While you’re at Emerald Bay Beach don’t forget to take a tour of the historic Vikingsholm Castle. Built in 1929 and modeled after exquisite Scandinavian design, Vikingsholm Castle is a premier display of architectural genius and luxurious grounds.  Camp Richardson Beach is another selection for shoreline shenanigans near South Lake Tahoe. Camp Richardson has a great playground for the little ones to take full advantage of during the day and also offers boat rentals for anyone who isn’t able to bring their own vessel for a day of waves and rays.  Also on the water activities menu in Lake Tahoe is Kayak Tours. There are many experienced companies in the area who specialize in kayak tours that everyone in the family will love. Take a day trip with Emerald Bay Kayak Tours where you’re likely to spot eagles, deer, bear and other wildlife in the area as you paddle by. If you’re ready for some real adventure ask about the night tours given at Tahoe Adventure Company where you can kayak under the full moon.

Sailing is yet another family activity to partake in while visiting glorious Lake Tahoe. Whether you take a relaxing day trip with family and soak up all that nature has to offer or a romantic sail for two, both you and your guests will make lasting memories. Woodwind Sailing Cruises is one of the oldest excursion companies in the nation and offers beautiful yachts complete with glass-bottom viewing decks, comfortable seating and restroom facilities as well as exquisite handcrafted woodwork. There are other excellent charter companies in the area that are experienced in providing a one of a kind experience to all sailors be they experienced or beginners. For the adrenaline junkies in the group, look into local parasailing excursions for the ultimate in high flying adventure. Both the North and South Shores of Lake Tahoe offer a wide variety of rental companies who will make you feel exhilarated and secure for your parasailing journey. Parasailing can be a fun trip for a group of girlfriends or a family bonding experience unlike any other. If you’re looking for adventure a little closer to the ground, why not try your hand at waterskiing or wake boarding. Blazing over the Lake Tahoe waters at a speedy pace is another one of the many ways to explore the majesty that is Lake Tahoe.

After a long day at the lake full of exploring, swimming, boating and family time you and your traveling companions will want to relax in the comfort of a plush Lake Tahoe vacation rental. All the comforts you deserve while traveling will greet you as you arrive from a long day of making glorious memories. Enjoy the tranquility of privacy and rest because tomorrow, its time for some windsurfing!

If you enjoy great music and amazing seascapes, this concert is not to be missed!  The festival takes place in a beautiful venue overlooking the Pacific, and is close to many of the area’s finest attractions.

Coming from out of town? Check out one of the Mendocino bed and breakfasts that the area is famous for.  Also, be sure to check out some of the amazing area wineries, no matter your preference, the local wineries offer something for everyone!  From  rich Cabernets to sweet Rieslings, the region is sure to please!  The Mendocino Valley has long since made it known that charming bed and breakfasts pair excellently with fine wines.

Images Courtesy *clairity*

But Yountsville, a small village in Napa Valley, is one of the area’s highlights. The town is known for its world-class restaurants and has earned the unofficial title of ‘Culinary Capital of the Napa Valley’. The fare includes French, Italian, and Pacific Rim with a multitude of fine dining and an unmatched surroundings in Yountville. Located within walking distance of the town’s luxurious hotels and inns, there is plenty of activities, shopping, and wineries to choose from.

There are several noteworthy inns from which to pick with central locations that will allow you a better opportunity to tour the valley. There are three wineries in town but customizing a wine tour is the way to go. With several hundred wineries in Napa Valley many are open to the public. No matter your taste in wine, there are several wineries to explore and learn about wine.

Located 95 miles south of Los Angeles and 25 miles north of San Diego is Cardiff-by-the-Sea, California.  This beach community was named back in 1911 by a developer and remains a community which prides in its’ “walkability” factor of everything you would need being walking distance from each other via the beach.  Nestled amongst the community is the San Elijo Lagoon which is one of San Diego’s largest coastal wetlands still to exist.

Over 90% of California’s wetlands have vanished and are gone forever due to ever increasing development.  The San Elijo Lagoon Conservancy is working hard to involve the local community in its’ ecological efforts of protecting the diminishing wildlife and their habitat.  The lagoon consists of over 1,000 acres, 7.5 miles of trails and 700 various species of animals and plants.  One can enjoy free guided nature walks, take part in a volunteer work party or participate in a bird count exercise. 

When you are done checking out the San Elijo Lagoon, the waves of the Pacific Ocean are crashing nearby and begging you to visit.  Cardiff-by-the-Sea enjoys 2.6 miles of pristine ocean beach with shops, restaurants and lodging all within walking distance.  One can find a Southern California Bed & Breakfast that is local and quaint just by walking down the beach.  Cardiff Reef has some of the best breaks around if you are into surfing.  From amateurs to professionals, Cardiff Reef attracts surfers from all over Southern California. 

Whether you are into being low-key on your vacation to Cardiff or you need to change it up sometimes with San Diego nearby, Cardiff-by-the-Sea will at least provide a moderate climate with breathtaking views.

Sunset at Cardiff State Beach by Mr Phil Price

Cardiff By The Sea, California by Bengt E Nyman

San Elijo Lagoon by kevincole

In addition, Fisherman Wharf has become a magnet for tourists, many of whom ride the cable car from Union Square to its turnaround spot on Hyde St. There are 27 interesting and informative historical markers along the waterfront, telling about such things as the fisherwomen of San Francisco and how skippers choose a name for their boat.

The Wharf neighborhood is full of the tacky souvenir and tee shirt shops that out-of-towners crave. You can see sea lions basking in the fog on Pier 39 and take boat tours of the Bay, but for me main attraction is the very fresh seafood.

Like the fishing boats, many of the restaurants and outdoor stands have been in the same family for generations. The selections range from the traditional Dungeness c

rab boiled in large pots outdoors to zesty Crab Cioppino served in open dockside taverns to delectable filet of sole served in elegant surroundings overlooking the Bay.
‘
Whichever you choose to indulge in, you can’t go too wrong, but I tend to prefer grazing on tasty tidbits in the outdoor stalls. The enormous shrimp salad sandwiches on sourdough rolls are my absolute favorite.

Tourists come to board the trolley that takes them to Fisherman’s Wharf. Shoppers are in heaven, with hundreds of name brand stores jammed together within a few square blocks. Locals come for the open space that swings between lively and peaceful, depending upon the time of day, eating lunch, meeting friends and enjoying the free entertainment taking place on the stage. Great restaurants are everywhere, including some that are hidden away down narrow alleys.

Union Square is just a few blocks from San Francisco’s famous Chinatown. A 20-30 minute walk through Chinatown will take you to the North Beach neighborhood for an authentic Italian meal in a lively sidewalk café. Another 20-30 minutes and you’ll be at Fisherman’s Wharf. Take a cab or stroll back through North Beach, stopping wherever suits you on the way for a drink or snack or shopping.

There are several historic boutique hotels, notably The Handley and the Sir Francis Drake, to choose from with a block or two of the Square, as well as a few upscale chains like Marriot and Westin. Shop around-you can usually find a good deal at one of them. If you want to be near the center of the action in San Francisco, then book a room near Union Square, put on your walking shoes and start enjoying the City by the Bay.

Since LA is so close one can enjoy the entertainment value of Hollywood’s Universal Studios, Hollywood Walk of Fame and Mann’s Chinese Theatre.  Of the 18 boutique Mann Theatres located in the greater LA area, the Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is the most famous opening its’ doors in 1927 to show movies on the big screen for the people.  The opening of Grauman’s Theatre sparked the beginning of Hollywood’s Walk of Fame where famous movie stars are denoted as to have “made it” in show biz.

Dining options in Redondo Beach are varied and very good!  One must check out the Redondo Beach Pier and Fisherman’s Wharf when visiting this beach town.  Old Tony’s is a must when dining on the pier.  Ranging from shrimp, oysters and calamari for appetizers and sea bass, scallops, halibut, lobster, mahi mahi and shark for dinner, one can get their fill of fresh seafood from Old Tony’s.  Another landmark for the pier is Polly’s on the Pier which serves a hearty breakfast and lunch and with seating outside one can see the fresh catch coming into harbor.  Bluewater Grill is just another great example of California seafood dining.  Located right on the water, Bluewater Grill serves up charbroiled seafood, chowders and pastas and has an oyster bar.  In operation for over 7 years now, they have an impressive 100 + item menu of which they print out twice a day to reflect new and fresh seafood coming that day.

Hangin’ on the beach is probably the most favorite activity in Redondo Beach.  When visitors come to Redondo Beach they can stay in lodging very close to the beach.  Other beaches close to Redondo are Hermosa, Manhattan, and Venice Beach.  Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches are only 10 to 15 minutes away while Venice Beach is more like a 30 minute drive.  From surfing and boogie boarding to biking on the paved trails and fishing, the beach is alive and well with the people that call Southern California home.  

Redondo Beach & Pier by Kevin

Grauman’s Chinese Theatre by bfurlong

Redondo Beach – Tony’s Fish Market by Madrigal Photography

Unfortunately, I haven’t had a chance to visit all of the State Beaches in California-there are 63 of them at last count. However, I’ve been very impressed with those along the central California coast between San Francisco and Monterrey.

If you take this incredibly scenic drive on Route 1, you’ll enjoy an have the chance to stop at numerous state beaches along the way. My favorites were both rugged and lonesome, even during the dog days of August, and the only company were flocks of shore birds and frolicking sea lions.

Others attracted surfers or surf fisherfolk and at one was chocked full of families camping in their RVs not 100 feet across the sand from the Pacific ocean. So, as you can see, there’s a beach to suit anyone’s taste along this stretch.

Now, I’m anxiously awaiting my next trip to the coast so that I can explore some of the more than 50 others I missed.

No visit to Santa Cruz, California is complete without a stroll down the boardwalk with soft serve ice cream or cotton candy or some other nutritionally outlawed yummy that you’d never eat anywhere else. But, hey, how often do you get here? Live it up!

They have some great free shows on the beach stage. This summer (2008), it was the Amazing Chinese Acrobats performing at least a couple of times a day, occasional visits by skydivers landing on the beach and thrilling high divers plunging from an 80 foot tower.

On Friday evenings during the summer, they have free concerts on the beach with lovable old timers, like Herman’s Hermits and Blue Oyster Cult, and more modern groups, like the Gin Blossoms. Other special events include fireworks, local’s nights, kite festivals and beach soccer tournaments.

Many of the rides are kid-sized versions, which is awesome, especially when they allow adults to accompany the really little ones.

The Santa Cruz Boardwalk is one of the last great seaside amusement parks and is designated as a California Historic Landmark. Two of the nostalgic rides, a wooden roller coaster built in 1924 and a classic 1911 carousel, are National Historic Landmarks. So, consider a visit here as an educational field trip and let the fun begin!

I had so much fun on the boardwalk, that I never even made it down onto the beach, but maybe that’s a good thing, since it looks like there’s no fun allowed.

In 1880, a visionary entrepreneur built a luxurious resort, with an elegant hotel and a gambling casino, on the shores of this deep blue lake hidden in the Sierra Mountains. By the turn of the century, Lake Tahoe had become a summer playground for the rich and famous families of Sacramento, San Francisco and Virginia City. A railroad spur was built in the late 1890’s making travel to the Lake easier, so more people came and more plush hotels sprang up to accommodate them.

Wealthy families began building their own stately mansions along the shore. They cruised the Lake in yachts as ostentatious as their homes and lavish parties became commonplace. When you travel to Tahoe you can visit some of these impressively restored estates.

The 12,000 square foot Erhman Mansion, built in 1903, is the centerpiece of Sugar Pine Point State Park on the western side of the Lake. It’s open daily for tours during the summer and is a fantastic setting for weddings and other special events.

The 74 acre Tallac Historic Site is home to the Valhalla, Pope and Baldwin Estates. You may view the interior and art exhibits of the Pope Estate, built in 1894, on a guided tour. Valhalla is home to a summer arts and music festival and other seasonal events that are open to the public.

One of the oddest mansions is really a Scandinavian themed medieval castle dubbed Vikingsholm, complete with a sod roof and beams carved into dragons. It can be toured daily during the summer months, but is most striking when viewed from the water. Steamboats chug visitors across the Lake to Emerald Bay and around Tahoe’s only island several times a day to see it.

For a glimpse into the yachting life, visit the Tahoe Maritime Museum in Homewood, on the California side. You’ll be amazed at the painstakingly cared for gleaming wooden boats, many of which are still lakeworthy and see use during the summers.

While the opulent era phased out in the early 1950’s, there are still many luxurious Lake Tahoe vacation homes, estates and lodges tucked in amongst the towering pines along the lakeshore. Keep your eyes open for a glimpse of them as you pass by.

Mendocino, California is one of the most beautiful and scenic destinations of North America in my book. This very place inspired me to ask my then girlfriend to marry me and we have fortunately been back to visit once since then. I cannot say enough great things about the area which encompasses the Redwood forest and the neighboring towns of Boonville and Yorkville.

When going through Boonville, beer is highly toted as well as wine. Any hop lover will enjoy the local brew as a refreshing break to all of the wine that is available. Next you will experience dense redwood forests as you make your way to the coast and Mendocino.

When driving from San Francisco, one gets the chance to see and or stop at many local wineries to sample their fruits of labor. I, personally, like to head toward Healdsburg to start my wine country experience and then continue north. With good wine comes good food and Healdsburg offers some great dining experiences. You need to budget in some time and not be in a rush when your destination is Mendocino. Highway 128 takes you through tight, twisty turns with overhanging oak trees and lush flora as you head towards Yorkville and the coast. There are several wineries that have tasting rooms open to the public awaiting your arrival. After all of the stops for wining and dining, you finally get to Mendocino where you can relax, unwind and have your choice of some of the most charming bed and breakfasts for your lodging needs. The views of the Pacific and the waves crashing on the rocks make for a very special experience. So, if you are a wine connoisseur as well as a beer lover, you shouldn’t pass up the opportunity to visit this craggy coastal town known as Mendocino.

Mendocino Coast by JPBJr.

Maple Creek Winery by The Great California Migrants

Willis Seafood by peter r

Hop Ottin’ IPA by mzalikowski

COPIA is a non-profit foundation dedicated to the palate. Through food and wine they teach cultural lessons and expand the knowledge of any foodie looking for a challenge. The Napa Valley in general is a hotbed of culinary delights. There are restaurants from one end of the valley to the other and they all take advantage of the local produce, wines, cheeses and more to create wonderful flavors and memories.

Other restaurants in the area with stellar reputations include Auberge, La Toque, Meadowwood, and The French Laundry - thought by some to be the very best restaurant in North America – in Yountville, CA just a few miles from the town of Napa. The thing that intrigues me about the prospect of eating in Napa is the possibility of pairing the absolutely PERFECT wine with each course. I live in the middle of nowhere Colorado – and our wine selection is OK – but the opportunity to try wines with food is pretty limited. Our restaurant choices are pretty limited also, so beyond what’s “in the box” at Chili’s we’re wine-deprived.

I want to go to Napa and eat and drink my way from one end of the valley to the other. The dilemma is the sheer number of fabulous places to eat and drink. If I started at noon – I’d be drunk and full by dinner time. Then, by absolute luck and some strategic Google browsing – I found my mecca….a restaurant shuttle. Guests of the Wine Country Inn in St. Helena are treated to a complimentary Napa Valley restaurant shuttle that delivers you door to door – and to some of the best restaurants in the valley every night from 6pm to 11pm.  I cant imagine a more perfect way to enjoy good wine and food.

If you like to walk – stay right in town near the Napa Town Center and you’re going to be near some of the best – all within walking distance.  Sometimes that’s the best way to enjoy a meal – with a leisurely walk afterward.

cheese & endive photo courtesy star5112
cask photo courtesy jimg944

Hunters is a trendy club with spirited DJs, go go dancers  and a pounding dance floor that gets busier and wilder as the night goes on. While the party’s getting started, play billards, surf the ‘net or lounge on the finely misted outdoor terrace with a happy hour special. It’s all good. 

The Oasis has charismatic DJs running an amazing sound system, two bars, an indoor courtyard, a game room, theme nights, a piano bar with sing a longs, and perhaps the biggest dance floor you’ve ever seen.  And The Oasis stays open until 4 am!

For the ultimate bash, rent an incredible house for the weekend and throw your own party. It’s not uncommon for luxury Palm Springs vacation rentals to have sleek custom pools, completely private courtyards with incredible gardens, stunning architecture and one-of-a-kind furnishings. Many homes are large enough to accommodate all your guests in a rich and famous lifestyle they will never forget. Ya gotta do it once!

Many of us think of Palm Springs as a destination for the rich and famous, but toss that mind set out or you’ll miss the exhilarating outdoor adventures you can have around this desert oasis. You don’t have to be a die hard to enjoy them, either. Here are just a few ideas to get the family outside during a Palm Springs vacation.

Big Wheel Bike Tour’s Earthquake Canyon Express is an unforgettable ride and it’s almost all downhill. Just about anyone who can ride a bicycle can enjoy this trip. Kids can be accommodated in tag-a-longs behind an adult bike. Descend 1200 feet in 20 miles through the heart of the San Andreas Fault on a quiet paved road that winds through narrow canyons down into the Mohave Desert. The rewards at the end are stunning views of Mt. San Jacinto and the Salton Sea and a unique and tasty date shake at the Oasis Date Gardens. It’s a great way to spend a day in the desert, see the sights and get some exercise, too.

Guided horseback rides are another Palm Springs adventure almost anyone can enjoy. The one to two hour trips into the Indian Canyons don’t require reservations and the scenery is unforgettable. Be a cowboy or cowgirl for a few hours and be sure to bring your camera.

The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway takes you up, up, up. Up two and and half miles from Chino Canyon on the north edge of Palm Springs to the top of San Jacinto Mountain. At over 10,000 feet, the climate is considerably cooler and often frosted with snow. Once on top, there are hiking trails, camping, guided nature walks, sledding, snowshoeing and cross country skiing, depending on the season. Pick a day when it’s sweltering on the valley floor and head up on the tram for thrilling views and refreshing temperatures. Take a live peek through the Tram Cams here.

Northern California is a great place to get away to and the Mendocino area is without a doubt one of the best spots you can choose for a romantic weekend for two.

Start with a leisurely scenic drive from San Francisco north along the Pacific coast through the redwood forests and beside windswept coves. If you don’t have a convertible, rent one for the weekend. You want the mood to be perfect, don’t you?

Stop at a secluded beach. Stroll along the sand. Have a picnic. Sip one of the famed local wines. Bask in the sea breeze. What a way to get started!

For your first night in Mendocino, choose an intimate dinner in an awesome setting. One suggestion is the restaurant at the Sea Ranch Lodge, where you can enjoy fresh local ingredients creatively paired with regional wines as you gaze out over the ocean.

Then, indulge yourselves in a northern California spa package with luxurious in-room massages for two complete with champagne and chocolate covered strawberries. Relaxing, romantic and simply heavenly!

With the top down, head out for a winery tour along the Anderson Valley Wine Trail, where you can taste samplings from about a dozen different cellars. Stop at the general store in Booneville for a surprisingly delicious organic picnic to take with you on the ride back to Mendocino.

For dinner, try the famed Café Beaujoulais for fine, very fresh dining. You’ll be lured by the fragrance of fresh baked bread (you can buy their bread, too) as you enjoy the incredible gardens of this historic Victorian farmhouse.

The next day, drive back the city renewed and refreshed and with plenty of wine for those romantic evenings you spend at home.

Terrain
Trail surfaces tend to be dirt cushioned with soft, but squirrely pine needles and are usually studded with angular rocks that add to the challenge. Depending upon where you ride, it’s not unusual to traverse long rock garden sections which can consist of sharp, broken shale. Don’t forget your patch kit and pump. Savvy locals carry a spare tube and tire, as well. With cold streams everywhere, be prepared for wet feet and brakes. It’s not usual to find downed trees across the paths, which sounds like a minor inconvenience until you relalise the giant tree trunks are often 3 feet thick.

Tahoe Rim Trail
It’s possible to circumnavigate the lake on this system of trails, but it is a hugh undertaking requiring a lot of planning. Try some of the day trip sized sections instead.

Nevada

The eastern side of the lake, which is in Nevada, offers spectacular rocky trails that wind along the lake rim high above the water. Check in with a local bike shops when planning your ride. They can help you run a shuttle and are up-to-date or which days you can bike and which days are reserved for horseback riders. Some offer guided tours, as well.

California
The southwestern section boasts some great California State Parks, such as Sugar Pine Point, where you can hit the trails right from your campsite and wind up and into the hills. There are easy family-friendly paths leading around the parks and down to the lake, as well.

Author’s Pick
One of my favorite places to just ride for fun and exercise is the Nordic Ski Center on the west side of the lake. Some of the paths have natural and man-assisted obstacles and whoop-de-doos that let you practice your skills. This is a maze of wide trails and nearly all of them will return you to your starting point at the Nordic Center parking lot. However, check the map and keep your bearings or you may find yourself descending through the wrong drainage and end up miles away.

Ski Areas with Mountain Biking
Some of the numerous ski resorts around Tahoe offer lift-assisted riding in the off-season. Northstar, at the north end of the lake is probably the most popular with the adrenaline crowd and has more than 100 miles of trails and a mountain bike park where competitions and training are held throughout the summer.

Road Biking
Although there are plenty of riders who do it, they are much, much braver than I am. The traffic can be thick and irritable on the curvy, two lane, mostly-shoulderless roads that wind around Lake Tahoe. I’ll stick to the trails!

There’s so much to do in and around Lake Tahoe, that it’s hard to squeeze it all into one trip. If you can only get away for a few days, try South Lake Tahoe which is, of course, on the southern end of the lake where California and Nevada meet.

The Nevada side of the state line is home to the casinos. When I spend my money, I like to get something in return, so I’m not much of a gambler, but the casinos offer much more than a spin of the wheel, a roll of the dice and the magic of disappearing money. They also provide plenty of options for dining and entertainment that impart a vibrancy and flare to the area. Not many ski areas come with casinos and that is part of appeal of this world-class resort.

The California part of Tahoe is another world. A world of natural wonder and scenery that truly has the power to take your breath away. To most of us, the lake is is so large and deep and blue that they may as well call it an inland sea. Water sports rule in the summer. The mountain biking is classic and you can get a taste of the cowboy life while saddled up on a scenic trail Ponderosa style. The skiing offers so many options, you’ll feel as juiced up as a kid in a candy store, but if you haven’t tried Heavenly, yet, start there.

There’s also a history and tradition of opulence to Tahoe that exhibits itself in castle ruins, perfectly polished wooden speedboats and gated mansions peaking out from forests of cloud-high pines. The Emerald Bay steamboat cruise across the southern part of the lake to Vikinghome is a don’t miss trip that doesn’t cost too much or take too long.

For camping, you can’t beat the California State Parks along the southwestern side of the lake. Some of these are equipped to accommodate RV’s year ’round and are popular with the budget ski crowd. If you like it a bit more civilized, look around for one of the great South Lake Tahoe vacation packages that include lodging and popular activities, like skiing and helicopter rides, along with a meal or two.

In the midst of Los Angeles County’s west side, Redondo Beach sets itself apart from the masses of southern California beaches in many ways while still reflecting the best of the laid-back lifestyle for which the area is legendary. Close to so many amusement parks and museums, Redondo Beach is certain to have something enjoyable for everyone.

Redondo Beach has been referred to many times as having “one of the most romantic sunset watching places in the entire world”- the Seafront Esplanade. The city that once was one of the busiest commercial ports in southern California now is home to a pleasure pier, lined with quaint, unique shops and restaurants and a sport fishing fleet. Don’t forget about the marinas, for what would a southern Cali beach destination be without them!

Throughout the year, Redondo Beach plays host to a number of festivals and shows, including the “Summer Pier Concert Series”, a collection of free summer concerts right on the pier featuring various pop, rock, blues, modern, jazz artists from around the country all summer long and ending on Labor Day. And if that’s not enough music for you, be sure to check out the “Summer Concert Series” located at the Esplanade at Torrance Blvd.

The variety of Redondo Beach festivals goes unmatched throughout the entire world. From the “Artists by the Sea”- a vivacious display of local artists displaying their craft along the boardwalk, to the 2006 Surf Festival, as Redondo Beach is the home of modern surfing, to the Kite and Lobster Festivals. Remember to glance though the annual Chalk Art Festival, where artists from every walk of life gather and create “SEA LIFE” drawings with chalk on the pavement. Groups, teams and individuals are asked to share their talents in recognition of memories, hopes, aspirations and preservation of clean, healthy waters for the future.

If you’ve packed your pooches to accompany you to Redondo Beach, you’ll be pleased to know that Fido will not be neglected. Dominguez Park is also known as the “Dog Park”, complete with a wide open running space for larger dogs, and a smaller, enclosed area for smaller canines known as “Puppy Place”.

On an historic note, the Hollywood Riviera, or “The Village” as it is referred to by locals, was originally bought by a developer in hopes of creating the ideal Hollywood background. A few movie producers followed suit and a few movies were made here in the 1930’s. Those particular illusions faded, but café bistros, art galleries, quaint shoppes and restaurants materialized instead. Now, you can head pass the village in search of that perfect espresso and dessert, swim suit to flaunt at the beach, or maybe that antiquity of extraordinary interest to treasure as a remembrance of your trip to Redondo Beach.

Nancy Kinley recommends that you visit Redondo Beach for more information.