Feb
01

Lakewood Plaza and Rancho Neighborhoods of Long Beach

Lakewood Plaza

and Rancho's

If you are seeking a tree lined, quiet, well established neighborhood with a family atmosphere...you'll love Lakewood Plaza and the Rancho's.

It's located close to Long Beach's El Dorado Park where your family can enjoy a day of golf or a picnic in the park. Nearby freeways are easily accessible and make for an easy commute to work and shopping. The Plaza area is home to Cubberley School, a K-8 California Distinguished School.

Ranch style homes are the specialty

Built up between 1950 and the late 1960s, this neighborhood is well known for its open floor plan Ranch style homes. Whether you´re looking for a smaller starter home with 2 bedrooms and 1 bath or a spacious family home with 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, you'll find it here. There are homes from 850 square feet to over 1,700 square feet.

Of particular interest are the Cliff May ranch-style homes, built in the early 50's, for which The Rancho's are famous. Considered by many to be the father of the California ranch-style house, Cliff May was a builder with extraordinary vision of what the ideal California home should encompass. He believed homes should be designed for livability rather than facade and designed about 18,000 of these beautiful homes as well as more than 1000 custom homes across the United States. His additional goal of bringing the outdoors in was achieved in his designs by incorporating large expanses of glass creating a home that was filled with natural light bringing the outside gardens in, vaulted ceilings with exposed wood beams, clean lines with little decoration, attached garages, large patios with sliding glass doors, and rooms that flow into each other.

As you can imagine, the classic, mid-century Cliff May style homes are highly desirable and as a result rarely come on the market. If you're interested in finding out more about the availability of these fabulous homes, give Laurie Manny, your Rancho's real estate expert, a call at (562) 212-5420.

Enjoy the Outdoors

At nearby El Dorado Park, you'll find activities for the whole family. There's a 12-station fitness course, an archery range, bicycle trails and even radio controlled model aircraft and sailboat areas.

*El Dorado Regional Park* Encompassing 815 acres, El Dorado Regional Park, located in Long Beach California, is one of the largest regional parks in southern California and indeed in the entire USA. Although El Dorado Regional Park is a very large park, you´ll find it still retains a homey, old-fashioned feel. The park is comprised of the following areas:
El Dorado East Regional Park El Dorado Nature Center El Dorado Park West and the El Dorado Tennis Center El Dorado Park 18-Hole Golf Course
You´ll find varied recreational, sports and wildlife opportunities for the entire family. There are plenty of easily accessible clean restrooms and generous parking facilities throughout the park system. There´s so much to see and do, you could explore for days and never see it all!
*El Dorado East Regional Park* This section of the El Dorado Regional Park is the largest with a massive 400.8 acres of accessible fun for all. The park is located at 7550 E. Spring Street. For information including hours of operation, call (562) 570-1771. Kids of all ages will enjoy the playgrounds with slides and swings throughout the park. Need a place to take your youth group? The park has a campground set aside just for the enjoyment of youth groups. For those of you who love fishing, there are fully stocked fishing ponds. Reserve a picnic shelter for your next family reunion or a small get-together. Or, show off your grilling techniques at one of the picnic areas equipped with barbecue grills. Tired of cooking? Take advantage of the food and catering services.
You can even reserve a party package at "Caboose Corners." Party packages include a reserved picnic site for up to 100 people. Included in the package are 25 tickets for a train ride on the El Dorado Express. Food is not included; however you can call for a list of catering companies with the park office at (562) 570-1771.	El Dorado East Regional Park Train
Let your spirits soar while you fly model airplanes in the model aircraft flying area. If sailing boats are more to your liking, you´ll love the model sailboat area. If you like to exercise and stay fit, bring your bicycles and enjoy a beautiful day in the rolling hills. The bicycle trail has over 4 ½ miles of paved bicycle trails. In addition, there are 12 stations with physical fitness courses. There´s an archery range with plenty of free instruction and you can bring your own equipment or use the park´s at no cost to you. Call (562) 924-2880 to schedule the one hour safety and orientation class. There are other amazing activities available for youth and adults alike. You will find train rides, pony rides, hay rides and a petting zoo for the children to enjoy. If you like the water, schedule some time in one of the pedal boat rentals. *El Dorado Nature Center*
El Dorado Nature Center	Get away from the harried pace of urban life at the serene El Dorado Nature Center. The Nature Center sits in a lush, green space of 102.5 acres of woodlands right in the middle of Long Beach and is easily accessible. The center opened in 1969 and is part of the El Dorado East Regional Park. Originally it was a flood plain of the San Gabriel River and later became a calico bean field. Today, the Nature Center is home to all kinds of wildlife including a wide variety of birds such as egrets, hawks, herons, coyotes, foxes, squirrels and skunks.
There are a variety of trees including redwoods, oaks and alders. See the magical trees with roots so large they have burst through the top soil and formed caves. The roots are so tall they tower over your head and you have to walk about 100 yards to get around the roots.	El Dorado Nature Center Flowers
El Dorado Nature Center Bridge	Enjoy a peaceful day walking around the serene, treed, canopied trails. For a short walk, try the ¼ mile paved trail. Ready for something longer? Go for the 2 miles of unpaved trails that wind around lakes and a stream. When you need a breather, sit beside the waters edge and take in the natural, breathtaking scenery while your cares float away.
*El Dorado Park West*
This area of El Dorado Regional Park encompasses 303.8 acres. It´s located at 2800 N. Studebaker Road and you can call the park at (562) 570-3225 for information. You won´t believe the sports and recreation areas available. There are plenty of picnic areas and playgrounds with slides and swings. You´ll even see a large duck pond where the ducks congregate in large numbers. Bring snacks for the ducks and spend some quiet time feeding them.	El Dorado Park West
El Dorado Skate Park	You will find a generous sized community center for all kinds of activities. Call (562) 570-3111 to rent the community center or reserve a picnic site. Get together a game of Frisbee or Croquet with family and friends. All of the sports areas are lit at night for your nighttime enjoyment. They have clean restrooms and plenty of parking facilities. Get your team together and head to either the baseball, softball or soccerbasketball, volleyball or tennis courts. There is even a roller hockey court and a skate park. fields. Bring your friends and get a real workout at either the basketball, volleyball or tennis courts. There is even a roller hockey court and a skate park.
*El Dorado Tennis Center*
If you really enjoy the challenge of a great game of tennis, you´ll love the 15 lighted tennis courts at the El Dorado Tennis Center. Break your string? Don´t worry...there´s a 24 hour racket stringing service so you won´t have to lose much time on the court. Tennis classes are available from beginners to advanced skill levels. Tennis enthusiasts can see United States Tennis Association sanctioned tournaments throughout the year. Additionally, there is a fully stocked tennis pro shop and computerized ball machines...wow; now that´s easy!	Ready for a Game of Tennis?
*El Dorado Park Golf Course* If you´re an avid golfer who loves playing a beautiful course, try the El Dorado Park 18-Hole Golf Course. It´s located in the El Dorado Park West area at 2400 Studebaker Road. You can call (562) 430-5411 for more information and to reserve a tee time.
El Dorado Park 18-Hole Golf Course	This gorgeous golf course was the previous site of the Queen Mary Open Golf Tournament. The tournament was named for the ship "Queen Mary" that resides in the Long Beach, California harbor. The El Dorado Park Golf Course is currently the venue of the highly prestigious Long Beach Open Golf Tournament. The 18-hole course is a par 72 for men and par 73 for women. Warm up and practice your shots on one of the practice facilities available before your game. You´ll find this course will take all your skills to maneuver around the many water hazards!
When you have finished your game, you can get a refreshing drink and snack in the restaurant. Reserve the restaurant facility for up to 150 people for any special occasion, family reunion or business meeting. This "Ultimate Player´s Course" will definitely be a winner with you and you´ll want to come back time and again. *Want to Know More?* Are you thinking of buying or selling in Lakewood Plaza or The Rancho's? I can help you find your dream home. Call Laurie Manny today at (562) 212-5420. If you are Relocating to Long Beach; thinking about Selling your Long Beach Home or about to Purchase a Long Beach Home, Contact Laurie today. Because: In a Slow Market you need a Strong Realtor. I don't make promises. I deliver results! *Laurie Manny* Long Beach Realtor Prudential California Realty Long Beach, California *(562) 212-5420* Long Beach CA Real Estate