Waterfront Red Trolley
28 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Attractions Tags: Port of Los Angeles, red car, San Pedro, trolley
Photo via Port of Los Angeles
Looking for a sweet ride for a sweet price? If you have a young train or car enthusiast in your family, you can’t beat the Port of L.A.’s Waterfront Red Car Line for cheap thrills – a $1 thrill, to be exact.
Red Car Line map
The Red Car Line is a 1.5 mile long vintage trolley line connecting San Pedro’s World Cruise Center and the Fanfare at San Pedro Gateway with other attractions along the waterfront including 6th Street and the LA Maritime Museum, Ports O’ Call, Fisherman’s Wharf, and 22nd Street.
The trolleys operate from 12 PM to 9:30 PM, Friday through Sunday. Trolleys may also run on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays when cruise ships are in port. The $1 fare is an all-day fare includes that gets you unlimited rides for the day.
Inside the trolley
It’s a perfect ride for kids; short and sweet, with interesting scenery and stops. On our Saturday afternoon ride, Jay, the friendly conductor, gave each kid a conductor’s hat and trolley coloring book.
If you’re looking for an old-fashioned romantic evening activity, try a trip on the trolley to see the nighttime performances at the Fanfare Fountain at San Pedro Gateway from 7 PM to 8 PM.
Getting there is easy: It’s a straight shot down the 110 from most points in the South Bay, and there’s free and plentiful parking at the 22nd Street Marina Station. The Port of Los Angeles Waterfront Red Car Line, Marina Station, East 22nd St and Miner St, San Pedro. (310) 732-3508
Visit Manhattan Beach
23 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Attractions Tags: Manhattan Beach
Planning a visit to Manhattan Beach? Or looking to be a tourist in your own town? There’s much more to see than just sand and surf. To map out your visit to some of the town’s latest and greatest attractions, check out our Manhattan Beach Neighborhood Guide story on CBS Los Angeles. You’ll find tips on dining, shopping, and nightlife. And when you go, tell them South Bay Sparkle sent you!
Metropolis II
18 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in Attractions Tags: exhibits, LACMA, Metropolis, museums
It moves, it pulsates, it mesmerizes…Metropolis II is a new exhibit at The Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) that can captivate and fascinate both young and old. From LACMA’s description:
“Metropolis II is an intense and a complex kinetic sculpture, modeled after a fast paced, frenetic modern city. Steel beams form an eclectic grid interwoven with an elaborate system of 18 roadways, including one 6 lane freeway, and HO scale train tracks. Miniature cars speed through the city at 240 scale miles per hour; every hour, the equivalent of approximately 100,000 cars circulate through the dense network of buildings.”
It’s located in a large room with plenty of space to walk around and survey it from all sides. But possibly the best viewing happens in the upper balcony wrapped around the room, which gives you a great view of the 1100 cars creeping slowly up the ramp and then launching into motion.
You can look at Metropolis II any time you go to the museum, but what you really want to do is see it in action. For that, you have to visit at these times:
Fridays: 12:30–2 pm; 3–4:30 pm; 5–6:30 pm; 7–8:30 pm
Weekends: 11:30–1:00 pm; 2–3:30 pm; 4–5:30 pm; 6–7:30 pm
Check this link to plan your visit to LACMA (you don’t need any special tickets for this exhibit). General museum admission for adults is $15; seniors and students $10; and children 17 and under are free. The Los Angeles County Museum of Art, 5905 Wilshire Boulevard, Los Angeles.
Wilderness in the South Bay
10 Jan 2012 2 Comments
in Attractions Tags: hikes, parks, wilderness
Beautiful beaches, harbors, towns…The South Bay has all kinds of amazing attractions, but for those of us who live here we still need to get away from it all sometimes. For your consideration, here are a few great spots to enjoy some wilderness, right here in the South Bay:
Photo via South Coast Botanic Garden
South Coast Botanic Garden: The well-tended gardens here are beautiful, of course, but if you keep walking a little further down the hill, you’ll find some lovely and untamed wooded areas. If you need extra solitude, head down on weekday mornings – you’re almost certain to have the place to yourself. Admission is $8 for adults, $6 for seniors, and $3 for kids ages 5 to 12 - but Tuesdays are free. 26300 Crenshaw Boulevard, Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Photo via Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy
Portuguese Bend Reserve: Want some gorgeous scenery among majestic rolling hills? The Portuguese Bend Reserve is your place. It’s a great place for a walk, and for seeing wildlife and native plants in their natural habitat. It’s part the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy’s extensive range of preserves on the peninusla (see a .pdf map here). To get to Portuguese Bend, enter near Del Cerro Park at the end of Crenshaw Boulevard (nearest cross street is Burrell Lane). Rancho Palos Verdes.
Photo via Hopkins Wilderness Park
Hopkins Wilderness Park [.pdf]: Wilderness- it’s right there in the name! This little park sits right in the middle of Redondo Beach and you might have driven right by it on Camino Real. But once you get through the gates, you could just as easily be in a forest somewhere. With a bubbling stream, two ponds, and plenty of trees, it’s a kid’s wonderland. Bring a quarter for the fish food dispenser so you can feed the fish. 1102 Camino Real, Redondo Beach.
Photo via Madrona Marsh Preserve
Madrona Marsh Preserve: This little preserve calls itself ”an island of wilderness in the city” and it’s a pretty amazing place, considering it’s right near one of the biggest malls in the country. The preserve is one of the last remaining vernal marshes in the country. A very helpful visitors’ center gives you good info on all of the wildlife and native plants to look out for. Cool events include occasional night hikes from 8 to 10 pm. 3201 Plaza Del Amo, Torrance.
Happy hiking!
Booster Seat Laws
09 Jan 2012 Leave a Comment
in In the News Tags: booster seats, California
Did you know that there’s a new California law, as of January 1, that requires kids to be in booster seats until age 8 (or until they hit 4 feet 9 inches)? If you don’t know, there’s a pretty steep penalty: Fines for not having your child in a booster seat can be up to $475.
If you’ve heard about the new law, but you’re just confused about the whole thing, you’re not alone. The regulations themselves – and the fact that they keep changing – makes the whole thing pretty confusing. We’ve got two stories for you about car seat laws – one from a California perspective, and one from a national perspective. Check it out here:
Buckle Up for the New Booster Seat Law (and More) on Moms LA
The Murky, Murky World of Booster Seat Laws on Huffington Post Parents
Buckle up and drive safely, everyone!
Three Kings’ Day
03 Jan 2012 1 Comment
in Activities, Food Tags: 3 kings, bakeries
Did you think the Christmas season was over already?
Not so fast. We’re still counting down to the 12th day of Christmas, also known as the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day or El Dia de los Reyes Magos (the day that the three kings arrived in Bethlehem at the scene of the Nativity). Traditionally celebrated in Spanish and Latin cultures, Three Kings’ Day celebrations are all over Los Angeles. Check out our article on CBS Local Online to see the list of celebrations and suggestions for where to buy a rosca de reyes, a traditional Three Kings’ Day cake.
Want to buy your rosca locally? We’ve got a few great South Bay Mexican-style bakeries for you:
El Molino Bakery – 15120 Hawthorne Blvd, Lawndale (310) 355-3000
Panaderia La Esperanza- 22836 S Western Ave, Torrance (310) 539-3690
Panaderia Mi Lupita – 1640 W Carson St, Torrance (310) 533-1884
Old Mexico Bakery – 235 S Pacific Ave, San Pedro (310) 833-9453
Pan Y Leche Bakery-Panaderia – 713 W Anaheim St, Wilmington (310) 518-9224
Waste to Waves
25 Dec 2011 1 Comment
in Events Tags: Aquarium of the Pacific, styrofoam, surf
Did your holiday gifts come packed in Styrofoam? Don’t throw it away!
Image via Aquarium of Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach is partnering with a newly formed nonprofit surf organization, Sustainable Surf, to turn Styrofoam waste into surfboards. On January 14, the aquarium will host a foam collection drive to support Sustainable Surf’s Waste to Waves program. Through this program, expanded polystyrene, also known as plastic No. 6 or Styrofoam, will be recycled into eco-friendly surfboards.
According to Sustainable Surf, recycling the foam packaging into a surfboard eliminates 50 percent of the carbon emissions associated with manufacturing a surfboard. The new eco-friendly surfboard boasts the same performance and durability of a board made from virgin petrochemical materials.
Image via Aquarium of the Pacific
Not only does this program reduce the surfboard carbon footprint, but also it helps keep Styrofoam out of the ocean where it is frequently ingested by marine animals that mistake the tiny foam particles for food.
As part of the Sustainable Surf Waste to Waves campaign, people can also bring waste polystyrene foam to surf shops in California that have collection bins.
For more information, visit Aquarium of the Pacific or call 562-590-3100.
New Year’s Eve Parties
22 Dec 2011 2 Comments
in Attractions, Events Tags: New Year's Eve
Ready to get your sparkle on for New Year’s Eve? You’ve got plenty of opportunities in the South Bay. Check out the following parties, concerts, and celebrations to ring in 2012:
Shade Royale New Year’s Eve, Shade Hotel: Dress in your classiest “Bond Chic” (that’s Bond, James Bond) and enjoy hors d’oeuvres, casino tables, a poker lounge, live DJ and dancing, and a champagne toast. $75/person. Room specials for $599 include two tickets to the event. 1221 N. Valley Drive, Manhattan Beach.
Berry Bly New Year’s Eve Gala, Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center: Enjoy a New Year’s Eve extravaganza, with multiple dance floors, performance artists and dancers, laser light shows, multiple bars, food trucks and more. Tickets $45-$55. 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach.
New Year’s Eve Dance Party at Terranea: Spend the night up on the peninsula at this glittery party featuring live DJs and dancing. VIP access ($125 in advance, $150 at the door) comes with open bar privileges; general admission ($50 in advance, $75 at the door) comes with a mini bottle of champagne and then a cash bar. 100 Terranea Way, Rancho Palos Verdes.
New Year’s “Glow” Eve at Sharkeez, Hermosa Beach: Party on in glowing fashion at Sharkeez, with four-course meals, glow sticks, glow glasses, DJs, dancing, and a balloon drop with cash prizes. $35 VIP ticket includes reserved seating, glow sticks and glasses, four-course meal, and champagne. 52 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach.
Hermosa Beach New Year’s Eve Celebration, Hermosa Beach Pier: Celebrate the New Year in true beach style down at the Hermosa Pier, where beginning at 8:30 PM you can hear Lou Giovannetti and His Big Band play big-band standards. At midnight, there will be a video replay of the ball drop at Times Square on a 9×12 foot video screen. Free. 1 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach.
The Chris Robinson Brotherhood at Saint Rocke, Hermosa Beach: Looking for a more down-home event? Check out the Chris Robinson Brotherhood (featuring the former lead singer for the Black Crowes) at Saint Rocke. The evening features a three-hour, two-set performance, an open bar, and appetizers throughout the evening. Tickets are $170 ($120 for non-drinking) – cost includes gratuity. 142 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach.
The Elegant NYE By the Sea, Delzano’s By The Sea: Enjoy dinner, dancing, and socializing at this lively Redondo Beach restaurant. The party with start with favorite R & B 
tunes during the “socializing” time, and then at 9 PM the DJ will “turn it up.” Complimentary champagne toast at midnight. Tickets $30 (not including dinner). 179 North Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach.
Queen Nation at Brixton South Bay: Rock in 2012 with Queen tribute band Queen Nation at Brixton in Redondo Beach, with iconic hits like “Somebody to Love” and “We are the Champions.” General admission $25; booth prices (in addition to general admission) $50 to $125. 100 W. Torrance Blvd., Redondo Beach.
Time to party like it’s…2012?
(Photos via Morguefile.com)
South Bay Gift Guide
15 Dec 2011 6 Comments
in Attractions Tags: buy local, gift guide, holiday
Looking for that perfect last-minute gift? Why not buy local? You’ll save time and money on shipping, and you can support some great local businesses. Here are some of our top picks for just about everyone on your list:
Photo via Sol Baby
Little Rebel: For your favorite little rocker chick, check out this Sandbox Rebel Jimi Hendrix dress from Sol Baby in Hermosa Beach. It’s soft, comfy, durable – and handmade here in Los Angeles. $49. Sol Baby, 124 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach
Young Chef: For young and old chefs alike, “Twist it Up” by Redondo Beach superstar Jack Witherspoon is a culinary treat. Jack, an 11-year-old leukemia survivor, will inspire you with his amazing story and his recipes. Keep it local by buying the book from Pages in Manhattan Beach. Pages, 904 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach.
Photo via Ava + Aliria
Glamor Gal: For the woman on your list who loves to sparkle, check out this luxurious vintage bracelet from Ava + Aliria. These vintage strands of pearls are intertwined with rhinestone accents. $85. Ava + Aliria, 912 B Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach.
Photo via International Garden Center
Garden Lover: Does your favorite gardener have a good spot for planting? The International Garden Center sells 1/2 oak wine barrels, which are great for planting roses, citrus, and even creating small outdoor water ponds. $37.99. International Garden Center, 155 N. Sepulveda Blvd., El Segundo.
Photo via Mystery Reader
Mystery Reader: Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore in Redondo Beach has signed, first-edition copies of several new thrillers in stock. Check out Murder Season by Robert Ellis, a thrilling Hollywood murder mystery, available in-store. Mysterious Galaxy, 2810 Artesia Blvd., Redondo Beach.
Photo via Tabula Rasa Essentials
Dreamer: Something about this “Dream” sign makes us want to kick back and just…you know…dream the day away. Find it (along with other home, bath, and beauty accessories) at Tabula Rasa. $78. Tabula Rasa Essentials, 919 Manhattan Ave., Suite A, Manhattan Beach.
Photo via Uncorked
Wine Aficionado: Does someone on your gift list have every wine in the book? You might find something new at Uncorked in Hermosa Beach. Or you could just go ahead and give them a wine accessory like this shapely wine decanter. $29.99. Uncorked, 302 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach.
Photo via South Bay Brewing Supply Company
Beer Drinker: Your favorite beer drinker has become a connoisseur of different flavors; would he ever want to make his own? Thanks to the South Bay Brewing Supply Company, you could get him started with his first brew-your-own beer kit for only $135. South Bay Brewing Supply Company, 1311 Post Ave., Torrance.
Image via Blowlux
Luxury Lover: Looking for a fun gift for that special someone who enjoys a luxurious lifestyle? Consider a gift certificate to the newly opened Blowlux, a blow dry bar by BE Beverly Hills. Whether you choose a luxurious blowout, makeup, or nails, all services at this eco-spa are just $35 ($25 for your “princess” under age 12). 13020 Pacific Promenade, Suite 7, Playa Vista.
Now go get that shopping done – and tell them South Bay Sparkle sent you!
Manhattan Beach Fireworks
12 Dec 2011 Leave a Comment
in Attractions Tags: fireworks
Did you enjoy the holiday fireworks in Manhattan Beach last night? We thought they were the best ever, and the finale was incredible. Here’s a snapshot of the fireworks courtesy of Meinke Photography, taken on Manhattan Beach Blvd. and looking down the hill toward the pier. Enjoy!
