Pacific Electric 1  

Bring cross-trainers for this hike through the urban trail along the former Pacific Electric right-of-way in Central Long Beach.  It connects nearly a dozen schools and parks into a massive multi-use greenbelt.

Distance: 2.75 Miles  |  Difficulty:  ●●●○○

Start out northeast towards ❶ LONG BEACH CITY COLLEGE PACIFIC COAST CAMPUS. This is one of two campuses in the local city college system and a reflection of modern architecture, with historic Streamline Moderne and Art Deco structures complemented by a building recent expansion. On the north side of campus is the dual-purpose CHITTICK FIELD, a large recreation space that also serves as a stormwater retention facility.  Continuing east on 20th Street into the City of Signal Hill, pass JESSIE ELWIN NELSON MIDDLE SCHOOL, one of the newest campuses in the Long Beach Unified School District. Hiking up Cherry Avenue, you will reach ❷ SIGNAL HILL CITY HALL AND PARK, a rolling civic center and community library. Double back through the park until reaching the ❸ PACIFIC ELECTRIC GREENBELT, a linear park being developed along a former rail right-of-way that crosses through Long Beach. This passenger rail system linked Long Beach to the region until the 1960’s, when the last cars were retired.  With a short interruption, the trail goes two-thirds of a mile northwest until it reaches Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue. Two blocks south is the ❹ PACIFIC WIND ARTS, an art studio and sculpture garden occupying the former M. Hara Nursery. Walk east on Rhea Street to ❺ MARTIN LUTHER KING JR. PARK AND PEACE GARDEN, one of the most active open spaces in Long Beach with playing fields, a playground and pool. Just south of the park is the quaint OUR LADY OF MOUNT CARMEL ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH, which almost seems more suited to a New England village than to a vast metropolitan area with millions of residents. Upon reaching Orange Avenue take a left turn to finish
this urban trek.

Download Pacific Electric 1 Card Here.