Hawthorne Plaza’s California history. Development and Opening (1969-1977):Â The Hawthorne Plaza, Los Angeles County’s 32nd mall, opened in 1977 after a period of planning and construction beginning in 1969. Initially conceived as an open-air complex, it was redesigned as a fully enclosed mall, featuring 835,000 leasable square feet, 130 stores, and three anchor stores (Broadway, Montgomery Ward, and JCPenney). Early Success and Decline (1977-1990s):Â While initially popular, the mall experienced a decline in the 1980s and 1990s. Contributing factors included economic downturn in the area (due to aerospace job cuts), socioeconomic shifts, increased competition from other malls, and rising crime rates. Closure and Failed Redevelopment Attempts (1990s-2018):Â The mall’s decline accelerated with the closure of its anchor stores (starting with Broadway in 1995). It officially closed in 1999. Numerous redevelopment plans were proposed over the years (including a mixed-use complex), but none came to fruition. The site was used for filming various150
Category: Los Angeles
Manhattan Beach – Whatever Happened To LA Gear= Sketchers?
LA Gear, founded in 1983 by Robert Greenberg, Ernest Williams, and Stephen Williams, initially operated from Los Angeles, California. The company experienced rapid growth in the late 1980s, becoming the third-largest athletic shoe company in the United States by 1990. However, facing financial challenges, LA Gear consolidated its operations and relocated its headquarters to Santa Monica, California, in the early 1990s. After filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 1998, LA Gear transitioned from manufacturing to focusing solely on licensing its brand for footwear, apparel, and accessories. As of 2025, LA Gear continues to operate as a licensor, with its headquarters based in Los Angeles, California. Robert Greenberg, after departing from LA Gear in 1992, founded Skechers in Manhattan Beach, California. Initially, Skechers served as a distributor for Doc Martens footwear in the U.S. The company’s first headquarters was Greenberg’s Manhattan Beach condominium at 26th St. and The Strand.150
Hawthorne Living
Hawthorne Plaza’s California history. Development and Opening (1969-1977):Â The Hawthorne Plaza, Los Angeles County’s 32nd mall, opened in 1977 after a period of planning and construction beginning in 1969. Initially conceived as an open-air complex, it was redesigned as a fully enclosed mall, featuring 835,000 leasable square feet, 130 stores, and three anchor stores (Broadway, Montgomery Ward, and JCPenney). Early Success and Decline (1977-1990s):Â While initially popular, the mall experienced a decline in the 1980s and 1990s. Contributing factors included economic downturn in the area (due to aerospace job cuts), socioeconomic shifts, increased competition from other malls, and rising crime rates. Closure and Failed Redevelopment Attempts (1990s-2018):Â The mall’s decline accelerated with the closure of its anchor stores (starting with Broadway in 1995). It officially closed in 1999. Numerous redevelopment plans were proposed over the years (including a mixed-use complex), but none came to fruition. The site was used for filming various movies150
Los Angeles Living
00:00 Los Angeles Intro 1:02 Hollywood Walk of Fame 1:22 La Brea Tar Pits 2:33 Academy Museum of Motion Pictures 2:52 Petersen Automotive Museum 3:24 Rodeo Drive 4:14 Griffith Observatory 5:10 Hollywood Sign Hike 5:31 Grand Central Market 6:10 Bradbury Building 6:34 Angels Flight 7:05 Museum of Contemporary Art 7:22 The Broad 7:30 LA Philharmonic 7:48 LA Zoo 8:07 Autry Museum 8:30 The Getty 9:13 Descanso Garden 10:00 Santa Monica Pier 10:49 Echo Park 11:21 Universal Studios 12:15 Pasadena 12:46 The Huntington Library 13:55 Venice Beach 14:46 The Grove 15:30 Farmers Market 16:22 Ventura Harbor 16:59 Hermosa Beach 17:42 Long Beach 18:26 Manhattan Beach 19:08 Malibu 19:59 Palos Verdes 21:06 Redondo Beach 22:25 Food 23:00 Ride the Amtrak 23:35 John Wayne Airport Things to do in L.A. / Los Angeles Hollywood Walk of Fame: Explore the iconic Walk of Fame, visit Madame Tussauds Hollywood, and see the TCL Chinese Theatre. La150
Long Beach Living
Exploring Long Beach, California: A Nostalgic Tour of the City’s Best Spots Long Beach, California, is a vibrant coastal city with a rich history, diverse culture, and scenic beauty. In this article, we take a nostalgic journey through Long Beach, revisiting some of the city’s most iconic locations and hidden gems. Whether you’re a local or planning a visit, this guide will give you a glimpse into what makes Long Beach a unique destination. 1. Bluff Park – Stunning Ocean Views and Green Spaces One of the first stops on our tour is Bluff Park, a picturesque location offering breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. This serene green space is perfect for jogging, picnicking, or simply enjoying the coastal breeze. Located along Ocean Boulevard, it’s a favorite spot among locals for yoga sessions and sunset walks. 2. Belmont Shore – The Heart of Long Beach’s Nightlife Belmont Shore is known150
Torrance Things to Do
Madrona Marsh History:Â Initially a vast wetland, the area was transformed by Spanish colonization for agriculture, then by oil drilling in the 1920s. Most Los Angeles wetlands were lost to development, but Madrona Marsh survived, eventually becoming a focus of conservation efforts. Conservation Efforts:Â Local environmentalists, including the Friends of Madrona Marsh, fought developers in the 1980s to prevent the marsh’s destruction. Through fundraising and political action, they secured land preservation and city ownership. Ecology of Madrona Marsh:Â A vernal marsh (seasonal wetland), Madrona Marsh has unique microhabitats including vernal pools, alkaline margins, and uplands. It supports a variety of native plants and animals, some adapted to the poor soil conditions. Mosquito fish are introduced seasonally to control mosquito populations. Ecosystem Services:Â Madrona Marsh provides habitat for numerous species, serves as a migratory bird stopover, and offers flood control benefits. The marsh’s unique environment fosters specialized adaptations in flora and fauna. Human-Marsh Interactions:Â The marsh150
Venice Living
 Venice Beach History unfolds. Founding and Early Development (1905-1920s): Venice Beach was founded in 1905 by Abbot Kinney, a tobacco millionaire, as a seaside resort town modeled after Venice, Italy. It featured canals, gondolas, an amusement pier (Abbot Kinney Pier), and Venetian-style architecture. The Venice Short Line railway provided transportation. The Venice Miniature Railway, a large-scale miniature train, was another popular attraction. The area was initially extremely popular. Annexation and Decline of Amusement (1920s-1940s): By 1925, Venice was annexed by Los Angeles due to infrastructure issues and political challenges. The city subsequently dismantled many of the amusement attractions, including filling in most of the canals to accommodate increased automobile traffic. Oil was discovered in the area in 1929, leading to the development of numerous oil wells. World War II brought blackouts and wartime restrictions on the amusement piers. Post-War Evolution (1940s-Present): After WWII, Venice Beach evolved, with the rise of Muscle Beach,150
Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach, California50 languages Article Talk Read Edit View historyTools Appearance hide TextSmallStandard Large Width Standard Wide Color (beta) Automatic Light Dark Coordinates: 33°53′20″N 118°24′19″W From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Manhattan Beach, California City The Manhattan Beach Pier on a typical fall afternoon The Manhattan Beach Pier on a typical fall afternoon Flag of Manhattan Beach, California Flag Official seal of Manhattan Beach, California Seal Motto(s): “Sun, Sand, Sea” Location of Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles County, California Location of Manhattan Beach in Los Angeles County, California Manhattan Beach, California is located in the United StatesManhattan Beach, CaliforniaManhattan Beach, California Location in the United States Coordinates: 33°53′20″N 118°24′19″W Country United States State California County Los Angeles Incorporated December 12, 1912[1] Named for Manhattan Government • Type Council-Manager • Mayor Amy Howorth • Mayor Pro Tem David Lesser • City council[3] Steve Napolitano, Richard Montgomery, Joseph Franklin • Acting City Manager150
Redondo Beach
Riviera Village Redondo Beach
