Im so glad I'm a sea tow member. I was on a friend's boat…read moreand lost steering.. Caption Kylie from Newport saved the day. My membership covered it. Paid for itself right then

Recently broke down 15 miles off shore between Catalina and Huntington Harbor on my boat and needed…read moreto be Towed into port.. Since I am a member of Sea Tow , I called on channel 16 on My marine radio to speak to a Sea Tow dispatcher. After a few minutes of talking to the dispatcher, I had a Tow vessel on its way to pick me up and take me into my port..Mac was the Sea Tow drive who took great care of me and my boat. Big thanks to Sea Tow and how professional they are...What a super value for their services....Thanks so Much

This ride is fun for kids, not for people who get motion sickness. The line wasn't too long and the…read moreride goes by fast so you end up not waiting as long as other rides.

This is like Disneyland's Teacups, so the more you spin the center wheel, the faster you will go!…read more This one is a good ride for our son and me because there is speed and you go around and around, but you're flat on the ground, not going into the air, and/ or rotating; not that we'd have a problem with that, either (it's a good thing we both don't have tummy issues; hubby always passes on this one). I was spinning it in the end, because the center wheel was a little too big for our son to handle. Some people went really fast because they never stopped spinning their wheel. And hubby told them he was getting dizzy just looking at them! This ride's a fun one!

I was so extremely nervous about my first triathlon! Well, as nervous as somebody who can't really…read morebike and skipped the information session for first time triathletes in lieu of hanging out with friends who were visiting can be. I went on yelp to find any tips or strategies for this particular race, but alas, I am on my own 10 hours before race time. Before the race: + Register early! Individual costs $90 and relay costs $130 six months before the race and the prices make their way up to $115 Individual/$185 relay. The relay teams consist of three people passing off the ankle timer to have each person compete in their strongest leg. + Swim clinic: An hour long session on all the info you need to compete in your first triathlon. Free, but a $12 USAT one-day membership fee is required for non-annual members. + Information sessions are available the day before the race for newbies. Triathlon 101 Clinic (30 minutes): "Learn more about the tools of the trade - a race day check list and the top 10 things that a triathlete should never leave home without" and Transition Clinic (30 minutes) "How to have a fun, safe and efficient T1 and T2 triathlon transition." + Emails/Website: The website is super informative (race course with street names) and the customer service line was very prompt (1 day) in returning my inquiry. Emails weren't needless, which was good because all three emails sent out were important, but I had to actually call to see if I was registered because I didn't get a confirmation email when I first registered. + Packet pick up: You can pick up the day before race day and attend the info session or you can pick up before race time. You and only you can pick up your packet. I would pick up on race day next time. + Parking: Street parking is free until 10am, or you can pay to park in the lots which are described to you in the emails. + Don't forget a towel! Make sure your bike tires are pumped. Yellow tag goes on your wrist and time chip goes on your ankle. Race day: + Set up: Your yellow tag allows you to get into the transition zone to set up your bike. Your left arm (bib number) and left leg (age) need to be marked. The front end is the best place to set up because everybody elses' bikes aren't all up in your space. Set out towel, running shoes and socks, and helmet. I wore my tri-suit under my wetsuit with my bib already pinned on it. Bananas and waters are served before the race. + Swim: Swims are set in waves and the provided caps are mandatory. So my cap color, the light pink, was wave 7, after all the men have gone. You are allowed to get in the water and do a few laps before your actual wave time. Should have been an easy swim but for some reason I kept hyperventilating if my head went under water. My body didn't think it was that cold, but my brain sure thought it was. + T1: Run from the water through the sand to the transition zone, towel off your feet and get into biking gear. Roll your bike out to the street past a white line before you can mount. Stay on right unless passing on left. - Bike: The bike course goes up Pier Ave, but the hill wasn't actually that bad. The course itself loops three times, and you will know when to turn down Pier Ave again when you've seen the BIG "3 laps" sign 3 times. The roads can get narrow on Ardmore so it will be hard to pass, and your bike number could possibly fall off so make sure you secure it somewhere you aren't hitting with your thighs. The cheerleading volunteers were dancing and singing to lift our spirits. My results tells me I took nearly an hour to bike 9 miles, fifth from last from the looks of the split times. When passing on left, yell "Left!" but I passed exactly zero people so I was on the right the whole time. Biking sucks! + T2: Dismount by white line and roll your bike back to your row and re-rack. Take off helmet and start running! + Run: Easy flat course that is made harder because your thighs are all beat up from biking. Water at mile 1 and a guy stands behind four orange cones at 1.5 miles and tells you to turn back. There are doggies to watch and normal people to pass by - not everybody on the course is racing. After the race: + Expo: There were 2 vendors, one for wetsuits and the other to promote another triathlon, a Longo team tent and tents giving out water, bananas, oranges, OREOS and shot blocs. + Awards: At 9:45am, but I ain't winning no awards with that bike time so I left. + Leaving transition zone: The volunteers will check your yellow tag with your bike number to make sure nobody else is leaving with your bike. My bike is old and lame, but I'm sure the ones with the tri bikes sure appreciate it! + Email: You get an email with your time and a link to see your splits and how you stack up. Overall this course is built for triathlon newbies who have no idea what they're doing because I and multiple others followed along pretty well. Will do again!

I had a friend sign me up for this tri as my first tri ever! I couldn't have been more ecstatic to…read moreget the first tri under my belt. Unfortunately, I immediately realized I had a conflict that weekend. Naturally, I called the headquarters (w/ in an hour of the purchase!) to see what they could do to help. The person I spoke with was rude, inconsiderate and left a horrible taste in my mouth. I even asked if they could apply this to the Malibu Tri in September at which point I was hung up on. I called again and was met with the same rude demeanor. MESP inc. and the Hermosa Day at the Beach Triathlon has deterred me from the triathlon and racing worlds. What a horrible way to end something that could have lasted a lifetime.

My friends and I joined the Southbay Cruiser's on 12/21 for their Holiday ride from the Hermosa…read moreBeach Pier to Candy Cane lane in Torrance. We showed up with our canned food and toy donations for the Richstone Family center and got a kick out of seeing the way the SBC's had gotten all decked out for the ride. There was a santa claus, a guy with Christmas lights on his tire spokes and a woman with a light up baby Christmas tree mounted on her head and others had decorated their bikes with tinsel. Before we knew it we were OFFFFFFFF heading south on the strand following John S. who was blaring a fun instrumental version of Wham's "Last Christmas I gave you my heart" on the boombox attached to this bike. We turned at 22nd St and rode down Hermosa Ave towards Redondo Beach and then cut on over to Torrance where we arrived at Candy Cane lane where we took a short Hot Chocolate and Water break as we enjoyed the festive lights and decorations of the neighborhoods. I was surprised by how nice everyone was and how much they all watched out for each other. When anyone would slow down and stragglers would fall behind one or two people would head back to check on them and at times the group even stopped to wait up. It was a wonderful holiday event for my girlfriends and I. We try to do something "Christmassy" every year. We enjoyed waving to people and wishing them a Merry Christmas. We encountered pedestrians, police officers, people on their balconies, honking cars... It was good clean FUN!

I've only been on one SBC ride. It was an AM ride on a cool and rainy morning…read more The cruisers are great people and John puts together a lot of rides for a good cause. I'll be sure to update when my fear of 'night riding' is conquered!

This place is awesome I've been going here almost 7 years this guy really cares other people like…read morethe one in Anaheim are all about the money! Robb and his son I really good people and they're passionate about anything jet, Sea-Doo Yamaha... Seriously, from a person that's gone here a lot it seems to me that the bad reviews are from people who probably wanted something for free or something unethical because them writing a bad review is just wrong,! I just can't believe those bad reviews! Maybe those people that wrote the bad reviews had somebody pee in their Cheerios or something! I know no business can make every customer happy but they had to have a negative attitude in the first place..Robb his son are awesome! These guys are cool to deal with!

If he would do what he charges for, he said he was going to rebuild 2 motors complete and he only…read moredid the top end and they blew just after I broke them in and his reply was you must of done something, my reply was no you did do something that rebuild complete like you were paid for

A fun way to spend some time with family on a nice peaceful stroll with the local community. Some…read morebooths and porta potties along the way. Kid stations and benches to rest. Parking available on Barranca and West Yale Loop

Big surprise and its a hidden gem? Right off the bat - i give this place a super strong 4.5 star…read more Things it lacks... benches, water fountains, bathrooms and a clear posting of the area. BUT... what it lacks in comfort, it truly makes up in accessibility- challenges - scenic beauty- and various entry and exit points- in turn, clean and directional postings are well marked and posted an in easy to read format. Grear for bikers! Great for walkers joggers and runners. The area is surrounded by enclaves of homes and divided nicely by small hills and trails. There are tralils that lead for miles in every direction. Others interconnect to major trails . In all, one can ride for hours and ride for 10 to 20 miles or more. I parked on los mares road via the south side. It's also interrelated with the prima Deshecha trail. That location has a dead end, with a small entry and posting of the trail with a map of the routes. Bring water, hills can be steep, and trails can be ample roads to small 1 ft trails. Enjoy and enjoy!

I have been telling my girlfriend about the World Famous Pumpkin Races for almost 2 years now,…read moreyesterday (10-28-2012) our schedules were finally right and we were able to go together. If you know about the Pumpkin Races chances are you are a local and know where to park, so no matter the crowd you will be able to find a spot to park your Beach cruiser, skateboard or your car. Imagine my surprise when I arrived at the World famous Pumpkin Races and attempted to check-in and there was no World Famous Pumpkin Races on Yelp, THE INJUSTICE, and THE SHAME. What do you need to know about the Pumpkin Races is that it is all about the South Bay and the South Bay lifestyle. I will try and describe it for you. The Pumpkin Races take place on a Manhattan Beach Blvd a large hill that leads towards the Manhattan Beach Pier. There is a pumpkin festival where you can go and experience everything pumpkin. You can visit stands of the Surf rider Foundation, Ice Cream, Pumpkin this or Pumpkin that, you can enter a pumpkin to race same day, you can decorate your pumpkin instead a small village dedicated to sprucing up your pumpkin. The rules are very simple. You must build a pumpkin with wheels and the base of the pumpkin has to be natural and able to support the getup that you build, you can decorate your pumpkin in any fashion you want. You cannot weigh you pumpkin down so it will go straight or faster because if you are caught cheating you pumpkin will be moved to a body chalk outline and a referee with a Gallagher sized mallet will come out and smash you pumpkin into 1,000 pieces as the crowd cheers. If you get caught pushing off at the start of the race again your will pumpkin will be given a death sentence. The goal of the pumpkin races is to have your pumpkin go about 75 feet and hit the barrier first in order to move onto the next round. The barrier is protected by referees holding padding to prevent your pumpkin from hitting the barriers at top pumpkin speed. The referees are great who run this. They keep the crowd entertained and cheering prompting a sing along and dancing. The pumpkin races have an area for children to race and for adults to race, it is all about the fun, the pumpkin, racing and South Bay living. If you are in the area next year make sure you stop by and check it out and support local South Bay businesses.

Some people carve pumpkins…read more Some people build cannons and catapults and launch them as far as they can. And then some people mount them on wheels and roll them downhill like it's a soapbox racer or an entrant in Bring Your Own Big Wheel. The good folks of Manhattan Beach are of the latter school. The Pumpkin Races are fun, more family-oriented. I would say it's a novelty just for the kids, but it's more a city tradition, as silly as it seems to outsiders. The official rules state that you must create a vehicle using one pumpkin and individual axles, no Tonka trucks or other store-bought chassis, no engines, pyrotechnics, or explosives. The pumpkins are released down hill with gravity doing all the work. No pushing allowed. Cheater vehicles get smash by the referee using a giant wooden mallet. Some people cheat almost specifically to get smashed or just because it's funny to see a pumpkin suddenly pop out booster rockets and propel down hill. They know they're not going to win, so why not have fun and let the mob chant, "Smash it! Smash it! Smash it!"