If you’re into horse racing, or would like to see what it’s about, the season starts on July 26. Solana Beach, just north of San Diego is on the same rail line, and I just read somewhere that the Del Mar track is arranging for a bus to meet all trains. I keep on about the trains to San Diego because some of the route is very scenic, running right along the ocean for a stretch.
There is a Big Thing right in my neighborhood: a giant self-propelled boot!. If you’re a fan of Curb Your Enthusiasm you might also notice several locations along that stretch of Santa Monica Boulevard.
This sounds like fun, actually.
I’ve been to the races here in town and actually won quite a bit of money despite being the only person in our party who didn’t care if I did. 
Well, the countdown is on, and a couple more questions have occured to me.
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Is there a good fish/seafood market in Redondo? If so, where? Otherwise, is there one within SHORT driving distance? I think I’m going to have to suck it up and drive a little bit, but I’m trying to minimize it.
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I’m probably going to have a day by myself - Mr. California is going to have to work, so…is anyone interested in meeting for lunch? It will be either Monday, July 31, or Friday, August 4th and I was thinking one of those deli’s around Pasedena might be nice - I’m very pro lox. So - if it turns out that anyone is interested and available, that would be swell.
Someone correct me if I’m wrong about names (or quality, for that matter): there’s Captain Kidd’s fish market at the head of the Redondo Beach pier (picnic table dining, completely casual), and there’s several seafood restaurants and other types in the near vicinity - all kinds from completely family to pretty fancy and romantic. If you’re looking for winding, scenic highways, go south from Redondo Beach through Rancho Palos Verdes. Get a map and find “Wayfarer’s Chapel” - wonderful architecture and an ocean view that’s about the best we have. That’s probably as far as you want to go, though, or else you’ll wind up in San Pedro and the combined Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach. I mean, those are romantic enough if you’re a captain of industry, but not otherwise.
The other reason to know where San Pedro is, though, is that that’s where most of the cruise ships take off from.
Well, seeing that you’re a vegetarian, I guess I ain’t gonna be your food guide, but I heard that the Santa Monica Seafood Company was pretty great (open since 1939, haven’t been there myself) I mean, Huell Howser went there and all. It’s a bit of a drive from Redondo, but you could probably take PCH (the Pacific Coast Highway for you Canadians) and avoid the 405, but let me warn ya, traffic in LA is HELL.
Have fun!
We love the Vineland! Call 626-961-9262 when you’re in town, and the thickest Mexican accent you will ever hear will tell you what’s playing. The $7.50/person admission grants you access to a double feature on one of four screens. The first movie always starts at about sunset (tonight’s show was 8:30). Plan on getting there a little early, as lines can be long.
Take the 605 freeway to Valley Boulevard, head east, turn left on Vineland (which will be marked on the right had side of Valley with an arrow pointing left (the right hand leg ofthe street has a different name and is marked by a right-pointing arrow on the left side of Valley.) Plan on eating somewhere else before you travel to the area, unless you plan on dining at a strip club or liquor store, since there’s pretty much nothing at all nearby.
I was going to suggest, since you were going to be in the Arclight/Hollywood and Vine neighborhood, the little-known Hollywood Entertainment Museum, which housed the Cheers set and the Star Trek Next Generation bridge set, and had a cool little tour where you got to provide sound effects for a video scene, but they seem to have closed this month pending a move. There’s still the Frederick’s of Hollywood in the area which features a Lingerie museum.