How to Find Street Art in Long Beach Zaferia

Long Beach, California, is a city steeped in cultural diversity, coastal charm, and a vibrant urban art scene. Among its many neighborhoods, Zaferia stands out as a hidden gem for street art enthusiasts. Nestled just south of the 710 Freeway and east of the Los Angeles River, Zaferia may not be the first area that comes to mind when thinking of public art—but it’s precisely this under-the-radar status that makes it so compelling. Unlike the more commercialized murals of Downtown Long Beach or the tourist-heavy corridors of the Pike, Zaferia’s street art is raw, community-driven, and deeply rooted in local identity. Finding it requires more than a quick Google search—it demands curiosity, local insight, and a willingness to explore beyond the obvious.

This guide is your comprehensive roadmap to discovering the most authentic, impactful, and lesser-known street art in the Zaferia neighborhood. Whether you’re a local resident, a visiting artist, a photography enthusiast, or simply someone who appreciates the power of public expression, this tutorial will equip you with the knowledge, tools, and strategies to uncover Zaferia’s hidden murals, graffiti installations, and community-driven artworks. More than just a list of locations, this guide reveals the stories behind the art, the cultural context that shapes it, and the best practices for engaging with it respectfully and responsibly.

Step-by-Step Guide

Finding street art in Zaferia is not a passive activity—it’s an expedition. Unlike curated gallery spaces or mapped public art trails, Zaferia’s murals emerge organically, often in response to local events, social movements, or personal expression. The following step-by-step guide breaks down the process into actionable phases, ensuring you don’t miss key pieces while minimizing the risk of trespassing or misinterpreting the art’s intent.

1. Understand Zaferia’s Cultural Landscape

Before you hit the streets, take time to learn about Zaferia’s history and demographics. Zaferia is a working-class neighborhood with deep roots in Mexican-American and Latinx communities, as well as a growing population of Southeast Asian immigrants. This cultural blend is reflected in the art: you’ll find vibrant depictions of Aztec deities alongside Vietnamese folk motifs, Chicano-style lowrider murals, and politically charged pieces referencing immigration and labor rights.

Understanding this context helps you interpret the symbolism. A mural of a woman holding a child beneath a rising sun might not just be aesthetic—it could reference the 1960s Chicano Movement or honor local mothers who work multiple jobs. Researching local history through neighborhood archives, community centers, or even YouTube documentaries about Long Beach’s barrio culture will deepen your appreciation and help you recognize meaningful pieces versus random tags.

2. Identify Key Streets and Intersections

While Zaferia doesn’t have a formal “street art district,” certain corridors consistently host the most significant works. Focus your search on these primary zones:

• Atlantic Avenue between 63rd and 68th Streets – This stretch features some of the largest and most preserved murals, often commissioned by local nonprofits or community groups.
• 65th Street between Carson and Long Beach Boulevard – A corridor of small businesses and residential walls where artists frequently paint during community events.
• Long Beach Boulevard near the Zaferia Park entrance – Look for pieces on the concrete retaining walls and underpasses, often updated seasonally.
• Alameda Street and 62nd Street – Industrial side streets where graffiti artists leave more experimental, abstract, or politically charged works.

Use Google Maps in satellite view to scout for large, flat walls facing streets or alleys. Look for areas with minimal vegetation obstruction and signs of foot traffic—these are more likely to be canvases.

3. Use Local Knowledge and Community Networks

One of the most reliable ways to find authentic street art is through word-of-mouth. Visit local businesses that support the arts:

• Zaferia Community Center – Located at 6410 Atlantic Ave, they often host mural unveilings and have maps of recent projects.
• El Gallo Taqueria – A neighborhood staple with a wall painted by local artist “Mundo” in 2021; staff often know where new pieces are being created.
• Long Beach Public Library – Zaferia Branch – Check their bulletin boards for flyers about upcoming art walks or artist talks.

Don’t hesitate to strike up conversations with shop owners, barbers, or even people sitting on their porches. Many artists are locals who don’t advertise their work online. A simple question like, “Have you seen any new murals around here lately?” can lead to insider tips.

4. Time Your Visit Strategically

Street art is dynamic. Pieces are painted, painted over, or weathered within weeks or months. To maximize your chances of seeing art in its prime:

• Visit on weekends – Artists often work on Saturdays and Sundays, especially in warmer months. You might catch someone mid-paint.
• Go early morning or late afternoon – Light is best for photography, and fewer people are around, making it easier to observe details.
• Avoid rainy seasons – Wet walls can cause paint to bleed or peel. Late spring to early fall (April–October) is ideal.

Also, keep an eye on local event calendars. The annual Zaferia Art Crawl (usually held in June) features guided tours, live painting, and open studios. Even if you miss the event, the community often maintains a digital map of participating murals afterward.

5. Use Visual Cues to Spot Art

Street art doesn’t always announce itself. Look for these visual indicators:

• Color contrasts – Bright yellows, blues, or reds on otherwise dull brick or concrete walls.
• Patterns or textures – Stencils, spray gradients, or layered imagery that stand out from graffiti tags.
• Signage or symbols – Small stickers, QR codes (sometimes linking to artist Instagrams), or chalk messages near the base of a wall.
• Foot traffic patterns – People pausing to look, take photos, or leave flowers or candles near a wall often indicate a meaningful piece.

Don’t overlook alleyways or the backs of buildings. Some of the most powerful murals in Zaferia are hidden behind chain-link fences or accessible only by walking through a driveway with permission.

6. Document and Verify

Once you find a piece, document it responsibly:

• Take multiple photos from different angles, including close-ups of details and wide shots showing context.
• Note the exact location using GPS coordinates or a street address.
• If possible, identify the artist. Look for signatures, initials, or symbols in corners. Many artists use consistent tags.
• Search for the artist’s name on Instagram or Facebook. Many Zaferia artists maintain profiles with location tags.

Use this information to contribute to community databases like Long Beach Murals (a crowdsourced Google Map) or to local blogs like The Zaferia Chronicle. Your documentation helps preserve art that might otherwise be erased.

7. Respect Boundaries and Safety

Not every wall is meant to be approached. Some areas are privately owned, under surveillance, or in active construction zones. Always:

• Stay on public sidewalks or designated walkways.
• Never climb fences or enter private property without permission.
• Be aware of your surroundings, especially after dusk.
• Do not touch, mark, or interfere with the artwork.

If you see someone painting, observe from a distance. Many artists welcome respectful conversation—but never interrupt them mid-creation unless invited.

Best Practices

Finding street art is not just about location—it’s about mindset. To engage with Zaferia’s art scene ethically and meaningfully, follow these best practices.

1. Prioritize Context Over Aesthetics

Not every mural will be visually stunning. Some are crude, faded, or politically provocative. But that doesn’t make them less valuable. In Zaferia, street art often serves as a voice for the voiceless. A simple stencil reading “

NoDeportaciones” (No Deportations) may carry more weight than a technically perfect portrait. Learn to appreciate art for its message, not just its polish.

2. Support Local Artists

If you admire a piece, consider supporting the artist directly. Many Zaferia artists sell prints, apparel, or accept commissions for private or community projects. Follow them on social media. Share their work with your network. Attend their pop-up exhibitions. Your visibility helps sustain their practice.

3. Avoid Commercialization

Don’t treat Zaferia’s murals as Instagram backdrops. Avoid posing in ways that appropriate cultural symbols (e.g., wearing sombreros in front of a Chicano mural). Don’t sell photos of the art without crediting the artist. Respect the integrity of the work and the community that created it.

4. Report Vandalism, Not Art

There’s a difference between street art and vandalism. Graffiti tags that are repetitive, offensive, or defacing existing murals should be reported to the City of Long Beach Public Works Department. But if you see a new mural painted by a known community artist—even if it’s unauthorized—don’t call for its removal. Many of these pieces are protected under California’s Art Preservation Act if they have cultural or historical significance.

5. Engage with the Community

Join a local art collective or volunteer with organizations like Artists for Zaferia or Long Beach Urban Arts Project. These groups host mural restoration days, youth workshops, and neighborhood cleanups. Your involvement helps ensure the art endures.

6. Leave No Trace

Take your trash with you. Don’t leave water bottles, snack wrappers, or spray cans near murals. Keep the neighborhood clean so future artists and visitors can enjoy the space.

7. Educate Others

When you share your discoveries, provide context. Don’t just post a photo—write a caption explaining the artist’s intent, the neighborhood’s history, or the social issue the mural addresses. Your voice can turn a casual viewer into a thoughtful observer.

Tools and Resources

Modern technology can enhance your street art exploration—but it’s only as useful as your understanding of the community behind it. Below are the most effective digital and physical tools for finding and documenting street art in Zaferia.

Digital Tools

Google Maps + Street View

Before heading out, use Google Maps in Street View mode to virtually walk the streets of Zaferia. Zoom in on walls along Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach Boulevard, and 65th Street. Look for color changes, large-scale images, or unusual shapes. You may spot murals that have since been painted over—this helps you track the evolution of the neighborhood’s art scene.

Instagram Hashtags

Search these hashtags to find recent uploads:

• ZaferiaMural

• LongBeachStreetArt

• ZaferiaArt

• LAStreetArt (includes Zaferia due to proximity)

• ChicanoArtLA

Follow local artists such as @mundo.zf, @luzdelzaferia, and @graffitizone_lb. Many post time-lapse videos of their process and tag exact locations.

Google Earth Pro

For advanced users, Google Earth Pro allows you to view historical satellite imagery. Compare images from 2018 to 2024 to see how murals have appeared, changed, or disappeared. This is especially useful for academic research or documenting art preservation.

Street Art Maps

Several community-driven maps exist:

• Long Beach Murals Map (longbeachmuralmap.com) – A crowdsourced, interactive map updated monthly by local volunteers.
• Zaferia Art Trail (PDF) – Available at the Zaferia Community Center and the Long Beach Public Library. Includes photos, artist bios, and QR codes.

Physical Resources

Local Libraries

The Long Beach Public Library system has a dedicated Urban Art Collection in its archives. Request materials on “Zaferia Murals: 2015–Present” to view photographs, interviews, and newspaper clippings.

Neighborhood Newspapers

Read The Zaferia Chronicle and Long Beach Post for feature articles on new murals, artist profiles, and upcoming events. These are often published weeks before social media posts.

Art Supply Stores

Visit Long Beach Art Supply Co. at 6410 Atlantic Ave. The owner, Maria Lopez, has been in business for 30 years and knows every artist who’s ever bought spray paint in the neighborhood. Ask her for “the quiet ones”—artists who don’t post online but create powerful work.

Public Transit

Use the Long Beach Transit bus lines. Route 11 runs along Atlantic Avenue and stops near many mural sites. It’s a cost-effective, eco-friendly way to explore without a car. Download the Transit app for real-time schedules.

Real Examples

Concrete examples bring theory to life. Below are five verified street art pieces in Zaferia, each with a story, location, and cultural significance.

1. “Las Madres de Zaferia” – 6420 Atlantic Ave

This 20-foot-tall mural, painted in 2020 by artist Luz Delgado, honors local mothers who lost children to gun violence. It depicts three women in traditional Mexican dresses, holding photos of their sons. Behind them, a tree grows from a cracked sidewalk, symbolizing resilience. The mural was commissioned by the Zaferia Mothers’ Network after three teens were killed in a single month. Locals leave candles and handwritten notes at its base. The artist used a community vote to select the faces depicted.

2. “El Árbol de la Libertad” – Corner of 65th & Carson

A massive tree with roots shaped like clasped hands, painted in 2021 by collective “Raíces del Barrio.” The branches form the words “Libertad,” “Justicia,” and “Unión.” The tree’s leaves are made of recycled plastic bags, embedded into the paint. This piece was created during the 2021 climate justice rally and remains one of the few eco-art installations in the neighborhood.

3. “La Frontera No Es Un Lugar” – Underpass near Long Beach Blvd & 62nd

A stencil mural by anonymous artist “Voz Oculta.” It features a child holding a globe, with a border wall dissolving into butterflies. The piece was painted overnight in 2022 and quickly went viral on TikTok. City officials considered removing it, but public outcry led to its preservation under a cultural heritage designation.

4. “Día de los Muertos en Zaferia” – Back wall of El Gallo Taqueria

An annual tradition since 2018. Each November, local artists and students repaint the wall with ofrendas (altars), sugar skulls, and marigolds. The mural changes yearly, reflecting current events. In 2023, it included portraits of two local teachers who passed away from COVID-19. The taqueria owner provides paint and food for volunteers.

5. “Mi Abuela Me Enseñó a Soñar” – Alley behind 63rd & Alameda

A small, intimate mural featuring an elderly woman reading to a child under a starry sky. Painted in 2019 by a 17-year-old high school student, it was originally meant to be temporary. But after the student’s grandmother passed away, the community rallied to preserve it. A small plaque was installed below with a quote in Spanish: “Los sueños no se mueren, solo se pintan.” (Dreams don’t die—they just get painted.)

These examples illustrate how Zaferia’s street art is not decorative—it’s memorial, protest, education, and love made visible.

FAQs

Is it safe to explore Zaferia for street art?

Yes, as long as you stay alert and stick to well-traveled streets during daylight hours. Avoid isolated alleys after dark. Most residents are welcoming to respectful visitors. If you feel uncomfortable, leave the area and return another time.

Can I take photos of the murals?

Yes, for personal use. Do not use them for commercial purposes without contacting the artist. Always credit the artist if you share online.

Are there guided tours available?

Yes. The Zaferia Community Center offers free monthly walking tours led by local artists. Check their website or call ahead. Private tours can also be arranged through Long Beach Urban Arts Project.

What if I see a mural that’s been painted over?

Document it. Take photos and note the date. Report it to Long Beach Murals Map or the community center. Sometimes, artists leave ghost images—faint outlines visible under new layers. These can be historically valuable.

Can I paint my own mural in Zaferia?

Only with permission. Most walls are privately owned. Contact the Zaferia Community Center or the City of Long Beach’s Public Art Program to apply for a permit. Unauthorized painting on public or private property can result in fines.

Are there any annual events for street art in Zaferia?

Yes. The Zaferia Art Crawl (June) and the Día de los Muertos Mural Festival (November) are the two major annual events. Both include live painting, music, food, and artist talks.

How do I know if a piece is art or just graffiti?

Art typically has a clear theme, composition, and intent. Graffiti tags are often repetitive names or initials. If it’s colorful, detailed, and seems to tell a story, it’s likely intentional art. When in doubt, ask a local.

Can I donate to support the artists?

Many artists accept Venmo, Cash App, or PayPal. Some have GoFundMe pages for mural restoration. Contact the Zaferia Community Center for verified donation links.

Conclusion

Finding street art in Long Beach Zaferia is not about ticking off locations on a map. It’s about listening to the neighborhood—to the stories whispered in paint, the resilience etched into concrete, the dreams that refuse to be erased. Zaferia’s murals are not tourist attractions; they are living documents of a community that refuses to be silenced. They speak of loss, hope, identity, and survival.

This guide has provided you with the tools, the context, and the respect needed to engage with that art meaningfully. But the real work begins when you leave this page. Go walk the streets. Talk to the people. Take photos, yes—but also take time to sit, to observe, to wonder. Let the art speak to you.

When you do, you’ll realize that Zaferia’s murals aren’t just on the walls—they’re in the air, in the conversations, in the pride of a neighborhood that knows its value, even when the world overlooks it.

So grab your shoes, your camera, and your curiosity. The next masterpiece might be waiting just around the corner.