Yak Wool Sweater Bohemian Enough For Long Beach
Oliver Charles sweaters harmonize effortlessly between bohemian and contemporary style, perfect for Long Beach.
March 17, 2022
By Lia Klinchik
Weekend Adventures With Oliver Charles
Introducing a 5-part blog series about using the weekend as an opportunity to explore.
Discover what you should keep in your bag for impulsive adventuring, simple, healthy recipes you can meal prep, and day trips on the California coast.
- Weekend Adventure Essentials
- Easy Road Trip Recipes
- A Weekend in Long Beach
- How to Spend a Day in San Diego
- A Sunday in Laguna Beach
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When I first came to Long Beach, it unexpectedly stole my heart. I had a preconceived idea that all of California was going to be very “LA” - I think superficial is what was on my mind.
And I’m sure a lot of people that aren’t from California think this too. I feel bad now because after spending time here, I've realized that I was entirely wrong...
Before visiting, I thought I was going to be swallowed whole by the land of influencers, surface-level wellness gurus, and expensive lifestyles.
Long Beach changed my mind.
Community In Long Beach Is Very Hygge
I was staying with a friend, and while they were at work, I’d go sit in coffee shops.
I was smitten by how friendly everyone was, how they’d start conversations out of nowhere, and seemed genuinely curious.
I was enchanted by my friend’s neighbor who’d come out and chat with me about her life on her little stoop as I’d sit there and journal.
People waved to me as they walked their dogs in the evening sunlight. I’d walk down Broadway towards Bixby Park and feel like I was in some sort of movie - kids skating, music playing, and laughter echoing through the air.
These moments all seem very simple as I read them over, but they are something that had been partly missing from where I came from.
Why I Love Spending Time In Long Beach
Long Beach is incredibly beautiful. It's overflowing with culture and youthfulness. It’s accessible, diverse, welcoming, and accepting.
The arts flow freely through the streets and alleyways. It has a New York City grit, a reminiscence that life can be really hard, yet there’s light through that.
Long Beach is an underrated gem of California. It’s a huge city with a walkable downtown, plenty of restaurants, live music, and bars.
And it has its share of quiet parks and oceanfront activities. Long Beach folk have blended that distinct laid-back SoCal fashion, classic skate style, and LA trends.
It’s unorthodox, a little beatnik, and contemporary too... Oliver Charles sweaters harmonize effortlessly with that.
The charcoal crew neck sweater can be dressed in a variety of styles; edgy, vintage, chic, artsy, grunge, or even bohemian. Or just casually thrown over a bathing suit. :)
Come with me to explore Long Beach’s vibiest weekend spots.
Visit The Long Beach Antique Market!
On Sundays, there’s the Long Beach Antique Market, an abundance of vendors with antiques, handmade items, more plants, and plenty of vintage clothing. You could get lost in how big this market is!
I love cruising there on early mornings to scope out all the goodies. It’s a great place to find gifts, collectibles, or that one special piece that’s missing from your apartment!
If you’re itching to show off your personal style, this is the place. Wear some comfortable thrifting attire or go all out. I’ve seen every look in between.
I paired my Oliver Charles sweater with a summer dress!
Check out 4th Friday On 4th Street
On any given day, 4th street is a great place to go. There are plenty of shops and restaurants to explore.
On the 4th Friday of every month, 4th street has 4th Fridays. There’s live music, entertainment, vendors, and events.
If you’re going to 4th street in the evening, dress in something casual and chic.
Everyone’s just out for a good time. I like pairing my light wool sweater with a pair of blue jeans and a hat.
I Highly Recommend Yoga On The Bluff
There’s free yoga on Ocean Blvd and Junipero daily. Their groups can get pretty large!
At the moment, the class starts at 11 am, but be sure to check out the Yogalution Facebook Page or Instagram account before you head there-just to make sure!
Being here is a nice place to find some peace in the middle of your day.
For this, wear something you can move freely in. Around 11 am, the sun is beaming, but if you’re in the shade, it can be chilly! Throw on a thin sweater and a pair of leggings.
Light Wool Sweater For a Cooler Walk
The sun is always shining in Southern California. If you’re in downtown Long Beach, you can make your way to the Queen Mary, then walk down Shoreline Way until you get to the Belmont Pier.
It’s a decent walk, completely exposed to the sun, and you get to admire the ocean. Seeing people rollerblade, dance, and jam out here easily made me really feel like I was in some sort of funky, joyful universe.
You can skate, walk, run, bike, or do whatever you please on the path. Or better yet- get your hands on one of those electric scooters and go for a sunset cruise.
Stopping By My Local Farmer’s Market
Also on Sundays, there’s a farmer’s market at the Alamitos Bay Marina.
There was a time I had stumbled upon a stand full of different fruits and nuts. One of the fruits on the table was Tejocote, or Mexican Hawthorn, a traditional food.
I had never seen them before and asked inquisitively. The vendor kindly explained and gave me a great recipe for a Tejocote punch.
On a separate note, I never leave farmer’s markets without flowers. It’s simply part of my ritual. One of the other vendors accidentally picked up an extra one with the bouquet and wanted and gave it to me for free.
He said that I was meant to have it, which was very charming. I think it’s safe to say the vendors here are quite lovely.
Stop here for in-season fruits and veggies that were grown with love, support local farmers, and grab an empanada on the way out!
Naples Canal: Venice Right In My Backyard
A pretty unusual thing about Long Beach is the canals. They were indeed inspired by the canals in Venice by the developer, Arthur Parson.
If you’re interested, you can do the 2.6 mile loop to check it out or park at the Colonnade Park.
Colonnade Park is relatively undisturbed and has good parking. From there, you walk straight towards the water, then turn right, and you’ll find a bridge overlooking a canal!
It was a 70-degree day in Long Beach when I went to visit the canals! I threw on my Oliver Charles sweater to protect me from the sun.
I like that it’s well-ventilated. With the help of the hidden extra ventilation knit in the armpits, I didn’t feel overheated!
A Go-To Sweater That's adapatble
When I have a moment during the week, I’ll skate down to the beach and Ocean Boulevard. Sometimes I’ll go sit out on the grass in one of the parks.
And after a crazy week of work, I find myself moseying down 4th street in complete serenity, remembering what it feels like to relax.
All of these things are reminders of the magic that hides within a city. And it’s nice to carry along an adaptable sweater that meets my style goals and reminds me that I have the ability to embody whatever look I have in mind for the day.
You’ll make Long Beach your own with how you chose to mold your adventure, but regardless of what you decide, I think you’ll fall for it the same way I did.
Lia Klinchik is a freelance blogger, content creator, and editor, who studies wellness and nutrition. She's passionate about sustainability, travel, and making the world a better place. Through her writing, she hopes to convey meaningful messages that change people's minds.