Hey neighbors!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

We enjoyed our time off over holiday break, but gosh, we missed you. 2025 was quite a year - we started taking this newsletter seriously, and we had the best time growing it with all of you.

2026 is off to a great start. We have a lot of fun ideas - some already in work - for our subscribers. Also, we are getting married in April! Safe to say this year will be eventful. :)

Now, let’s get to our regularly scheduled programming!

Stories that caught our eye.

Hermosa’s Year: E-Bike Debates, Coffee Closures & New Faces From e-bike controversies and Starbucks exits to a new city manager, Hermosa Beach experienced a year of major change.

Redondo Beach’s Year of Change saw new developments, leadership shifts, and key city debates shaping the waterfront and beyond.

Manhattan Beach Faces Loss, Growth, and Change in 2025 Tragedy, housing upheaval, and new leadership defined a year of transformation and resilience for the community.

Teens Write to Save the Blues El Segundo students launch a children’s book to support butterfly conservation efforts.

Hermosa Beach May Expand Vendor Choices Event organizers could soon have more freedom to select vendors for local events.

Manhattan Beach Greenlights Major Stormwater Project After heated debate, the city council approved a $28 million storm drain overhaul to curb ocean pollution.

Things for you to participate in. Follow us on Instagram and on TikTok for more :)

January 15: Paint a Glass at Proudly Serving HB Your ticket includes a specialty Duvel chalice glass to paint, a beer, and a cone of limited edition french fries. (Read more)

January 17: Stranger Things Roller Rink Event Pigeon’s Roller Rink in Long Beach is having a Stranger-Things-themed party from 5-10pm. (Read more)

January 18: Free Store in the Park Give what you can and take what you need at Alondra Park from 1-3pm (toiletries, food, adult & baby clothing). (Read more)

Rábano 2516 Pacific Coast Highway, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

If you're rolling down PCH and need fuel that's actually good for you (without tasting like cardboard), Rábano is your answer. Expect seriously fresh farm-to-table fare that jumps from Cuban to Korean to Mediterranean without missing a beat.

Think Chicken Curry Bowl, Korean pork belly tacos with kimchi, Lechón Cubano, and addictive Edamame Wontons. Folks rave about the sustainable ingredients, the epic Bohemian Raspberry fizzy soda, and how everything can be customized vegan, gluten-free, or vegetarian.

The vibe is modern industrial meets laid-back beach casual—grab-and-go friendly with kiosk ordering if you're in a rush, or settle in at a table and soak up the good energy. Whether you're post-workout, pre-beach, or just trying to eat like a functioning adult, Rábano delivers.

(Website)

Racer Tea 1611 South Catalina Avenue #103, Redondo Beach, CA, USA

If you're wandering Riviera Village and want something way cooler than your basic coffee shop, Racer Tea Bar is calling your name. Expect oat milk-based tea lattes using premium loose-leaf teas from around the world (think The Greaser, The Puff, and boozy-tasting mocktails with zero alcohol), plus açaí bowls, vegan scones, and hand pies locals call "the Louis Vuitton of pop-tarts." Folks rave about the bold flavors, the punk rock biker aesthetic complete with polaroid walls, and how the staff actually knows their tea.

This spot launched in 2020 when owner Chad Webber started slinging tea from a 1975 Dodge van during lockdown. What began as "Sunset and Tea" gatherings on the Esplanade grew into such a phenomenon that Chad opened this brick-and-mortar location. The guy simplified the overwhelming world of tea by curating only the best from each category, making it easy for anyone to find their new favorite drink.

The vibe is dark, moody, and unapologetically different; part retro dive bar, part creative hangout, totally pet-friendly. Whether you're a tea fanatic or just trying to skip the Starbucks routine, Racer Tea delivers something memorable every single time.

(Website)

This week feels like winter if winter took a chill pill. Expect plenty of sunny and pleasant days with highs mostly in the low-70s (around 73–78 °F) and overnight lows in the 50s. Perfect for that aggressive layering strategy: hoodie in the morning, SPF by the afternoon. Saturday even flirts with a 78 °F “maybe summer is just on vacation?” energy.

There’s no big rain drama in sight, and the pattern is dry and comfy. Classic South Bay winter where the biggest mystery is whether your coffee needs to be iced or hot. Inland will feel similar: cool mornings, mild afternoons, and plenty of sunshine to keep everyone outside pretending it’s spring cleaning weather.

Question of the Week: Which notorious surf gang was founded in the 1960s in the South Bay?

A. Lunada Bay Boys

B. 2nd Streeters

C. South Side Surfers

D. Los Portos

Need to phone a friend? Send this newsletter to them! (Here’s the link)

Last week’s Question: About how many real Christmas trees are sold annual in the US? Answer: D. 25-30 million

Fast Car by Tracy Chapman (Listen here)

That’s all for now, folks. It’s a new week in the greatest place on earth; don’t take it for granted!

Share this newsletter & we’ll see you around town.

Your neighbors,

Sam & Lauren