Hi, neighbors!

Football is back, leaves are changing (so we’ve heard), and Labor Day has passed…but here in the South Bay, “Local’s Summer” has just begun. Tourists are gone and we can enjoy our sunny beaches without the big crowds.

We took advantage of it this morning and grabbed a coffee on the strand before spotting a few small stingrays below the Hermosa Beach Pier. Never seen them before…have you???

Now for the fun part…

We have 4 tickets to the Angel City FC game on Thursday, September 18th at 7:30pm at BMO Stadium against the Washington Spirit…and you’ll be sitting 3 rows up from the field!!!

To enter for tickets, share this newsletter with a friend via the link below. Each referral is worth one entry. Winner will be announced next week :)

Stories that caught our eye.

Bishop Montgomery Forfeits Football Season Transfer students were found to be ineligible, and the school self-reported further violations. (Read more)

Thieves Cut Into Jewelry Store’s Roof and Steal Millions These crooks spent 10 hours in the South Bay Gold (Manhattan Beach) store on Labor Day…and escaped. (Read more)

Remembering 9/11 Gather at the Memorial on Hermosa’s Pier Ave for a solemn wreath laying ceremony. (Read more)

Things for you to participate in :)

Love & Salt 317 Manhattan Beach Boulevard, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266

Love & Salt lives by a beautiful philosophy that food needs only those two ingredients to be great. And honestly? They've cracked the code.

Nestled within the hustle of the Manhattan Beach pier, this Italian-inspired restaurant with California soul is what happens when decades of passion is poured into a gorgeous space.

Owner Sylvie Gabriele has created something magical: think house-made pasta that'll make you question everything you thought you knew about carbs, paired with wines that transport you straight to the Italian coast.

The atmosphere buzzes with energy (fair warning: it gets loud), and the service is warm and professional. Whether you're sharing small plates or diving into their signature dishes, every bite feels like a love letter to both Italian tradition and California innovation. We recommend the Wood Oven Meatballs appetizer and the Duck Egg Pizza!

(Website)

Java Man 157 Pier Ave, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254

Tucked into a charming 1920s bungalow, Java Man isn't just a coffee shop; it's practically a Hermosa Beach landmark where the community really comes together. This place has the same owner as Ocean Diner on Aviation…and they have been fueling locals and beach-goers for over 30 years.

The breakfast burritos are fire, and any drink from their massive menu is perfect for people-watching from their outdoor patio. The staff is incredibly friendly—stick around long enough and they'll remember your name and order before you even walk through the door!

Inside feels like hanging out in someone's cute beach cottage, complete with rotating local art on the walls and that perfect coffee-house buzz. Whether you're grabbing a quick caffeine fix on your way to the beach or settling in with your laptop (free WiFi!), Java Man delivers the authentic neighborhood vibe you just can't get at chain places.

Pro tips: Get the Iced White Mocha. Go on a Saturday morning for a Cinnamon Sugar Donut before they run out! The muffin and cake varieties are all dangerously good.

(Website)

Wake-ups still come with that signature “marine layer,” but here’s the kicker: this week actually feels like summer on the coast. Highs hang in the comfortable mid-70s to upper-70s (°F), AKA that perfect “t-shirt by day, hoodie by evening” range. I’m talking sunscreen meets sweater realness.

Soak it in, folks, this is “local summer” at its finest. Fog makes a polite appearance, the sun always shows up, and you’re not melting. Just maximum mellow with a side of subtle warmth.

The Los Angeles Chargers Football Team began in 1960. What year did they move to San Diego?

A. 1973

B. 1979

C. 1961

D. 1968

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

Last week’s Question: When did the “No White Clothes After Labor Day” rule originate? Answer: B. 1890s

Sunroof by Nicky Youre, dazy (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!

See you around town.

Your neighbors,

Sam & Lauren