Saturday, June 20, 2026
AIA Long Beach/South Bay is excited to announce the return of our annual Summer Solstice architectural bike tour — and this year, we’re heading into one of Long Beach’s most architecturally significant neighborhoods for an immersive experience we’re calling Bike Haus.
Join fellow architects, design professionals, students, and architecture enthusiasts for a three-hour guided cycling tour through Park Estates, the historic Long Beach neighborhood celebrated for its Mid-Century Modern residences, innovative postwar planning concepts, and rich architectural legacy.
Originally envisioned by developer Lloyd Whaley as a master-planned residential community, Park Estates became a showcase for Mid-Century experimentation — where curving streets, landscaped setbacks, and architect-designed homes created a distinctly Southern California approach to neighborhood design.
Participants will explore architecturally significant homes and sites associated with nationally and regionally recognized designers including Richard Neutra, Paul Tay, Kenneth Wing, Lloyd Wright, John Lautner, Paul Revere Williams, Hugh Gibbs, and Edward Killingsworth, while examining how modernist principles continue to shape residential architecture today.
More than simply a neighborhood ride, Bike Haus offers a rare opportunity for exclusive hosted interior tours within select private residences, giving participants firsthand insight into preservation efforts, thoughtful modernization strategies, and the lived experience of stewarding historic homes.
Along the way, guided discussion will explore:
• Mid-Century Modern design principles and material strategies
• Historic preservation and residential adaptation
• Postwar suburban planning and neighborhood development
• Sustainability and long-term stewardship of historic properties
• Site orientation, climate-responsive design, and indoor-outdoor living
• The enduring influence of California Modernism on contemporary residential architecture
Participants will also examine the broader planning history surrounding Park Estates, including the adjacent Las Lomas/Garden Estates cooperative apartments and Long Beach’s postwar growth patterns.
Whether you’re passionate about architectural history, residential design, preservation, planning, or simply enjoy experiencing great places by bicycle, Bike Haus offers a unique opportunity to engage directly with architecture at both the neighborhood and building scale.
Bring your bike, curiosity, and appreciation for great design — and join us for an unforgettable Summer Solstice ride through Long Beach history.
Date: Saturday, June 20, 2026
Duration: Approximately 3 hours
Location: Park Estates Neighborhood, Long Beach, California
Registration information coming soon.