After Hours Social Activities

Beaches

Nicholas Canyon
The Nicholas Canyon County Beach, also known as Zeros by surfers, is the perfect place for surfing, bodyboarding, and bodysurfing because of its desirable left point break. This beach is ideal for family outings with plenty of room available for all beach activities and several picnic tables for dining. Upper and lower level parking is available at this beach and is handicap friendly. Additional information about the Nicholas Canyon County Beach can be obtained at www.rockcitynews.com/pages/california/labeaches/nicholascanyon.html.

Dan Blocker Beach
Dan Blocker State Beach is an ideal swimming and fishing destination, and is often less crowded than the more popular surf beaches. It offers a life guard during daylight hours, in addition to limited surfing, fishing, diving and portable restrooms. Marine life, in addition to decent fishing and diving areas, are the main attractions of this beach. Additional information about the Dan Blocker State Beach can be obtained at http://beaches.co.la.ca.us/BandH/Beaches/DanBlocker.htm.

Las Tunas
This is the southernmost beach in Malibu, it is far less populated and much more easily accessible than most of its neighbors. This spot is more popular with fishermen and scuba divers, although swimmers and surfers seeking some private space may flock here as well. The drawbacks are the close proximity to the road, making it rather noisy, and the lack of amenities. There are restrooms, and lifeguards do patrol the beach, but primarily in summer, so call in advance if that is a concern. Additional information about the Las Tunas Beach can be obtained at http://beaches.co.la.ca.us/bandh/Beaches/LasTunas.htm.

Redondo Beach
The Redondo State Beach is two miles of clean, sandy beach ideal for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, or biking. The beach provides visitors infinite opportunities to enjoy the sheer pleasure of the endless summer lifestyle. The beach is connected to the other South Bay beaches by the Los Angeles County Bikeway and offers a pier. Additional information about the Redonda Beach can be obtained at www.redondochamber.org/visitors/Beaches.htm.

White Point
This is one of the best spots for a family retreat. The park on the bluffs has convenient wheelchair access and sweeping views of Catalina Island. The paths are smooth and level, and the entire children's play structure has a wheelchair-accessible surface. Look for the historic photographs mounted in a case near the entrance. In the 1920s and 1930s, the beach below was the site of a hotel and spa popular with Japanese-Americans. Ruins can still be seen on the beach. Additional information about the White Point Beach can be obtained at www.scc.ca.gov/Wheel/lapage/6_so_la/whites.html.

Day Trips

Disney Land
"Mic-key-Mouse! Mic-key-Mouse!" The chanting starts on the tram before you can see the gates. Excited children pull their parents along like a tugboat in the harbor. Picture-taking starts before people get inside the gates. As they pass through that tunnel, children stop whining and grumpy parents are transformed. It's Disneyland, and after almost fifty years, it's still the Happiest Place on Earth. Disneyland in California has two parks: the Disneyland Park and the Disney's California Adventure Park. Additional information about Disney Land can be obtained at http://disneyland.disney.go.com/dlr/index.

Hollywood
Los Angeles has built its reputation on the glamour of the movies, and most visitors want at least a little of its glitz to rub off on them. Hollywood itself located in northwestern Los Angelese is no longer the movie mecca it once was, but it certainly holds plenty of historic interest. A walk down Hollywood Boulevard offers famous sights such as Mann's (néée Grauman's) Chinese Theater, where more than 150 of the glitterati have left their prints on the sidewalk out the front. Head east along the Boulevard, stepping on those famous bronze stars only to find oneself at the Roosevelt Hotel. Soak up a bit of 1930s ambience: this is where the first Academy Awards were held in 1928 and where Errol Flynn, Salvador Dali and F Scott Fitzgerald often propped up the bar. The corner of Hollywood and Vine was once the heart of off-screen action for the Industry. The Collectors Book Store on the corner is a treasure trove of memorabilia. If one does not manage to spot a real star while in Hollywood, drop by the Hollywood Wax Museum.

Magic Mountain
Magic Mountain is an old-fashioned amusement park. The chk-a-chk-a-chk-a of roller coasters climbing, far-off screams and the smell of popcorn and cotton candy recall gentler days, and then suddenly there's a sound like a jet engine or the scream of metal-on-metal as the Magic Mountain Superman ride takes off or Baja Ridge roars by. Today's youngsters expect bigger-faster-scarier rides, and Magic Mountain aims to please. Additional information about the Magic Mountain can be obtained at www.sixflags.com/magicmountain.

Redondo Sport Fishing
Redondo Sport Fishing is located at the heart of the fishing grounds - along the popular Redondo Canyon, just 30 minutes south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), easily and quickly accessible from all parts of Southern California. Redondo Sport Fishing offers a variety of fishing trips including half-day, full-day and multi-day excursions. The fishing company prides itself on getting its customers to the prime fishing spots in less than a half-hour. Frequenting well-stocked fishing grounds, its anglers commonly catch fish that include halibut, bass, yellowtail, barracuda and cod. In addition to offering fishing trips, it also offers whale-watching voyages, charter trips, and nature tours aboard its boats. Additional information about Redondo Sport Fishing cab be obtained at www.redondosportfishing.com.

Universal Studios Hollywood
Universal Studios Hollywood puts one so close to the action that we can actually hear the camera reels rolling. It's the ideal place to get a sneak peek at movie sets and behind the scenes secrets about legendary movies. Additional information about Universal Studios can be obtained at www.universalstudios.com.

Museums

Getty Center
Contrary to popular belief, Los Angeles does have an intellectual, refined side. Head to the John Paul Getty collection of museums. The European photography and other collections are on display at the stunning 110-acre Getty Center in the Santa Monica mountains. The center was opened in 1998 and costed a billion dollars. Admission to the Getty Center is free. The collection of the J. Paul Getty Museum on display in the galleries includes examples of pre-20th-century European paintings, drawings, illuminated manuscripts, sculpture, and decorative arts; and 19th- and 20th-century American and European. Additional information about the Getty Center can be obtained at www.getty.edu.

Museum Of Tolerance
The Museum of Tolerance is a high tech, hands-on experiential museum that focuses on two central themes through unique interactive exhibits: the dynamics of racism and prejudice in America and the history of the Holocaust - the ultimate example of man's inhumanity to man. The Museum, the educational arm of the Simon Wiesenthal Center, was founded to challenge visitors to confront bigotry and racism, and to understand the Holocaust in both historic and contemporary contexts. Some highlights of the Museum include: the Tolerancenter; the Holocaust section; the multimedia learning section; artifacts and documents of the Holocaust; and survivor testimonies. Additional information about the Museum of Tolerance can be obtained at www.wiesenthal.com/mot/about/index.cfm.

Norton Simon Museum
The Norton Simon Museum of Art at Pasadena holds one of the worlds finest and most prestigious collections. Reflecting the extraordinary effort and vision of its founder, it stands as a tribute to Human Civilization, the visual arts, and the nobility of individual accomplishments. Additional information about the Norton Simon Museum of Art can be obtained at www.nortonsimon.org/aboutnsm/.

Movieland Wax Museum
According to the director of Movieland Wax Museum, visiting Movieland "is as close as most people will ever get to a movie star." Sad but true it is a very popular place to visit with family and friends. It is the largest wax museum in the United States, giving the public a chance to walk within inches of realistic wax figures of famous Hollywood movie stars, to look them in their incredibly lifelike eyes, and to view some extremely handsome sets. Additional information about the Movieland Wax Museum can be obtained at www.seeing-stars.com/Museums/Movieland.shtml.

Night Life

Café Boogaloo
Open since the mid 1990s, this Cajun cafe is a unique South Bay restaurant and night spot. The decor is New Orleans style, and everything is natural, from the wood paneling to the many plants and flowers. People come here from all over - locals, tourists, and business people alike frequent this spot. Live blues liven up the place seven nights a week. The Louisiana cuisine is great, with entrees like Marinated Pork Chops and Shrimp in Habanero Cream Sauce. Additional information about the Café Boogaloo can be obtained at www.boogaloo.com.

Naja's Place
This pub is a place for good beer, good food and good friends. The house band is called the Land Sharks, a cover band that is a lot of fun to listen to. In keeping with the laid-back atmosphere of Redondo Beach, Naja's does not require shirts or shoes - this alone is what draws many people in every day. It is a little bit of a dive but that is part of the charm. If you step outside on the patio and take in the sun while drinking a cold one, you will think you are on the coast of Mexico - in a dive bar, of course. Additional information about Naja's Place can be obtained at www.najas.com.

Jersey's Bar and Grill
This bar is a great place to unwind and is a favorite of the residents of the Redondo Beach area. Their grill is always on and the friendly staff is every ready to take orders or special requests.