Hey y’all!

We hope you had a great week. Whether you were out in the sun or watching the Olympics and the NBA All-Star Events…we hope you were feeling the Valentine’s Day love. <3

OK, we admit. We’ve been keeping something from you. That something is a restaurant, in fact, it’s the restaurant that we chose to have our Rehearsal Dinner at in a couple months. We went back for Valentine’s Day dinner, and decided it was time to let you in on our favorite place…so, keep reading to find out what it is :)

Anywho…let’s get into this week’s newsletter.

Stories that caught our eye.

LA Coastline Could Become a National Park The National Park Service is studying whether the Santa Monica Bay coastline should be designated as a national park or recreation area, with a report expected in 2027.

Carson's Hidden Wetland Sanctuary Thrives Against the Odds Tucked in an industrial zone near the Harbor Freeway, the 17-acre Bixby Marsh shelters 110 plant species and 69 bird species—over 40% endangered—thanks to restoration efforts by LA County Sanitation Districts. Open monthly for tours and volunteers.

Redondo Beach Police Host Free Community Open House Join the RBPD on March 8, 2026 for a family-friendly afternoon featuring fire trucks, live music, food trucks, and fun activities for kids at their main station.

Hermosa Beach's Cypress District Gets a Mural Makeover Leadership Hermosa Beach is raising $20,000 for a 435-square-foot mural to spotlight the area's creative businesses and surfboard-shaping heritage. A fundraiser is set for March 7.

Hermosa Beach Celebrates Community Champions The Chamber of Commerce honored local standouts at The Lighthouse Cafe, with Jani Lange earning Person of the Year and SoHo Yoga taking home Best of Hermosa.

Waters Pushes Federal Ban on Refinery Chemical After Decade-Long Campaign Rep. Maxine Waters reintroduced legislation to prohibit hydrofluoric acid use at refineries nationwide, targeting two Southern California facilities that use the toxic chemical despite a 2015 explosion that nearly caused mass casualties.

Gray Wolf Spotted in LA County for First Time in a Century A 3-year-old female wolf named BEY03F traveled 500 miles searching for a mate, marking a historic moment for California wildlife recovery.

Torrance Pursues Millions in Grants for Parks and Public Safety The city has outlined four priority projects totaling $7.3 million, including El Nido and Columbia Park upgrades, emergency operations improvements, and a specialized medical rescue vehicle.

Things to do this week. Follow us on Instagram and on TikTok for more :)

Saturday-Sunday, February 21-22: Lunar New Year @ South Coast Botanic Garden PV Lion dancers, arts & crafts, and more celebrating the Year of the Horse (Read more)

Sunday, February 22: AAU Southern Pacific Grand Prix Series Come to the courts north of the Hermosa Pier to watch the Qualifying Round (Read more)

Sunday, February 22: Museums Free-for-all Day Dozens of SoCal institutions will offer free admission, spanning from Santa Barbara to Palm Springs. (Read more)

Sunday, February 22: Lunar New Year @ The Point ELS Festivities, performances, and more for the family. Plus, a special menu at Little Sister! (Read more)

Baleen Kitchen 260 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

On the waterfront at the Portofino Hotel, Baleen Kitchen is one of Redondo Beach’s most scenic dining spots. Surrounded by the boats in the harbor, Baleen is known for its New American cuisine with a seafood focus.

Baleen has been part of the South Bay’s culinary scene for more than a decade, sourcing many ingredients from local farmer’s markets. Its menu and ambiance have evolved over time to stay crowd-pleasing, and their latest renovations make it one of our favorite places for dinner.

The vibe is relaxed but refined; perfect for anything from sunset dinners to weekend brunch. The menu leans into seafood and comfort favorites with a twist, and changes often: think New England-style clam chowder, porkchop with cheesy grits, miso-glazed black cod, spicy tuna tacos, and fresh salads.

Handcrafted cocktails (and mocktails) are deliciously creative, with something for everyone…unless you want beer or wine :)

(Website)

Ginger’s Ice Cream 225 Main St, El Segundo, CA 90245

Ginger’s Divine Ice Cream is a Main Street gem that delivers big flavor in charming yellow cups, gifting us the feeling of a small-town setting. This locally-beloved shop is known for its ultra-creamy texture and 42 handcrafted flavors (alongside the classics).

Fan favorites range from cookies & cream and butter pecan to more unique seasonal picks…such as campfire marshmallow, lavender honeycomb, and many dairy-free options. You can keep it simple with a waffle cone or go all in with a sundae topped with house-made sauces.

It’s the perfect stop after dinner or during a sunny El Segundo stroll…sweet, nostalgic, and undeniably satisfying.

There are locations in Culver City and Beverly Grove, too!

(Website)

Winter decided to briefly remember we exist. Monday comes in dramatic — heavy rain, wind, and the kind of forecast language that makes you check your patio furniture twice. The middle of the week stays moody with off-and-on rain, breezy afternoons, and highs hovering in the low 60s.

It’s not Midwest blizzard energy…but for the South Bay? This is cinematic.

Then, right on schedule, by Friday the sun starts peeking out like nothing happened. Saturday looks solid, and by Sunday we’re casually pushing back into the 70s again. So yes, we get a few stormy main-character days, but by the weekend it’s back to sunglasses, beach walks, and pretending we endured something significant.

Question of the Week: Which South Bay High School did the original members of The Beach Boys (Brian, Carl, & Dennis Wilson, Mike Love, Al Jardine) attend?

A. Aviation/Mira Costa High

B. Hawthorne High

C. West Torrance High

D. Redondo Union High

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

Last week’s Question: How many breweries call Torrance, CA home? Answer: A. 11

Love Tonight by Shouse (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