If you love to hunt down fun, funky shopping neighborhoods where the mood is as unique as the merchandise, you’ll love Riviera Village in Redondo Beach, CA. Beach eclectic at its best, the quaint village houses a hodge-podge of upscale casual clothiers, bargain boutiques, gift stores and sidewalk cafes, mixed right in with the neighborhood liquor store, deli and pizza joint. Say “hello” and yield the sidewalk to the occasional Hawaiian-shirted local walking a dog or riding a bike. And enjoy the search for great, original clothing, art and home décor in independent stores tended by owners who welcome you without pretense or pressure.
How To Get There
Riviera Village occupies six blocks in the seaside town of Redondo Beach, twenty miles south of Los Angeles. Off of the 405 Freeway, take the Hawthorne Blvd. exit and head south for 3.2 miles. Turn right at Torrance Blvd. and then left at Palos Verdes Blvd. In 2.1 miles, turn right at South Catalina Blvd. Main drag South Catalina is a wide, tree-lined street just two blocks from the beach with convenient metered street parking.
Clothing
Friendly customer service and unique merchandise are what set apart the boutiques of Riviera Village from average mall stores. If you need help putting together an outfit, this is a great place to shop. Start on the south end of Catalina at Ribbons, my favorite boutique in the village. For 30 years, Ribbons has sold unique, bargain-priced women’s clothing and accessories minus the attitude that you find in high-end boutiques. Great deals here: the fun costume jewelry and handbags. When you compare the prices and quality of clothing here to that of other women’s shops in the village, this may be your hands down favorite. A few doors down from Ribbons is Threads for Men, carrying high-end casual clothing labels like Tommy Bahama and Nat Nast. Best things here: great Hawaiian shirts and classy-looking, beach-themed souvenir t-shirts. Lisa Z is a women’s boutique with casual clothes and shoes. Prices are higher than Ribbons, though not through the roof. I love the beautiful displays that inspire head-to-toe outfit ideas. Lisa Z carries shoes and jewelry, too. Alandrea offers a great selection of premium women’s denim, casual tops from designers like Splendid and Michael Stars, plus work and party appropriate dresses. If you’re looking for a gift for a newborn, children’s boutique Lollipop (www.lollipopredondobeach.com) features cute and cozy designer clothing mostly for infants and toddlers, with a small section of older kid’s sizes, too.
Home and Garden
Beach and sea-themed decorations are particularly popular in village shops, along with other unique items for the home. Fowler and Moore At Home (www.fowlerandmoore.com), run by a friendly pair of local decorators, offers furniture, accessories and gifts plus interior design services. Stop here for a nice, inexpensive selection of seasonal decorations, particularly at Christmas. For a completely different feel, head to Harmony Works (www.harmony-works.com) for its collection of eco-friendly, brightly colored original art works for the garden and home. Relax into the local vibe and head up the meandering garden path to The Village Garden (www.redondovillagegarden.com). A friendly dog or cat will probably greet you before the local couple who runs this eclectic spot has a chance to. The Village Garden is just that: an outdoor garden space filled with fountains, wind chimes and surfboard garden art. Check out the flip-flips on the wall as you exit. A pair of local jewelry and furniture designers runs Fringe Home Furnishings Boutique. The store offers one-of-a kind furnishings, gifts and jewelry. My favorites: crucifixes made from driftwood and decorated with seashells, and lovely mermaid doorstops.
Cafes and Restaurants
You’ll be drawn to the bright yellow Yellow Vase Café (www.yellow-vase.com), a combination café/bakery with a small flower shop attached. Check out the pretty cupcakes on display inside and head out to a sidewalk table for a Panini and salad. Or opt for the large covered patio at Tapas and Vino, and enjoy lentil and chorizo soup or a baked pear salad. Across the street are a number of other casual sidewalk cafes including Crème de la Crepe and Redondo Beach Brewing Co. In the evening, nothing beats one of the South Bay’s most acclaimed restaurants, Chez Melange, on the north end of the Riviera Village strip on Catalina Blvd. You can find more information and addresses for all of the stores in Riviera Village at www.ishopredondo.com.