ZAFERIA IS A VIBE

LB908
6 hours ago
3 min read

By Brittany Hart Scholten

Photos by Monique Kuhlman

Tucked along Anaheim Street between Loma and Temple, Zaferia (pronounced: Za-FAIR-ee-uh) is one of Long Beach’s most eclectic, community-driven neighborhoods. Originally settled by Mexican farm workers from nearby Rancho Los Alamitos in the early 1900s, the area grew tremendously with the arrival of the Pacific Electric Railway before officially becoming part of Long Beach in 1920.

The name Zaferia is a mystery—some say it’s Spanish for “little village,” others trace it to an early school board member’s surname or to a mountain pass in Spain. Whatever its origins, Zaferia has grown into something incredibly unique—a neighborhood defined by its creativity, culture, and community spirit. Here are just eight reasons people love calling Zaferia home (or their favorite place to explore).

1. Orizaba Park is for the whole community. After years of community advocacy, Orizaba Park got a full makeover in 2014. The park now boasts of a community garden, skatepark, basketball courts, community center- something for everyone.

2. A diverse music scene. Locales like Alex’s Bar, The Bamboo Club, and Port City Tavern cover everything from punk to música latina to live DJ sets on any given night. Live at the Shell at Rec Park brings it outdoors with the Bluegrass Festival and local staples like Knyght Ryder.

3. Coffee culture, elevated. Home to many vibey coffee shops, a few of the neighborhood faves are: Good Time Cafe–known for their breakfast burritos and culture where people linger for hours; Common Room Roasters–noted for their specialty coffee where they roast their own beans; and Cyclops Coffee–the newest addition to the neighborhood, popular for their friendly baristas and yummy seasonal drinks.

4. A neighborhood that shows up for itself. The Zaferia Business Association is a non-profit that helps the neighborhood thrive. They spruce up the area through monthly neighborhood cleanups in conjunction with the WESCA Zaferia Neighborhood Association, and keep the community connected through events like Via Zaferia with a hop-on party bus tour of neighborhood galleries, live music, markets, and restaurants.

5. So much art. To buy some incredible art, you can explore Urban Americana. It packs 16,000 square feet with mid-century modern paintings, sculptures, and handmade furniture. Then, there is the Artist Coop which hosts nine local artists in rental studios and a gallery open to the community. It’s easy to find art on almost every corner in Zaferia, and regular workshops at places like Pulp Fiction Comics for all to participate in. It’s also home to many colorful murals! (including two of Dave Van Patten’s)

6. A nod to the Red Car. “The Train has Left the Station,” a metal sculpture by Patrick Vogel at Orizaba Park, commemorates the Pacific Electric Red Car that connected Long Beach to LA from 1904 to 1961. Built from actual archival photos, this sculpture is both public art and local history in one!

7. Home to the oldest tavern in Long Beach. Whether you’ve been there or not, you’ve probably seen Joe Jost’s shirts and hats around the city. Founded by a Hungarian immigrant, Joe Jost, in 1924, it started as a barbershop that offered billiards and poker. Now, it’s known for its large schooners, pickled eggs, and Polish sausage sandwiches.

8. Community theatre since 1929. The Long Beach Playhouse—Long Beach’s first performing arts organization—runs 16 productions a year, almost entirely on volunteer power. From Fiddler on the Roof to SpongeBob the Musical, there’s something for everyone.