{"id":75024,"date":"2023-06-28T07:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-06-28T14:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/hi-lo\/?post_type=newspack_nl_cpt&p=75024"},"modified":"2023-11-14T13:40:38","modified_gmt":"2023-11-14T21:40:38","slug":"goodbye-gloom-4-ways-to-ring-in-warmer-weather","status":"publish","type":"newspack_nl_cpt","link":"https:\/\/lbpost.com\/esd\/newsletter\/goodbye-gloom-4-ways-to-ring-in-warmer-weather","title":{"rendered":"Goodbye gloom: 4 ways to ring in warmer weather"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n

\u2014 ADVERTISEMENT \u2014<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/a><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u2014 ADVERTISEMENT \u2014<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

\n
<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n
\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n

Off the Clock<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Your time-off itinerary for things to do in Long Beach and beyond.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\n
\n
\n

FOOD<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

MUSIC<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

ART<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

INSTAGRAM<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n

YOUTUBE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n
\"A
A couple sits on the grass overlooking the Colorado Lagoon in Belmont Heights. Photo by Kat Schuster<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Warm weather has (finally) arrived: 4 ways to celebrate<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Has anyone else here experienced a prolonged or perhaps an inaugural year of seasonal depression<\/strong>? (\u270b). Forget June<\/strong> Gloom<\/strong>, it\u2019s been a long, dark six-month winter as far as I’m concerned. I\u2019ve gotten so pale, I swear, when I finally don a swimsuit again, you will almost be able to see my lungs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cI guess we live in Seattle now,\u201d I\u2019ve often griped to friends. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I appreciate you, sweater weather, but I\u2019m ready to move on to the Southland summer that I left San Luis Obispo County<\/strong> for years ago. Although, in two weeks, I\u2019m sure I\u2019ll regret bidding said sweater adieu. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

OK, end rant. I think you can tell that I\u2019ve missed the sun, no matter how much I\u2019ve enjoyed wearing a leather jacket in June. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are four free<\/strong> or affordable<\/strong> outdoorsy activities to enjoy as it continues to heat up in town. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Park it<\/strong> for the day<\/strong> (free)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

I am a huge fan of park hangs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For me personally, with the right weather, supplies, snacks and company, there\u2019s almost no better way to spend the day. And depending on how hard you go on packing your picnic, it’s very affordable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Long Beach has 169 parks, and according to Trust for Public Land\u2019s ParkServe data, 83% of residents here live within a 10-minute walk from one of them. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There are many parks I\u2019ve yet to explore in Long Beach but some of my favorites are Marine Stadium (which also has a beach), El Dorado Park, Drake Park, Lincoln Park, Rose Park and Bixby Annex Park (the oft-misnamed stretch of green off Ocean Boulevard and Junipero Avenue). My go-to spot though, is the grassy area by the Colorado Lagoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s how I\u2019d prep for a proper park day: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 1 <\/strong>– You must have snacks, if not a full-blown brunch\/lunch\/dinner spread. Find ready-to-go goods like sandwiches, salads, chips, fruit, dips, cookies\u2014et cetera\u2014somewhere like Trader Joe’s, Sprouts or Lazy Acres. Olives Gourmet Grocer<\/a> on Broadway has premade sides, cheese platters, entrees and more. The Plant Butcher<\/a> will soon be a good option for you veggie heads. Oh, and don\u2019t forget to bring a cooler and something to put your trash in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 2 – <\/strong>Lots of parks have picnic benches, but I prefer to sit on the ground. Bring a blanket or tapestry big enough to fit you and yours on. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Step 3 <\/strong>– You might want some other fun stuff like cards or board games. If you\u2019re a sappy nerd like I am, you could also bring some short story or poetry books to read to your company. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
The grassy knoll beside the Colorado Lagoon. Photo by Kat Schuster.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Catch a movie at Granada Beach<\/strong> (free)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hot summer days tend to turn into hot summer nights. Just in time, Moonlight Movies on the Beach<\/strong> has returned\u2014and each flick is free. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A few years ago, I accidentally stumbled upon the large<\/strong> inflatable movie screen <\/strong>while I was taking an evening stroll down the beach path after sunset. I ended up grabbing an ice cream cone from a vendor and plopping right down on the sand next to dozens of others, but I\u2019d recommend bringing a blanket or some beach chairs. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here\u2019s the movie schedule for Granada Beach. <\/p>\n\n\n\n