| City of Redondo Beach | |
|---|---|
| — City — | |
| Redondo Beach - King Harbor sign | |
| Location of Redondo Beach in Los Angeles County, California | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Los Angeles |
| Incorporated (city) | 1892-04-29[1] |
| Government | |
| • Mayor | Mike Gin[2] |
| • City Council | Steve Aspel Pat Aust Bill Brand Steven Diels Matthew Kilroy |
| • City Treasurer | Ernie O'Dell, CCMT, CPFA[3] |
| • City Clerk | Eleanor Manzano |
| Area[4] | |
| • Total | 6.208 sq mi (16.080 km2) |
| • Land | 6.198 sq mi (16.054 km2) |
| • Water | 0.010 sq mi (0.026 km2) 0.16% |
| Elevation | 62 ft (19 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 66,748 |
| • Density | 10,751.9/sq mi (4,151.3/km2) |
| Time zone | PST (UTC-8) |
| • Summer (DST) | PDT (UTC-7) |
| ZIP Code | 90277, 90278[5] |
| Area code(s) | 310/424[6] |
| FIPS code | 06-60018 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1652782 |
| Website | redondo.org |
Redondo Beach is one of the three Beach Cities located in Los Angeles County, California, United States. The population was 66,748 at the 2010 census, up from 63,261 at the 2000 census. The city is located in the South Bay region of the greater Los Angeles area.
Redondo Beach was originally part of the 1785 Rancho San Pedro Spanish land grant that later became the South Redondo area. The city's territory has an unusual shape including an area along the beach (South Redondo Beach) and another strip inland from Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach (North Redondo Beach). The primary attractions include Municipal Pier and the sandy beach, popular with tourists and a variety of sports enthusiasts. The western terminus of the Metro Rail Green Line is in North Redondo Beach.
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Redondo Beach is the focus of many who want to be in the sun and near the ocean. Although a vibrant community in its own right, much of the Redondo Beach lifestyle is a blend of the neighborhoods, activities and people of the three Beach Cities of Southern California's South Bay. Like its sister cities of Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, Redondo's key lifestyle draw is the vast beach that links these three cities.
A wide sand beach starts below the bluffs of Palos Verdes in the south (after Torrance Beach) and carries north to the Redondo Pier. A paved path, called The Strand runs from Torrance through South Redondo, north to Santa Monica. A typical day on this path will see thousands of people on foot, bicycle, skateboard, roller-blade, wheelchair and stroller enjoying the sun and surf. The continuous path is broken only by the massive Redondo Beach King Harbor Marina and Pier complex, where it veers away from water and onto dedicated lanes of surface streets for about a mile before again turning to the ocean in Hermosa Beach. Continuing north from Manhattan Beach, this path stretches well into Marina Del Rey and beyond with few breaks.
Surfing is a key element of the South Bay lifestyle year-round; it is common to see locals catching waves on both Christmas and New Year's Day. Powerful winter storms in the Pacific ocean can turn typically placid and rolling South Bay waves into large and occasionally dangerous monsters, a natural draw for the local surfing population. Local wave heights in December 2005 were some of the largest on record and were reported to top 15 feet (4.6 m) to 20 feet (6.1 m) in some instances; at least one surfer required resuscitation when he was thrashed against the ocean bottom after trying a particularly large wave.
Beach Volleyball is another important aspect of Redondo Beach's lifestyle. The wide and flat sand beaches provide the perfect venue for the sport and permanent poles and nets are placed and maintained by the city year-round. Professional tournaments managed by the AVP take place in neighboring Hermosa and Manhattan Beach. Redondo Beach is home to Gold Medalist Kerri Walsh and AVP Pro Casey Jennings.
The Redondo Recreation Indoor Men's Volleyball League at Aviation Gym on Wednesday nights is one of the premier indoor recreational volleyball leagues in Southern California where one could play high level volleyball. Former college and professional volleyball athletes participate in this league year round in about four seasons per year.
Currently Redondo Beach is growing in popularity to filming production. In 2006 "Medium" crews were seen shooting at a local coffee shop. Fox's The O.C. has also been seen filming at Redondo Union High School, Redondo Beach Pier, and local parks.
Redondo Beach is often divided into two logical North/South areas with 190th, Anita, and Herondo streets forming its east-west boundary line. South Redondo plays host to the pier and marina/harbor complex and directly borders active Hermosa Beach; life on the ocean side of Pacific Coast Highway (PCH) can be frenetic with restaurants and boating activities keeping people active and engaged at all times. Inland of PCH is largely residential.
Bordering North/South Redondo at the Marina is a massive power plant, which has been the source of substantial political debate in the city over the last decade, largely centered over what to do with the land once the plant becomes inactive over the next 25 years (subject to change and compromise). This power plant sports a 586 ft (179 m) × 95 ft (29 m) whale mural by world-famous artist Wyland titled "Gray Whale Migration".
The small business district near the pier and marina was revived in the 1990s by beachgoers and new residents wanted to sell beachwear and surfing accessories. That district was once focused on fishing and canning when the pier was used to transport fish-based foodstuffs and canned fish to American and Asian consumers, but that industry had an economic downfall in the 1970s and 1980s.
South Redondo is a bit more on the gentrified, quiet side. Its wide streets, wide sand beaches and laid-back feel make it a prime destination for those seeking a "bike to the grocery store" community. Several close-knit neighborhoods exist; South Broadway hosts street parties in the summer where children play on jumping gyms and the local Fire Department judges the best dessert contest while kids climb their pumper truck.
North Redondo begins north of 190th Street. As a result of Redondo Beach's geography, North Redondo is primarily an inland experience as the beachfronts form most of Hermosa Beach and part of Manhattan Beach. While primarily residential, North Redondo contains some of the city's major industry and commercial space, including the inland aerospace and engineering firms that are part of Southern California's long space legacy. It is also home to the South Bay Galleria Shopping Center and a revitalized Artesia Boulevard. North Redondo is the home of the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, one of the South Bay's premier cultural facilities, and home to the Civic Light Opera of the South Bay Cities. North Redondo is home to nearly two-thirds of the children in Redondo Beach. Many original homes still stand in Redondo Beach neighborhoods, but these small Arts and Crafts style homes are quickly being bought, demolished and rebuilt to match the tastes of the modern, more affluent buyer that makes South Bay their home. Zoning allows properties within two to three blocks of the beach to be developed as large two to three-unit luxury townhomes; inland areas are more likely to have single-family homes. There is a citywide height limit of 32 ft (9.8 m) for new homes; unlike Manhattan Beach, Redondo allows rooftop living spaces and decks.
Redondo Breakwall is a well known surf spot in the south bay.
A revitalized downtown area affectionately termed "Riviera Village" (named so after the Hollywood Riviera, which is the area it is in) provides locals an opportunity to eat, shop and commune in a quiet atmosphere. Since 2004 several new or newly renovated restaurants have made a positive impact on local options for an on-the-town experience. Downtown also supports a number of independent boutiques and shops specializing in clothing and fashion, as well as at least three wine-tasting galleries. This downtown area is in South Redondo west of PCH between Avenue I and Palos Verdes Blvd.
The Marina, Harbor and Pier complexes are large, planned centers of activity that host Korean seafood restaurants, touristy bars, smaller shops and a games arcade. The pier is a common spot for anglers to cast for a local catch; many residents of inland Los Angeles drive to Redondo Beach to take advantage of the long and unique shape of this pier. The adjacent Marina, located just north of the Pier, is home to another half-dozen restaurants, a seafood shop, and a pub with almost 100 beers on tap. The large, monolithic concrete structures that make up the pier and harbor area stand in stark contrast to the venerable cozy feel of the rest of the South Bay's neighborhood-style street front architecture; the city continues to consider options for the area as new entertainment and dining chooses to locate in other areas of the Beach Cities.
According to the City's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[7] the top employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees | % of Total City Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northrop Grumman | 5,827 | 16.15% |
| 2 | Redondo Beach Unified School District | 1,100 | 3.05% |
| 3 | Beach Cities Health District | 620 | 1.72% |
| 4 | City of Redondo Beach | 487 | 1.35% |
| 5 | Nordstrom | 363 | 1.01% |
| 6 | Crowne Plaza | 339 | 0.94% |
| 7 | The Cheesecake Factory | 261 | 0.72% |
| 8 | DHL Global Forwarding | 244 | 0.68% |
| 9 | Target | 217 | 0.60% |
| 10 | Macy's | 208 | 0.58% |
The beach lifestyle comes at a price: According to public data from the Los Angeles Times, real estate prices increased almost 20% per year between 1999 and 2005. Properties within short walking distance of the ocean routinely sell for well over $1 million. Those with direct, unhindered views routinely ask in excess of $2 million. Money Magazine ranks communities in the area as some of the most expensive places to live in the U.S. The average three-bed, two-bath home costs about $1,000,000 in South Redondo as of 2006 and $875,000 in North Redondo. The 2007 "credit meltdown" has affected home values in the area to a lesser extent than the rest of Southern California.
Redondo Beach is located at (33.856514, -118.377081).[8]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.1 km²), over 99% of it land.
Redondo Beach was originally part of the 1784 Rancho San Pedro Spanish land grant of the 43,000-acre (170 km2) Dominguez Rancho that later became the ten-mile (16 km) Ocean frontage of Rancho Sausal Redondo.
The 2010 United States Census[9] reported that Redondo Beach had a population of 66,748. The population density was 10,751.1 people per square mile (4,151.0/km²). The racial makeup of Redondo Beach was 49,805 (74.6%) White, 1,852 (2.8%) African American, 291 (0.4%) Native American, 8,004 (12.0%) Asian, 199 (0.3%) Pacific Islander, 2,725 (4.1%) from other races, and 3,872 (5.8%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 10,142 persons (15.2%).
The Census reported that 66,317 people (99.4% of the population) lived in households, 367 (0.5%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 64 (0.1%) were institutionalized.
There were 29,011 households, out of which 7,825 (27.0%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 12,507 (43.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 2,515 (8.7%) had a female householder with no husband present, 1,207 (4.2%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 1,904 (6.6%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 179 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 9,252 households (31.9%) were made up of individuals and 2,145 (7.4%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29. There were 16,229 families (55.9% of all households); the average family size was 2.94.
The population was spread out with 12,887 people (19.3%) under the age of 18, 4,198 people (6.3%) aged 18 to 24, 23,149 people (34.7%) aged 25 to 44, 19,532 people (29.3%) aged 45 to 64, and 6,982 people (10.5%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. For every 100 females there were 99.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.2 males.
There were 30,609 housing units at an average density of 4,930.2 per square mile (1,903.6/km²), of which 14,917 (51.4%) were owner-occupied, and 14,094 (48.6%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%. 36,796 people (55.1% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 29,521 people (44.2%) lived in rental housing units.
As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 63,261 people, 28,566 households, and 15,254 families residing in the city. The population density was 10,065.4 inhabitants per square mile (3,889.4/km²). There were 29,543 housing units at an average density of 4,700.6 per square mile (1,816.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.62% White, 9.10% Asian, 2.52% African American, 0.47% Native American, 0.35% Pacific Islander, 4.37% from other races, and 4.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 13.47% of the population.
There were 28,566 households out of which 23.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.6% were married couples living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.6% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the city the population was spread out with 18.8% under the age of 18, 6.1% from 18 to 24, 43.1% from 25 to 44, 23.6% from 45 to 64, and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.8 males.
According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in the city was $93,274, and the median income for a family was $108,753.[11] Males had a median income of $56,796 versus $45,204 for females. The per capita income for the city was $38,305. About 4.0% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.2% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Before the beach city housing boom in the 1990s, Redondo Beach's population mirrored much of older communities around Los Angeles. Redondo Beach had generally large numbers of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (esp. Hawaiians and Samoans) for cities with an excess of 50,000 residents. The city has a sizable Native American community, due to the fact that numerous participants in the Bureau of Indian Affairs' relocation programs chose the South Bay area of Los Angeles. Nearby is the El Nido section, briefly was a Chicano area before the 1970s.
In the early 1900s, the developing community attracted immigrants, often fishermen and maritime workers of Dutch, Greek, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish descent, whom used to have neighborhoods on the city's southern end known as "Clifton" (the county area was incorporated into Redondo Beach in 1976). The community also had its share of Asian American and Latino (Mexican or other Latin American) residents. African Americans encountered few problems on moving into the mixed-race community, especially after the 1950s.
According to the city’s most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city’s various funds had $109.5 million in Revenues, $106.8 million in expenditures, $283.1 million in total assets, $66.3 million in total liabilities, and $79.5 million in cash and investments.[7]
The structure of the management and coordination of city services is:[7]
| City Department | Director |
|---|---|
| City Manager | William P. Workman |
| Assistant City Manager | Peter Grant |
| Chief of Police | W. Joseph Leonardi |
| Fire Chief | Daniel P. Madrigal |
| City Engineer/Chief Building Official | Steve Huang |
| Harbor, Business and Transit Director | Peter Carmichael |
| Information Technology Director | Chris Benson |
| Planning Director | Aaron Jones |
| Acting Director of Recreation & Community Services | Joe Hoefgen |
| Director of Library Services | Jean Scully |
| Public Works Director | Michael Witzansky |
| Financial Services Director | Diana Moreno |
The Beach Cities Health District,[12] one of 78 California Health Districts,[13] is located in Redondo Beach. Created in 1955, as South Bay Hospital, to provide health and wellness services to the residents of Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and Redondo Beach. The District took on its current name in 1993. In 2002, Beach Cities Health District opened AdventurePlex,[14] a Manhattan Beach fitness facility for youth and their families of the three beach cities. AdventurePlex has mazes, tunnels, outdoor rock climbing walls, complex ropes courses, and an indoor gymnasium.
The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Torrance Health Center in Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles, near Torrance and serving Redondo Beach.[15]
The United States Postal Service operates the Redondo Beach Post Office at 1201 North Catalina Avenue,[16] the Redondo Beach Station #2 Post Office at 1715 Via El Prado,[17] the North Redondo Beach Post Office at 2215 Artesia Boulevard,[18] and the Galleria Post Office at Suite 377D at 1815 Hawthorne Boulevard.[19]
In the state legislature Redondo Beach is located in the 28th Senate District, represented by Democrat Ted Lieu, and in the 53rd Assembly District, represented by Democrat Betsy Butler. Federally, Redondo Beach is located in California's 36th congressional district, which has a Cook PVI of D +11[20] and is represented by Democrat Janice Hahn. The current mayor of the city is Mike Gin, a Chinese-American moderate Republican.
In the 2008 presidential election Barack Obama won 59% of the vote and John McCain won 37% of the vote.[21]
The Redondo Beach Unified School District serves the city. Redondo Union High School is the zoned high school.
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