REDONDO BEACH

The "South Bay" (as the beach cities south of LAX - or Santa Monica Bay - are called) is a diverse region of Los Angeles, but one most often unexplored by non-Angelenos. Those who do venture south to this coastal community often only visit the quaint seaside streets of Manhattan Beach, or take in the stunning beauty (and pricey real estate!) of Palos Verdes, or even the post-college party crowd of Hermosa Beach.

But one of the most ethnically and culturally interesting areas of the South Bay is Redondo Beach, a surfing destination with a population of Asian, Hawaiian, and Brazilian residents. Although the neighborhood is beachside, it's still not as developed or glitzy as its nearby neighbors, and there's a lot to discover. 

Last weekend welcomed the official start of summer, and if you're in LA, you should be within a mile of the Pacific Ocean from now until September. So strap on your sandals, and get ready for your best day in Redondo Beach!

Stop 1: Green Roast Coffee

This incongruous coffeeshop - located inside a strip mall along the main road - has loads of character and charm once you walk through the front door. It's owned by a sweet older couple who roast the coffee beans every morning, and bake all the pastries from scratch.

The organic house pours include Ethiopian, Guatemalan and Peruvian blends, as well as a 100% Kona brew. We tried the vegan brownie, flourless peanut butter chocolate chip bite, and peanut butter fudge (definite favorite!). They also serve paleo cookies, sandwiches, smoothies and shave ice.

(1300 Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach)

Stop 2: Veterans Park

This 6.3 acre park is on the edge of the Redondo Beach boardwalk, and includes a memorial to local war veterans, a field for picnics and frisbee-playing, and a community center and playground. The park has beautiful views, and is a popular spot for families. The local farmers' market sets up shop on Thursdays, too!


(309 Esplanade, Redondo Beach)

Stop 3: Captain Kidd's Fish Market

If there's one thing we LOVE at MyBestLADay, it's a seafood market! (hey, we lived in Seattle for over 5 years!) This one is located inside King Harbor, and offers fresh seafood, cooked-to-order lobster, and the chance to pick out your very own clams, mussels or crab and have them steamed. You can also order a bowl of paella, some authentic chowder, ceviche ($4.99 for large) and shrimp cocktail ($6.50), among many other yummy things.

The picnic tables in back (covered with newspaper, of course!) are the perfect summer spot to enjoy lunch and watch the boats go by. 

(209 N Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach)

Stop 4: Jus' Poke

Why hop a flight to Hawaii when you can get that aloha spirit and some mouth-watering poke right here in LA?!

Again, Jus' Poke is sandwiched between a residential neighborhood and a busy main road. But you're not coming here for atmosphere - you are coming here for one of the best poke bowls you've ever tasted. The "Ohana-owned" shop is authentic (certainly not fancy!) and offers some seriously fresh fish. We ordered the spicy poke and shoyu poke with brown rice. For $9.50, you can also choose one side (we got seaweed salad and pickled cucumbers - nom!)

We recommend grabbing one of the few tables outside.

(501 N Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach)

Stop 5: Wanna Chill?

We decided to keep the Hawaiian theme going, and stop by the ever-popular Wanna Chill? for some handmade cups of frozen ice. And this is certainly not your normal after-school sno-cone. They offer over 50 flavors, and we ordered "California Surf" - pineapple, strawberry and coconut shave ice with coconut ice cream and condensed milk. Oh boy, oh boy! 

The praline ice cream cone was also rich and gorgeously delicious. And Wanna Chills? offers acai bowls and smoothies. 

(625 B Pacific Coast Highway, Redondo Beach)

Stop 6: Redondo Beach Pier

The Redondo Beach Pier and International Boardwalk is the stuff of childhood summer dreams. We're talking old school fun like an arcade, ice cream parlor, and several seafood markets. The pier was re-built in the 1990s after several major storms, and although its popularity has been challenged (especially compared with places like the Santa Monica Pier), we couldn't think of a better way to spend a July evening. Bonus points if you see dolphins playing in the ocean!

(100 Fisherman's Wharf, Redondo Beach)

Stop 7: A Basq Kitchen

Holy tapas, this place is good. Owned by Terranea Resort chef Bernard Ibarra (who has cooked in high-end resorts and restaurants all over the world), Basq Kitchen brings Spanish pintxos, tapas and wines to the Redondo Beach boardwalk. It may look like a tiny hole-in-the-wall as you walk up, but this open air restaurant really delivers with the small bites (patatas braves and lamp chops were our favorites!) The red sangria is a wonderful weekend drink (or heck! Any night - it's summer!), and the place is lively and fun.

(136 N International Boardwalk, Redondo Beach)

The Details:

We recommend getting around the neighborhood on bike. You can rent them here.

A map of our day looks like this:

MALIBU

The coastal town of Malibu is probably just as popular for its high-profile celebrity residents (just glance through the first few pages of any gossip magazine) as it is for sparkling beaches along a panoramic stretch of Pacific Coast Highway.

It was made famous by TV shows like Gidget, and the surfing movies of the 1960s. You can't forget that the neighborhood is an affluent one (the breathtaking views and glimpses of Cher's house will quickly remind you), but Malibu is a world apart from the city: all bonfires and bare feet and big wave surfboards.

And there's definitely a good reason Angelenos will brave the bumper-to-bumper traffic on PCH on scorching summer days just to spend an afternoon at Zuma or Surfrider Beach. It truly is a breathtaking piece of paradise right here in Los Angeles.

Stop 1: Corral Canyon Trail Hike

The Corral Canyon Trail is part of the Santa Monica Mountains, and one of the easiest hikes to find in Malibu: it's right off PCH, next to Malibu Seafood. The trail begins at a small creek, and then ascends into lush vegetation and spectacular views. You'll come to a fork in the road pretty quickly - go left if you want to experience a longer hike (it's a 2.5 mile loop) or right if you're looking for something a bit shorter.

Insider's tip: as you can see, dogs are allowed on this trail! Parking on PCH is free.

25653 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

Stop 2: Malibu Seafood

The very best part of the hike (at least for us!) is that we always end at Malibu Seafood for lunch. You can smell the fish and chips from the trail, which helps with motivation toward the end. And it truly is the perfect casual spot for lunch, with picnic tables, ocean breezes and really yummy food.

We ordered the Ahi Tuna Burger (which comes with perfectly thick fries) and the Fish and Chips (duh). You're not just coming here for the views - our lunch was scrumptious. If you save room, they also have Beachy Cream ice cream sandwiches (with flavors like Key Lime Cowabunga).

Insider's tip: the line can be long during peak hours, but it moves quickly. Order at the counter, get a beeper, and then pick up your food at the window to the left.

25653 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

Stop 3: Grom Malibu Gelato

If you're at the beach, ice cream is always a must (right?!) Grom Gelato is an Italian chain, so you know it must be good, and it's only one of two shops in the United States (the other is in New York). 

We've heard many people wax poetic about the gelato in Italy, and those who have tried Grom swear it's just as good. Our Chocolate Fondente cone was creamy and gorgeously rich, although perhaps slightly more expensive than a gelato in Florence (the small cone is $5.50) Totally worth it.

3886 Cross Creek Road, Malibu

Stop 4: Malibu Country Mart

Malibu may not be the shopping capital of Los Angeles, but the Malibu Country Mart is a great taste of the neighborhood, and just a stone's throw from the Pacific Ocean (how many malls can say that?!) Some of our favorites include:

Room at the Beach - perfect furnishings for your cozy beach cottage (we all have those, right?) Here you'll find chairs with coral backs, driftwood hearts and charming gemstone jewelry.

RRL & Co - this shop is ideal for the rugged cowboy in your life. The shop caters solely to men, with cool clothing, coffee table books and accessories. The Alabama Shakes were playing loudly when we walked in, so you know it must be good.

Life is Beautiful - we stumbled upon this pop-up art exhibit next to Grom Gelato. The space is currently open Wednesday-Sunday and by appointment only.

Marmalade Cafe - you're going to need caffeine to get you through any good shopping session, and the lattes at Marmalade are strong. Don't forget to pick something out of the counter cookie jars, too!

3894 Cross Creek Road, Malibu

Stop 5: Malibu Lagoon State Beach

Malibu Lagoon State Beach is directly across from the Malibu Country Mart, and overlooks the Malibu Pier. Within the confines of this state beach is the lagoon, and farther down, a series of tide pools. Although some sunbathers have complained about the copious amounts of kelp on the sand, this beach is perfect for kids (and the curious!) You are almost guaranteed to spot pelicans, and plenty of talented surfers. 

Insider's tip: Parking is $12, or you can park for free on PCH. Come early (or during the week) if you want to find a spot.

Stop 6: Adamson House

Look no further for your dream home - THIS IS IT! 

We kid, we kid. Unfortunately, this gorgeous home and gardens is a historic house and not for sale, but spending an afternoon on its six acres is a delight. The Spanish Colonial home was built in 1929 by Rhoda Adamson and her husband and is known as the "Taj Mahal of Tile." Guided tours are $7, but since we were there on a Sunday, we opted for the (free!) self-guided tour. While wandering the grounds, we found couples canoodling on benches and friends lounging on the grass, just enjoying the sunshine. They do weddings and events, too.

23200 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

Stop 7: Duke's Malibu

Duke's Malibu is located right at the water's edge, near Malibu Point. The restaurant is dedicated to Paoa Kahanamoku, best known as Hawaii's "Father of Surfing." The restaurant is huge, and has a decidedly Aloha vibe - this is the spot you want to come to relax and sip a Mai Tai. We cozied up to the Barefoot Bar, where we ordered the Poke Tacos and the Shrimp & Crab Salad (complete with avocado, corn and a creamy lemon dressing). The Fire & Ice Margaritas are SPICY and a must!

Insider's Tip: "Aloha Hour" runs Mondays 4pm-close and Tuesday-Friday 4-6pm.

21150 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu

The Details:

So, we cheated a LITTLE bit during our Malibu Day. We drove from Malibu Seafood to Malibu Country Mart and back down PCH to Duke's later in the day (we walked between spots otherwise). Pacific Coast Highway provides the perfect Southern California drive though, and we recommend renting a convertible or motorcycle here for the full wind-in-your-hair, sun-on-your-face experience.

A map of our day looks something like this: