Search Travel Reviews
Travel with Knowledge network for young travel enthusiasts
The South Bay (Los Angeles, CA)
POSTED ON: 22 JULY 2008 BY AGuerrero
Countries Visited
United States
Places Visited
Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance
Trip Duration
I visit about every two months for about 5 days at a time
Budget
Less than 1,000 $USD
Recommendation
Highly Recommended
Highlight of the trip
If you're looking for good, cheap, and authentic food, the South Bay is the place to go. Homestyle Mexican (El Indio, La Playita, and Los Muchachos), tasty Italian food (Frito Misto and Frascatti), for good old burgers (Sharkeez and Islands) and for a little bit of soul-food try Roscos Chicken and Waffles. You love all of these places!!!
Travel Description
Okay, Okay... I know what you're thinking: LA is overrated. Yes, Los Angeles, CA often gets a bad rep from tourists because of the city smog, tons of traffic, and because everyplace at all times of the day is usually way too crowded with people. Well, let me fill you in on a couple secrets about LA that not many people know about unless you were born and raised there or if you have family from there. Fortunately, I am from LA and my family still resides there today. First, let me start off by saying that because LA is so BIG, not all of it is just like you see in the movies. In fact, there are several little beach towns that are very fun and exciting, yet lack the Hollywood Glam. These towns are known for great surf, great food, and good people. The South Bay, CA (where I visit in LA) is comprised of Redondo, Hermosa, Manhattan, and Torrance Beaches. In this neck of the woods, there is hardly any smog because of the ocean breeze. In terms of hotels, I have never really had to worry about that because I stay with family, but some nice places are Hotel Hermosa (book in advance), the Marriott in Manhattan (has golf course), or any other chain hotels. In terms of free and entertaining things to do, simply enjoying a beautiful day at the beach is fun. Also in July thru August in at the Hermosa Beach Pier, every Sunday afternoon starting at 3pm are Concerts at the Beach. It is free and is always great music. If you are into hiking, Palos Verdes has some great trails and is only a 10 minute drive. If you like biking, I would recommend going to Redondo Beach and biking on the strand, along the water. Also, the Redondo Pier is very entertaining for all ages. Santa Monica and Venice Beaches are a 25 minute drive from the South Bay and there you will find street entertainment, promanades, food, and more. Go to Venice Beach if you are a "people-watcher" like me. You'll see some pretty interesting people. For shopping, not only is there two hug malls (Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance and The South Bay Gallaria in Redondo) for typical everyday shopping, but Torrance Beach and Manhattan Beach have great Boutique shopping right off of the strands. If you are of age, the Hermosa Beach Pier is a lot of fun at night. There are some great bars that are pretty inexpensive and do not have any cover charge. My favorites are Sangria, Dragon, and Patrick Malloy's. All are restaurants by day and bars with dancing by night. Finally, I guess I should mention it just in case you are interested... Hollywood, West Hollywood/LA, and Beverly Hills are all a 25 minute drive from the South Bay if you are interested in seeing celebrities, eating expensive, or you if you want to go to night clubs. Try going to the Beverely Center for shopping, West LA for college fun, Geisha House or Koi for good food, and go to the Sunset Strip in Hollywood for clubs!!!
One Essential thing to bring
Swim-suit
You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed Or you can leave a response.
on December 08, 2009
on December 15, 2009
on December 17, 2009
on December 18, 2009
on December 19, 2009
on December 23, 2009
on December 25, 2009
on January 06, 2010
on January 06, 2010
on January 14, 2010
on January 14, 2010
on January 21, 2010
on January 28, 2010
on January 28, 2010
on January 30, 2010
on February 02, 2010
on February 07, 2010
on February 09, 2010
on February 16, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 18, 2010
on February 19, 2010
on February 19, 2010
on February 19, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 20, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 21, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 22, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 23, 2010
on February 24, 2010
on February 24, 2010
on February 24, 2010
on February 24, 2010
on February 24, 2010
on February 24, 2010
on February 24, 2010
on February 24, 2010
on February 24, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 25, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 26, 2010
on February 27, 2010
on February 27, 2010
on February 27, 2010
on February 27, 2010
on February 27, 2010
on February 27, 2010
on February 27, 2010
on February 27, 2010
on February 27, 2010
on February 27, 2010
on February 28, 2010
on February 28, 2010
on February 28, 2010
on February 28, 2010
on February 28, 2010
on February 28, 2010
on February 28, 2010
on February 28, 2010
on February 28, 2010
on February 28, 2010
on March 01, 2010
on March 01, 2010
on March 01, 2010
on March 01, 2010
on March 01, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 02, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 03, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 04, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 05, 2010
on March 06, 2010
on March 06, 2010
on March 06, 2010
on March 08, 2010
on March 08, 2010
on March 08, 2010
on March 08, 2010
on March 08, 2010
on March 08, 2010
on March 09, 2010
on March 09, 2010
on March 09, 2010
on March 09, 2010
on March 09, 2010
on March 09, 2010
on March 10, 2010
on March 10, 2010
on March 10, 2010
on March 10, 2010
on March 10, 2010
on March 10, 2010
on March 10, 2010
on March 11, 2010
on March 11, 2010
on March 11, 2010
on March 11, 2010
on March 11, 2010
on March 11, 2010
on March 12, 2010
on March 14, 2010
on March 14, 2010
on March 14, 2010
on March 14, 2010
on March 14, 2010
on March 14, 2010
on March 15, 2010
on March 15, 2010
on March 15, 2010
on March 15, 2010
on March 15, 2010
on March 16, 2010
on March 16, 2010
on March 16, 2010
on March 16, 2010
on March 17, 2010
on July 26, 2010
on August 06, 2010
on August 15, 2010
on August 15, 2010
on August 19, 2010
Post comment or Send email to the original review poster