Wow! A beautiful and intriguing fountain in the middle of a small parking lot…read more The mermaids are in a peculiar stance and doing special things with their hands. Don't remember too much of those poses/statues in high school history classes.

Dec. 2011 review update:…read more I'm obsessed with this fountain. I might need an intervention. I'm in Malaga Cove Plaza every couple days: post office, market, coffee shop, cafes, gift shop, newspapers....recently I was there to get my hair done. I got to Malaga 40 min early so I could check out fountain photo ops. I was almost late for my appt.. Two hours later, hair cut & colored, I'm back at the fountain waiting for sunset. I was freezing. I was hungry. Should've gone potty before I left the salon but was in a hurry to get back to the fountain....(TMI, apologies). Sometimes in the plaza I avoid looking at the fountain. Resist. Don't take that first pic, you'll be hooked. A couple times they shut off the fountain's water & I felt a sense of panic. Withdrawal symptoms. I never check-in here. People will get wise. She's at the fountain again. Complete transparency: I haven't posted all the pics I've taken, not even close. It's embarrassing. This has been going on for 8 years. I'm exhausted. That Beach Boys song, "Help Me Rhonda", plays in my head but I altered the words: Help me Neptune Help, help me Neptune Help me get him out of my head. I've seen a lot of beautiful fountains in my day (e.g., Chicago's landmark Buckingham Fountain) but none so captivating as this one. It's got me. And there are no barriers here to keep people at a distance. It's so easy to use the sky as a photo backdrop, as water squirts & drips from every cherub, mermaid & dolphin orifice. Flowering trees surround the fountain in late winter/early spring. And Neptune, the star of the show, appears to reach for clouds & contrails. Sometimes it looks as if they emanate from his giant hand. He's powerful. I'm smitten. Another Yelper managed to capture Neptune holding the moon, well done. And then there's that pic where the stature is purple, captioned "photo class". Creative. And btw....about that fig leaf: Originally Neptune was not wearing one, which apparently caused a bit of an uproar as did the topless mermaids which remain. I'm guessing that today, almost a hundred years later, there'd be an even bigger uproar over a completely naked Neptune in the middle of a parking lot. So we've got half-nekkid Nept with the girls spraying water from their bosoms & a crazy lady taking pictures & everybody's just doin' their thing. A glimmer of hope: I'm not tempted to take photos when it's raining. Yet. But whoa, what interesting shots those could be. Uh oh

Review #979 2026-045…read more Torrance Crossroads is located on the busy corners of Crenshaw & Lomita Blvds., & Skypark Dr. There's a huge beautifully decorated water fountain on the northeast corner/street intersection. Known for its Northern Italian architectural style, this 478K sq. ft. outdoor shopping center features 40+ restaurants & businesses that's anchored by Vons, Sam's Club, The Home Depot, HomeGoods, & Petco. Tenants (non-exhaustive list): AFC Urgent Care Torrance Arrowhead Credit Union BobaHi Chicken Maison Chipotle Mexican Grill Crumbl Essence of Healing Spa Ferry Donuts First Digital Surveillance Flame Broiler Gen Korean BBQ House Ginza AYCE Sushi Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ HomeGoods IHOP In-N-Out Jersey Mike's Subs Kitchen Sodam L&L Hawaiian BBQ ON + ON Fresh Korean Kitchen Perspektiv Petco PGA Tour Superstore Philly's Best Pick Up Stix PostalAnnex+ Sam's Club Starbucks Subway The Home Depot Upon Thai Kitchen Vons Wells Fargo I typically eat or pick-up takeout at Torrance Crossroads, mostly at In & Out, L&L Hawaiian BBQ, Chipotle, & BobaHi, & have dined at most of the remaining restaurants at least a couple of times. I used to shop at Vons a lot & have been a valued member since the early 1990s, though I've been going to specialty & discount outlets lately for budget-friendlier prices. Our fur babies keep us occupied at Petco, & sometimes we enjoy stopping by when they're holding pet adoption days; we also shop at HomeGoods for their cat toys & accessories. And lastly, my 10 YO son needed a PVC pipe from Home Depot to protect his sabre. Traffic gets a little crazy when entering on Lomita Blvd. to Sam's Club or the main center, or the driveway next to In & Out. There's plenty of parking but it gets crowded, particularly during lunch/dinner rush, especially near In & Out. The center lot near Vons usually has more openings except on weekends & after work during weekdays. If I can't find what I need at Torrance Crossroads, it's just a hop, skip, & a jump away from 2 outdoor shopping centers: Rolling Hills Plaza (refer to Review #817) & Torrance Towne Center (refer to Review #978).

Variety of shops and restaurants, lots of parking, plaza can get busy especially during lunch and…read moredinner hours.

Great views! Can't lose coming here and taking a few pictures for posterity. Make sure to bring a…read morejacket just in case the weather is cold though.

This location is noted on maps as "Scenic Outlook - Vista Point" but we just call it the Hawthorne…read moreOverlook. Considering the light traffic in the area, the spot is as popular as one would expect...i.e., not crowded. It must be accessed going uphill on Hawthorne due to the median. Heading up, the overlook is steps before the stoplight at Vallon Drive. There's room for about 5 cars in the turnout (no meters). There's also a bus stop (bus line 344) but in more than a decade I've never seen a bus. No overnight parking is allowed - from 10pm-5am. The overlook has one bench, that's it. But people pull over to take in the panoramic views often without getting out of their cars: Terranea Resort far below, Catalina offshore, protruding peninsulas to the south. You'll sometimes see a red-tailed hawk circling around. And when yellow wild mustard covers the surrounding hills in early spring, hang onto your hat. The view is dramatic in any weather conditions, including fog. Sunrise, sunset, clear days, overcast days.....the changes in the landscape & sky are the enticing draw. Easy to understand why I take this "scenic route" when driving up the hill to do errands. I've never not been able to pull over & park - people don't stay long, just long enough to snap a few photos/videos. A couple days ago the view was so stunning that a lady pulled her car in behind me & jumped out so fast with camera she left her car door wide open. I'm so glad this overlook exists because there's really no other place to park on this stretch of Hawthorne offering unobstructed views. So if you're driving up or down the coast, take a minute (literally) to go up Hawthorne to check it out. The rugged beauty of the Palos Verdes Peninsula coastline is truly breathtaking. I'm completely in love with this magical area.

Why does it take years and moving away to actual experience places that's been there for a while. A…read morenice sunny afternoon driving around and seeing what's there to offer. Plus it's been decades since I was last around this area. There's so many stops along the way during our drive which this was the first along the path. It's a nice decent size park that it part of. A good amount of parking in the lot next to the basketball courts. Right along the bell is a massive grassy knoll where people were enjoying picnics and laying out. Of course today was beautiful but it was quite windy. Didn't help that the park was little higher than the rest so it made the wind a bit more aggressive. The focal point, the massive bell. With a walkway that leads you to the prize possession. Right in the middle looking out to the Pacific Ocean, she sits there on full display. The bright beautiful color of the details painted was a sight to see. Stairs leading up to the bell where you could walk around. It is roped off. Regardless whatever side you're looking at, it's was quite amazing. Something like this on a hill that's part of the city. If you walk down the grassy knoll, the view of the pacific ocean and cliffs were spectacular. Having a seat and just taking it all in was nice. It was windy so it did get cold but on a nice sunny and clear day, you could see miles and miles of the coastline and tide pools. These little hidden spots in the city are cute when you find them. There's also a little playground around the corner from the bell by the exit and entrance.

If you haven't been to the Korean Bell of Friendship, you're missing out on a hidden gem in the…read moreSouth Bay. It is a symbol of friendship and community not just to South Korea, but Koreans living in United States. It is also a beautiful landmark surrounded by the cliffside vista of the Pacific Ocean below. There is also a basketball court nearby and a good amount of picnic grounds. It can get pretty windy and cold here, so be sure to come prepared for both!

Recently stopped by here about a year after trying it for the first time…read more I have to say, Pasta Stories really stepped up their game in terms of serving time! The first time I ate here, it took maybe 20-25 minutes for me to get my food. This time, I had my food in around 10 minutes. I was very impressed with this big decrease in wait time. This time I tried the new Hokkaido cream pasta, which tasted super fresh and made to order. The cream was warm and rich without feeling over the top like some other cream-based pasta sauces from Italian/American places. I liked the addition of spinach and mushrooms as well. The restaurant is in a food court with a few other options, and a decent amount of seating. It's also inside of a grocery store, so if you're with a picky group, everyone could theoretically order something different and eat together. I remember I was a little put off by the anime branding of the restaurant at first (it seemed a little childish to me) but Pasta Stories is really a solid wafu pasta place, and I love that they focus on different regional flavors of Japan. Prices are very affordable as well, with most pastas being around $15 and under.

For a cost friendly meal, the expectation in quality generally tends to be low but Pasta Stories is…read morethe exception. With meals ranging from $10-$17, there is something for everyone. I personally have tried the following: Hokkaido Cream Pasta (newest addition as of late) Fukuoka Mentaiko Butter Pasta Kyoto Matcha Cream Pasta (one of my favorite dishes here - pair with salmon for a strong, umami flavor profile) Iwate Triple Mushroom Pasta Okinawa Pork Ragu Spaghetti (THE number 1 pick, however was not on the menu when I visited last) Osaka American Wagyu Meat Sauce There is a strong attention to Japanese flavors fusing with traditional Italian pasta dishes and are all made with love and care. I always recommend this place to friends and family, I can't get enough of it!

We had as one of our final destinations, the WALKING PATHS AND CANALS of Venice, CA!!!…read more We are sure glad that we did. It was spectacular!!! It was like stepping into another world, with all of the water ways and bridges. In addition, there were the most amazing houses lining the canals. I know that it was in the movie VALENTINE'S DAY. I felt like Ashton Kutcher, delivering flowers. We walked around for about 30 Minutes, down one walkway, down another. THEN OVER THE VERY CUTE BRIDGES!!!

Recently: February 23, 2026 | Venice Beach | The Venice Canals are dreamy, peaceful & filled with…read moregorgeous scenery at every turn or over every bridge taken! It's always fun walking around and exploring the wonderful creativity, as well as vibrant nature simply existing, all around! Fragrant Flowers | Each time I wander around the Venice Canals, I always seem to discover a colorful, new flower, often times quite fragrant, which catches my eye! The Birds of Paradise always makes my day, as it's one of my favorites, standing proudly, in its exotic glory! Connected | It's always fun, walking over the different bridges and taking in the scenery & sights along the way! You may spot people going for a walk, others walking their dogs, some taking photos and are simply enjoying the moment while walking! Personality Plus | It's exciting seeing a variety of colorful homes, with each having a personality of their own! Whether big or small, the details seems to tell a different story, reflective of the owner/renter and how they naturally stand out on their own! Sightings | While out & about, I often see cute little dogs walking around alongside their friendly owners! On some occasions, it makes my day to spot a stroller and the excitement of seeing that there are actually dogs inside! Haha! You may see ducks walking around together along the walkways, or swimming around, peacefully! While the walkways are for pedestrians only, you might even see cars driving over the vehicular bridges! Festive | The Venice Canals definitely know how to ring in the holidays! I'm grateful to experience the festivities inside of some of the homes with friends, as well as attending fun holiday boat parades(open to the public!), and events on the canals! Holiday cheer and neighborly camaraderie seems to flow with good vibes from beginning to end! Flutter By | It always makes my day whenever I see a pretty colorful butterfly flying by during my walk! Note | I usually walk through the canals during the morning/daytime and if at night, during a celebration where there are many people out and about! Overall | I absolutely love walking through Canals! I'm in incredibly grateful that they are nearby, walking distance, and a hop, skip & a jump away! I highly recommend and of course, be respectful of the people living there! Good vibes throughout as well as beautiful scenery keeps me coming back for more!

The skinny House was a short drive from Phnom Penh Noodle Shack and because parking was impossible…read moreone of us jumped out to take these photos. This skinny house was listed in the Guinness Book of World Records and also featured on Ripley's Believe It or Not. No signs posted just a marker in Google Maps. It was built on a tiny plot of land that was given as a debt repayment. The original owner built the house to collect on a bet. Per Redfin, the house is a 2 bedroom and 1 bath with roughly 860 sqft.spread out over the three floors. A permanent tiny home. The home was still privately owned so this was a quick photo shoot of the outside but really only worth it if in the area. Still something quirky to see and read about during our latest SoCal trip.

A slender, slim and, dare I say, skinny house located on the famed Eastside of Long Beach...pretty…read moreawesome place to drive by and check out, if you're ever in the area. Skinny House is literally that- a very skinny house located on the corner of 7th and Gladys Ave in Long Beach. You'll almost always see people driving or walking by to take a few snapshots of it. I couldn't believe how skinny it was the first time I drove by it. It is in a residential area, so it's best to either drive by or walk by it. Good luck finding parking here...as anyone will tell you, we'll, those who are from Long Beach...as it is impossible to find a parking spot anywhere in this city! So yeah, check this place out whenever you want. Pretty cool landmark...one of many in Long Beach. Beats the heck out of me if anyone lives in it! I can only imagine the possibilities...

Park at abalone cove shoreline park…read more Parking opens 9am. Cost 12 dollars for 2 hours. Super scenic hike as you loop through the beach and up the hills. Recommend you bring some water shoes if you want to go look at the tide pools. The park benches are clean.

California has so many great places to hike and this is one of the nicest trails out there. We…read morestarted at Del Cerro Park and hiked down to the beach just east of Inspiration Point using the Archery Coastal trail. The hike wasn't difficult as the cool ocean breeze helped keep the temperature down. Our watch showed almost a 7 mile roundtrip route.

Greatest food in town prices are in the line of area restaurants serving up same foodsread more

My wife and I came in about two weeks ago during a really difficult time in our lives. It had been…read morehard getting her out of the house, so I wanted to make sure she had a genuinely great experience. From the moment we arrived, the service was amazing, but what truly stood out was manager Jenifer. My wife has several allergies, and Jenifer went above and beyond to make sure she felt comfortable, safe, and taken care of throughout the entire visit. She took the time to personally check on her, chat with her, and make her feel seen instead of just treated like another table. The biggest thing for me was seeing my wife smile again, and Jennifer played a huge part in that. Because of her kindness and care, this dinner became more than just going out to eat for us. Even now, my wife still talks about wanting to go back and see Jennifer again. We'll absolutely be returning to this location, and I truly hope her efforts are recognized because she made a lasting impact on us.

Beautiful and iconic spot along the Southern California coast. The views from the pier are great,…read morewhether you visit during the day with clear ocean horizons or at night when the coastline lights up on both sides. On a clear day, you can see Palos Verdes Peninsula in one direction and the Malibu coastline in the other. The surrounding promenade is lively and well-maintained, perfect for a walk, bike ride, or just relaxing by the beach. There are plenty of great restaurants, cafés, and shops nearby, making it easy to turn a simple visit into a full afternoon or evening outing. Parking can be a bit tricky, especially during busy times. There are metered spots available, along with nearby lots and street parking if you're willing to walk a bit. The pier itself is also home to the Roundhouse Aquarium at the end. Dogs are not allowed on the pier.

I had such a relaxing time at the Manhattan Beach Pier while visiting California. It was one of…read morethose simple moments that just felt good. The little aquarium at the end was small but really cute, and it's free (I LOVE free!!). Nothing over the top, just an easy stop while you're out there. The pier itself has plenty of room to walk or sit and zone out a bit. I spent some time just leaning on the railing, reading a few pages of my book, and taking in the ocean. I even spotted dolphins in the distance, which honestly made my day. Watching surfers paddle out toward the waves...and in the direction of the dolphins... it felt like such a classic California scene. I left feeling lighter than when I arrived for sure!