Best Optometrist: Lester Silverman, Look Optometry
“I think of myself as a community doctor who wants to take care of the people who are here, “ Dr. Lester Silverman says – and given the multiple awards his practice has received over the years (including a second 2015 Best of Beach award for Best Eyewear) it’s clear that the community feels […]
Redondo election roundup: Measure B’s failure spurs task force
Meanwhile, District 3 runoff rivals Christian Anthony Horvath and Candace Allen Nafissi consider strategy Two weeks after what had the potential to be a literally landscape-changing election, little has changed cosmetically in Redondo Beach. The power plant’s future is still up in the air; citizens are still concerned about the state of waterfront development; and […]
Best Tanning Salon: Bronzology
Less than a year old, Bronzology is a Redondo Beach-based mobile airbrush tanning service that’s with eyes on taking the whole of the Santa Monica Bay by storm. Though owner Monique Nastari has designs to open multiple brick and mortar locations (the company’s first outpost just opened in Santa Monica), the core of Bronzology is […]
Traffic worries spur Legado Redondo battle
As the fervor fades over the development proposed in the city’s recent election, a low rumble is beginning to pick up at the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Palos Verdes Boulevard. There, resident concerns are growing over the potential construction of a new mixed-use development at a 4.3 acre site at the southeast corner […]
Best Pool Supply: Leslie’s Pool Supply
Oftentimes, there’s a reason that national chains end up going, well, nationwide: High-quality service and competitive prices lead to customer satisfaction. It’s a simple-looking equation with a lot of moving parts, but North Hollywood-Leslie’s seems to have figured it out, offering chemicals, replacement parts, pool toys, and pretty much anything else you’ll need to have […]
Best Hospital: Torrance Memorial Medical Center
Torrance Memorial Medical Center is the home to a number of top-notch medical programs, including the Torrance Memorial Sleep Disorders Center, the Lundquist Cardiovascular Institute, the Polak Breast Diagnostic Center, and their Blood Donor Center, which offers individuals the opportunity to donate blood directly to Torrance Memorial. Last year, Torrance Memorial opened the 390,000 square […]
Best Toy Store: Bella Beach Kids
If you’re looking for high-priced action movie toys that are just as likely to lose all their necessary pieces as they are to drain your wallet, Bella Beach Kids isn’t your store. Carefully curated by owner Kris Mackerer-D’Errico, the store’s selection is unlike anything else you’ll find in the South Bay, as clever paints and […]
Best Kids Menu: Islands
Despite being a chain restaurant known primarily for its burgers, Islands’ creative kids menu, with a wealth of healthful options, has earned it its place among our Best of Beach. Sure, there’s the standard mini-cheeseburger, mini-chicken tender fare, but Islands’ “Gremmie Menu” also gives parents a chance to place pineapple and yogurt, steamed broccoli, apple […]
Best Foreign Auto Repair: Lexology
The South Bay’s preeminent repair shop for Lexus and Toyota vehicles, Lexology prides itself on being the “dealer alternative” for its customers, bringing car dealership services to its clients with local-shop prices. With a service plan for every five thousand miles your car covers, and expertise in taking care of hybrid and electric vehicles, the […]
Best Park: Polliwog Park
The largest park in the South Bay, Polliwog has been recognized many times over for being an excellent birthday party destination, and rightfully so. With a beautiful duck pond, a 9-hole disc golf course, huge play equipment and 18 acres with which kids can tear around the park, it’s no surprise that parents have gone […]
Best Domestic Auto Repair: John’s Service Center
Why’s John’s Service Center the winner of this year’s Best of Beach? According to owner Steve Walsh, “it’s because we’re the best, obviously.” With that level of confidence in his shop and his abilities, it’s hard to see why one would take their car anywhere else – and given their previous Best of Beach pedigree, […]
History in the tasting
Richmond Bar & Grill, occupying one of El Segundo’s oldest buildings, stays true to the unpretentious, blue collar heart of the city itself A few years ago I gave a pair of lectures on the history of dining in the South Bay, explaining the ways that the Beach Cities had become more sophisticated and […]
Best Senior Care Facility: Sunrise Senior Living
More than just offering a great location for seniors to relax during their golden years, Sunrise Senior Living gives its residents a host of activities to keep their minds and bodies sharp, with yoga classes, puzzle clubs, group video gaming, crafts and —that staple of senior living— bingo. Along with the promise of three well-crafted […]
Best Nutrition Store: Feed the Machine
Whether you’re an athletic novice or getting serious about your sport, questions about nutritional supplements abound. Do you need a pre-workout boost? Are you trying to cut weight, or gain mass? What’s your post-game recovery plan? The crew at Feed the Machine has taken steps to make the determination process easier, with personalized programs and […]
Best Public School: Mira Costa High School
Though Mira Costa was most recently ranked the 69th best school in the state and the 346th best in the country by U.S. News & World Report, it’s easy to lose sight of the fact that we have one of the nation’s top public high schools in our back yard. So, here’s a bit of […]
Letters 3/19/15
The schools’ year Dear ER: Now that we do not have to worry about oil drilling in Hermosa Beach, we need to focus on our schools. Beautiful vistas are not the only draw for Hermosa Beach. Our fine schools draw people here, raise our housing values and contribute to the well being of the community. […]