Amusements

Since we moved here, and possibly since the dawn of time judging by the tone of letters into the Easy Reader and Daily Breeze, there have been debates about the future of Redondo pier. Locals are up in arms/vehemently in favour of a planned redevelopment, which replace a crumbling carpark and ugly pier with something altogether prettier.

The controversy around the redevelopment revolves around some very reasonable concerns - will there be enough parking, enough open space, enough access to the sea and views of the water, a place for the existing water users - paddle boarders and outriggers as well as yacht owners and fishing boats -  and so on.

Essentially the question is, will the character of the pier be retained? If by essential character they mean a proper old school slightly trashy day-at-the-beach flavour, I hope so. It's SoCal's answer to Whitby: incredibly fresh fish, snacks made entirely of coloured sugar, cheap thrills at the amusement arcade, and some old school bars. Old Tony's has been there since 1952, and I think hasn't redecorated in that time. But if it aint broke, don't fix it, and for a sunset beer with a sticky carpet underfoot it can't be beat. Quality Seafood at first glance is an oversized fish and chip shop, but they also sell great fish, and shellfish, not to mention sea urchin harvested in Santa Barbara. It was good enough for legendary LA chef and champion of street food, Roy Choi, so the crowds smashing crab on their concrete tables are in good company.  There are a couple of newer, not-so-trashy places to eat and drink too - King Harbor brewery for locally brewed, interesting beer, and A Basq Kitchen for legit Basque food.

But the essence of Redondo pier is fried food, sugary snacks and a trip around the amusements. P loves a lap around the amusement arcade, which is our first stop on the way to Quality Seafood. I give her four quarters to spend as she wishes and she takes four spins on an ancient carousel.

You'd think we'd leave after the money is spent, but it turns out she is just as happy pushing buttons and sitting in simulators which are flashing 'INSERT COINS TO PLAY' as she is on the 25c carousel. In fact, she is equally happy with the broken rides, or games, which have a piece of paper taped to the screen saying 'OUT OF ORDER'. The whole dark, decrepit place with its flashy lights and people who prefer being indoors when at the beach, just delights her.

Personally, I am always dying to get to get out of The Fun Factory. I like that it exists, but I don't want to be in there. It's creepy. Witness this old seesaw, which incidentally costs 25c to ride. Only in America would they find a way to monetize the seesaw.

I read recently that Old Tony's and Quality Seafood will be retained by the new owners, if the redevelopment goes ahead. But The Fun Factory was recently bought by the City, so the space can be given over to the shiny new 'mall by the sea' they have planned. If the redevelopment ever goes ahead, it could be curtains for the only mechanized seesaw left in the Western World.  P will be devastated to lose the amusements. However, I assume it'll be replaced by all manner of artisanal ice cream shops: ample consolation.

Potty-friendly piers

Spurred on by thoughts of reducing our environmental footprint (and not at all motivated by the fact little Shayla from the playground is already out of nappies, of course), we decided to potty train Lady P. I know it's a little early but she was up for it, once she realized how many stickers she could earn, and it was a fairly painless process.

But for a few days we didn't want to go more than ten minutes from home. Unless it was to somewhere we didn't mind whipping out the porta-potty in public. Roadtrips to Malibu, long brunches, and leisurely walks along the beach were all out.

Hence, an afternoon at Redondo Pier. Which is a ten minute drive, and also somewhere it is okay to pee in public. Redondo Pier - like the rest of Redondo - should be really nice. It probably was, once. And then the seventies happened. And the old storm-battered wooden fishing pier was replaced by a strange, concrete development, anchored by a multistorey carpark, with a pier in the shape of a horseshoe, some amusement arcades, and a fish market.

Even the outdoor tables have a TV

Oriental Breeze: hot dogs, french fries, funnel cakes, icecream...

...and sushi. And live fishing bait.

A pier staple since 1952, but the vibe today is pure 1980s, complete with bar tenders in tropical shirts and a building that looks like a crow's nest

Old school pier cuisine

Thai, Cajun, Whatever. This building is part of the carpark.

Carpark on top, fishmarket-cum-amusement arcade below

I'm being rude about it, and that's easy to do because it is so unfeasibly ugly. And yet, there are many redeeming features. The seafood market is one.

This place is also part of the carpark (in the background) and looks crappy

...but had a dozen types of live clam for sale

Not to mention live sea urchin for less than we paid for 2 pieces of nigiri last weekend

 There are also plenty of sweet fish themed murals, which delighted Lady P.

 It's a pretty nice place for a father-daughter stroll.

And best of all, no-one looked twice when we stopped, mid-pier, to use the potty. I suspect this is the first of many trips to our new favourite pier.