A South Bay Circuit: From the Galleria to Beach Boys Monument

The sandy shoreline and pier at Hermosa Beach are major tourist attractions, though there is still plenty of room to stake out your spot on the sand, even on a busy Father’s Day Sunday. Photo from June 2017

The Los Angeles South Bay, which includes the cities of Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach and Torrance, is a great escape from the heat of summer and was my destination this Father’s Day.

While I have been to both the Redondo and Manhattan beaches, I had never experienced the appropriately-named Hermosa (Spanish for “beautiful”) beach and had my opportunity to explore this vibrant yet largely uncrowded gem of a beach town on a lovely summer Sunday afternoon.

Will Shopping Malls Become Dinosaurs? It Has Already Happened in Redondo Beach! 

My first stop was the Redondo Beach South Bay Galleria, one of two major shopping destinations in the area, the other being the Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance.

The former is a three-level enclosed mall anchored by Macy’s and Kohl’s. Nordstrom’s full-line store at this mall closed in October 2015 as part of a move to the newly-renovated Del Amo, though the void has been partially filled by Wonder of Dinosaurs, a two-level museum that houses the largest collection of robotic and static dinosaurs in the state. With the shift toward online shopping, it could be ironically appropriate for a major retail anchor to be replaced by dinosaurs, as it is possible that large department stores could become an endangered species!

The Wonder of Dinosaurs at the South Bay Galleria is part of a growing trend toward including non-retail museums, game facilities, services and other draws within shopping malls. Photo from June 2017

All puns aside, the museum is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. Admission is $16 for children ages two to 12 and $8 for adults from Monday through Friday, rising to $18 for children and $10 for adults on the weekend.

Hermosa Beach: A Sandy Shore, Fishing Pier and Challenger Memorial

The coastal terminus of Pier Avenue draws a diverse mix of Angelinos and visitors from around the world. Photo from June 2017

With a population of about 20,000 that has nearly held steady over the past 30 years, Hermosa Beach may be a suburb of Los Angeles, but it feels worlds away from the towering high rises of downtown some 20 miles to the northeast.

The hub of activity here is the beachfront on Pier Avenue, which is the focal point for sightseeing, walking, swimming, fishing and surfing, while the avenue has an eclectic mix of shops and dining establishments.

The pier doesn’t have a restaurant or shops at the end, but it makes for a great walk and photo opportunity, with views of Santa Monica and Malibu to the north and the Palos Verdes Peninsula to the south, which combine to channel chilly marine air into this area, making it a sure bet to escape the inland heat that impacts beach areas to the east, such as Long Beach and San Pedro.

The memorial to Hermosa Beach’s own Greg Jarvis is a reminder of the role that Southern California played in the NASA space program of the late 20th century. Photo from June 2017

Hermosa Beach resident and astronaut Greg Jarvis was among the seven lives lost in the January 1986 Challenger disaster. He is commemorated at a seaside memorial on the pedestrian-friendly Strand, which is a good place to relax and take in the scenery, as well as reflect on the high human cost of America’s space program.

To reach Hermosa Beach from the Inland Empire or Orange County, take the 91 Freeway westbound, which becomes Artesia Boulevard. Take a left (south) on Pacific Coast Highway. After about a half mile, take a right (west) on Pier Avenue and continue toward the coast. Curbside parking is available at metered spots or for free in the local residential neighborhood.

We Finally Found Kokomo: Hawthorne’s Hidden Beach Boys Monument

The Beach Boys Historic Landmark might seem like a mirage, but it serves as a testament that greatness can arise from the unlikeliest of places. Photo from June 2017

For baby boomers, the surf music of the Beach Boys epitomized the coastal Southern California lifestyle. Songs such as “Surfin’ USA,” “California Girls,” “Surfer Girl” and “Wouldn’t it be Nice” were international hits during the 1960s, while the 1989 song “Kokomo” kept the band’s popularity alive for Generation X and millennial audiences, singing the praises of a fictional Florida Keys paradise.

This legendary musical group is memorialized in Hawthorne at the unlikeliest of places. With backing from donors and recognition by the California State Historic Resources Commission, a monument was erected at the site of the home where Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson grew up during mid-century.

Among the bricks donated to comprise the Beach Boys Historic Landmark in Hawthorne is this message from Carnie and Wendy Wilson, daughters of Beach Boy founder Brian Wilson, who went on to found their own band, Wilson Phillips, along with childhood friend Chynna Phillips. Photo from June 2017 

Today, the neighborhood is a miniature version of the Rust Belt, very near the defunct Hawthorne Mall and surrounded by working-class homes that once housed the employees of now moldering factories. The original Wilson home was torn down in the 1980s to make way for the 105 Freeway, part of the network of expressways that shuttle commuters across Greater Los Angeles.

Dedicated on May 20, 2005, the landmark has been the target of graffiti vandals, but also a go-to day trip for adoring fans and all those interested in California history. As the neighborhood is a bit tough, you probably don’t want to come by at night, but during daylight hours, particularly if visiting in a group, this is a good place to take some photos and share memories of Golden State yesteryear.

Located at 3701 W. 119th St. in Hawthorne, the monument can be reached by exiting the 105 Freeway on Hawthorne Boulevard and taking a left (south), followed by a left (east) on 120th Street. After less than a half mile, take a left (north) on Kornblum Avenue. The monument is at the end of the street, at the corner of Kornblum and West 119th Street.