Asu Island: last surf trip, maybe not
Four long-time South Bay surfers go on a final surf trip to Indonesia. Or maybe not the final trip by Tom Horton Greg Armer, Raydy Landis, Michael Lee and I took a trip last summer to Asu Island on what we imagined would be our last surf adventure together. We range in age from 65 […]
Where to Find Classic Games When Visiting the South Bay
The South Bay area of Los Angeles is known for its sun-soaked beaches, laid-back coastal vibe, and vibrant entertainment scene. While many visitors come for the surf and sand, gaming enthusiasts will be delighted to find that the region is also home to a variety of places where they can indulge in classic tabletop […]
Hoodlums to Heroes: South by South Bay Festival replants punk
by Gavin Heaney The South Bay is steeped in punk lore, and Hermosa Beach is its home town. It was born from the boho beach bums who perused the shelves of Either/Or Bookstore, bought “water pipes” from Greekos and lost their minds and musical boundaries to jazz at The Lighthouse Cafe in 1966. The beatniks […]
Embrace your pace: Beach City run groups encourage community over competition
by Chelsea Sektnan When gyms closed and routines were disrupted in March 2020, many South Bay residents turned to running to stay active and connected. Local running clubs like the South Bay Runners Club and Fit4Mom Torrance quickly became a lifeline, offering not just fitness but a sense of community. “People gravitated toward outdoor activities […]
Fire Across the Bay: Palisades Fire viewed by Beach Cities Photographers
South Bay photographers share their images of the Palisades Fire, as it appeared on the ground, and from across the bay.
Housing first… The Moonstone opens in Redondo Beach
Then there is the second, third, fourth things: primary care, mental health, socialization and employment — Moonstone case manager Richard Pacheco by Garth Meyer “Sometimes we need to have honest, frank conversations with our friends and neighbors about our friends and neighbors’ need for housing,” said L.A. County Supervisor Holly Mitchell, at a ribbon-cutting […]
Manhattan Beach Council Candidate O’Leary a finance pro
by Jefferson Graham Brenda O’Leary has been living in the South Bay for over 30 years, initially splitting a small place in Hermosa with five roommates, and then moving on to Manhattan Beach in 1991. “At the time, Manhattan Beach was the fun place to be,” she says, even with the daily commute to Century […]
Short film “Regarding Rose” shot in the South Bay hits the Silicon Film Festival
By Garth Meyer Past the Warren Beatty handprints and up two escalators, then a stairway, to a row of screening rooms at the former Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, the Silicon Beach Film Festival continued Sept. 12 with a short film shot in the South Bay. The 33-minute “Regarding Rose” was written and directed by […]
Serendipity, Unexpected and interesting
One of the delights in life is to stumble across something wonderful by accident. The long-sought item found in a thrift store, the captivating tune when you turn on the radio, the roadside café visited on a whim that dishes out a great meal – all bring a particular joy. The word for this situation, […]
Bolt, American food, plain and simple
Casual restaurants in the South Bay tend to have a visual signature that is bright and cheerful – think of Good Stuff, Scotty’s, or the Ocean Diner as examples. Even the places that aren’t explicitly beach-themed look like a place you’d go on the way to or from the sand, colorful and welcoming. Compare this […]
Gun treatise “Thoughts and Prayers” to play at Manhattan theater
by Garth Meyer Veteran South Bay actor, director and play producer Jack Messenger will present, direct and act in a staged reading of his play, “Thoughts and Prayers” at the Manhattan Beach Community Church Theater over Labor Day weekend, in three free performances. Donations at the door go to three gun safety charities. Messenger, the […]
August 2024 Peninsula Calendar
Event Spotlight: Thursday, 1 AUGUST International Surf Festival Through Sunday, August 4. The 61st International Surf Festival event promotes four South Bay beach cities, the world’s best lifeguard service, and physical fitness for thousands of participants. Participants range in age from 8 years old to the late 80’s. The three signature events for the festival […]
Queen of the South Bay displays growth in female surfing
by Brianna Smith Photos by Steve Gaffney (SteveGaffney.com) Nearly 200 women and young girls competed in the first annual Queen of the South Bay surf contest on Saturday, June 11 in El Porto. Among the competitors were U.S. National Team members, and novices who had never previously competed. The novices were seeded in their own […]
BCHD, Indivisible Arts host youth leadership conference
Beach Cities Health District, in partnership with allcove Beach Cities and Indivisible Arts, hosted the first-ever South Bay Leadership & Wellness Conference for young people, ages 12 to 25 on Saturday, May 18 at allcove Beach Cities. Seventy-five young leaders from across the South Bay gathered to discuss mental health, wellness, advocacy and other important […]
Cantina by the sea, Serendipity by the highway, dining events, and more
Cantina by The Water: One of the best ocean view locations in the South Bay finally has a new restaurant. Riviera Mexican Cantina opened last week in the former Samba Brazilian BBQ location. It has been redecorated to look like a traditional hacienda with white walls accented with Mexican pottery and art and they haven’t […]
Family Heirloom: Gaetano’s in Torrance celebrate generations of restaurateurs
by Richard Foss In Los Angeles, something a century old is, well, old. The South Bay was mainly agricultural or chapparal in 1924, and as little as fifty years ago there were still open fields where office buildings and tract homes now stand. Compare that with European or Asian countries where there are many […]