ILLUSTRATION by JOE MCGARRY

This Jan. 15 will make it 30 years since Kelvin Anderson founded VIP Records (1014 E. Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach 90806. 562.591.2349; godspokerecords.com) at the intersection of MLK and PCH, and the little corner shopping center became the launching pad for the Long Beach sound of the 1990s. Music fans worldwide know the story of the tall, skinny kid who went into VIP’s back-room studio to cut a demo tape and emerged as a superstar named Snoop Dogg.

“To this day, a good part of our traffic through the store is tourists,” says Anderson. “It’s surprising how many people have knowledge of the story of this place and come here just to say they’ve been here—and usually buy T-shirts and caps, and sometimes music.”

But it’s been a long time since Long Beach produced a big hip-hop star—the video for Snoop’s “(Who Am I?) What’s My Name?” was recorded on the roof of VIP back in 1993—and like record store owners everywhere, Anderson is struggling. “I want to have that 30th birthday party,” he says, “but it’s a fight to get there.”

Fabulous Burgers “I like to call in a breakfast order on my way into work. There’s a cook, Juan, who’s been there as long as I’ve been in Long Beach, and I know if he were to leave, the business would go down. He makes me a Polish sausage-and-egg sandwich that really starts my day. That or the French toast.” 2292 Atlantic Ave., Long Beach 90806. 562.424.7331

Hilltop Park “It’s not in Long Beach, but it’s the place to go for the best view of the city or to just hang out. Every now and then, I go there just to get my thoughts together.” 2351 Dawson Ave., Signal Hill 90755. 562.989.7330

Lil Bam “If you’re looking for the best of a variety of local underground hip-hop artists, ask for something by Lil Bam. He’s maybe best known in Japan. But be warned: He’s hard core.”

Mr. Baker’s Barber Shop “Actually, I guess it’s officially called ‘Mr. Baker’s Style Center,’ but this is definitely a barber shop, in all the best ways that you think of that. Great haircuts, of course, and not too much money. But it’s a great hangout, too, a place to watch the ball games. Heck, they even got a pool table in there!” 1030 Pacific Coast Hwy., Long Beach 90806. 562.591.4772

Tags: fabulous burgers, hilltop park, Long Beach, VIP Records