by cgilles | Sep 5, 2011 | Blog, Redondo Beach
Most people who live in the South Bay today, and even many Redondo Beach residents do not realize the role that the City of Redondo Beach played in local history and the contributions made to the economy of Southern California in the state’s early days. In 1890, when the ‘Hotel Redondo’ opened, the city was on its way to becoming the “in place” for tourists from all over the world.
Thousands of people were brought to the city by the railroads and large steamships. Redondo was the first port in Los Angeles, bringing lumber and oil in by large quatities along with the tourists. Steamers stopped at Redondo 3-4 times a week at the three piers as part of the regular runs that existed from San Francisco to San Diego. The Redondo Railway headed out for Redondo Beach from Los Angeles daily. Even the Red Electric Transit Cars started serving the city on a regular basis.
The Redondo Hotel was pure class with an 18 hole golf course, tennis courts and 225 luxurious suites of rooms making this resort a favorite destination for thousands who would come to spend the holidays and many would come to spend the winters here. There were many upscale beaches, sports fishing, games, rides and a huge swimming pool nearby available for the tourists pleasure.
It all started to go downhill when the Port of Los Angeles at San Pedro started its development in 1899. The Steamship Company halted their stops, but lumber continued to come in until around 1926 when the railroad pulled out. A little later, prohibition caused the quarter million dollar ‘Hotel Redondo’ to close it doors and in 1925 the hotel was torn down and all the lumber sold for scrap. (for $300.00)
Today, still known as a tourist and resort town, Redondo Beach can boast of its beautiful piers, sports fishing and amusements, a Saltwater Lagoon reminiscent of the old swimming plunge, many upscale restaurants, luxury hotels, and a beautiful harbor.
by cgilles | Sep 1, 2011 | a-Hermosa Beach, a-Long Beach, Holidays, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance
Wow! Another Summer being put to bed! Even in our BEACH CITIES, we do have a Season change. Fewer crowds at the beach; kids going back to school; yet SURFERS are still out in FORCE! Here are just a few events to say GOOD-BYE to Summer 2011:...
by cgilles | Aug 16, 2011 | a-El Segundo, a-Hermosa Beach, a-Long Beach, Blog, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance
Did you wake up with Grumpy? … marine-layer skies; pull the covers over your head? OR did you wake up with a SMILE on your Face? Either way, your ATTITUDE about yourself and those things happening around you, is what makes your day! You have the POWER to make...
by cgilles | Aug 12, 2011 | Blog, Torrance
Looking through the local news papers and driving through the city of Torrance, I quickly realize the great housing Torrance Real Estate options that has always had for all ages and for all income brackets, and especially for senior citizens.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGtvRcs5l0E
From age restricted “over 55” communities like ‘New Horizons’, one of the first master planned condo projects in California, to many new moderately priced and luxury priced, modern condo complexes located in the city. Many of the complexes are almost sold out before they are even completed.
by cgilles | Aug 9, 2011 | a-El Segundo, Blog
Once upon a time, back not too far, the city of El Segundo basically was a company town; owned and operated – lock, stock and barrel by Standard Oil. Everyone who lived in the city worked at the refinery, or one of the other Standard Oil facilities in town or close by. People came here from all over the world and went to work at the only employer in town. There were many mom and pop type support businesses like printers, hardware, tool shops, and plenty of businesses for automobiles and auto accessories, car dealers, but all were dependent on business that flowed down from Standard Oil.
Beautiful El Segundo homes were built in great traditional neighborhoods, with tree lined streets, with hills and valleys. It was like living in a tiny community where everyone knew each other, but you were really living in a modern, up to date city within the everyday hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. Wonderful schools, churches, recreation facilities, parks, police and fire departments, and a great old downtown section that everyone loved and still loves today.
by cgilles | Aug 4, 2011 | a-El Segundo, a-Hermosa Beach, a-Long Beach, Blog, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance
While visiting in the South Bay recently, several family members were surprised at how much the area has grown in recent years. This started a conversation about what caused the South Bay to explode with people, businesses, homes, malls and employment centers. Most of us forget that Aerospace and Aircraft Manufacturing is what made the South Bay communities boom from the 1940s all the way up to the 1970s and 1980s. Companies like North American Aircraft, Lockheed, Northrup, Grumann, Douglas Aircraft, North American Aviation, Rocketdyne, Air Research all came here and hired thousands upon thousands of loyal, educated employees who then bought South Bay homes, cars, built the schools, and raised their families in the South Bay.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LOtb41FSisU&feature=fvst
When the Aerospace era began in the late 50s, companies like Aerospace Corp., TRW, Xerox Corp., Hughes Corp., Teledyne and many others took their place along side of the older Aircraft Manufacturing plants of World War II and together they lead the nation and the world into into a whole new frontier called outer space and started by heeding the challenge of a young president and put the first man on the moon.
Cities like Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance, Hermosa Beach and others were all rural and desolated areas with few homes, trees, streets and businesses. Soon new schools were being built, new shopping centers, medical facilities, hospitals, colleges, churches, restaurants, theatres, beach facilities and all the nice amenities and conveniences that we take for granted today. I don’t think that there is one family still living in the South Bay today, that doesn’t have a relative, or know somebody who worked in the Aircraft and Aerospace Industry in Hawthorne, Manhattan Beach, El Segundo, Redondo Beach, the L.A. strip, between the 1940s and the 1980s. Talk about great memories! Aircraft Manufacturing and Aerospace certainly changed the lives of thousands of people and the way they lived.
by cgilles | Aug 2, 2011 | Blog
My whole family has been wanting to go on a picnic, but away from home, or the beach area. When I asked my neighbor about good places to go on a picnic, she suggested that we head up to to Palos Verdes. Palos Verdes? I guess not too many people think about Palos Verdes as being an area to have a picnic at, however not too many years ago, that area of the South Bay was not populated like it is today. You could drive for miles winding around hilly roads lined with tall trees and wild vegetation of all sorts. The roads were even dirt in some areas. Around the late 1950s, new Palos Verdes homes started to sprout up here and there and little by little more and more people moved into the beautiful area. Today, you can drive around the hill to the other side that looks out toward Catalina Island and you can still see where Marineland used to be. Its really worth the time to visit the whole hill and see the history there, including the old lighthouse, and some of the other famous places over toward the San Pedro side.
by cgilles | Jul 30, 2011 | Blog
When I was walking along the beach this morning, I kept thinking about those poor souls living along the Mississippi River and the flooding they were enduring. The destruction to their land and crops and to their lifestyle is devastating. Every time I think about it, I realize how lucky we all are to live here in the South Bay, with our great weather and generally good living conditions. No more will I complain about a little bumper to bumper traffic now and then. be sure and view the video on the South Bay
by cgilles | Jul 28, 2011 | Redondo Beach
Wow ! What a great time. I decided to go on down to the annual Greek Festival in Redondo Beach Sunday evening. I almost forgot about it again like I usually do each year. I have been wanting to go for years and have always heard great things about this annual weekend event. I wasn’t prepared for the party atmosphere, fun and festivities. Music, dancing, fantastic authentic Greek foods of all kinds, and people from all over the South Bay and everyone having a great time. Its everything I expected and more. I know I will return again next year for sure.
by cgilles | Jul 26, 2011 | Torrance
It is often said that Torrance has everything. Well here is more proof it does. I will let you in on the best kept secret in the South Bay. It is the retirement community of New Horizons. Located on Maple Ave and Nadine Circle, just south of Sepulveda. This 55+ five hundred unit complex is a delight with all the amenities reminiscent of a Palm Springs complex. Believe it or not it even has a private par 3, 9-hole golf course plus a driving cage and putting green with water fall that is surrounded by homes on the Green. Other amenities include the Main Club house with par 3-9 hole golf course, driving cage, putting green with water fall picnic area. In the club house is the lounge with big screen TV, lounge, billiard room, and community room with remodeled kitchen. Across the complex on Nadine is the Sports Center with the second pool, spa, full modern gym, lighted tennis court, ceramic and wood shops, ping pong room and lots more.
This lovely community is made up of 2 story condo buildings that vary in style. And 1 story, 3 unit condo bungalows. Many of these units have been remodeled to fill the needs of today’s home buyer. All of these condo units are dotted amongst lush landscapes with winding paths that make evening walks a delight.
