Best Nursery: Deep Roots

Deep Roots has been a fixture at the corner of Sepulveda and Second Street for decades and has won Best of the Beach honors the past five straight years. The business came under the stewardship of Jon Bell – an employee of the shop during his days as a student at Mira Costa High School […]

Best of the Beach 2015

Over 6,000 readers showed their support for their favorite beach city businesses and services by voting in Easy Readers 29th Annual Best of The Beach contest. Though any “Best of” vote is more subjective than scientific, Best of voting gives readers an opportunity to show their appreciation for the many businesses and services that make […]

Spyder: Best men’s clothing

“New products are always in and we’re about fresh new clothes,” Spyder Surf manager, local ripper, and team rider Chris Broman said.

Spyder: Best surf shop

“I had a vision and plan of where I wanted to be in five years,” Spyder Surf founder Dennis Jarvis said. “I wanted to continue the surfing lifestyle and feed myself.”

Jose Barahona: Best underground surfboard shaper

Barahona is very easy going and listens to the customer before opening his mouth. He’s been in the industry for over 30 years and can shape every type of board.

Tyler Surfboards: Best shop shaper

In addition to being a master in all surfboard building disciplines, Tyler Hatzikian is his own best test pilot. “There are not many shapers who ride their designs and push them to their full potential in the water,” he said.

Spyder: Best snowboard, ski shop

When snowboarding first became popular in America during the early ‘80s, Spyder Surf owner Dennis Jarvis almost missed the boat.

“We were approached by Jake Burton, owner of Burton Snowboards, to carry snowboards in and I said no.”

Spyder: Best skateboard shop

“Our skate team has won every team competition it has entered the last six years,” he said. “One of our team, Mason Silva, just signed with the Berrics,” said Spyder founder Dennis Jarvis.

Dive N’ Surf: Best dive shop

2014 was an epic year for Dive N’ Surf. The nation’s oldest Dive Shop celebrated a grand reopening of it remodeled store as well as the unveiling of founding twins Bill and Bob Meistrell statues at the Seaside Lagoon

Del Amo Fashion Center: Best Major Shopping Center

Before the Mall of America was built in the midwest, Del Amo Fashion Center, at 2.6 million square feet, was the biggest shopping center in the U.S. It boasts over 200 stores, a glut of restaurants and cafes and the 18-screen AMC movie theater. It’s also made its way onto the silver screen: The Del […]

Scooter’s Jungle: Best Kids Birthday Party

For four years Scooter’s Jungle has taken home first place for best kid’s party location because of their friendly-friendly environment. They offer “worry-free” parties and special events featuring inflatable jumpers and the tallest and longest indoor inflatable slide in the area. They also offer pizza and other treats. Not only are their play areas the […]

23rd Street Jewelers: Best Jewelry Store

In 1981, sisters Diane Allen and Mary Kelley combined their talents to open 23rd Street Jewelers in Santa Monica. Allen, artistically inclined from a young age, designed souvenirs for Elvis Presley’s estate, while Kelley, who attended the Gemological Institute of America, worked for businesses importing and brokering diamonds and colored gemstones, traveling to trade shows […]

Growing Wild: Best Flower Shop

Manhattan Beach native twin sisters Lee Hoven Bakos and Lisa Hoven Gallien always dreamed of running their own business. Growing up, their parents instilled in them a love of gardening and the two worked at a local flower shop as Mira Costa High School seniors, then as business majors at Pepperdine University. In 1991, their […]