Torrance, CA & Los Angeles area Beaches

We enjoyed ourselves in LA so much that we decided to stay a few extra days to take advantage of the 80 degree weather. Our first stop was Anza Avenue in Torrance to visit the home where Lorenzo and his family lived when he was a child. This visit brought back a lot of memories for Lorenzo, especially our visit to the playground and library, and only increased his love for LA. After spending time reminiscing, we headed to Redondo Beach which is only minutes away from Lorenzo's old home. We first explored the pier and harbor, slowly walking past numerous seafood restaurants, souvenir shops, and a marina full of small boats, until we decided to stop to eat at Joe's Crab Shack. We also explored the beach, watching the waves crash against the rocks and sticking our feet into the cold Pacific Ocean. Redondo Beach was the first of many LA beaches we visited. Although the beaches are extrememly close together, each has its own personality.


Lorenzo in front of his family's old apartment building.


Redondo Beach sign


Rocks along the coast of Redondo Beach.


Part of the pier at Redondo Beach.


Kim at the marina at Redondo Beach.


Our crab feast at Joe's Crab Shack.


View from the pier at Redondo Beach.

As the sun started to go down and the tempurture along with it (well it went down to about 60 degrees), we arrived at the famous Santa Monica pier just in time to watch the sunset. We walked along the beach and under the pier exploring the features of our relatively new Nikon D60 camera. We also walked along the pier and watched the locals riding the ferris wheel, fishing off the pier, and eating a variety of carnival-like food.


The sunset at Santa Monica Beach.


Lorenzo under the Santa Monica Pier.


The shoreline under the Santa Monica Pier.


Kim and Lorenzo on the Santa Monica Pier.


Santa Monica Pier and ferris wheel at night.

Our second LA beach day was Valentine's Day and we started the day with a romantic drive up the scenic Pacific Coast Highway. We planned to just drive up the coast, but the weather was so fantastic and the views so beautiful that we had to stop and get out the car. We first stopped on a palm tree lined street that overlooked Santa Monica Beach. We sat on a bench overlooking the beach and enjoying the warm sun on our faces. It was at this point that we noticed that Californians love to be outside running, biking, and walking with their dogs. We continued up the Pacific Coast toward Malibu with the windows down so we could smell and feel the ocean breeze. The traffic was surprisingly heavy on the Pacific Coast Highway, but it gave us a chance to see surfers in the water, mud slide areas, and the beach from a variety of angles.


One of the many beautiful palm trees in LA.


The view from the street overlooking Santa Monica Beach.


Lorenzo enjoying the sun.


Surfers in the water in Malibu.


View of the beach along the Pacific Coast Highway.

After walking along the beach in Malibu, we drove back toward LA to The Spot, a vegetarian restaraunt in Hermosa Beach. We both had veggie burgers and did not miss having meat at all. Venice Beach was the last beach on our list and we arrived just as the sun was setting. Because it was Valentine's Day, the beach was extremely crowded with a lot of other couples (and families) out to enjoy the sunset and the weather. After the sun set, we walked along the boardwalk and passed a number of medical marijuana shops, tatoo parlors, hookah bars, street performers, and groups of musicians playing drums and buckets in the sand. Venice Beach at night was definitely an alternative beach. We ended the night with dinner and a trip to the movie theater to see Valentine's Day (very fitting especially considering that the movie takes place in LA).


The outside of The Spot.


The Guacamole Burger at The Spot


The sun setting behind the rocks at Venice Beach.


Venice Beach boardwalk


One of the medicial marijuana shops at the boardwalk.


A group of people surrounding the drummers on the beach.