Pioneering Beach Resort Culture (Late 1800s)

Redondo Beach became one of LA’s first true beach resorts by the late 1880s, with the opening of the RedondoHotel in 1890 and the creation of “Tent City” shortly thereafter. The RedCar (Red Line) electric trolley began transporting Angelenos to the beach in the early 1900s, contributing to a growing coastal tourism industry.By 1909, the city featured a massive heated saltwater plunge and popular fishing piers, setting the tone for its enduring beach culture.

George Freeth and the Birth of SurfCulture (1907)

In 1907, Hawaiian surfer George Freeth was invited by Henry Huntington to demonstrate wave-riding in front of the Redondo Hotel. He became the first person to surf on the U.S. main land and revolutionized ocean safety by introducing modern lifeguarding. Freeth also coached local Olympic-level swimmers and helped introduce water polo to the area by 1910, establishing Redondo as a hub of ocean sport innovation.

History of Sailboat Racing (1930s)

Sailboat racing in Redondo Beach dates back to the 1930s, gaining structure with the founding of the KingHarbor Yacht Club in 1949. The club nurtured a strong local racing tradition and hosted numerous regattas in the decades that followed, helping to defineRedondo as a Southern California sailing destination.

Dive N’ Surf & Body GloveWetsuits (1953)

In 1953, brothers Bill andBob Meistrell opened Dive N’ Surf in Redondo Beach and soon introduced one of the first commercially successful wetsuits under the BodyGlove brand. Their innovation transformed cold-water surfing, allowing athletes to train and compete year-round, and firmly positioning Redondo as a center for water sports technology and entrepreneurship.

South Bay Surf Scene and Legends(1950s)

By the 1950s, Redondo Beach was a cornerstone of the booming South Bay surf culture. Legendary surfer Greg Noll, along with photographers Leroy Grannis and Doc Ball, helped capture and shape the aesthetic and attitude of postwar surf life.Redondo’s surf shops, shoreline, and personalities made it a central figure in the global surf movement through the 1970s.

Lanakila and Polynesian Influence(1960s)

In the 1960s, Redondo Beach deepened its connection to Polynesian water culture with the founding of the Lanakila Outrigger Canoe Club. Based in King Harbor, the club brought outrigger racing to the South Bay and continues to celebrate Hawaiian traditions through community events and competition, further blending Redondo’s beach lifestyle with Pacific heritage.

Surf Music and National Fame (1963)

Redondo Beach reached national pop culture recognition in 1963 when the Beach Boys released “Surfin’ USA,” calling out Redondo and nearby Haggerty’s among the most iconic surf spots in America. This mention helped embed the city’s coastal identity into the national imagination and aligned it with the sound and spirit of 1960sSouthern California.