Redondo Beach, CA

Beachgoers in Redondo Beach will be able to see the pinky-sized sea creatures on the shore as they migrate to SoCal's warmer waters.

REDONDO BEACH, CA — The shores of Redondo Beach are overrun with hundreds of squishy jellyfish-like organisms known as Velella velella, or By-the-Wind Sailors, and marine biologists cautioned beachgoers against touching them.

What looks like one of these little creatures is actually a colony of hundreds of polyps that come together to form the By-the-Wind Sailors, according to Nona Reimer of Dana Wharf Sportfishing and Whale Watching. The organisms feed on algae and zooplankton in the water and are commonly eaten by ocean sunfish.

Manhattan Beach Roundhouse Aquarium Programs and Operations Director Melissa Wu said the onslaught of the creatures is normal around this time of year as they come to warmer waters. Wu said these incoming sailors are likely coming up north, and they have been reported in both Los Angeles and Orange County waters.

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“They don’t come into shore a lot, so it’s cool when we see them,” Wu said.

Related to jellyfish and Portuguese Man O’War, By-the-Wind Sailors also have stinging cells, though the ones washing ashore aren’t as potent to humans as they could be, according to Wu.

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Though marine biologists don’t recommend touching or picking up the pinky-sized organisms, Wu said their stinging cells won’t be as strong if they’re seen on the beach. Wu said as they wash ashore, the organisms fire their stinging cells until they eventually run out.

“Once they beach themselves they start to die,” Wu said. “As they’re dying they’re not regenerating those stinging cells.”

The little creatures are classified as hydrozoans, a subgroup of cnidarians, and are most often pelagic, meaning they tend to reside in the open sea. More commonly, the wind-riders are found in the more tropical waters of Baja California.

Because of their size, the By-the-Wind Sailors are at the mercy of the winds and tides as they move around in the water, Reimer said.

If you happen across one of the By-the-Wind Sailors, Wu said it’s best to report them to lifeguards and leave them be. Reimer said it’s okay to hold them by the sails on top of the creature but to avoid touching the stinging tentacles at the bottom of the organism.

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REDONDO BEACH, CA — Weather experts are predicting another wet weekend ahead as rain from another atmospheric river hitting Northern California is expected to sprinkle over Redondo Beach after Thursday night.

In comparison to more recent storms in the city, this rainstorm is predicted to be much weaker and also warmer as temperatures start to climb up about four to eight degrees according to the National Weather Service.

In Redondo Beach, there is a 94 percent chance of rain on Friday with a high of 58 degrees, but dryer and warmer conditions in the low-60s are expected to follow on Saturday and Sunday.

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"This will be a much warmer system with snow levels rising to at least 8000 ft which would greatly increase the risk of flooding as snow melt would combine with the heavy rain," NWS said.

For months now, Los Angeles County has been pelted with heavy precipitation and, more recently, snow in some areas. According to the National Weather Service, this winter has been the county's 11th wettest since records began in 1877.

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Over the last three months, Downtown L.A. has gotten 17.71 inches of rain. The county's wettest winter was recorded in 2004-2005 with L.A. seeing more than 29 inches of rain, NWS said.

Additionally, the past three months in Los Angeles have had the coolest winter temperatures since the winter of 1978-79 with an average daytime temperature of about 65 degrees.

With all the rainfall, the county's drought conditions have significantly improved. Before the rain began in December, Much of the county was classified to be in a severe drought, with some eastern areas of the county experiencing dryer conditions.

After the dramatic rainstorms, including the atmospheric river that hit the county at the very start of 2023, the whole county has seen drought conditions drastically improve with areas in the Santa Monica Mountains classified as having little to no drought.

"The stormy pattern this winter hasn't only put a dent in the drought, it will eliminate it by the time spring evolves into summer," AccuWeather Chief On-Air Meteorologist Bernie Rayno said.

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Redondo Beach's first-ever community garden is set to open soon, and applications for the 26 garden plots are now open to Redondo Beach residents through May 13, according to the South Bay Parkland Conservancy.

The idea to create the garden started in the summer of 2020 in light of challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic, SBPC said. Residents formed a group after recognizing the importance of growing their own food to ensure food security for families and individuals.

"The interest in gardening, and growing your own food really grew in the last few years," said Angela Klipp, SBPC Board Member and Garden lead. “We’re honored and passionate about bringing the option to grow your own food, practice sustainable and healthy living and continue building a thriving community in Redondo Beach.”

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The resident group reached out to the SBPC and from there, the conservancy got in touch with the city to make the dream a reality. The community garden is a collaboration between SBPC and the city and will be managed by the SBPC.

Each plot in the garden at 715 Julia Ave. is 4 feet by 8 feet and will be made available through a lottery system that will take place on May 14. There will be 26 plots available for individuals with one reserved for the community giveaway, according to SBPC.

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“We’re so excited to bring the opportunity to grow your own food to the residents of Redondo Beach,” said Jim Light, president of SBPC. “It’s been a special collaboration with the city of Redondo Beach and we’re excited to see this community project become a reality.”

In addition to the plots, the garden includes fruit trees and pollinator plants around the perimeter as well as an educational space for events and the SBPC's compost program. Plots go for $120 per year and non-plot memberships cost $35 per year.

Proof of residency is required to apply and only one application can be submitted per household. Plots are leased for a one-year duration with the opportunity to renew once for a two-year lease limit.

After the initial lottery, those who aren't assigned a plot will be put on a waitlist and open plots will be assigned to the top of the waitlist as they are vacated. Applications can be submitted online.

The community garden will also hold two workday opportunities on April 29 and 30 to increase lottery chances, according to the SBPC. Those who are interested in helping prepare walkways and leveling the hillside have the opportunity to earn an extra entry in the plot lottery, officials said.

Work will start at 8 a.m. and go until 12 p.m. and water and gloves will be provided. To sign up to help during the workdays, visit this link.

REDONDO BEACH, CA - Recent rains could mean a more flexible water budget for Redondo Beach as state authorities announced increased water deliveries throughout California.

The state will allocate additional water deliveries to some 29 public water agencies, delivering 30 percent of requested water supplies after initially projecting only five percent delivery.

“The allocation increase is the direct result of extreme weather in late December and nine atmospheric rivers in early January that helped fill reservoirs and dramatically increase the Sierra Nevada snowpack. The SWP’s two largest reservoirs (Oroville and San Luis) have gained a combined 1.62 million acre-feet of water in storage - roughly enough to provide water to 5.6 million households for a year,” the California Department of Water Resources said in a statement.

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The areas receiving additional water allocations include the Bay Area, central coast, San Joaquin Valley and Southern California, including the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, according to Maggie Macias, a representative of the California Department of Water Resources.

Many Los Angeles area water districts have enforced strict water restrictions to handle persistent drought conditions. Most of Los Angeles County was considered to be in a “moderate” drought, with some areas experiencing slightly better and worse drought conditions as of Thursday, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor.

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But the county has fared worse in recent months. Angelenos were tasked with reducing water usage by 30 percent with penalties on excessive water use. The Los Angeles County Waterworks District continues to enforce two-day-per-week outdoor yard and lawn watering restrictions, with watering prohibited everyday between 10 a.m. and 6 p.m.

Parts of Los Angeles have seen even stricter guidelines, including the Las Virgenes Municipal Water District covering Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills and parts of Malibu. These areas face penalties beyond one-day-per-week outdoor watering.

Outdoor watering for Redondo Beach residents is limited to two days a week between 6 p.m. and 8 a.m., according to West Basin Municipal Water District's website. Residents with addresses ending in even numbers water on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and residents with addresses ending in odd numbers water Wednesdays and Sundays.

Despite the promising rains, the state department cautioned Angelenos that the drought is still far from over.

“While recent storms have been impressive, two months remain in the wet season and California could see a return to warm and dry conditions prior to April 1. Californians should continue to use water wisely to help the state adapt to a hotter, drier future and the possible return of drought,” the California Department of Water Resources said.

If you're looking to pursue higher education, you might want to consider studying in Redondo Beach, California, and its surrounding areas. With several top-notch colleges and universities, you're sure to find a school that caters to your needs and preferences. In this article, we'll list some of the best colleges near Redondo Beach, California, including their addresses, unique features, and historical backgrounds.

16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90506 (3 miles from Redondo Beach)

El Camino College is a public community college located in Torrance, California, just a few miles away from Redondo Beach. The school offers a wide range of programs, including transfer, vocational, and basic skills courses. It's known for its excellent transfer rates to UC and CSU schools, as well as its top-notch athletics program. If you're looking for an affordable and accessible college with a strong academic reputation, El Camino College might be the right choice for you.

1 LMU Dr, Los Angeles, CA 90045 (9 miles from Redondo Beach)

Loyola Marymount University is a private Jesuit research university located in Los Angeles, California. Although it's a bit farther away from Redondo Beach, the school's excellent reputation and beautiful campus make it worth the commute. LMU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including business, communication, engineering, and film. The school is also known for its commitment to social justice and service, with a strong emphasis on ethics and values.

1000 E Victoria St, Carson, CA 90747 (10 miles from Redondo Beach)

California State University, Dominguez Hills is a public university located in Carson, California, just a short drive from Redondo Beach. The school offers a diverse range of programs, including business, education, nursing, and psychology. It's known for its commitment to student success, with a focus on experiential learning and community engagement. If you're looking for a school that values hands-on experience and practical skills, CSUDH might be the right choice for you.

3551 Trousdale Pkwy, Los Angeles, CA 90089 (18 miles from Redondo Beach)

The University of Southern California is a private research university located in Los Angeles, California, a bit farther away from Redondo Beach. However, the school's prestigious reputation and academic excellence make it worth considering. USC offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs, including business, engineering, law, medicine, and public policy. It's also known for its strong emphasis on innovation and entrepreneurship, with many opportunities for students to collaborate with industry leaders and start their own ventures.

In conclusion, there are several top-notch colleges near Redondo Beach, California, that offer excellent academic programs, diverse student communities, and unique campus cultures. Whether you're looking for a community college, a private university, or a public research institution, you're sure to find a school that meets your needs and preferences. So, take some time to explore your options and find the college that's right for you.