Redondo Beach, California -- Sizzle on Land & Sea

Bring sunscreen. Redondo Beach and Redondo Beach Pier offer plenty to do year round for families, singles, couples and runners. Redondo Beach hosts summer wide free events so if you plan to be in Southern California this summer, check out these events.

A terrific range of free events, activities and entertainment will be held at the Pier, provided by the Redondo Beach Pier Association and Pier Merchants. Check out this sample; contact the chamber for a complete schedule. Don't forget the whale watch, which for me, became Dolphins at Sea.

Probably the most popular and well-known festival is The annual International Surf Festival, taking place in Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, with competitions in surfing, running, lifeguard dory races, sand soccer, bodysurfing, volleyball, paddleboard swimming and much more from July 31 to August 2.

Redondo Beach 7th Annual Chalk Art Festival & Live Music Saturday, August 22, Come out to Redondo Beach and see how the Redondo Beach Pier’s walkway becomes a veritable canvas on which all can create their own chalk art. The first 150 people to enter receive free chalk. The festival is FREE to the public and open to all ages. Individual and team prizes will be awarded in various categories

35th Annual Festival of the Kite, Sunday, March 8, one of Southern California’s best and longest-running kite festival sponsored by X-Kites. This year the festival will include a martial arts demonstration by Chambliss Taekwondo, live music on the pier and $500 in prizes will be awarded! Prizes for highest kite, youngest kite flyer, youngest at heart kite flyer, best hand-made kite, and best ground display and kite trivia contest winner. The day will end with a mass kite ascension flight.

6th Annual Yo-Yo Competition Sunday, March 8, will include a F.A.S.T. throw down, freestyle performance, most improved player, best trick, compulsories, longest sleeper and longest Buddha sleeper (world record set on the Redondo Pier last year at 16 minutes, 40 seconds beating the former record by over two minutes). In May, enjoy the Art & Jazz Festival May 2 - 3, and artisans and craftsmen displaying their works.
In June, it’s time for the Chopper Festival June 13 – 14, a celebration of motorcycles and motorcycle riding in America. This event will feature new and custom bikes on display backed by live rock n’ roll.

July offers The 2009 Summer of Music concerts on the Pier from July 4 through Labor Day Weekend, every Thursday & Saturday evening. Every show will bring music from the 50’s, Big Band, Blues, Country, Drum Circles, Island, Latin, Pop, Classic Rock and Surf. Don’t miss the artsy, fun 7th Annual Chalk Art Festival.

To see the complete schedule of events or to sign up, visit www.SurfFestival.org.

Catch up on local history at the Redondo Beach Historical Museum. Enjoy a show at the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center or see, touch, and learn about sea life at the SEA Lab.

For more information, contact www.redondopier.com or the Redondo Beach Chamber of Commerce, 310-376-6911, or visit www.redondochamber.org.