Best of the Beach 2010: Kids
Facilities at AdventurePlex, including the rock wall, challenge the minds and bodies of kids in a structured environment. Photo courtesy of Beach Cities Health District
Best Kid’s Party (tie): AdventurePlex
Parents can sit back and relax while AdventurePlex takes care of their child’s birthday party, from sending out invitations to loading the car with gifts to mailing thank you notes — and everything in between. “All you have to do is show up.”
“We are a one-stop shop,” assistant manager Cindy Jarvis said. “We cater the party in-house and take care of the whole thing. And our customer service is above and beyond.”
The birthday child and friends enjoy a private themed party in the Adventure Room play structure with a personal host to keep the party rolling. An array of mazes, tunnels, outdoor rock climbing walls, complex ropes courses, an indoor gymnasium and spacious fitness room guarantees party-goers to have fun while getting fit. Parents have the option to customize their child’s party with magicians, theme characters, hula lessons, scavenger hunts, karaoke, sports, and inflatable obstacle course.
The structured environment makes for the most creative and safe experiences for kids in the South Bay to enjoy on their birthdays and every day.
AdventurPlex: 1701 Marine Ave., MB. (310) 546-7708 www.adventureplex.org
Runner-up: Kid’s Concept 22844 Hawthorne Blvd., Torr. (310) 465-0075. www.kidconceptsusa.com
My Gym employees (left to right) Andi Klun, Emily Gilany, Mike Weil and Alex Henao rumble and tumble with kids and parents for birthday parties and every day fun.
Best Kids Party: My Gym
Throwing a kid’s birthday party at My Gym is so popular, parents book reservations four to six months in advance.
With locations in Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach and Torrance, the children’s fitness center tailors parties specifically to each child based on his/her age and needs. Music, movement, relays, games, special rides, gymnastics, and sports are incorporated into each themed party. Birthday goers enjoy private use of My Gym’s facilities and energetic employees run the whole show, from set-up to break-down and everything in between.
“Nowhere else can you make the birthday child feels as good as then they come in for our parties,” said Alex Henao, director of the Manhattan Beach location. “The teachers bring excitement and energy and make them feel special.”
Birthday or no birthday, My Gym is also available for structured play every day for children aged seven months through 13. Programs are designed for kids to gain strength, balance, coordination, agility and flexibility, while developing social skills, confidence and self-esteem.
My Gym: 1836 North Sepulveda Blvd., MB. (310) 796-1300.
1214 Beryl Street, RB. (310) 318-2288.
3511 Pacific Coast Hwy., Torr, (310) 530-7200. www.my-gym.com
Runner-up: Kid’s Concept 22844 Hawthorne Blvd., Torr. (310) 465-0075 www.kidconceptsusa.com
Best Kids’ Boutique: Sol Baby
Our readers love to dress their babies up in the same cool, unique, funky fashions in which they dress themselves. Sol Baby offers trendy clothes for small peeps, or “babies with soul.”
The kid’s clothing boutique offers clothing for girls and boys aged zero to six, including tops, footwear, hats, bibs and leg wear. Rock ‘n’ roll tees and onesies are a big hit with their tiny clientele.
“I feel like the store embodies this town,” owner Gina Rothwell said. “It’s as edgy, funky, and unique as the people who live here.”
In 2006, Rothwell opened the shop with the philosophy of selling clothing that reflects a love of life and nature, peace on earth, music, and sun. She features small, up-and-coming designers to bring hard-to-come-by fashions to tots in the South Bay.
Sol Baby: 124 Pier Ave., HB. (310) 318-3960. www.sol-baby.com
Runner-up: Bella Beach, 227 Manhattan Beach Blvd., MB. (310) 529-5645. www.bellabeachkids.com
Regaining its 2007 title as Best Park, Hermosa’s Valley Park has something for everyone, including Shakespeare By The Sea in July. Photo
Best Park: Valley Park
Valley Park is a popular family gathering place, featuring clean restrooms, multiple drinking fountains, six barbecue pits, athletic fields and numerous tables and benches. The facility contains an amphitheater for live performances, including Shakespeare By The Sea’s performance of Julius Caesar on Wednesday, July 21 and Twelfth Night on Thursday, July 22.
“Valley Park is an obvious favorite because it has something for everyone,” Hermosa Mayor Michael DiVirgilio said. “Kids young and old love the playgrounds; dog lovers, soccer players and football players use the field; there are great basketball facilities; and the picnic tables and fire pit are favorite places for birthdays and weekend celebrations. It’s also been a great place for numerous South Bay children to learn to ride bikes, scooter, and skateboard on the extensive and well-maintained sidewalks. I’m proud that such a gem exists within our community.”
Valley Park: Valley Drive and Gould Avenue at 27th Street, Hermosa Beach. 310-318-0280
Runner-up: Polliwog Park corner of Redondo Avenue and Manhattan Beach Boulevard in Manhattan Beach. 310-802-5410
Hammerhead’s enthusiastic staff is what makes her camp successful, says co-founder Jamie Bateman.
Beach camp: Hammerhead Beach Camp
Jamie Bateman tells job applicants Hammerhead Beach camp, “If you’re not the cheerleader type, this isn’t the camp for you.” The enthusiasm she expects of her camp counselors is communicated to the kids, ages four to 13 who have made the camp a beach tradition for the past 14 years. Many of the counselors are Mira Costa High students. The camp offers water activities including Boogie boarding, and body surfing, sand games, and arts and crafts. For kids interested in developing their water skills the camp offers a workout and swim Guard Prep program modeled after the Junior Lifeguard program. No swim test is required to attend the camp. But water safety is insured by counselors who form a horse shoe-shaped cordon around the campers in the water. The camp meets weekdays at 6th Street in Manhattan Beach. Morning, afternoon and all day sessions run from June 28 through August. 27.
Hammerhead Beach Camp: (310) 676-7503. www.hammerheadbeachcamp.com
Gina Rothwell shows a facility for wordplay at Sol Baby Boutique. Photo by Brent Broza (Brozaphoto.com)