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Redondo Beach California Photos & Information

Redondo Beach, Calif.--This Los Angeles County city is the South Bay hub for beach activities and fun. As the largest of a handful of beach cities in a natural landform that curves south from Santa Monica and Marina del Rey, some cities you'll see in the South Bay include Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance Beach and El Segundo.

Because of its close proximity to downtown Los Angeles (20 miles) and LAX (7 miles), Redondo developed early in the game (as did Malibu) as a beach destination known for relaxation and recreational sports such as surfing and boating.  There's always something to do in Redondo Beach. If the free summer concerts don't have your toes tapping, check out the family-friendly list of things to do all year long. International Surf Festival with surfing, sand soccer, volleyball, body surfing, paddleboarding, sand castle contest, lifeguard dory races and many exciting competitions and activities is held each summer. Fourth of July, Lobster Festival, Dolphin Dash, Halloween Party and King Harbor Boat Parade are few of the annual events that attract visitors to this beach destination.

On a vacation to the South Bay, Redondo Beach does not exist in a vacuum. Tourists often stay at its beach hotels such as the renovated Portofino Hotel & Yacht Club, which offers some ocean and bay views, or the popular conference and events hotel, Crowne Plaza Hotel, which is across the street from the harbor activities. When visiting, you can park your car and walk to nearly everything. Bike rentals also allow you to do as the locals do--ride a bike.  Fun things include dining, then taking a stroll, shopping and fish on the pier, or taking a boat tour.  You can also wander to nearby community beaches via the beach paths. Redondo Beach has a very urban feel, yet it manages to retain the old-fashioned community spirit and beach environment that delights those seeking getaways or overnight beach stays close to Los Angeles International Airport.

The City of Redondo Beach holds many treasures including the Pier and International Boardwalk; Riviera Village, "town within a town"; the Galleria shopping mall; King Harbor Marina; and much more.  It's also known as a Mecca for athletes. Numerous competitions in a variety of sports include Super Bowl 10-K Run. Miles of bicycle and jogging paths, volleyball nets, excellent waves for surfing and swimming and a sandy playground to enjoy all these activities in keep visitors and locals on their toes.

Did you know? that Redondo Beach King Harbor is one of the best Bonito fisheries in California because of the warm water outlet from the nearby power plant which keeps these particular fish species in the harbor year round. These fish are great fighters because they are related to the tuna. Pound for pound it is the best fighting fish. Food wise they are a little strong tasting, but if cleaned right away and put on ice they taste like tuna. Most fish that are caught in Redondo Beach are edible.  

How Redondo Beach began: While there is some dispute as to how Redondo Beach was named, references state it was the land "around the willow salt flat" in maps once naming the region Sauzal Redondo. In 1542, Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo sailed into the Santa Monica Bay and discovered the beauty that local Native Americans already knew. In the late 1700's through the late 1800's Redondo Beach was a rich farming and ranching area that was part of the 43,000 acre Dominguez Rancho set aside in the Spanish Land Grant of 1784. 

Around the turn of the century, Redondo Beach proved a perfect deep water harbor and fast became an important part of the thriving Los Angeles area trade. Rail, sail and steamship lines served a thriving lumber and shipping business. Redondo Beach was also a popular resort stop providing recreation and rest for crowds of "inlanders". 

The city incorporated on April 29, 1892 and, though eventually losing the shipping business to the Port of Los Angeles, continues to be a popular resort location, a thriving center of small and large businesses and one the the most popular and safest places to live.