Rainy Day Schedule

When I was a much shorter Kat of the third grade, these three words gave me a hefty shot of joy when they came ringing over my elementary school’s loudspeaker in the morning: “Rainy Day Schedule.” 

It’s hard to imagine exactly why inclement weather and a temporary ban on playing outside gave yours truly (an 8-year-old) the warm fuzzies. Perhaps it had something to do with the novelty of taking a break from California’s sunny disposition. Or maybe it was just that they let us haphazardly slide around the gym on those colorful little scooter boards.

Today, as an ~ adult ~ I guess you could say I feel similarly, which is why we’re going to explore our own Rainy Day Schedule (Long Beach-style) since it is (ahem) raining and will be dumping through Friday possibly. Tomorrow (Dec. 21) also marks winter solstice, so it’s time to jump on all of the cold-weather activities — whatever that looks like here.

And just admit it, California-dwellers, whether you hate it or you romanticize it, rainy days are a novelty in Southern California and no one quite knows how to behave when they happen. Personally, I find that the rain, or the sound of it, inspires creativity, which is why you might catch me listening to something like this “Dark Academia Music with Rain Sounds” video on YouTube on any given work day, even when it’s the high 70s and clear skies outside. 

So, pull on your best Morton Salt Girl, dig out those rubber rain boots, your snow suite, etc. and let’s (try to) leave our homes for a rainy day adventure.

Coffee shops

Our first stop is le café, because it is among the most idyllic places to spend a gloomy day. 

Whether you’ve got some hours of remote work to put in or you’ve got some time to spend pouring over — or pretending to pour over — a book, your drawing pad, a dime novel, a sleazy tabloid, what have you, as you sip your hot beverage whilst gazing out the window at the downpour. 

Romantic innit? 

Here’s where you go: 

• Good Time is the spacious and hip Zaferia cafe that always seems to have something going on. Too bad for you though, it’s Wednesday, which means you missed the Smut Book Club, which meets there every Monday evening. 

• Rose Park Roasters has two locations in town, one on East Fourth Street and the other in Downtown, and I can confirm they have the best coffee and the best windows for rainy rubbernecking. 

• Wrigley Coffee has a warm and welcoming vibe akin to Good Time, with plenty of space, a few cozy chairs around and plenty of long tables to spread out all of your rainy day scheduling materials. 

• Viento Y Agua is an artsy space and the drinks are *chef’s kiss.* The only downside to this place is that they close at 3 p.m., much too early for afternoon/evening coffee for house-dwellers like myself. 

• Salud – OK this one isn’t a coffee shop, you got me there, but they do have coffee, their location on Retro Row is just as cozy as a cafe, and this week they’re offering a rainy day discount. Use this code, RAINYDAY, in store or online to get 10% off any of their warm treats like tomato bisque or a warm oat bowl.  

• Bonus: Alder & Sage, The Library, Wood Coffee Co. — there are simply too many options, but I trust you’ll find the one that suits you. 

Bookstores

So you left the cafe, fumbling to get that foreign contraption that is an umbrella open, and you are suffering from some serious book-envy. So, obviously, you must now head over to one of the independent bookstores in town. Alright, alright, we don’t have a giant, twisting and turning book house like downtown LA’s The Last Bookstore (if you haven’t been, get in the car right now) — but we do have a few good picks to peruse for rainy day reads.

• A reader named Rachel once emailed me to recommend Page Against the Machine.  She said this shop was one of the things that made her feel proud to live in Long Beach. The shop itself offers everything the name implies — if you’re into that sort of thing. At this activist indie shop, you’ll find everything from texts on (mostly lefty) politics to gardening. Plus, they carry the works of some local authors, too. 

• Bel Canto Books is finally getting its own brick-and-mortar next year after operating within other shops for the past several years. For now, you can still head over to the soon-to-shutter The Hangout on Retro Row and shop their selections before the move happens. This shop within a shop is Filapina-led and specializes in works by writers of color, but they’ve also got books on sprucing up your houseplant game, adult fairy tales and more. 

• Kitchen Lingo Books is the place you’ll go if you’re hankering to make some sort of impressive rainy day soup at the end of your schedule. Or perhaps you were interested in absorbing a little culinary history. 

Bars 

OK, well done. Now, we need a drink. So, we’ll walk with our book(s) tucked under our arms and stride toward a place to pull up a cozy seat and sip a little something to warm ourselves. 

• If you happen to be hanging around Good Time, you could walk just up the Anaheim corridor to The Bamboo Club (warning: they’re pushing strong and delicious holiday tiki drinks) or Buvons Wine Bar. 

• For those hanging around Retro Row, you could see if there’s live music playing at Vine (ideal rainy spot), or grab yourself a holiday beverage (they have a huge menu full of ‘em) at Baby Gee. 

• Spent the day at Wrigley Coffee? Wander on down to The Wrigley Tavern, where Cameron will make you the best hot toddy you’ve ever had. 

Cheers! What does your Rainy Day Schedule look like? Tell me about it. Email me!