Overview
Redondo Beach is a coastal city in Los Angeles County, California. It is popular for its year-round warmth, nearby greenspaces, and local golf courses. With numerous beaches, local farmers markets, and high-end shopping centers, Redondo Beach has become an in-demand retirement destination.
Climate & Geography
Redondo Beach has a coastal Mediterranean climate. Temperatures are pleasant throughout the year, generally ranging between the 60s and 70s. Sea breezes help moderate extreme summer heat, and the Santa Ana Winds help keep winters warm. There is only 14 inches of rainfall throughout the year.
Redondo Beach is divided into its north and south neighborhoods. Downtown Los Angeles and Santa Monica are both approximately a half-hour away.
Recreation, Culture, & Entertainment
With much of the city located on the coast, there is plenty of water recreation available in Redondo Beach. Veterans Park, Hermosa Beach Pier, and Hopkins Wilderness Park offer trails, nature walks, and beachside activities. For more intense hiking, residents can head 45 north to Topanga State Park. There are also a number of golf courses and clubs throughout the area, including the South Bay Golf Club and Sea-Aire Golf Course.
For shopping, dining, and entertainment, residents head to Redondo Beach Pier. It is famous for its high-end boutiques and gourmet eateries with waterfront views. Riviera Village is another large shopping center that hosts a weekly farmers market and has live music on Friday nights. Retirees also enjoy several small museums and breweries scattered throughout the city.
For even more entertainment and designer shops, Los Angeles and Santa Monica are only a half-hour away.
Cost of Living & Taxes
The overall cost of living in Redondo Beach is higher than both the state and national average. Steep housing prices are the main reason for this, followed by high transportation costs.
California does not tax Social Security or Railroad Retirement benefits, but all other forms of retirement income are fully taxed. Property taxes are below average, and the state offers a homeowner's exemption. Sales taxes are above average.
Health Care
The Los Angeles metro area ranks in the top 45 communities on Gallup's Well-Being Index.
Though there are no hospitals in Redondo Beach, there are two in neighboring Torrance. These include Providence Little Company of Mary Medical Center Torrance, which is rated high performing by U.S. News, and Torrance Memorial Medical Center, which is nationally ranked.