The long-awaited California Surf Club officially opened its doors in May, breathing new life into the Redondo Beach waterfront. This ambitious venture co-founded by Allen Sanford and Rob Lissner located adjacent to the Seaside Lagoon spans an impressive 22,000-square-feet and blends exclusive member perks with welcoming public spaces, making it a community coastal destination.
“After launching BeachLife Festival in 2019, we kept hearing from our community: how can we live this experience year-round?” said co-founder Allen Sanford. “California Surf Club is our answer.”
The club is divided into two experiences. On the members-only side, it’s about elevated leisure with a restaurant, indoor and outdoor bars, coffee service to start the day, private meeting rooms, activity rooms, courtyards and relaxing outdoor lounges. But that’s just the beginning—members have access to a calendar packed with curated events including wellness classes, live music, speaker series, educational workshops, charity fundraisers, games and water sports that make the most of the seaside setting.
For the general public, there’s also plenty to enjoy. The restaurant, featuring live-fire cooking, a seafood bar, and classic coastal dishes like fish tacos and steak skewers, flows out to a breezy, open-air patio with a cozy fire pit lounge to take in unforgettable sunsets. Chris Brown, director of memberships, explained: "This is gonna be the coolest thing that’s ever happened in the South Bay."
What really makes the California Surf Club stand out isn’t just the location or the luxe amenities—it’s the heart behind it. The founders’ mission is to not just build a club but also to create a welcoming community where people focus on good company, good conversation, good vibes, and good views. At its core, the California Surf Club is about connection and a shared appreciation for coastal living. “We’re offering a space rooted in purpose and design to unite people—not just for a night but a lifestyle,” explained co-founder Rob Lissner
In addition to its on-site activities and amenities, the club also plans to build community and foster connections by giving back to local organizations including Boys and Girls Club, Redondo Beach Police & Fire Foundation, Heal the Bay, Surfers Against Sewage, Jimmy Miller Foundation, Southland Parks Conservancy, KHYC for Kids, and others. “We’re going to do a lot of big events and high profile things,” said Chris Brown. “And whenever we’re doing that, we’re going to have a charitable aspect to what we’re doing, and we’re going to be giving back to the community. We feel that’s the right thing to do. We want to give back in a meaningful way."
Another part of the California Surf Club’s community focus includes reviving cherished traditions that once defined the local beach vibe like beach volleyball tournaments that haven't existed in over three decades. For longtime locals, these tournaments are more than a sporting event—they are a symbol of pride, nostalgia, and beach culture.
Equally important is the transformation to this stretch of the waterfront itself. For years, it was underutilized and somewhat avoided. Now, the California Surf Club is helping breathe new life into this historic area. “By reimagining two vacant, city-owned buildings through adaptive reuse, we’ve created a space that preserves Redondo’s character, reflects its spirit and invites connection,” explained Sanford.
With its innovative design, prime waterfront location, and unwavering commitment to community enrichment, the California Surf Club is playing an integral part in Redondo Beach's revitalization story. It’s proof that when business is rooted in embracing the community, it can create ripples of positive change that reach far beyond its doors.
"We want to give back in a meaningful way."