Summers in Tucson, Arizona, where I’ve lived for nearly 40 years, are brutal. Yes, the summer rains, also known as the monsoon, offer cooling relief, but it’s generally short-lived. So it’s no surprise that many of us retreat to the California coast. At times, it feels like half the town has fled to San Diego, traditionally known as Tucson’s Southern California playground. But the beach communities near Los Angeles International Airport are often overlooked, even though they offer an excellent choice for fun and relaxation. We recently visited three.
About 30 minutes south of Los Angeles International Airport is Redondo Beach, one of three adjacent beach cities along the southern portion of Santa Monica Bay. Redondo Beach was originally part of the 1784 Rancho San Pedro Spanish land grant.
We stayed at the Portofino Hotel & Marina, a nautical oceanfront property with a rich racing history. The Portofino Inn, as it was originally named, opened in 1962 by race car enthusiast Mary Davis. The property quickly became a gathering place for racers, including Peter Revson, a Formula One Grand Prix winner. The Cannonball Run, a cross-country race from New York to Los Angeles that later inspired a feature film, was first held in 1971, with the Portofino Inn serving as the finish line. An added bonus of staying at the Portofino is Baleen Kitchen, one of Redondo Beach’s top restaurants.
A few minutes north of Redondo Beach is another of the three South Bay communities.
Hermosa Beach offers a wonderfully laid-back beach vibe. We stayed at Beach House Hotel Hermosa Beach, located on The Strand and just minutes from the restaurants near the pier. We loved Tiki Kai’s South Pacific atmosphere and its signature dish, macadamia-crusted mahi-mahi. My favorite dessert, Baked Alaska, sealed the deal.
Our third quintessential Southern California beach town isn’t actually on the beach, but it’s close enough.
Marina del Rey, Spanish for “Harbor of the King,” is just a few minutes’ drive north of LAX. As North America’s largest small-craft harbor, its scale is impressive, with slips accommodating about 5,000 boats. We enjoyed the Caribbean ambiance of the Jamaica Bay Inn, located on the man-made Mother’s Beach, and dined at its highly regarded restaurant, Beachside Restaurant & Bar. Located at the southern end of Marina del Rey, the Jamaica Bay Inn, part of the Hilton Tapestry Collection, is within a 20-minute walk of Venice Beach.
Founded in 1905 by Abbot Kinney, Venice Beach evolved from a seaside resort with canals into a world-renowned cultural and recreational destination. Kinney built the canals to drain the marshes. He also constructed a 1,200-foot pier featuring an auditorium, a ship-themed restaurant and dance hall, a hot saltwater plunge, and a block-long arcaded business district showcasing Venetian-style architecture.
One of our primary goals in visiting the beach communities near LAX was to cool off. With daytime highs in the 60s, it proved to be the perfect escape from the desert heat.
BB Travel Tip #1
LAX is an easy one-hour flight from Tucson International Airport. We chose the Delta non-stop on the outbound flight and Southwest Airlines on the return. American Airlines also offers non-stop flights.
BB Travel Tip #2
The best room in the house at the Jamaica Bay Inn is Room 258, the executive suite offering a 180-degree view of Mother’s Beach.
BB Travel Tip #3
Scottish salmon was a favorite at both Baleen Kitchen at the Portofino Resort and the Beachhouse at the Jamaica Bay Inn.
