Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach is in the South Bay of Los Angeles County in California.

Understand

• Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau, 200 N. Pacific Coast Highway, [phone].

Redondo Beach is the most suburban of the three beaches (Mahattan, Hermosa, Redondo). There are not a lot of touristy things to do, but there's significantly less traffic and people walking around compared to other beaches around Los Angeles. For that reason, Redondo has become slightly more popular for people who frequent the area and just want a hassle-free vacation at a California beach city.

Get in

Nine miles from Los Angeles International Airport.

Take Pacific Coast Highway (US-1, PCH) South, through El Segundo, Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach.

Take the Metro Green Line to Redondo Beach Station.

Get around

See

• Hopkins Wilderness Park. The park used to be a Nike radar site during the Cold War. It was the IFC (Integrated Flight Control) radar site for Nike-Ajax LA-57, one of sixteen Nike sites that formed a protective ring around Los Angeles from the 1950s to the 1970s. Now it is home to ducks, turtles, rabbits and other small creatures. Some finding they way there, others abandoned. The kiddos will love it, and there are picnic areas scatterred around the park some near the two ponds. 
• Riviera Village. In South Redondo Beach up against the Palos Verdes hills. Away from the hustle and crowded feel of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach. Originally called Hollywood Riviera because so many of Hollywood came there to escape, it now has a more European feel to it. Some great place to grab a bite to eat, or if you want to grab some food and walk to the beach, stop in to Trader Joes. The Village is basically a triangle with the water on the west side, PCH on the east side, and Palos Verdes Drive along the south side. The beaches here are less crowded and parking is pretty easy. You can pay at meters along the Esplanade or drive a few blocks inland and park for free. Run the steps (all 72 of them) at Avenue C on the Esplanade. The view is impressive and you'll have plenty of company from sun-up to sun-down. Watch dolphins playing in the waves just off shore. 

Do

On hot dry days in Los Angeles, the beach area has amazingly cool and clean air, and is less crowded than the beaches between Santa Monica and Malibu.

Redondo's King Harbor has many restaurants, a boardwalk with shops and an arcade, and a large pier with great views. Location is at the west end of Torrance Blvd. Plenty of parking, in shade (nice in Summer)

Several miles further south is Riviera Village, a charming little shopping and eating district. As property values have soared in the area, the Village has "Yuppified", but retains its small seaside feel. Location is along Catalina Avenue and Vista Del Mar streets. Interestingly, only one of these shops has seating outside where one can actually view the ocean. It's at the NW corner of Catalina Avenue and I street.

Between the above 2 locations along the Esplanade (street) offers great ocean views and access to a superb stretch of beach.

Buy

Eat

• Rinaldi's, 308 Ave I, ☎ [phone]. An Italian deli that makes you think twice about what goes into the perfect sandwich. There are so many options that it may lead to an obsessive urge to include everything. If you can't decide on one after five minutes then just ask for the "Shack Attack." 
• Yellow Vase Cafe, 1805 S Catalina Ave, ☎ [phone]. Get a latte, or a great lunch, and flowers for your honey all at the same time. Quite stylish with great owners. 
• Creme de la Crepe, 1708 S Catalina Ave (in Riviera Village), ☎ [phone]. Everything French. Book ahead because it's a small place with fantastic food. 
• El Torrito, 100 Fishermans Wharf (on the Redondo Beach Pier), ☎ [phone]. An awesome Mexican restaurant. This restaurant not only offers great drinks and food, but also has a fantastic ocean view from most seats. 
• Rice Things, 2401 Artesia Blvd #105 (North Redondo Beach), ☎ [phone]. Arguably the finest sushi for the cheapest price in the South Bay. Try the combination sushi dinners for $10. 
• Old Tony's, 210 Fisherman's Wharf, ☎ [phone]. This is a classic restaurant with amazing seafood (try the salmon chowder & any salad with the "house" dressing) and a spectacular view (you're literally sitting right over the ocean). Their "Firechief" Mai Tai lives up to its name, created by Tony himself back in the 50s. You get to keep the custom glass its served in. Ascend up the spiral staircase and gaze at the signed portraits of stars who have visited, and you will have arrived at the Top o' Tony's, a unique hexagon bar that's a fun place to watch the sunset and listen to some great guitar. 
• El Burrito Jr. (LBJ's), 919 S Pacific Coast Hwy, ☎ [phone]. 8am - 11pm. The local cheap Mexican place. El Burrito Jr started out of this shack and their business has prospered so much that they've expanded into other locations around the South Bay, but this location is still the best. Order a "Special C," and you'll get two bean and cheese burritos for $6. Really anything on the menu is a safe bet. Be advised: it's cash only, but they have an ATM on site. (updated Oct 2016)

Drink

• Hennessey's. 
• Bull Pen. 
• H.T. Grill. 
• Redondo Beach Brewing Company. 
• Ortega 120. Dangerously good 120 margarita makes a good starter for the night 

Sleep

• Best Western Redondo Beach Galleria Inn, 2740 Artesia Blvd, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone]. Is within walking distance to Los Angeles shopping, dining and entertainment centers, including the famous South Bay Galleria Mall. 
• Best Western Redondo Beach Inn, 1850 South Pacific Coast Highway, ☎ [phone]. Right next to the Palos Verdes Inn, the only "budget" hotel accessible to PV. Also convenient to the Hollywood Riviera restaurants and shops and to the Torrance malls. 
• Best Western Sunrise at Redondo Beach Marina, 400 N Harbor Dr, ☎ [phone], toll-free: [phone], fax: [phone]. 
• Crowne Plaza Hotel, 300 N. Harbor Dr, ☎ [phone]. 
• Palos Verdes Inn, 1700 Pacific Coast Highway, toll-free: [phone]. For Palos Verdes travel, this is the closest property to the Peninsula. Excellent restaurant. 
• The Portofino Hotel and Yacht Club, 260 Portofino Way. Redondo Beach hotel located directly on the Pacific Ocean offering waterfront lodging accommodations including luxury suites and hotel rooms. 8,000 square feet of meeting facilities, banquet space, and a freestanding meeting pavilion. 

Go next

Only minutes away are Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, South Bay and the city of Torrance. Palos Verdes Drive West begins at the South end of Redondo and is a lovely scenic drive (about 10 miles long) along the Coast and through the beautiful Palos Verdes residential neighborhoods.

Routes through Redondo Beach

Santa Monica ← Hermosa Beach ←

N  S

→ Torrance → Long Beach