About Us

Bluff Park Historic District

The Bluff Park Historic District is a small residential neighborhood located in the City of Long Beach, California.

On July 20, 1982, it became the 2nd neighborhood to be given historic landmark status by the city. Residents of the neighborhood played a key role in the initiation of the city’s historic preservation movement.

The borders of the District run roughly from E. Ocean Boulevard on the south to E. Broadway on the north, and from Junipero Avenue on the west to Loma Avenue on the east.

It consists of mostly of stately single-family and multi-family houses constructed between 1903 and 1949. Located along the ocean bluffs, large two-story Craftsman Bungalows and Period Revival styles predominate with a mix of other significant architectural styles.

The area was named for its proximity to the Bluff Park, which is a 25 acre (100,000 square meter) south of E. Ocean Boulevard and atop the tall bluff overlooking the sandy beach of the Pacific Ocean. A replica of the Lone Sailor Statue resides in the park as a tribute to Long Beach’s naval history.

Maintaining Our Homes in a Historically Designated District

CITY ORDINANCE AND DESIGN GUIDELINES FOR THE BLUFF PARK HISTORIC DISTRICT

Living in one of the city’s historic districts, such as ours, comes with both privilege and responsibility.

The 1982 City Ordinance for the Bluff Park Historic District and the 2018 Bluff Park Historic District Design Guidelines dictate how the City of Long Beach is helping preserve our neighborhood’s long history, integrity and beauty during these modern and changing times.

Residents and property owners in any building within the Bluff Park Historic District must be mindful of changes they wish to make to their homes.

In general all changes to the exterior of any building within an historic district require review and approval and a Certificate of Appropriateness (COA) by the City’s Development Services Planning Bureau. This process applies to old and modern buildings, single-family and multi-family residences, apartments and condominium complexes.

Here are some examples of items requiring the City’s advance review and approval:

New construction
Additions to existing structures, including garages
Garage conversions
Construction of accessory dwelling units (ADU) or granny flats
Changes to exterior materials, such as stucco, shingles, siding roofing
Exterior painting
Fences and patio walls
Changes to windows, doors, doorways, front entries, driveways

Minor changes that meet the design guidelines are typically approved immediately. Major projects and applications that are inconsistent with the design guidelines are scheduled for a hearing in front of the City’s Cultural Heritage Commission which meets monthly and are open to the public. Applicants may appeal decisions to the City’s Planning Commission.

Here are informative links relevant to our historically designated neighborhood:

Bluff Park District Ordinance

Bluff Park District Design Guidelines

Map of Bluff Park

Historic Preservation in the City

Historic District Guidelines in the City of Long Beach

Handout from the “Preservation of Our Historic Homes Meeting” on Nov 11, 2017

Bluff Park Neighborhood Association

The Bluff Park Neighborhood Association (BPNA) is a volunteer, charitable organization with the mission to protect and promote the historic character of the Bluff Park Historic District.

The Association represents all who live, rent and own in the Bluff Park Historic District. Voluntary membership dues are fully tax-deductible and help support all its worthy endeavors.

The organization originally started in 1972 under the name “Beach Area Concerned Citizens.” Recognizing the changing role of the organization to be more focused on the neighborhood, the name was changed in 1998.

BPNA helps foster a sense of unity and neighborhood collaboration, community service and goodwill for all of the city. Its goals are to

Increase neighborhood involvement and participation in the community
Protect, preserve, safeguard and beautify the Bluff Park Historic District
Support the neighborhood residents and their environment

It operates as a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit entity under Federal Tax ID 95-3080429.

Board of Directors

Jeffrey Mallin, President, president @ bluffpark. org
Sergio Macias, Treasurer, treasurer @ bluffpark. org
Elizabeth O’Shea, Secretary, secretary @ bluffpark. org
OPEN POSITION, Vice President of Communications, inquire at president @ bluffpark. org
Marco Pizzo, Vice President of Events & Fundraising, events @ bluffpark. org
OPEN POSITION, Vice President of Historic Preservation, inquire at president @ bluffpark. org
Michelle Murray, Vice President of Public Safety, safety @ bluffpark . org