Neighborhood Guide To Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach is the largest of the so-called "beach cities" in the South Bay, located just south of LAX. In fact, some may also argue it is the most eclectic. South Redondo's Riviera Village, which is packed with shops, bars, and restaurants, also has a charming, seaside vibe. The King Harbor waterfront is home to a bevy of upscale, traditional dining spots, many with marina views. The Pier, one of the biggest attractions in the area, offers boating tours, funky and fun shops, and boisterous bars, too. And in quieter North Redondo, visitors will find family-run shops and a mix of both old-fashioned eateries and fast casual spots with a strong neighborhood following. We've put together the quintessential guide with top activities, shopping destinations, and dining experiences to check out in this beautiful beachside community.
Power Boat Tour
Ocean Racer
181 N Harbor Drive
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 374-3481
www.rbmarina.com
Take a ride on what's been called the west coast's largest speed boat. A thrilling, safe and surprisingly smooth ride awaits passengers aboard the Ocean Speed Racer. The exhilarating experience eliminates sea-sickness with a high tech hull design. Traversing the coast, this 70-foot boat departs from the Redondo Beach marina hourly on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays; on weekdays, the boat is available for charters.
Wine Tasting
Friends of the Vine
221 Ave Del Norte
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 792-5940
www.friendsofthevine.net
For a fun afternoon or evening of wine tasting, check out Friends of the Vine, a combination of a wine boutique and neighborhood wine bar. The bright, comfortable bar has chairs and sofas set up in a living room style, giving it a very homey environment. The goal of the tasting experience here is for guests to experience and explore a wide variety of different wine regions, wine-makers, and varietals.
Aquarium Experience
Sea Lab
1021 N Harbor Drive
Redondo Beach, CA
(310)318-7438
www.lacorps.org
Operated by the LA Conservation Corps, Sea Lab provides a hands-on experience for visitors looking to get close to sea life. This marine education center is just steps from the sea, offering plenty of touch tanks, a tide-pool tank, and a native plant nursery to peruse. Friendly docents conduct informational tours for kids and adults making it a great experience.
Ribbons
1909 S Catalina Ave.
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 373-4401
www.facebook.com
In South Redondo Beach, Ribbons is the perfect neighborhood store for budget-conscious fashionistas. The stylish, family-run shop offers a wide range of clothing, shoes, accessories, and jewelry. The shop provides vibrant, unique, and comfortable clothes for women of all ages.
The Urban Clothes Horse
1901 Catalina Avenue
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(424) 247-8948
www.urbanclotheshorse.com
At The Urban Clothes Horse, high fashion meets cowgirl and cowboy style. The store carries one-of-a-kind handcrafted boots, a unique antique-based jewelry collection from Made in the Deep South, and high fashion brands like BCBG, Eileen Fisher, = Free People for women. For men, they carry a great selection of top brands like Joe's Jeans, Page Denim, and True Grit. The store's design is unique, too, crafted by the same designer who developed the look of the infamous House of Blues.
Fringe
1806 South Catalina Avenue
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 316-9100
www.fringeredondobeach.com
Fringe is the perfect shop to find beautiful and beachy home decor, jewelry, and furniture items. The store is crammed with fine items to craft a look best described as Southern California beach chic meets the French countryside. If you're looking for beautiful sea ornaments, it's one of their specialties.
Bettolino Kitchen
211 Palos Verdes Blvd.
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310)375-0500
www.bettolinokitchen.com
A Redondo Beach gem, Bettolino's Kitchen is bright and airy, with light colored wood walls that resemble driftwood washed up from the sea. The casual but classy ambiance is the perfect setting for melt-in-your-mouth homemade pasta, seafood, and desserts like ricotta cheese cake.
Flyin' Fin
1727 S Catalina Ave
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 373-3718
www.flyinfin.com
For elegant, inventive sushi served in a casual atmosphere, Flyin' Fin is the place to be. There is nothing standard about the exceptionally fresh sushi served in this small, cheerful restaurant. Friendly staff guide even novices through an extensive menu, but you'll want to make sure to try the mixed sashimi, which includes items like baby yellowtail and Tasmanian salmon.
Ortega 120
1814 Pacific Coast Hwy.
Redondo Beach, CA 90277
(310) 792-4120
www.ortega120.com
Oretega 120 is a large, art-filled restaurant with a Day of the Dead theme. This colorful spot has an array of stellar margaritas to sip while diners enjoy upscale Mexican fare. The contemporary cuisine includes items such as trout stuffed with seafood, carne asada, and fresh ceviche.
