Just south and west of Retro Row, Alamitos Beach is one of Long Beach's most walkable urban neighborhoods. It sits between Downtown Long Beach and Belmont Shore, giving residents access to both the city's cultural core and its coastal lifestyle within walking distance.

The housing stock here skews toward condos, smaller multi-family buildings, and a handful of single-family homes — many retaining vintage architectural details from the 1920s–1940s. It's a neighborhood that rewards buyers who appreciate urban density with soul.

Home prices: Condos in Alamitos Beach are among the most affordable entry points near the Retro Row corridor — many listed in the $400,000–$550,000 range. Single-family homes are rarer and command a premium.

Carroll Park

Carroll Park sits just east of Bluff Heights and is one of Long Beach's lesser-known gems. Quieter and more residential than its neighbors, Carroll Park features well-preserved Craftsman and bungalow-style homes on tree-lined streets, with strong community pride and a neighborhood association that keeps things looking beautiful.

Home prices: Carroll Park homes generally range from $750,000 to $950,000 — slightly more attainable than Bluff Heights proper, with comparable architectural character.

Rose Park

Rose Park borders Carroll Park to the east and shares much of the same DNA — Craftsman bungalows, historic character, tight community feel. It has been one of the quietly appreciating neighborhoods in central Long Beach, attracting buyers who want Bluff Heights charm at a slightly more accessible price point.

Home prices: Rose Park homes typically range from $700,000 to $900,000.

What to Eat, Drink, and Do on and Around Retro Row

Coffee & Casual Independent coffee shops line 4th Street — this is not a Starbucks block. Expect artisan roasters, cozy spaces, and regulars who've been coming for years.

Eat

• Ají Peruvian Cuisine — contemporary Peruvian dining with rotating craft taps and a curated wine list

• Pike Bar — nautical-themed bar and eatery from former Social Distortion drummer Chris Reece; jukebox, lobster chimichanga, $6 PBR — an absolute Long Beach original

• Alder and Sage — newer addition to the Retro Row dining scene, earning quick local loyalty

• Art du Vin — wine bar with serious neighborhood energy

Shop

• Moxi Roller Skate Shop — the skate destination of the city

• Native Sol — handmade jewelry, vintage clothing, local art

• Pat M Books — independent bookstore with new and used books, zines, and local art

• Plantiitas — rare and hard-to-find plants, owned by local founders Kevin Alcaraz and Anthony Diaz

Experience

• The Art Theatre (opened 1925) — independent cinema, art films, live concerts, comedy

• Fourth Fridays — free monthly street event, every fourth Friday 6–9pm

• Bixby Park Farmers Market — weekly farmers market a short walk south

• Yoga on the Bluffs — free outdoor yoga at Bixby Park

Get Around

• Long Beach Bike Path — 3.1 miles of beachfront cycling

• Metro A-Line (Blue Line) — rail access to Downtown LA

• 4th Street designated bike-friendly corridor

Frequently Asked Questions About Retro Row, Long Beach

What is Retro Row in Long Beach? Retro Row is the nickname for a stretch of East 4th Street between Junipero Avenue and Cherry Avenue in Long Beach. It's home to more than 40 independent merchants — vintage boutiques, antique shops, art galleries, restaurants, wine bars, coffee houses, and the historic Art Theatre. It's one of the most beloved and nationally recognized commercial corridors in Southern California.

What neighborhoods are closest to Retro Row? The residential neighborhoods immediately surrounding Retro Row are Bluff Heights (directly adjacent), Carroll Park, Alamitos Beach, and Rose Park. Each has its own character but shares proximity to 4th Street's walkable amenities.

What are home prices like near Retro Row? It depends on the specific neighborhood. Condos in Alamitos Beach start around $400,000–$550,000. Single-family homes in Bluff Heights, Carroll Park, and Rose Park typically range from $700,000 to $1,100,000+ depending on size, condition, and historical significance.

Is Bluff Heights a historic district? Yes. Bluff Heights is one of Long Beach's official city-designated historic districts, featuring Craftsman bungalows, Spanish Colonial Revival homes, and Prairie-style residences — most built between 1910 and 1930.

What is Fourth Fridays on Retro Row? Fourth Fridays is a free monthly community event held on the fourth Friday of every month, running from Temple Street to Cherry Street along 4th Street, from 6 to 9pm. Businesses stay open late, local artists and vendors set up outside, live music plays, and the neighborhood gathers.

Is Retro Row walkable? Extremely. It's one of the most walkable areas in Long Beach. Residents of Bluff Heights, Carroll Park, and Alamitos Beach can walk to dozens of restaurants, coffee shops, the Art Theatre, Bixby Park, and the beach itself. 4th Street is also a designated bike-friendly business district.

What is the Art Theatre on Retro Row? The Art Theatre opened in 1925 and is the only remaining independent single-screen cinema in Long Beach. It screens a mix of art films, classic cinema, live concerts, comedy shows, and community events.

Are there condos for sale near Retro Row? Yes — Alamitos Beach in particular has a solid inventory of condos, many in the $400,000–$550,000 range. Some historic multi-family buildings in Bluff Heights and Carroll Park also offer condo units.

What schools serve the Retro Row neighborhoods? The neighborhoods around Retro Row are served by Long Beach Unified School District (LBUSD). Woodrow Wilson High School serves much of the area and holds an A grade from Niche. Elementary options include Burbank Elementary and Mann Elementary.

Why do people love living near Retro Row so much? The combination of architectural beauty, walkable independent businesses, a genuine community identity, monthly neighborhood events, and proximity to the beach creates a quality of life that's very hard to replicate. People who move here tend not to leave.

Ready to Find Your Home Near Retro Row?

I've helped hundreds of buyers find their place in Long Beach, and the neighborhoods surrounding Retro Row are ones I genuinely love. Whether you're drawn to a Craftsman bungalow in Bluff Heights, a condo in Alamitos Beach, or a charming Rose Park cottage — there's a real path here for buyers at a range of budgets.

If you're thinking about buying near Retro Row or anywhere in Long Beach, let's talk. I'll help you understand what's available right now, which streets and blocks I'd focus on, and how to compete effectively in this market.

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Page last updated: March 2026 | Serving buyers near Retro Row, Long Beach, CA 90802 & 90804