Classic Not Plastic: Your Guide to the Legendary Long Beach Scooter Rally

Welcome to your guide to the Long Beach Classic Scooter Club’s annual rally, Classic Not Plastic. This aptly named event, hosted by Long Beach Classic Scooter Club, happens every May on Memorial Day Weekend in Long Beach, California, as dozens of vintage Lambrettas and Vespas line the streets near the Park Estates neighborhood and ride along Highway 1 enjoying cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean.

I’ve attended Classic Not Plastic (CNP) for the past two years, drawn by the allure of vintage scooters gathered en masse over a busy, fun-filled weekend in sunny Southern California.

This article is your ultimate guide to experiencing Classic Not Plastic, providing the details you need to immerse yourself in this iconic event and discover one of the finest gatherings of vintage scooters on the West Coast. Are you ready to read all about it? Let’s go!

Affiliate Notice: Some of the links on my website are affiliate links, which means that if you take action on a link, such as book an accommodation or car rental, buy gear or products, or invest in travel insurance through the link posted, I will earn a small commission at no cost to you. I only link to the items I trust and recommend and work with the companies I believe in. Thank you.

Fast Facts

Rally History

Founded by Long Beach Classic Scooter Club in 2006 and initially created by club member Jon Mackey, Classic Not Plastic is a vintage-only rally held the last Friday, Saturday, and Sunday in May, over Memorial Day weekend. Famous for its showcase feel with dozens of scooters in attendance, CNP is a friendly gathering of incredible bikes – mostly Lambrettas and Vespas.

The event draws visitors and riders from as far away as Las Vegas, Nevada, Salt Lake City, Utah, Portland, Oregon, and Denver, Colorado. It is a favorite, annual rally among Californians who drive or ride to Long Beach from all over the state.

Thematic artwork announcing Classic Not Plastic is carefully crafted each year to put a creative spin on existing or culture-familiar icons and logos, such as a modified Londsdale London lion, and Mod colors red, white, and blue.

For 2024, the rally’s theme celebrates the cult classic, “Repo Man,” a 1984 movie starring Emilio Estevez and Harry Dean Stanton. Artist and LBCSC member Pete Nicholson designed the graphic with a glowing scooter in place of the car that flies around the skies of L.A. toward the movie’s ending. If you know, you know, but, if you don’t, watch the film!

The Weekend

Classic Not Plastic kicks off on Friday evening with a meet and greet, sometimes with a live band playing or DJs spinning records. The energy is almost always festive and celebratory as friends near and far gather to enjoy the next three days.

For years CNP has claimed DiPiazza’s, 5205 Pacific Coast Highway, as its headquarters for the weekend’s events. As the night comes alive, the place is filled with rallygoers and resplendent with talk of recent acquisitions, custom modifications, and full restorations, creating a celebratory vibe centered around vintage scooters.

On Saturday morning, fans, riders, supporters, and non-riders meet to view the dozens of classic bikes lining the front of DiPiazza’s and Park Plaza Center. As guests collect their pre-paid rally packs – swag bags containing stickers, raffle tickets, t-shirts, maps, and other regalia for the weekend – everyone enjoys the opportunity to chat with new and returning sponsors including Cartel Ink, Planet Lambretta, Scooter Mercato, and Scooter Speed.

The ride typically leaves around noon, as over a hundred scooters take to the streets, covering ground from Long Beach to Redondo Beach, Palos Verdes Estates, and Rancho Palos Verdes, before returning inland near San Pedro. Stops along the way include Vista points, gas stations, the Port of Los Angeles, and, eventually, back to DiPiazza’s.

Saturday evening, after the ride ends and scooterists have gone their separate ways for a few hours to dine out, roam about, or chill for a bit, everyone reconvenes at DiPiazza’s for live music. Tickets are sometimes part of the rally pack, available online in advance, or for sale at the door the night of the show. Always check before heading out!

Though it’s often not revealed until days before who will play, bands from previous years of Classic Not Plastic – including 16 Again, Kingston Beat All-Stars, and The Luxuries – have brought the house down.

For those attendees who don’t need to leave right away, Classic Not Plastic continues on Sunday afternoon with a Poker Run. As part of this fun-filled activity, riders stop by dive bars, cafés, and other notable Long Beach locations, collecting cards and competing to build the best poker hand.

By Sunday evening, Classic Not Plastic rallygoers are on their way home, and locals are settling back into life, everyone with another incredible year under their vintage belts.

About The Area

Founded in 1888, Long Beach, California, is a dynamic coastal community that blends history, culture, and innovation. Home to renowned institutions like California State University, Long Beach, the city is a hub of academics with a salty splash of entertainment. Notable figures like Golden Globe award nominee Cameron Diaz and Hip-Hop pioneer Snoop Dogg hail from Long Beach, adding to its vibrant legacy.

Known for its landmarks, like the majestic RMS Queen Mary, a living testament to the city’s maritime heritage, and the annual Long Beach Grand Prix – a motorsport event that ignites the streets – this coastal location holds its own.

Whether digging for treasures at the 20-acre Long Beach Antique Market or admiring the Walter Pyramid – one of only three pyramid-shaped buildings in the U.S. – Long Beach will entice you with its tapestry of experiences designed to captivate and inspire.

Ready to polish up that vintage scooter and attend LBCSC’s Classic Not Plastic? Here’s some great information to enhance your experience!

Where to Stay

Accommodations in Long Beach range from funky, privately-owned BnBs to 5-star hotels, with mid-range motels and lodges on nearly every corner. Classic Not Plastic attendees typically choose hotels near or in the Park Estates neighborhood, where most weekend activities happen.

📍Discover quality hotels in Long Beach! Book Now for the best selection!

Rally participants look for easy, secure parking for their vintage Lambrettas and Vespas, and extra perks like a swimming pool or walking distance to DiPiazzas, the unofficial HQ for Classic Not Plastic. Wherever you stay, be sure to book early! Most places fill up with families celebrating Memorial Day weekend.

Hotel Current – Recommended!

Hotel Current, 5325 East Pacific Coast Hwy, offers fantastic, eco-friendly accommodations at standard SoCal prices, and the location is the best for the Classic Not Plastic weekend. Hotel Current was a great choice for my first time at CNP and remains the preferred hotel for rally attendees.

📍Check for vacancies at Hotel Current! Book Now for the best selection!

Located a few blocks from DiPiazza’s, Hotel Current features modern decor in spacious rooms with convenient amenities surrounded by lush landscaping. The hotel has 99 rooms and two floors, and rumor has it some rallygoers on ground level stash their bikes inside at night!

The Hotel Current staff is friendly and welcoming to rallygoers, there’s plenty of on-site parking for a low, daily rate, and even a gleaming pool for guests to enjoy – perfect after a day of riding vintage scooters! Be sure to book early, as this hotel fills up quickly.

Long Beach Marriott

While the Long Beach Marriott, 4700 Airport Plaza Drive, is a short drive to the activities of Classic Not Plastic, it is also close to LGB airport, which is convenient for anyone flying to the rally. As expected with the Marriott name, the hotel has a tranquil feel with large, modern rooms available at standard prices.

📍Want the best selection? Book your room now at the Long Beach Marriott!

Guests who enjoy watching small planes and private jets take off and land will love the location, as will those seeking a bit of nature, for the hotel’s proximity to the adventurous walking trails of El Dorado Nature Center.

Econo Lodge Long Beach I-405

Econo Lodge Long Beach I-405, 3624 East Pacific Coast Highway, is a centrally-located hotel with standard prices, modest rooms, and easy hop-on, hop-off highway access.

📍Check out the Econo Lodge Long Beach I-405! Book Now for the best selection!

Part of the Choice Hotels franchise, the Econo Lodge Long Beach I-405 is located in a cute neighborhood, Eastside, where hotel guests are encouraged to walk around and enjoy historic bungalows, convenient shopping, and one-of-a-kind, independent dining establishments.

Take a few minutes and duck into the nearby Able ARTS Work, a non-profit organization established in 1982 to provide inclusive services for ALL people through creative art therapy.

Fun Fact: Park Estates Neighborhood

Park Estates is an exclusive custom tract neighborhood near most of the action for Classic Not Plastic. It showcases beautiful mid-century modern homes near the campus of Cal State, Long Beach. Three of the homes in Park Estates are the only ones in the Long Beach area designed by Richard Neutra, the famous Los Angeles modern architect.

What to Pack

Long Beach is an area envied by out-of-towners for its nearly year-round breezy, sunny days and cool evenings. With winds from the ocean rustling palm trees overhead, the warm, semi-dry, climate, and occasional rainfall, evoke a mostly Mediterranean feel.

As with most vintage scooter rallies, CNP participants should pack their best jeans or pants, comfortable shoes, select t-shirts, riding jackets, gloves, and helmets. Due to its location near Los Angeles, you may want to channel your inner fashionista and step it up for this event. Think old-school Mod with a hint of Ska, and bust out your favorite Fred Perry, Pringle, or Ben Sherman threads.

In the evening, most CNP weekenders dress up, with guys wearing jackets, dress shirts, and ties, and ladies in dresses or skirts, with tights, boots, or heels. While there’s no dress code to attend CNP events, be prepared to look sharp, have fun, and accept all worthy compliments.

Where to Eat and Drink

Ammatoli – $$$$ Decadent Levantine Cuisine

Are you in the mood to treat yourself to something decadent? Woman-owned and established by Chef Dima from Amman, Jordan, Ammatoli, 285 East Third Street, presents diners with an extensive menu of lovely dishes from the Levant region.

On one dining occasion for a table of four, we enjoyed shwarma, msakhan, manoushe, and moussaka – savoring an eclectic blend of spices and sauces. A generous salad of arugula and beets with feta cheese and pomegranate was a delight for the senses, and we were especially impressed with the presentation of a non-alcoholic Champagne: bubbly heaven!

Ammatoli serves brunch, lunch, dinner, and happy hour so you can decide when to indulge in this gorgeous establishment. Choose your time slot wisely and go! You’ll be glad you did.

Cocorenos – $ My favorite! Recommended

A friend who attended California State University, Long Beach, turned me on to Cocorenos, 3400 East Broadway, and I’m so glad they did! A local favorite in Belmont Heights for several decades, Cocorenos is well-known for its delicious Mexican cuisine and the adjoining Reno Room.

The food at Cocorenos is moderately priced and the sabor keeps people coming back. Fragrant staples like mushroom tacos, chicken tortilla soup, and carnitas plates mingle con gusto amid daily specials, offering something for everyone, from devout vegans to all-in carnivores.

After your meal, check out the Reno Room, a drinkery with specials like Whiskey Wednesday – because who doesn’t love swilling dark liquor in a dark bar on hump day!? Bottoms up!

LBX The Hangar – $$ Upscale Variety

So, here it is! A modern structure spanning about 17,000 square feet, The Hangar, 4069 North Lakewood Boulevard, is home to more than a dozen unique breweries, cafés, eateries, and shopping retailers.

I visited The Hangar in December 2023 and was impressed by its selection of vendors and wide-open seating area. The food my friends and I selected – an array of colorful, vegan dim sum from Morning Nights – was fresh, filling, and delicious.

Before you go all, “I don’t eat at food courts,” on everyone, take note: The Hangar is not your average gathering of eateries. Its space is cleverly designed to resemble an aviation hangar of the McDonnell Douglas/Boeing days years ago, and it features cool decor like collages of vintage luggage tags and oversized, historic photos of the area.

OK, now go on, live a little, and let the wide selection of tasty treats and interesting travel-related memorabilia give you two good reasons to try The Hangar. You can thank me later!

Café Sevilla – $$$ Spanish Tapas, Sangria, and Live Music

If you’re a fan of fresh seafood, small plates, and live Spanish guitar, don’t miss a chance to dine at Café Sevilla, 140 Pine Avenue in the Historic Gaslamp Quarter.

Serving up special dishes cooked to perfection, the menu at Café Sevilla includes Brunch, Dinner, and Late Night, the latter including stuffed dates, a classic Spanish tortilla, and Coca – a Barcelona-style Flatbread with Manchego and fresh herbs. Indulge in the Journey Through Spain, a five-course dinner for two, or nosh on something naturally decadent from their Vegan and Vegetarian menu.

How to Get There

Are you hauling scooters and Driving to Classic Not Plastic? Whether you’re road-tripping from Northern California, or heading from inland to the coast, the main roads to Long Beach are California Highway 1, Interstate 5, and the Pacific Coast Highway, right down to smaller connections like the 110, 405, and 710.

If you’re even vaguely familiar with the driving direction scenes from SNL’s The Californians, you will want to map out your journey well in advance. Remain positive all will go well, turn the AC on, breathe deep with your windows up, and drive with care.

🚘 Driving to this location? Rent a car and share the cost with friends!

Are you Flying instead of driving to Classic Not Plastic? The closest major airport is Long Beach Airport (LGB), 4100 Donald Douglas Drive. Located just three miles northeast of downtown, LGB sees hundreds of flights to and from major carriers including Delta Air Lines, American Airlines, Jet Blue Airways, and United Airlines.

✈️ Ready? Set? Jet? Find the best flights to Long Beach, California

Long Beach is also accessible from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), 1 World Way in L.A., which sees nearly every major U.S. airline imaginable daily. LAX is about 22 miles from downtown Long Beach, about a 40-minute drive via 405.

Remember, if you plan to ride during CNP, you’ll need to bring, borrow, or buy an older bike; the Classic Not Plastic annual rally is 100% dedicated to classic, manual-shift vintage scooters.

Are you Riding to Classic Not Plastic? With its sunny location in Long Beach, several dedicated riders make the trek via vintage bike – coming from as far away as. If you ride, remember there’s safety in numbers, so ride with a friend, pack light, and be prepared for any necessary roadside repairs.

Keep your eye on the prize when you ride! Your efforts will be appreciated the most by riders and attendees of Classic Not Plastic.

Wrap Up

Whew! So there you have it – your guide to the Long Beach Classic Scooter Club’s annual rally, Classic Not Plastic, and practically all there is to know about this amazing SoCal event, including the hotels nearby, the restaurants to try, the club that hosts, and, of course, the rides!

If you’re not already planning to go, and this article didn’t convince you to uncover that sweet Lambretta Li150 your uncle gave you or fire up the all-original Vespa GS you’ve had since high school, go back and watch the video again, re-read the table of contents, map out a travel route, and then… start packing. I can’t wait to see you there!

🙌🏾 Many thanks to Long Beach Classic Scooter Club members Andy Holdridge, Brian Superb, Frank Bruce, and Pete Nicholson for the facts and photos on Classic Not Plastic