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Redondo Beach

History of Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach was first inhabited by Native Americans who lived off the sea. When Spaniards moved in, the area became known as Rancho San Pedro. The land was granted to the Dominguez family in 1784. Mexico lost the area to the United States in 1848.

Redondo became the first port of Los Angeles County. At it’s peak it had three piers. Steamers from the Pacific Steamship Company stopped at Redondo four times a week

In 1890, the luxurious Hotel Redondo opened with an 18 hole golf course, tennis courts and 225 rooms. For those who couldn’t afford it, a tent city opened nearby.

One of the area’s attractions was Moonstone Beach, a series of natural mounds five to six feet deep and 40 to 50 feet wide with gem stones for the taking.

Redondo Beach became a city in 1892. It started to decline in with the building of San Pedro Harbor in 1899. By 1912, the Pacific Steamship Company no longer stopped in the city and the railroad pulled out in 1926. Because of prohibition, the Hotel Redondo folded.

Because the territorial limit of the US was three miles to sea during prohibition, the gambling ship Rex anchored off the coast to hosting a casino that could be accessed through a 25 cent water taxi fare from the pier.

In 1956, work began on the King Harbor Marina. In the 1990s a housing boom sent property values skyrocketing as people rediscovered the attractions of this beach community.

Description of Redondo Beach

The city is about 20 miles south west of downtown Los Angeles. It is 6.25 square miles. Only south Redondo Beach is on the ocean. North Redondo jogs inland behind Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches. North Redondo is primarily residential but also hosts the city’s aerospace and engineering firms which are the primary tenants of the industrial area. Shopping can be found there at the South Bay Galleria and along Artesia Boulevard.

Redondo Beach is bordered to the east by Torrance and Lawndale, to the south by Palos Verdes and to the North by Hawthorne.

Residents of Redondo Beach

The current population is estimated at 67,000. The median household income is $87,000, The median age is 37 years. The city is 69% White, 16% Latino 10% Asian and 3% Black.

Rentals in Redondo Beach

South Redondo is a more upscale with wide streets and quiet neighborhoods closer to the beach. In the areas closer to the sand, small bungalows are being demolished and replaced with townhouses up to the city height limit of 32 ft. North Redondo is more inland and begins north of 190th Street. More families with children live in North Redondo in the small homes there. The median rent in the city is $1500

Fun Things to do in Redondo Beach

Surfing is big in Redondo. In fact Oscar winning director Kathryn Bigelow filmed part of her iconographic 1991 surf film “Point Break” starring Patrick Swayze, Keene Reeves, Gary Busey, in the city.

Beach volleyball is also popular. The Redondo Recreation Indoor Men's Volleyball League meets at Aviation Gym on Wednesday nights.

The beach bike path leads north to Santa Monica. One fishing pier remains.

King Harbor Marina is the only boat harbor in the South Bay. It is home to several yacht clubs, bars and fine restaurants.

Each September the city hosts the Redondo Beach Lobster Festival featuring flown in Maine lobster, rides, music and shopping.

The city is home to the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center and hosts the Civic Light Opera of the South Bay Cities.