Shellane Pamor, Kay Sol, Sophia Putman, Brandon Korcowicz, Olivia Moore, Michael Ricci
Thess Duong, Russell Varon, Melissa Varon Weinberg
Your next chapter is still being written. Make it your strongest one.
The decisions you make today will shape how you feel for decades to come. Our functional integrative approach goes beneath the surface to address the real drivers of longevity: hormones, inflammation, metabolism, and more. This is your window. Let us help you make the most of it.
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• Laser Facelift
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Photographer Brent Broza doesn’t just live in the South Bay. The South Bay lives in his work.
LINEUP TO LABEL
A spontaneous moment at El Porto becomes a surf brand built by surfers, for surfers.
HOPE, AGAINST THE TIDE
Long before she became a Manhattan Beach councilmember, Nina Tarnay survived war and a harrowing escape that still informs her public service today. 66
WASTE TO WONDERLAND
Fashion your perfect Manhattan Beach outing with earthy spring trends from favorite local boutiques.
STYLE & SURVIVAL
After enduring stage IV colorectal cancer, stylist Sarah Beran is using fashion to destigmatize colonoscopies—and help fund them for those who need them most.
South Coast Botanic Garden, once a landfill on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, has grown into one of the South Bay’s most remarkable natural sanctuaries.
NO DAY BUT TODAY
South Bay resident Natasha Diaz turns a life-changing diagnosis into a story of strength, hope and resilience.
WIDENING THE SHORELINE
From personal tragedy to founding Culture Club, Allison Hales is creating access, equity and community in the South Bay.
PAGE MEETS PODCAST
After years of sharing South Bay stories in print, our style editor launches Word. by Tanya Monaghan, a podcast where meaningful conversations unfold in real time.
Who’s who around the South Bay
COVER
Spring Style at Esperanza
Photographed by Shane O’Donnell
Complete fashion credits on page 50
@thesouthbayclub’s Soffi Yessmann picks standout dishes from Hermosa and Redondo menus.
Years after her parents built a life through restaurants, Laura Francisco opened Radici to honor their sacrifices and share the food that shaped her childhood. 226
Unlearning the Grind
With a new showroom in El Segundo, Herman Miller brings its iconic design legacy to the South Bay.
Faced with a new life transition, a Palos Verdes Estates couple creates a multigenerational dwelling tailored for each family member.
A longtime Manhattan Beach couple transforms their hillside property into a coastal retreat built for entertaining, art collecting and unforgettable ocean views.
Get lost in art, history and adventure during a visit to New Mexico’s charming style hub.
Brent Broza, Fabien & Laura Castro, Stacey Davis, Jeffrey Fiterman, Joan Fuller, Peter McMenamin, Ken Pagliaro, Lauren Taylor, Brian Townsend
PUBLISHER Jen Turquand 310-528-5351 | jen.turquand@thegoldenstatecompany.com
DIRECTOR OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS Erika Carrion 310-897-2424 | erika@thegoldenstatecompany.com
DIRECTOR OF BRAND PARTNERSHIPS Marcie Gutierrez 310-947-5404 | marcie@thegoldenstatecompany.com
SOUTHBAY IS A DIVISION OF THE GOLDEN STATE COMPANY
CO-CHAIRMEN
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Home Is Here
There are moments in this work that stop me in my tracks—when I’m sitting across from someone in our community and think, This is exactly why I do what I do. This issue is filled with those moments.
It’s truly an honor to tell the stories of the people who shape the South Bay—resilient, creative, compassionate and deeply connected. From Nina Tarnay’s powerful journey as a refugee to the collective strength on display at South Bay Takes a Stand—where thousands gathered in unity—to Sarah Beran, who is bravely reshaping the conversation around colon cancer through Worldclass … these are stories that matter.
You’ll also find beauty in the artistry of Brent Broza, authenticity in every dish at Radici and a sense of calm and wonder at the
South Coast Botanic Garden, a true haven in our own backyard. We highlight rising local style brands like Barlz and step inside our two stunning home features—spaces designed for connection, celebration and living fully.
Spring in the South Bay always feels like a reset. The days grow longer, the light softer and a quiet sense of possibility fills the air. Even after darker moments, we move forward together.
We are so lucky to call this place home.
Tanya Monaghan Deputy Editor
husband, three kids and two pups.
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Home Advantage
PHOTOGRAPHER BRENT BROZA DOESN’T JUST LIVE IN THE SOUTH BAY. THE SOUTH BAY LIVES IN HIS WORK.
Written by Tanya Monaghan |
Photographed by Brent Broza
If you’ve ever stepped into Ercole’s Bar & Grill in Manhattan Beach and paused to study the black-and-white photographs lining the walls, you may have unknowingly come face-to-face with Brent Broza’s family. Preserved in those frames, his parents are woven into the story of a place that has fed generations of sunburned, barefoot kids fresh off the sand.
“My dad moved here in 1940,” Brent says. “My mom was here in the ’40s too. My dad was born in Michigan, but he was brought here within weeks. This was home.”
Home meant 5th Street. The walk streets. The 4th Street tower. As he talks about it, you can almost hear
skateboards clacking against tin garage doors.
“We had a charging account at El Sombrero back in 1977,” he laughs. “Our parents would be at Ercole’s, and they’d basically put money through the window.”
It was a golden era before phones, before curated childhood schedules. Brent’s mom called Manhattan Beach “the bubble world,” telling him, “You have no idea what it was like outside this place.”
He didn’t understand it then. Now he does.
Brent’s family roots run deep in the South Bay. His grandfather worked in aerospace during the war effort. His mom later worked at TRW, part of the region’s aerospace backbone.
“My mom documented everything. She was scrapbooking back in high school. My dad had the equipment,” he says of his father’s cameras—lenses, bodies, gear. “My mom was more point-and-shoot, but she documented our entire life.”
Loss shaped him. His mother died of breast cancer in
1995 at age 50. Years later while living in Maui, he got the call about his father.
“If you want to see him, you’d better get home soon,” Brent remembers hearing. He packed up, moved back to the Riviera and spent his father’s final month by his side.
Later, Brent found his father’s Nikon. Something shifted.
“Photography was such a great escape for me,” he says. “I could go to the ocean, watch the waves, watch the sunset. I could get lost somewhere without the stress.”
But Brent’s path was never linear. Before wine lists and wave photography, before the blur series sunsets, there was modeling. At 19, while attending Santa Barbara City College, he was discovered and launched into an entirely different orbit.
“I lived in Milan, Tokyo, Brazil, Spain,” he says casually.
From ages 19 to 23, he moved between runway seasons and the North Shore of Oahu, where his brother lived. He’d travel to Tokyo, return to Hawaii, then come home to Manhattan Beach. It was glamorous and disorienting, the antithesis of “the bubble.”
Eventually, he pivoted. Bartending at Café Japengo in La Jolla, he fell in love with wine. A master sommelier course elevated his curiosity into discipline. By age 23, wine reps were quizzing him.
Soon he joined Kendall-Jackson, then Henry Wine Group, eventually relocating to Maui to work the Lahaina side. Wine became a serious career.
Today Brent is the wine director at The Bottle Inn in Hermosa Beach, where for eight consecutive years he has curated a Wine Spectator award-winning list, a testament to his palate and dedication.
Still, photography kept whispering. When he returned home after his father’s death, he began shooting sunsets, waves—anything that felt like oxygen. He posted images to Facebook. Friends asked, “Did you take this?”
One day he walked into Riley Arts Gallery with eight pieces. “They called me an hour later and said, ‘I have a check for you.’ I was like, ‘What? This is insane.’”
In 2010 he did a show at Sangria with local artist Jeff Honea. Everything sold.
“I sold a piece that big for $400,” he laughs. “I
BEACH
didn’t know what I was doing.”
His now-iconic blur series was born by accident at the 4th Street tower—the same stretch of sand that raised him.
“I moved the camera, and it kind of did this,” he says, gesturing softly. “I’m like, oh … I like this.”
Inspired by Mark Rothko’s color fields, Brent began shooting handheld long exposures, painting with light instead of pigment. The works are ethereal and deeply local. Manhattan Beach distilled into a gradient.
“The vibrant ones are sunset. The pastel ones are morning,” he points out. “It’s all light.”
His surf photography carried him further still. He spent each January in Maui shooting Jaws, the legendary big-wave break. In 2016 he captured the 63-foot wave Aaron Gold paddled into, a world record at the time, earning the World Surf League Big Wave Paddle Award. He repeated the feat and won the award again in 2018.
“I shoot from the cliff; he’s out there risking his life,” Brent says humbly.
In 2024 he won the Big Wave Challenge award from the South Bay Boardriders Club for his photo of surfer Alex Fry. Then there was the Hollywood Sign in snow— a photograph that exploded across the internet in one of those lightning-strike moments.
Yet Brent’s truest work may be documenting the culture that raised him. He has photographed Jim
Lindberg, one of his closest friends for nearly 40 years, and Jim’s iconic South Bay band, Pennywise, countless times. He has shot artists in studios, graffiti writers mid-process, surfers under piers, musicians under stage lights.
“I shoot what I think is cool,” he says. “It doesn’t have to apply to everybody. I just like expression.”
His art has filled galleries from Hermosa to Downtown Los Angeles. He has collaborated with Tyler Surfboards, matching his blur gradients to shaped boards. He has installed pieces at Shade Hotel and Hotel Hermosa. During COVID-19, Manhattan Village shopping center commissioned him to cover 13 barricades with sunrise and sunset works, temporary beauty during uncertain days.
He moves fluidly between worlds: wine and waves, galleries and restaurants, Maui cliffs and 4th Street sand.
What strikes people most isn’t the accolades; it’s the humility. The way he still talks about his parents. The way he says, “This place means so much to me,” when he references 4th Street. The way grief opened him instead of closing him.
“Photography was a silver lining,” he says. “There are positive things that can come out of loss.”
Brent is many things: model, sommelier, surf photographer, abstract artist. But at his core, he is a documentarian of the South Bay soul. A kid from the walk streets who never stopped chasing the light. ■
Lineup to Label
A SPONTANEOUS MOMENT AT EL PORTO BECOMES A SURF BRAND BUILT BY SURFERS, FOR SURFERS.
Written by Tanya Monaghan
Photographed by Ken
Pagliaro & Brian Townsend
On any good day at Tower 34 in North Manhattan Beach, the kind where the sets start stacking and the offshore wind cleans up the face just enough, you’ll hear it: “Barrels!”
Not whispered. Not politely suggested. Screamed.
That’s where Barlz was born. Not in a boardroom. Not in a branding session. But in the lineup, between friends.
“Barlz was born out of total stoke,” cofounder James Sweigert tells me, laughing as he recounts the moment. “It was literally myself and one of my buddies out in front of Tower 34 on a really fun day … we were just screaming at each other, ‘Barrels!’”
Then the light bulb.
“How would you spell that?” his friend asked.
James shot back instinctively: “B-A-R-L-Z.”
That night, he did what any modern surf romantic would do: He checked the domain. It was available.
“For $9,” he says. “How is there a five-letter .com still available?”
Minutes later, he received an automated email valuing it at $3,500.
“We turned a profit and hadn’t sold a T-shirt,” jokes James, who says it felt like a sign.
But James didn’t just stumble into design. “I was literally designing since I could hold a pencil,” he says.
His résumé includes a degree from the Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising in San Francisco, where he studied color theory and textiles. His aesthetic pulls from high fashion—think Versace and Armani—layered over California surf culture. Barlz is the perfect collision of James’ passions: surfing, design and fashion.
Enter cofounder Jake Kirschenbaum: former pro surfer, Cocoa Beach native and lifelong product of surf culture. His dad started a high school surf team in Florida. Years later, his mom started a women’s surf club at the same school. Surfing wasn’t just a hobby in his household; it was heritage.
“Surf culture is very, very important to me,” Jake says. “It gave me a life. It gave me purpose.”
For him, Barlz isn’t just apparel. It’s art—designed, as he puts it, “by surfers, for surfers.”
Jake Kirschenbaum and James Sweigert
“SURF CULTURE IS VERY, VERY IMPORTANT TO ME. IT GAVE ME A LIFE. IT GAVE ME PURPOSE.”
That ethos is everything. Walk into their El Porto flagship tucked along Highland in North Manhattan Beach, and you’ll immediately feel the difference. This isn’t the predictable surf palette of washed blues and greys.
“We’re bringing a little bit more of an edgier, bolder, new age look,” Jake explains. “More color. More vibrance. More fashion-forward.”
Accessibility matters too. “It’s very direct-to-consumer,” he says. “You get to see the people who are making the clothing.”
That transparency shows up in the design process. It’s collaborative, organically rooted in surf sessions, latenight sketching and conversations between friends.
One of their earliest graphics pays homage to a 1930s photograph of a Manhattan Beach lifeguard wearing a “Manhattan Beach Surfing Club” hoodie. Barlz reimagined the design, adding a subtle Tower 34 nod, and suddenly the local crew was wearing a piece of history on their backs.
Jake’s current obsession is a pair of silky pajamas he originally designed for his wife, now a cult favorite that
blurs the line between surfwear and streetwear. That crossover is intentional.
“It’s totally working,” James says with a smile.
So why El Porto?
“Because this is where it started,” James says. “The brand was conceived right here at Tower 34. This is our neighborhood. This is a local brand.”
Now Barlz is entering a strategic shift. The Manhattan Beach pop-up location will close its doors on April 20 with a major sale. The brand will transition to a primarily online model, giving James and Jake the flexibility to keep running what they affectionately call a “two-man show” while keeping creativity high and overhead lean.
The shift allows them to focus on product, community and the next evolution of Barlz without losing the authenticity that made it special in the first place. Barlz didn’t start with investors; it started with friends yelling across a lineup.
And that kind of energy? You can’t manufacture it. ■
DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN BEACH
Where the ocean meets an elevated day out
There are places you visit, and then there are places that instantly lift your mood. Downtown Manhattan Beach is the latter—an effortlessly beautiful coastal slice of paradise where ocean views, vibrant streets and a thoughtfully curated mix of businesses create a day that feels both relaxed and refined.
It begins at the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier. Stretching gracefully across the pristine beach into the Pacific, the pier offers panoramic views (from Palos Verdes to Malibu and a peek at Catalina) that remind you why this stretch of coastline is one of Southern California’s most beloved destinations. As the sun rises over the Roundhouse Aquarium, the morning light dances across the water and walkers, surfers and cyclists greet the day.
Just steps away, Downtown Manhattan Beach transforms into a walkable collection of boutiques, restaurants, cafés and wellness spaces that invite you to linger.
Independent fashion boutiques showcase coastal-chic style alongside well-known brands—making it easy to find something unique or effortlessly timeless. Whether you’re browsing for the perfect beachday outfit, a thoughtful gift or something special for your home, shopping here feels personal and inspired.
Dining is equally elevated and quite delectable. Ocean-view patios and inviting interiors offer everything from leisurely brunches to sunset cocktails and memorable dinners. Fresh seafood, seasonal ingredients and culinary talent admired for their creativity define the local dining scene, where every meal pairs beautifully with the fresh ocean air.
For those seeking a little restoration, Downtown Manhattan Beach’s spas and wellness studios provide the perfect pause. Indulge in a massage, refresh your skin with a facial or take a moment to reset. From ocean-view yoga to rooftop sanctuaries,
you will reconnect with pure joy.
On Tuesdays, the community gathers at the Manhattan Beach Certified Farmers’ Market, where rows of vibrant produce, artisan foods and friendly local vendors transform the Civic Center Plaza into a lively celebration of agricultural bounty. It’s a reminder that Manhattan Beach isn’t just a destination; it’s a community.
What makes Downtown Manhattan Beach so special is the harmony of it all: breathtaking ocean views, exceptional dining, stylish shopping and a welcoming spirit that makes every visit a celebration.
Come for the view. Discover the charm. Stay for the experience.
DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN BEACH BUSINESS & PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATION DOWNTOWNMANHATTANBEACH.COM @DOWNTOWNMANHATTANBEACH
Spring Looks Better from the Pier.
Shop, dine and unwind in Downtown Manhattan Beach.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY STACEY DAVIS
Bespoke by Chase
A refined menswear boutique dedicated to fine Italian sportswear and made-to-measure tailoring. The Bespoke Bungalow redefines luxury retail with a golf simulator, billiards table and bar—an elevated experience showcasing Loro Piana and Zegna fabrics.
A shop devoted to natural goods for baby, kids, women and home. Celebrating sustainability, craftsmanship and mindful living. Offering thoughtfully made pieces designed to last, be loved and live gently in your everyday world.
Fine craftsmanship and meaningful relationships create timeless gifts. Discover something beautiful for those you love, celebrate every milestone with elegance and care, and enjoy trusted gold buying and professional appraisals.
Going beyond denim, this luxury shopping experience features the finest menswear brands—making it the premier destination for men’s fashion in the South Bay.
920 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach
310-892-6248
manhattan-denim.com | @manhattandenim
{pages} a bookstore
An independent, full-service bookstore located in Downtown Manhattan Beach, proudly celebrating 16 years of books by the beach. Carrying new books across all genres and hosting author events, book talks, a weekly story time and nine monthly book clubs.
Design worth stepping into. Creating refined homes and hospitality spaces throughout the South Bay. Visit the 1,000-square-foot showroom to discover curated furniture, distinctive décor, exceptional artwork and one-of-a-kind custom pieces. Come by. Be inspired.
Female-owned and operated for over 20 years. Specializing in curating distinctive artwork and custom framing with a passion for thoughtful sourcing and presentation. Discover art that transforms spaces and reflects style!
Comfortable, innovative, stylish, quality lifestyle and performance footwear for men, women and kids—all at a reasonable price.
1121 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach
310-318-3116 skechers.com @skechers
Tabula Rasa Essentials
A vibrant coastal boutique in the heart of Downtown Manhattan Beach, featuring beautifully curated gifts, breezy entertaining accents, luxurious candles, apothecary favorites, chic accessories and charming children’s treasures—all just steps from the ocean.
Incredible food and hospitality at Slay Steak + Fish House, Fête Bistro by Slay, Slay Italian Kitchen and Slay Estate & Vineyard of Sta. Rita Hills, featuring fresh ingredients and signature Slay Vineyard wines.
Located in Metlox Plaza since 2006. An upscale home store and design studio offering chic décor, tabletop, bedding, art, jewelry and gifts. Enjoy excellent customer service, in-store styling support and beautiful complimentary gift wrap.
Steps from the ocean, serving eclectic California cuisine farmers market salads, sushi, artisanal sandwiches, wood-grilled meats, handmade pastas and a $10.95 happy hour.
New arrivals! Clothing curated from European and American designers, blending effortless style with affordable luxury. Shop distinctive accessories, thoughtful gifts and complimentary styling services.
912 A Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach 310-985-7717 estellboutiques.com | @estellboutique
Caffe Luxxe
Directly sourcing and roasting their own coffee since 2006, come find out for yourself why it’s consistently voted Los Angeles’ “Most Loved Coffee Shop”!
Locally grown produce, artisanal foods, kids’ activities and live music. Civic Center Plaza between City Hall and MB Police Department, Tuesdays 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This shop offers an evolving edit of art, decor, gifts and jewelry where vintage, global and California influences meet to create an environment that is soulful and inviting.
Specializing in one-of-a-kind vintage collegiate and sports apparel, sourced from around the world, with rare finds and standout pieces. New arrivals updated daily online and in-store.
Add a little sparkle to spring with chic, beach-inspired nails. Perfect for sunny days, seaside strolls or a self-care moment. Steps from Manhattan Beach Pier.
1147 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach 310-545-0802
paintbythepier.com @paintbythepier
Spyder Surfboards
Outfitting the South Bay with the very best surf, skate, snow and beach gear since 1983. We don’t just sell it; we live it!
1116 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach 310-318-2289
spydersurf.com @spyderboards
Paradise Bowls
Organic açaí and pitaya bowls and smoothies made with fresh, high-quality ingredients. Every bowl is blended fresh. A South Bay staple—paradise in every bite.
919 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach 310-798-7100
paradisebowls.com @paradisebowls
Strand Section
A contemporary boutique owned by Manhattan Beach native Alissa Schiraldi, offering an elevated collection of trenddriven fashion inspired by the vibrancy of Southern California.
American regional cuisine, legendary Navy Grog cocktails and warm hospitality at the foot of the MB Pier. Celebrating 25 years as a South Bay favorite.
FASHION YOUR PERFECT MANHATTAN BEACH OUTING WITH EARTHY SPRING TRENDS FROM FAVORITE LOCAL BOUTIQUES.
Photographed by Shane O’Donnell
Styled by Tanya Monaghan Hair & makeup by Stephanie Mazumdar
Presented in collaboration with Downtown Manhattan Beach
Max belted knit striped cardigan, $295, Jabber knit striped wide leg pant by SimonMiller, $275, coffee heeled sandal by Matisse,
Strand Section in Manhattan Beach. Suede Bon Bon bag by St. Agni, $408; BLVD in Manhattan Beach. Gold hoop earrings by Amano, $38, Vienna charm with chain necklace by Thatch,
Assorted
Plaid bomber jacket by Fioroni, $2,895, Caracciolo trouser in natural by Marco Pescarolo, $795, brown sneaker by Rubirosa, $495; Bespoke by Chase in Manhattan Beach.
$60;
$167; Gum Tree in Manhattan Beach.
vintage bracelets, $25 to $110; Right Tribe in Manhattan Beach.
Left Olive oat ripple shirt by Rails, $168; BLVD. Caracciolo light brown wool stretch pant by Marco Pescarolo, $750, Bespoke by Chase.
Ida dress by Elemental, $298; BLVD. Gold chain mail earrings, $44, assorted vintage bracelets, $25 to $120; Right Tribe. Straw clutch, $42; Katwalk in Manhattan Beach.
This page White with black trim button vest, $62, black knit dress, $99, assorted rings, $39 to $45, gold cuffs, $42 each; Katwalk. Vintage long double chain teardrop tassel necklace, $50; Right Tribe.
Lucy heeled sandal by Matisse, $60, black silk knot bag by NLA, $250; Strand Section.
This page Alyve dress in chocolate by Aya Muse, $798; BLVD. Capped 24k gold-plated porcupine quill dangle earrings, $178, DASH cuff hand-cast from recycled brass and 24k gold-plated, $198, DASH brass open-ended choker in recycled brass and 24k gold-plated by Soko from Kenya, $258, silk cocoon hollow handmade form ring in brass by K/LLER, $240; DACHA in Manhattan Beach.
Right Brown one-piece swimsuit by Anemos, $258; BLVD. Brown geometric print Cora shirt, $270, and Jensen pant by Faithfull, $250, silk knot bag by NLA, $250, coffee heeled sandal by Matisse, $60; Strand Section. Charm necklace, $49; Katwalk. Vintage earrings, $24, stacked vintage bracelets; Right Tribe.
Rust Johnny collar top by Gran Sasso, $471, Delfo trousers by Barena Venezia, $598, brown leather loafer by Santoni, $1,100; Bespoke by Chase.
White dress by NIA, $128, fringe bamboo heeled sandals by SimonMiller, $395; Strand Section. Vintage cream silk neck scarf, $12; vintage gold seashell earrings, $48; Right Tribe. 14k gold-plated round locket with crystal by Amano, $42, Mini Lulu raffia bag by Hat Attack, $182; Gum Tree.
Navy zip jacket by Paul & Shark, $795, white button-down shirt by Ferrante, $350, white sneakers by Magnanni, $525; Manhattan Denim in Manhattan Beach. White linen drawstring pant by Marco Pescarolo, $750; Bespoke by Chase.
Light khaki Kaylin jacket by ASTR, $198, brown fanny pack by Clare V., $295; Strand Section. Long silk scarf, $65; gold chunky bracelet, $110, gold seashell earrings, $48; Right Tribe. Gemstone cocktail rings by Leslie Francesca, $69 and $92; Gum Tree. Bold gold dome ring, $45; Katwalk.
Marin knitted top by Maurizio Baldassari, $595, blue linen trouser by Gran Sasso, $545, brown leather loafer by Santoni, $1,100; Bespoke by Chase.
Chocolate plum pinstripe top, $150, and pinstripe skirt by Faithfull, $200, fringe bamboo heeled sandals by SimonMiller, $395; Strand Section. Getty necklace chain, $145, and pearl charm, $50, by Thatch, Mini Lulu raffia bag by Hat Attack, $182; Gum Tree. Sunglasses, $35, gold nail bangle, $45, ring, $42; Katwalk.
Style & Survival
AFTER ENDURING STAGE IV COLORECTAL CANCER, STYLIST
SARAH BERAN IS USING FASHION TO DESTIGMATIZE COLONOSCOPIES— AND HELP FUND THEM FOR THOSE WHO NEED THEM MOST.
Written by Tanya Monaghan
Sarah Beran has always been effortlessly cool. She’s the kind of woman who can make a white tee and vintage denim look like high-end editorial. A soft-spoken stylist with impeccable taste and zero ego, Sarah doesn’t need to be the loudest person in the room. Her presence speaks for itself.
What isn’t immediately visible is the grit behind that gentle exterior. She beat cancer and then built a fashion brand to help others fight it too.
Sarah grew up in St. Louis and studied textile and apparel management with an emphasis in merchandising and marketing. Fashion wasn’t accidental. It was intentional, structured and studied.
At 23 she headed for Los Angeles. “Literally the day after I graduated, I drove out to L.A.,” she says.
She worked in the Fashion District in wholesale and PR before launching a jewelry line while her children were still babies. Creativity has always been the through line.
“Being a mom is my priority always, but I still need to be doing something,” she says. “And it has to be creative.”
By April 2020, in the early months of COVID-19, Sarah was home with her two young children, ages 3 and 5. She began experiencing symptoms such as digestive issues, bleeding and exhaustion. But exhaustion is easy to dismiss when you have two small kids. Sarah was healthy, athletic and ate clean.
“I don’t fit the stereotype for someone to have colon cancer,” she explains. “Yet I knew this was not normal. I did not feel right. I know my own body, and I really felt like I needed to advocate for myself.”
That advocacy saved her life. During a quiet pandemic appointment, doctors performed a colonoscopy and found more than 100 polyps and a mass. Her diagnosis was stage III colorectal cancer. Eventually it spread to her lung, making it stage IV.
According to a study published in January in the Journal of the American Medical Association, Colorectal cancer is now the #1 cause of cancer death in people younger than 50. More people die from it each year than breast or prostate cancer, yet it remains a disease
Sarah Beran and family
SARAH’S MESSAGE
Get the colonoscopy.
Start at 45. Earlier if symptoms appear.
Advocate for yourself.
Because colorectal cancer is rising in younger adults.
Because screening can reduce risk by nearly 90%.
And because conversations like this can save lives.
“WE WANTED TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MAKE COLONOSCOPIES COOL, TO MAKE THEM PART OF THE WELLNESS CONVERSATION.”
many people rarely talk about.
When Sarah awoke from the colonoscopy, life split into before and after. What followed was relentless: 12 rounds of chemotherapy, major surgery, months of living with an ileostomy bag, a lung wedge resection, radiation, and scans every three months.
Still, she focused on protecting her children from fear. She told them, “I’m going to get better. It’s going to be a little hurdle in life, but we’ve got this.”
She and her husband, Brian, created small rituals of hope. When the needle from her chemo port was removed at home, they blasted George Michael’s song “Freedom! ’90.”
“You get a strength you don’t know you have,” Sarah shares.
Brian has been her steady rock from the beginning, the calm in every storm. Their partnership runs deep, and she says she could not have done it without him.
At the center of her story are statistics that show the importance of colonoscopies. During the procedure, doctors remove precancerous polyps before they turn into cancer. Screening before symptoms appear can reduce risk by up to 89%. Nearly 1 in 3 people ages 45 to 49 already has a precancerous polyp.
Sarah didn’t know those statistics before her diagnosis. Now they drive her. Out of trauma came
purpose. Together with fellow survivor Brooks Bell, also diagnosed in her 30s, Sarah co-founded Worldclass, a purpose-driven fashion brand designed to destigmatize colonoscopies and change the conversation around colon cancer.
Worldclass isn’t typical cancer merchandise. The pieces are elevated, streetwear-inspired clothing someone might spot on a cool girl in Silver Lake or Nolita and immediately ask about. Only later does the deeper mission become clear.
“We wanted to figure out a way to make colonoscopies cool,” Sarah says, “to make them part of the wellness conversation.”
The brand’s mission is simple: Make colonoscopies more approachable and eliminate the stigma surrounding them. Every purchase helps fund colonoscopies for people who cannot afford them—covering prep, transportation, time off work and the procedure. There is already a waiting list of people hoping for access.
“Getting a colonoscopy is a lot easier than getting cancer, and it’s so easy to prevent,” Sarah says.
Worldclass has begun gaining national attention, including coverage on ABC News. Sarah insists that the brand remain joyful.
“We’re going to keep doing this,” she says, “but it needs to stay fun. Once it’s not fun anymore, we’re done.” ■
Hope, Against the Tide
LONG BEFORE SHE BECAME A MANHATTAN BEACH COUNCILMEMBER, NINA TARNAY SURVIVED WAR AND A HARROWING ESCAPE THAT STILL INFORMS HER PUBLIC SERVICE TODAY.
Written by Tanya Monaghan
Photographed by Ken Pagliaro
Many people knew that Nina Tarnay had an extraordinary story. Few understood the depth of it until she began sharing the details publicly: the trauma woven into her childhood, the impossible decisions her parents were forced to make and the sheer will it took for her family to survive.
It is difficult to reconcile the composed, thoughtful Manhattan Beach councilmember she is today with the 6-year-old girl she once was on a perilous journey across the sea—seasick, terrified and clinging to survival.
After the fall of Saigon in 1975, Nina’s father, who had served in the South Vietnamese military, was imprisoned in what the new regime called a “re-education camp.”
“My dad was in prison for two years,” she shares.
Upon his release, the family’s property had been seized, their assets stripped and their future effectively erased. During his imprisonment, Nina’s father reached a life-altering conclusion: His homeland was no longer home.
By the late 1970s, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese families were attempting to escape by sea. Overcrowded fishing boats departed without communication systems or certainty of rescue. Storms, piracy, starvation and disappearance were constant threats.
Many never survived the journey.
Nina’s family made multiple attempts to flee. They were caught and jailed. Bribes were paid to secure their release, and each failed attempt drained precious resources while increasing the danger.
Eventually, her parents made a decision that still takes Nina’s breath away when she recounts it.
“They decided to break up our family in what they thought would be two trips,” she explains, voice cracking. “It was strategic and devastating. If one boat was lost, or if pirates attacked, or if the vessel capsized, or if they were captured again, we would not all perish together. It was the kind of calculation only war and desperation force upon people.”
Her father and two older brothers left first. After six days at sea, they were rescued and later transferred to
“IT RENEWED MY FAITH IN HUMANITY.”
a refugee camp before eventually reaching the United States. Nine months later, Nina, her mother and her 2-year-old brother prepared to follow.
On the day they were scheduled to leave, they were told the voyage had been compromised and canceled. That night, Nina awoke to the sound of her mother getting out of bed. Having already seen her father and brothers depart, she refused to let her mother out of her sight. She followed her into the darkness to retrieve their belongings.
As they approached the shoreline, confusion erupted. They were told to board immediately or risk capture. In that chaotic moment, Nina’s 2-year-old brother was left behind with their grandmother.
Years later, Nina asked her mother how she made that decision. Her mother explained that had Nina not followed her that night, she would have turned back and risked being caught again. But with her daughter beside her, she chose not to jeopardize her safety. It
was not cinematic bravery. It was triage.
The vessel they boarded carried approximately 35 people—far too many for a wooden fishing boat not designed for open ocean travel. They stayed near coastlines, attempting to remain close enough to land for orientation but far enough to avoid detection.
Nina remembers running across the beach and slicing her foot on shells. She remembers the smell of diesel and salt. She remembers debilitating seasickness and being laid in the fish hull because there was nowhere else for her to rest. There was no shelter from the elements.
They attempted to land in neighboring countries. Sometimes they were given food and water, only to be towed back out to sea. Piracy was common. The threat of kidnapping and assault was constant.
They drifted for nearly six weeks. At one point, they approached what appeared to be a resort, with blue umbrellas visible along the shoreline. Strangers offered
to take Nina to a hospital because she was so ill. Her mother refused, fearing permanent separation if her daughter stepped off the boat.
In a final act of desperation, the men on board began dismantling the engine to force a passing oil tanker to intervene. It worked. They were rescued and transported to a refugee camp in Malaysia, which consisted of raised barracks with exposed walls and tin roofs.
“Every day you had to wait for water,” says Nina, recalling standing in line for her daily allotment. Meals consisted largely of powdered milk and canned food provided through aid donations.
Four months later, Nina’s father secured sponsorship papers. She and her mother flew to Los Angeles.
The hardship did not end upon arrival. Eight family members shared a small apartment in Koreatown. Her father got a job delivering furniture, and her mother worked in assembly manufacturing.
In 1981, Nina’s younger brother arrived with her aunt and family. Her grandparents would come much later when the U.S. allowed direct sponsorship.
When Nina entered elementary school, she understood none of the language around her … until one day, she did. She remembers the moment of realization: She could understand, and others could understand her.
For years, she rarely spoke about her past. “Most of the people I grew up with had no idea what my background was,” Nina says.
She later put herself through UCLA and Loyola Law School, built a legal career, raised three children in Manhattan Beach and volunteered at Grandview
Elementary—achieving what many would describe as the American dream.
For Nina, debates about immigration have never been abstract. When she sees children at the border—confused, separated, frightened—she sees reflections of her own childhood. She understands what it means to leave a sibling behind and to wonder whether a family will ever be reunited. She knows that trauma does not vanish simply because safety is eventually reached.
That lived experience propelled her from engaged citizen to Manhattan Beach councilmember. When South Bay Takes a Stand organized a march that brought more than 5,000 community members to The Strand in support of immigrant rights and pro-democracy values, Nina stood at the front of the crowd.
When she climbed the lifeguard tower to address the attendees, she described feeling overwhelming love, validation and hope. She was struck by neighbors who chose to show up publicly for families they might never meet. For a woman who once feared no one would come for her, seeing thousands stand in solidarity in Manhattan Beach carried profound meaning.
At the conclusion of her speech, Nina did not return to politics or rhetoric. Instead, she spoke about living with the awareness that none of us are promised tomorrow.
She strives to be bold. To be brave. To be kind. The 6-year-old girl drifting at sea could not have imagined this life. Yet standing at that march above a crowd of neighbors, choosing courage over silence restored something steady within her.
“It renewed my faith in humanity.” ■
Comprehensive Neurological Care, All in One Place— Focused on You
You don’t need to travel far from home for highly specialized brain and spine surgery.
For nearly a decade, the South Bay neurosurgery team at Pacific Neuroscience Institute has provided comprehensive, world-class brain and spine care right here in the South Bay.
Our nationally recognized, fellowship-trained, boardcertified neurosurgeons treat complex disorders of the brain, head, spine, neck, and back using advanced surgical techniques and a personalized approach to care.
Specialized surgical treatment for:
• Brain and skull base tumors
• Pituitary disorders
• Stroke and cerebrovascular disease
• Movement disorders (Parkinson’s, tremor)
• Spine conditions and deformity
• Facial pain and nerve disorders
A NEW ERA
Manhattan Country Club, a Bay Club property, unveils the first chapter of a $25 million transformation.
The Sky Deck
For those who view wellness as a cornerstone of their lifestyle, Manhattan Country Club is unveiling a new standard in private club living. Set across 8 acres in the heart of the South Bay, the club is undertaking a $25 million multi-phase transformation.
The newly completed Fitness Center represents the first chapter of that broader vision. Now spanning 12,000 square feet—triple its previous footprint—the fitness floor introduces state-of-the-art strength and cardio equipment with integrated performance tracking, a boutique studio offering dynamic class formats, and a dedicated Recovery Center that supports performance and longevity. Private and semi-private training is led by some of the South Bay’s most respected professionals.
The next phase of Manhattan Country Club’s evolution centers on the Sky Deck, an open-air retreat that embraces Southern California’s yearround climate. With inviting lounge areas and outdoor viewing spaces, it will provide an effortless backdrop for sunset cocktails, relaxed afternoons and easy evenings spent in good company.
Plans also include a 4,000-square-foot Family Activity Center, where younger members can gather and play. Featuring interactive games, it will offer a fun-filled environment designed to engage every member of the family. A new family pool and expanded dining venues will further strengthen the seamless blend of recreation, relaxation and connection.
Programming is at the heart of Manhattan Country Club, where members enjoy signature Sushi & Sake evenings, exclusive wine tastings and thoughtfully curated culinary experiences throughout the year. Family traditions are woven into the fabric of the club—from Mother’s Day brunch to Kids Night Out events.
The club offers nearly 100 days of camp programming each year— including activities during school breaks, as well as week-long summer camps filled with sports, swimming, art and games—with memories made season after season. The club also features 16 outdoor tennis courts, seven pickleball courts and a 25-yard heated pool—home of the hallmark Junior Lifeguard program. In addition, members enjoy unlimited access to nearby Bay Club El Segundo and Bay Club Redondo Beach.
Manhattan Country Club’s renovation is elevating every dimension of the member experience. With the first chapter complete and additional enhancements underway, a select number of memberships are now available. Contact the club to learn more or arrange a private tour.
MANHATTAN COUNTRY CLUB
1330 PARKVIEW AVE., MANHATTAN BEACH
310-546-5656
Waste to Wonderland
SOUTH COAST BOTANIC GARDEN, ONCE A LANDFILL ON THE PALOS VERDES PENINSULA, HAS GROWN INTO ONE OF THE SOUTH BAY’S MOST REMARKABLE NATURAL SANCTUARIES.
Written by Tanya Monaghan
South Coast Botanic Garden is a living paradox, stunningly beautiful yet born from refuse. Perched on a hill in Palos Verdes, it stands as one of the South Bay’s most remarkable reinventions and still somehow one of its best-kept secrets.
In the early 1900s, the land was a diatomaceous earth mine. By 1957, Los Angeles County had purchased the property and opened the Palos Verdes Landfill. What stood there then was not beauty but debris.
Then came vision. In 1961 a group of citizen activists led by Frances Young imagined something radically different. That April, more than 40,000 trees and shrubs were planted. Many did not survive—the soil was difficult and unpredictable—but everything planted was part of an experiment. Persistence took root.
Today more than 200,000 plants grow across the garden’s 87 acres, roughly the size of Disneyland Park. What was once landfill is now lush landscape.
Rolling meadows stretch into the distance. Eucalyptus and silk floss trees sway in the coastal breeze. Hidden trails wind through shaded groves, and bursts of color appear around every bend. The space feels expansive yet intimate at the same time, like a private nature haven suspended above the Pacific.
The air carries a faint floral warmth. Birds dart across the open sky. For a moment, the distractions of everyday life fade away.
Chief executive officer Adrienne Nakashima describes her favorite place in the garden in similarly poetic terms: “My favorite ‘corner’ of South Coast Botanic Garden isn’t so much a literal corner, rather a prominent and sentimental space: the Dorothy and John Bohannon Rose Garden.”
The rose garden feels elegant and alive, anchored by its split fountain and lined with fragrant blooms. It is the kind of place that invites visitors to linger.
“Sitting on the benches in that space,” Adrienne shares, “I can hear children running down the
promenade, excited about what’s to come on their visit, and birds chirping from the amphitheater lawn. It also reminds me of how far we’ve come and how hard we have worked to bring meaningful and beautiful spaces to the community.”
Then she captures the essence of the garden’s transformation: “It stands as a symbol of what happens when we remain committed to turning our trash to treasure, creating a beautiful botanic garden over a former landfill.”
South Coast Botanic Garden operates through a partnership with Los Angeles County. The county provides gardening and maintenance staff, while the garden’s foundation leads vision, programming and horticultural investment. A new 25-year vision plan is guiding the garden’s next chapter.
“As we look toward the next 25 years under our vision plan, I hope South Coast Botanic Garden becomes an essential part of life in the South Bay, a place people feel deeply connected to and genuinely proud of,”
Adrienne says. “I want the garden to be where families create traditions, where children form their first memories of nature, and where adults come to recharge, celebrate and gather.”
She adds, “Most of all, I hope the garden becomes a model for what’s possible: a thriving, sustainable oasis built on a reclaimed landfill that demonstrates resilience, innovation, and the power of nature to transform both land and lives.”
That spirit of transformation is visible in the garden’s programming, led in part by chief impact officer Danielle Lacharite Brown, who has been with the garden for a decade. Currently the garden is hosting Thomas Dambo’s towering troll sculptures nestled throughout the landscape, inviting guests to explore and play. Each spring, the SOAR butterfly pavilion fills with hundreds of tropical butterflies in flight. The Sunset Series brings live music to summer evenings as the sky shifts pink and gold behind the hills.
And then there is The Canopy Club, a woodland dance experience that brings guests into the trees after dark. “It is going to be a blast,” Danielle says of the new
“Once you walk through our gates, your blood pressure reduces, your shoulders relax and a happy sense of well-being wraps around you.”
speakeasy-style dance party where visitors will see some of the trolls illuminated at night.
With so much energy and activity, preserving the garden’s sense of serenity is intentional.
“We know that not everyone considers themselves a ‘botanical garden-goer,’ so we craft special experiences to help entice folks through our gates,” Danielle explains. “We think everyone should be a garden-goer. The wild and woolly nature trails of our back 40 acres are quiet even when a Jimmy Buffett cover band is rocking out on the Upper Meadow during the Sunset Series.”
That balance is part of what makes the garden so distinctive. Visitors can wander into music and laughter or slip away into stillness, accompanied only by wind through the leaves.
Dog-walking hours offer one of the garden’s most charming perspectives. “Dog owners see the garden through a different lens when they visit with their pups,” Danielle says. “Walks slow down as the pooches
stop and sniff every plant. Ears perk up at every rustle in the bushes. When this happens, their humans start to notice the subtle beauty of South Coast Botanic Garden.”
She says that slowing down feels essential. “Once you walk through our gates, your blood pressure reduces, your shoulders relax and a happy sense of wellbeing wraps around you.”
In a world that often feels heavy, this place feels hopeful. South Coast Botanic Garden is proof that land can be restored, community vision matters and something once discarded can bloom into something extraordinary. From the rose garden benches to wooded trails and summer concerts, the garden invites visitors to step inside, linger among the roses, wander the paths and stay for the music.
It is more than a place to visit. It is a haven perched above everyday life, quietly reminding us of what is possible. ■
No Day but Today
SOUTH BAY RESIDENT NATASHA DIAZ TURNS A LIFE-CHANGING DIAGNOSIS INTO A STORY OF STRENGTH, HOPE AND RESILIENCE.
Written by Darren Elms
After returning from a vacation in Portugal in 2024, Natasha Diaz discovered a small lump in her right breast while showering.
“I already had my annual mammogram scheduled for a few weeks later,” she says. “Because I have dense breast tissue, additional ultrasound imaging was required, which revealed an abnormality. A biopsy was performed the following week, and my doctor told me I had breast cancer at age 43.”
Natasha was diagnosed with infiltrating lobular carcinoma (ILC), a type of breast cancer that begins in the milk-producing lobules and spreads into nearby breast tissue.
“I had spent all of 2024 getting healthy—changing my diet and taking care of my body—and I couldn’t understand why this was happening now,” she shares. “It felt unfair, like a punishment I didn’t deserve. I was terrified of dying, but beneath that fear was the quiet realization that I had to be strong. I wanted to live, and I was determined to fight.”
Natasha received treatment at UCLA under the care of two of its leading surgeons. She underwent a full mastectomy of her right breast, followed by immediate reconstruction the same day.
“I had a reconstruction procedure called a DIEP flap, where tissue is taken from the abdomen and transferred to the chest to create a new breast—an attempt to make my body feel whole again after so much had been taken,” she explains. “The recovery was long and painful—eight weeks of healing that tested my strength in ways I never expected.”
Today her fight continues in quieter but relentless ways. Natasha follows a daily medication regimen that she will continue for the next 10 years. Each month, she also receives a Lupron injection—an estrogen blocker— with challenging side effects, including daily hot flashes and extreme fatigue.
“I keep going because without these drugs, the risk of recurrence is higher,” Natasha says. “Even on the hardest days, I choose the discomfort, the exhaustion, the sacrifice—because I choose life. I’ve now been cancerfree for a little over a year, and I will celebrate every year that I can say that.”
Natasha first learned about Tour de Pier through her gym, Bay Club, during the time of her diagnosis. She shared her journey with her spin instructor, PK Kessel, who encouraged her to ride after seeing her return to the gym post-surgery—still healing, still fragile but determined.
Last year Natasha rode alongside her personal trainer, who helped her slowly rebuild strength after cancer had taken so much from her body.
“During the final song of the ride, ‘Pink Pony Club,’ PK brought me up on stage,” she recalls. “In that moment, I wasn’t just riding for myself; I was riding for every person who has faced this diagnosis. I wanted to share my story to raise awareness about the importance of early detection and annual checkups, because catching cancer early can truly save lives.”
She also rides in support of Cancer Support Community South Bay. After surgery, Natasha realized she needed more than physical healing. She needed connection.
“The organization offered free support groups for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer,” she says. “Sitting in those rooms, I was deeply moved by the strength of the women around me—women who showed up week after week carrying their fear, their scars and their resilience. Despite being reminded every day of what they were going through—or had already survived—they continued to move forward with courage.”
She continues, “Being part of that community reminded me that none of us fight this alone, and that even in the hardest moments, there is power in showing up … together.” ■
THE IMPORTANCE OF KNOWING
For nearly two decades, financial advisor Tania Kvakic has guided clients at RBC Wealth Management in creating a financial plan that reflects their lifestyle, values and goals. Here she shares with us why it’s crucial to understand your net worth in order to manage, protect and grow your wealth.
What are you worth—financially, that is? Knowing the answer is an important first step in getting your financial house in order. You can’t be effective in planning for tomorrow until you know where you stand today.
Your net worth is what you own, less what you owe. It is determined by adding your liquid and illiquid assets (such as household and personal possessions, bank accounts, investment accounts, 401(k) and IRA accounts, business interests, cash value insurance policies and the market value of your home) and subtracting your liabilities (your mortgage balance outstanding, car loans, student loans, etc.). The difference between your assets and liabilities is your net worth.
A comprehensive review of your net worth sets the foundation for effective planning and provides a tangible barometer for better money management. An accurate net worth statement helps you identify the value and efficiency of your assets and liabilities.
Here are a few examples:
• Cash flow and liquidity – Those who know their personal net worth are more likely to spend, borrow and save sensibly.
• Titling of assets – How you own your assets is important. The wrong ownership arrangement can be problematic and can
have a major effect on your family’s longterm financial future.
• Beneficiary designations – Conduct a beneficiary review of all qualified assets in your household to ensure they are aligned with your estate planning objectives. These include employer-sponsored retirement plans, IRAs and life insurance policies.
• Composition – This is the balance between your cash-producing and non-cash-producing assets. An accurate assessment will reveal items of concern, such as a lack of liquidity or inadequate diversification. An undiversified balance sheet is a red flag.
• Business interests – If you are an owner, what’s the business worth? How is the organization structured? If succession planning is a consideration, is a buysell agreement in force and up to date? Consider employing the services of a business valuation specialist to get a clear and realistic appraisal of what the business is worth if you were prepared to sell today.
As a rule, your net worth should be recalculated every year as part of an annual financial physical exam. Take steps today to assess where you stand, and don’t be afraid to consult with a professional team of advisors for advice on helping preserve and enhance your balance sheet going forward.
Widening the Shoreline
FROM PERSONAL TRAGEDY TO FOUNDING CULTURE CLUB, ALLISON HALES IS CREATING ACCESS, EQUITY AND COMMUNITY IN THE SOUTH BAY.
Written by Tanya Monaghan | Photographed by Joan Fuller
You don’t meet someone like Allison Hales and easily forget it. Striking and unmistakably poised, she carries a natural presence that commands attention. But what lingers long after the first impression isn’t her beauty. It’s her resilience.
“I was born and raised in London,” she says. “My mom’s Jamaican, my dad was English. We were working class. My dad was a security guard; my mom worked for the government. Education was everything.”
She grew up in a home filled with music. “Music has been the factor of my life. It’s brought me through every single stage. It’s my therapy,” Allison explains.
Her father spent what, for a working-class family, felt like a fortune on a hi-fi system. The 1983 Linn Sondek turntable remains a relic of love—restored years later in Manhattan Beach.
But childhood was marked by trauma. When Allison was 13, her godbrother Stephen Lawrence, just 18, was murdered in a racially motivated knife attack in London.
“We found out at the school assembly the day after I walked home with him and the day before my birthday,” she says.
The killers were not immediately prosecuted; it took 15 years for justice to inch forward. Then when she was 18, her father died following a cycling accident.
“I planned the funeral, and I had just turned 18,” says Allison, her voice softening. “I think I’ve always had this resilience. I don’t know if it’s the Jamaican side, the English side or something I was born with. But I just carried on.”
She left home at age 15, worked retail at Gucci and Harrods, and did nails to pay her way through university. In what feels characteristically “Allison,” she manifested a career in the music industry.
After a chance encounter at a club in London, she secured an internship that led her to New York in 2003 with one suitcase and a dream. She worked with artists including Mariah Carey, Mika, Nine Inch Nails and many others, spending her 20s touring the world.
“It was everything,” she says. “Access, excellence, artistry. But I worked my ass off.”
Eventually, that life, glamorous and relentless, gave way to something different. She moved west, discovered triathlons and began driving from West Hollywood to Redondo Beach at 6 a.m. to swim in the ocean.
“When I was in the water, I felt like my dad was with me.”
In 2018 Allison signed a lease sight unseen on a small cottage on 26th Street overlooking Bruce’s Beach.
“I painted it all white. Everything fit perfectly. It felt magical,” she says. “For the first time in America, I felt community. People said good morning. I knew my neighbors.”
Then 2020 arrived. COVID-19 locked down the city. The names George Floyd, Breonna Taylor and Ahmaud Arbery came in waves. The story of Bruce’s Beach resurfaced in the national conversation. Protests filled the park outside Allison’s window.
“I was one of the only Black people I saw for weeks,” she recalls. “I knew Manhattan Beach was predominantly White, but during lockdown, I felt it. I didn’t see myself.”
For the first time in more than two decades in America, she says, “I felt very Black,” a realization that collided with the trauma she had carried since childhood. “It was triggering. My godbrother was murdered by five White 18-year-olds. A hate crime. So when I saw Ahmaud Arbery hunted down, it was the same.”
Allison began attending city council meetings.
“IT’S TWOFOLD. ONE, GIVING KIDS
WHO DON’T HAVE THE PRIVILEGE OF THE OCEAN ACCESS TO IT. AND TWO, MAKING SURE THE KIDS HERE ARE EXPOSED TO DIVERSITY IN REAL LIFE, NOT FOR THE FIRST TIME IN COLLEGE.”
Allison Hales and participant
Listening. Speaking. She joined the Bruce’s Beach Task Force as one of the few Black voices in the room.
“I went in naively optimistic. I thought we were all on the same page”—but she was not. “It was one of the most traumatic eight months of my life. I had to step into a role I’d never had to before, to be ‘the Black woman.’”
But from that experience came clarity. “I wanted to create real impact, not just a plaque, not just words.”
Allison’s proposal: bring inner-city Black and Brown youth—young people without access to the ocean—to the beach to learn surfing and volleyball. The goal was belonging, and exposure in both directions.
“It’s twofold,” she explains. “One, giving kids who don’t have the privilege of the ocean access to it. And two, making sure the kids here are exposed to diversity in real life, not for the first time in college.”
The task force rejected the proposal. She built it anyway. Culture Club was officially born in 2021 after she produced the first Juneteenth celebration at Bruce’s Beach, supported by leaders including Congressman Ted Lieu and Los Angeles County Supervisor Janice Hahn.
“Tour managing prepared me for this,” Allison laughs. “It was seamless.”
From there, Culture Club evolved into a nonprofit dedicated to equity, access and cross-cultural connection in the South Bay. Its mission: to create
opportunities for underserved youth to experience the beach through surf lessons, volleyball clinics, ocean safety education and community-building events while inviting South Bay volunteers to learn and participate alongside them.
Community members stepped forward, local surfers, volleyball coaches and neighbors who once simply exchanged morning greetings.
“It wasn’t just me,” she says. “People had my back. That’s what gave me the courage to keep going.”
Today, Culture Club stands as a bridge between past injustice and present action, between the legacy of Bruce’s Beach, once owned by Black entrepreneurs Willa and Charles Bruce before it was wrongfully seized, and a new generation of children who deserve to feel welcome on that sand.
Allison’s life has long been about access, to music, to global stages, to rooms many only read about. What moves her now is something quieter: the sight of a child who has never touched the ocean running toward it for the first time.
“I want them to feel like they belong here,” she says softly. “Because they do.”
In a town where the ocean has long symbolized privilege, Allison is steadily widening the shoreline and, in doing so, redefining what community can look like. ■
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Page Meets Podcast
AFTER
YEARS OF SHARING SOUTH BAY STORIES IN PRINT, OUR STYLE EDITOR LAUNCHES WORD. BY TANYA MONAGHAN , A PODCAST WHERE MEANINGFUL CONVERSATIONS UNFOLD IN REAL TIME.
Interviewed by Darren Elms
Tanya, you’ve been a storyteller with Southbay magazine for over a decade. What inspired you to create a podcast?
Tanya Monaghan: Storytelling has always been the thread running through my career. For years I’ve had the privilege of telling people’s stories through the pages of our magazine—sitting across from remarkable individuals in our community and trying to capture their voice, their spirit and their truth on paper. But lately I felt the pull to take those conversations somewhere deeper.
Podcasting allows you to hear the pauses, the emotion, the laughter, the vulnerability. There’s something incredibly powerful about hearing someone tell their story in their own voice. I kept thinking about all the extraordinary people I meet through my work and through my life here in the South Bay, and how many meaningful conversations happen off the page. Creating Word. by Tanya Monaghan felt like a natural extension of what I’ve been doing for years, just in a more intimate and immediate format.
How does live storytelling differ from writing for you?
Writing gives you the gift of reflection. You can sit with a conversation, shape it, polish it and craft the narrative. Podcasting is different. It’s alive in the moment. There’s a rawness to it that I actually love.
When you’re sitting across from someone with microphones on, you’re responding to energy and emotion in real time. You can hear when a story lands, when someone is searching for the right words, when something deeply personal is being shared. It’s less about controlling the narrative and more about
creating space for truth to unfold. I’ve found that incredibly powerful.
Who do you hope your audience will be?
Honestly, anyone who is curious about people and the human experience. I want Word. to be a place where listeners feel like they’re sitting at the table with us—listening to thoughtful, honest conversations with people who are doing meaningful things in the world. That might be community leaders, creatives, activists, entrepreneurs, wellness experts or parents navigating life’s challenges.
The South Bay is filled with fascinating, inspiring people, but the themes we’ll explore are purpose, resilience, growth, wellness, community—and these are universal. I hope listeners feel inspired, learn something new or simply feel more connected.
Tell us about your first guest and why you chose her.
My first guest is Jenn Levi, the mother of Braun Levi, whose life was tragically taken by a drunk driver. I chose Jenn because her story embodies exactly what this podcast is about: truth, courage and purpose. What she has endured is unimaginable, yet she continues to move through the world with extraordinary grace and strength. Through the Live Like Braun Foundation, she is channeling her grief into action—advocating for safer streets and carrying her son’s light forward in the most beautiful way.
Sitting with Jenn for that conversation was deeply moving for me. It’s the kind of story that reminds you how fragile life is and how powerful love and purpose can be.
Who is coming up next on the podcast?
One is Jennifer Shaffer, a well-known psychic medium. Jennifer helps people connect with loved ones who have passed, and her ability to bring comfort and clarity to families who are grieving is extraordinary.
Another upcoming guest is Lisa Phillips, an Epstein survivor who was featured in our recent Women’s Issue cover story. Lisa has become a powerful advocate for survivors of sexual abuse and now hosts her own podcast dedicated to giving survivors a voice.
I’ll also be welcoming Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino, my doctor at Love.Life, who will be a recurring guest on Word. She is brilliant when it comes to integrative health and wellness, and we’ll be diving into everything from hormones and longevity to how we can all take better care of ourselves.
Are there any other podcasters, especially local, who speak to you?
Local podcasters on my feed are Judging Meghan,
Glennon Doyle and Abby Wambach for We Can Do Hard Things, and Lisa Phillips with her From Now On
The magic of podcasting isn’t about perfectly scripted interviews. It’s about the human moments in between.
You chose the name Word. to title your podcast. This may sound cliché, but why do words matter?
I’ve always believed words carry weight. They shape how we understand the world and how we connect with each other. Words can comfort, challenge, inspire and sometimes even spark change.
“Word” has always meant truth to me. It’s a way of saying, “I stand by that.” I wanted the podcast to feel grounded in that idea—that when someone speaks on Word. , they’re sharing something honest and meaningful.
In a world where we’re constantly scrolling past headlines and sound bites, I wanted to create a space where conversations slow down and words actually mean something. ■
Tanya Monaghan and Jenn Levi
Friendship Walk Partner Appreciation Event
The Skechers Foundation hosted its 17th annual Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk Partner Appreciation Event in El Segundo, celebrating another meaningful year of giving back to the South Bay. Held at California SMASH Pickleball & Social Club, the evening brought together community leaders, educators, sponsors and supporters to recognize the continued success and impact of the Skechers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk, which raised more than $3.3 million in 2025.
Grand Opening Redondo Beach
CENTURY 21® Coastal Properties celebrated the grand opening of its newest South Bay office with a ribboncutting and community reception. The event highlighted the firm’s deep local roots, continued growth and global reach within the CENTURY 21 network.
Cheers to Four Years at N2 Aesthetics
The N2 team kicked up their boots and celebrated four wonderful years with the community they’re proud to serve. Providers showcased live treatment demonstrations while guests enjoyed delicious bites by Tin Roof Bistro, over $12,000 in raffle prizes and a night full of line dancing, connection and laughter.
45th Annual Educator of the Year
The Rotary Club of Palos Verdes Peninsula honored nine outstanding educators at the 45th Annual Educator of the Year event, held at the Palos Verdes Golf Club. Following an introduction by their principal/head of school, each teacher shared about their teaching philosophy and experiences.
Front: Marie Kuhn, Abigail Cowan, Cynthia Judd, Michelle Duncan Back: Leslie Rowe, Lauren Vartanian, Pete Nordlund, Brianna Tescher, Katherine Rieder
Nicola Lowrey with Alix Taylor and Nika Randall from Hairy Little Things
Erin Nordlund, Pete Nordlund, Jessica Donovan
David Rowe and Joan E. Behren
Recognizing the Graduating Seniors 2026
The Luminaries and NOVAS of Torrance Memorial Medical Center continue their tradition of service, volunteering thousands of hours and supporting hospital programs through events, baked goods, donations and patient-centered projects. Congratulations to the 23 graduating seniors NOVAS Class of 2026 for their dedication, leadership and commitment to serving their community.
Estate Properties’ 2025 Awards Celebration
Estate Properties real estate group brought their top producers together for an elegant evening honoring success and the people who make it happen. The celebration recognized achievement, energy and community across their entire network.
Back: Presley Tsai, Yoshihiko Shimada, Connor Lee, Gen Ogami, Isaac Chang, Aston Lee
Middle: Samantha Cha, Madison Ke, Elise Lee, Kayla Grohman, Addison Jung, Allison Primicias, Joy Munday, Shanti Mishra
Joanne Galin, Brittny Burford, Darren Pujalet, Kelly Evans, Kristian Bonk
Cindy Kawata and Tiffany Kawata
James Sanders, Sandra Sanders, Diane Sanders, John Sanders
Diane Sanders, Gary Stager, Bill Ruane, John Sanders, James Sanders
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BUILT ON COMMUNITY
The Jen Caskey Group team members draw inspiration from the place they love and call home.
Typically when you talk about a real estate agency, it’s natural to start with the numbers. How many homes have they sold? What’s their volume? How many transactions? The Jen Caskey Group’s figures are impressive: more than $260 million in sales last year and recognition as the #1 Compass team for sales volume in the South Bay. While the results matter, they only tell part of the story. The Jen Caskey Group is a boutique team that transcends statistics. This is a group of neighbors who have not only made the South Bay their home, they have also built a business inspired entirely by the places they love: Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes. Their work reflects the lifestyle here: elevated but approachable, polished yet personal.
Founder Jen Caskey grew up in Manhattan Beach, and real estate was part of her world from an early age—her mother was a longtime Realtor. Jen officially entered the business in 1991, and for more than 30 years she has been introducing new neighbors to the community she has always called home.
Her team members share a similar local connection. Many grew up in the South Bay or have lived here for decades. They are involved in local nonprofits, schools and athletic programs, and they understand the subtle character of each street and neighborhood—from where to catch sunset to which taco spot is a must after a beach day. Their knowledge goes far beyond square footage and sales comps; it’s about helping clients step confidently into the South Bay way of life.
The group blends that hyper-local expertise with the strength of Compass, offering boutique-level service backed by cuttingedge technology, in-house marketing, advanced data tools and a global network. Clients benefit from early access to properties, strategic exposure and a seamless, modern real estate experience.
The business continues to evolve in meaningful ways. Jen’s son, Shane Caskey, has joined the team as director of operations, bringing next-generation leadership and a sharp focus on systems, strategy and client experience. This family-rooted business continues to be built on long-term relationships and trust.
Looking ahead, the Jen Caskey Group is excited to launch its new Sports and Entertainment Division. Designed to serve professional athletes, entertainers and high-profile clients seeking discretion and strategic representation, the division builds on the group’s deep local ties and expanding network. With experience representing clients across sports, entertainment and business leadership, the team understands the unique demands of high-performance careers—and the importance of finding a home that feels grounded and private.
Community involvement remains central to everything they do. From supporting local schools to contributing to neighborhood charities, the team believes that giving back is simply part of doing business here. Their office, located in the heart of Downtown Manhattan Beach, reflects that open-door philosophy. Clients often stop by not just for market advice but for a coffee, a quick hello or a neighborhood recommendation.
Friends become clients, and clients become friends—and that spirit defines the group. The transaction may have a closing date, but the relationships do not. It’s locals doing business with professionalism, integrity and just enough fun along the way to remind everyone why they love calling the South Bay home.
THE JEN CASKEY GROUP | COMPASS 805 MANHATTAN AVE., SUITE 201 MANHATTAN BEACH 310-200-5900
JENCASKEYGROUP.COM
@JENCASKEYGROUP
DRE #01075946
L to R: Shane Caskey, Patrice Radden, Starr Dill, Jen Caskey, Stacia Janus, Avery Caskey, Ali Snider, Eric Fonoimoana
Soffi’s Spotlight
@THESOUTHBAYCLUB’S SOFFI YESSMANN PICKS STANDOUT DISHES FROM HERMOSA AND REDONDO MENUS.
Tigres Fuego
You can’t beat the campechana with spicy tuna, rockfish, shrimp, salsa macha, pico de gallo, avocado and chipotle mayo. 1223 S. Pacific Coast Highway in Redondo Beach
Fatto a Mano
The tasty Amalfitana is a Roman-style pizza with buffalo mozzarella, bottarga and anchovies, and finished with lemon zest.
610 Torrance Boulevard in Redondo Beach
RYLA
The menu features a lineup of hand rolls beyond the usual suspects, including yuzu Hokkaido scallop, blue crab, unagi avocado and even Japanese A5 Wagyu. 1220 Hermosa Avenue in Hermosa Beach
PHOTO
Salt & Pearl
The Maine Seafood Roll shines with pickled fennel, celery, shallot, espelette and herb mayo on a brioche bun. Served cold with choice of Maine lobster or king crab. 1719 S. Catalina Avenue in Redondo Beach
AttaGirl
Baran’s 2239
Don’t miss the local Pacific red snapper with coconut red curry, red tiger ratatouille and shallot herb salad. 502 Pacific Coast Highway in Hermosa Beach
The Shrimp a La Plancha and mint pesto radiatore features house-extruded pasta in a fragrant herb sauce with asparagus and spring peas, finished with Pecorino Romano and plancha-seared wild Mexican white shrimp. 1238 Hermosa Avenue in Hermosa Beach
A Family Table
YEARS AFTER HER PARENTS BUILT A LIFE THROUGH RESTAURANTS, LAURA FRANCISCO OPENED RADICI TO HONOR THEIR SACRIFICES AND SHARE THE FOOD THAT SHAPED HER CHILDHOOD.
Written
by Tanya Monaghan
Photographed by Shane O’Donnell
The story behind Italian restaurant Radici began exactly the way you might imagine about a favorite neighborhood trattoria: a young girl stands on a step stool beside her mother in a small kitchen, learning to make pasta by hand. In time, that little girl grows up to create a place where friends and family gather around the table to share a meal.
For Laura Francisco, that story is more than a charming image; it is her life. Laura’s mother, Lucia Gasbarri, first taught her those lessons decades ago, shaping a family tradition that would ultimately lead to the opening of Radici in Hermosa Beach years later.
Lucia grew up in a home where cooking was not simply a tradition; it was a necessity. Laura’s grandmother, Nonna Laurina, raised four children on her own, and money was scarce.
By age 12, Lucia and her sister were standing on stools at the kitchen table, learning how to roll pasta dough and prepare the meals that would feed their family. It was there that Lucia discovered her love of cooking.
“My mother learned to cook very young because she had to,” Laura says. “From that point on, it became her passion.”
That passion filled Laura’s childhood with the aromas of simmering sauces and handmade meals.
“We grew up with fresh, homemade dinners every night,” she recalls. “My mom loved impressing my father with new dishes. She was always experimenting and creating.”
Laura’s parents had immigrated to the United States from a small village in the Abruzzo region of Italy called Pacentro, nestled in the mountains east of Rome.
“It’s a very small village,” Laura explains. “Everyone returns every year with their families. It’s incredibly rooted in tradition.”
Those traditions traveled with them across the Atlantic. The family first settled in New Jersey before
making a bold move west. Laura was age 13 and her siblings were 10, 5 and 4 when her parents packed up the family and relocated to California.
Like so many immigrant families, the move was driven by sacrifice and determination. Both of Laura’s parents had only elementary school educations. Yet through persistence and sharp business instincts, they built successful restaurants. They also made a point of settling in communities with strong school systems, determined to give their children opportunities they never had themselves.
In the San Fernando Valley, Laura’s parents opened their first pizzeria, a major career shift for her father, who had previously worked as a welder.
“He never cooked a day in his life until the restaurant,” Laura says with a laugh. “But he ended up making the best linguine and clams and became the pizza man.”
Lucia ran the kitchen while her husband worked the front of house, pouring drinks and welcoming guests as if they were family. What began as a modest pizzeria eventually grew into a series of restaurants, ultimately taking the family to Palm Springs, where they operated a bustling 250-seat restaurant that attracted a lively mix of locals, as well as entertainers and athletes who frequented the desert city.
The restaurant world formed the backdrop of Laura’s childhood. But like many children of restaurateurs, she wasn’t sure it was the life she wanted for herself.
After graduating from San Diego State University, she chose a different path, first working in retail at Nordstrom before moving into logistics, where she met her husband. Eventually the couple settled in Palos Verdes, and Laura stepped away from her career to raise their two children.
For the next 20 years, motherhood became her fulltime focus. “I really didn’t do anything but raise my kids. Our house was always full. We had kids over all the time. We were cooking breakfast, lunch and dinner.”
When her children eventually left home, the sudden quiet felt strange. Returning to the workforce after two decades was intimidating.
“I remember thinking, ‘I don’t even know how to talk to adults anymore,’” she laughs.
Her first step back came through a small boutique on Pier Avenue in Hermosa Beach. The experience helped rebuild her confidence and slowly revived an idea that had quietly lived in the back of her mind for years.
“I always thought it would be fun to open a small restaurant someday and showcase our culture and our food,” she says.
The idea carried a bittersweet undertone. Laura’s father, who had always hoped one of his four children might continue the family’s restaurant legacy, had passed away years earlier from pancreatic cancer. At the time, none of the siblings wanted to take on the demanding business he had built. It wasn’t until after his passing that Laura felt herself drawn toward it.
“This restaurant is really about honoring my father and my mother and all their hard work,” she says.
In 2015, Laura purchased the Hermosa Beach space that would eventually become Radici restaurant. What she initially expected to be a quick renovation turned into a full remodel that stretched over two years before the restaurant finally opened in 2017.
“I didn’t know anything about OpenTable or marketing,” she admits of those daunting early days. “I literally just put a little flashing ‘Open’ sign in the window.”
What she did know was the kind of food she wanted to serve: authentic Italian cooking rooted in the traditions of Abruzzo.
“That region is known for what used to be considered peasant food,” Laura explains. “It’s simple cooking, but everything has to be fresh.”
True Italian cuisine, she says, is deceptively simple, relying on beautiful ingredients prepared with care and respect. At Radici, everything is made from scratch, and many ingredients are sourced from local farmers—a philosophy that results in dishes that feel both deeply authentic and unmistakably delicious.
To ensure the food stayed true to those traditions, Laura turned to the person who first taught her: her mother. Convincing Lucia to return to the kitchen, however, took some persuasion.
“My mom always says if you really don’t like someone, give them a restaurant for free,” Laura laughs.
Eventually Lucia agreed to help—but with one firm
“That region is known for what used to be considered peasant food. It’s simple cooking, but everything has to be fresh.”
condition: Laura could not change her recipes. Today those recipes remain the heart of Radici’s menu. The gnocchi are prepared the same way Laura remembers from childhood, and the sauces begin with tomatoes she personally selects at local farmers markets.
“In the summer I’ll pick anywhere from 50 to 200 pounds of tomatoes,” she says. They are roasted, milled and transformed into the restaurant’s signature pomodoro sauce.
Even the restaurant’s name carries deep meaning. Radici means “roots” in Italian, a name suggested by Laura’s daughter.
“It resonated immediately,” Laura says. “Roots are about heritage and where we come from.”
Today Lucia still travels from Palm Springs every few weeks to spend time at the restaurant. Without the pressure of running the kitchen full time, she can cook, visit with guests and watch the next chapter of the family story unfold.
For Laura, Radici is more than a restaurant. It is the continuation of a legacy that began long ago in a small Italian village and traveled across continents to the South Bay.
Her father never lived to see Radici open, but Laura believes he would understand exactly what it represents.
“I know he’s here,” she says softly. “He’s all over this place.” ■
“With more than 450 real estate professionals across our offices, we closely monitor the South Bay communities as well as the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Westside markets. Our agents are deeply embedded in their neighborhoods, which gives us a strong pulse on local trends and buyer demand.”
– THE SANDERS FAMILY, ESTATE PROPERTIES
L to R: Diane Sanders, John Sanders, Sandra Sanders, James Sanders
Real Estate PROFILES
98 ESTATE PROPERTIES INTERNATIONAL
100 BILL RUANE ESTATE PROPERTIES
102 ALISON CLAY-DUBOFF SALTY WATER PROPERTIES | ESTATE PROPERTIES
104 CHARLES FISHER FISHER REAL ESTATE | ESTATE PROPERTIES
106 JOHANNES STEINBECK STEINBECK HOMES | ESTATE PROPERTIES
108 KATHY TYNDALL & RACHEL TYNDALL MARTIENS THE TYNDALL TEAM | ESTATE PROPERTIES
110 CLARA BAUM REAL ESTATE WITH CLARA | ESTATE PROPERTIES
112 PENINSULA ESCROW
114 DEVRA ZANDELL THE ZANDELL REAL ESTATE GROUP | ESTATE PROPERTIES
116 RAQUEL ROGERS ESTATE PROPERTIES
118 KEVIN MEGOWAN & MAUREEN MEGOWAN MEGOWAN REALTY GROUP | ESTATE PROPERTIES
120 HARBOR LIGHTS ESCROW MARY FUJISAKI
122 GAIL KIELY
GAIL KIELY REAL ESTATE | VISTA SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY
124 JENNETTE PHILLIPS TODERICK CENTURY 21 COASTAL PROPERTIES
126 KEVIN MOEN ESTATE PROPERTIES
127 JANE SAGER ESTATE PROPERTIES
128 KELLY EVANS ESTATE PROPERTIES
129 GAYLE PROBST ESTATE PROPERTIES
130 LYNN LORD ESTATE PROPERTIES
131 BRITTNY BURFORD BURFORD BEACH HOMES | ESTATE PROPERTIES
132 DAVID KELLER
TEAM KELLER | ESTATE PROPERTIES
133 SANDY BRUCE ESTATE PROPERTIES
134 KRISTIN FAYE KRISTEN FAYE REAL ESTATE | ESTATE PROPERTIES
135 THERESA BRUNO THERESA BRUNO GROUP | ESTATE PROPERTIES
136 STEPHEN BLAIS & EMILY PIEMONTE PIEMONTE & BLAIS GROUP | ESTATE PROPERTIES
137 CHEYNE INMAN ESTATE PROPERTIES
138 JUNE SHIM & JOHN SHIM SHIM REAL ESTATE | COLDWELL BANKER
139 CINDY SHEARIN THE SHEARIN GROUP | STRAND HILL FORBES GLOBAL PROPERTIES
140 GEORGIANA ROSENKRANZ THE ROSENKRANZ|FRIEDMAN GROUP LLC | COMPASS
141 MOLLY HOBIN WILLIAMS THE HOBIN COMPANY
142 TERRY NIEMANN TERRANEA REAL ESTATE
Estate Properties International
Estate Properties International is a full-service real estate brokerage serving the South Bay, Palos Verdes Peninsula and Westside communities. In addition to residential sales, the firm operates several companies that support the real estate transaction, including escrow, title and property management services. Sandra Sanders founded Estate Properties in 1984, and today the business is run by her three children: James Sanders, CEO, Diane Sanders, CMO, and John Sanders, CTO.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
We are entering the spring market with increased inventory and renewed buyer activity. The strongest activity continues to be in the entry-level price ranges as buyers respond to improving interest rates. As rates have eased, we are seeing more confidence and movement in the market.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
Real estate transactions can be complicated and emotional. Our agents are seasoned professionals who anticipate challenges and guide clients through the process with experience and strategy. Our role is to remove stress from the transaction and allow buyers and sellers to make confident decisions.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
Experience makes the difference. Our agents often identify and solve potential problems before the client even knows they exist. Serving as a buffer and problem-solver throughout the process makes the transaction far smoother for our clients.
TELL US ABOUT A REAL ESTATE LESSON THAT HAS BEEN INVALUABLE.
One of the most important principles we teach our agents is the importance of setting clear expectations for both buyers and sellers. Many legal issues in real estate stem from incomplete disclosures. We work closely with sellers to ensure transparency and thorough disclosure so transactions can move forward with fewer surprises.
WHAT HOME FEATURES CONSISTENTLY ADD VALUE— AND WHICH DON’T ALWAYS PAY OFF?
Cosmetic improvements typically generate the strongest return. Curb appeal, fresh paint, updated flooring and kitchen or bathroom remodels often make the biggest impact with buyers. Structural improvements such as roofing, plumbing or electrical upgrades are important but can sometimes be overlooked because they are less visible during showings.
• Serious Success, Real Fun
• In-house Legal/Marketing
• Advanced Technology Solutions
• Elite Training, Ultimate Support
HOW HAS BUYER CONFIDENCE CHANGED OVER THE PAST YEAR—AND WHERE DO YOU SEE HESITATION?
Over the past few years, elevated interest rates created affordability challenges in our already high-value market. Recently we’ve seen rates begin to move downward, which has helped improve buyer confidence. Even so, affordability remains a key factor influencing purchasing decisions.
IN COMPETITIVE SITUATIONS, WHERE DO DEALS GET WON OR LOST?
Preparation and strategy make the difference. Agents who understand property values, negotiation dynamics and market timing are able to guide clients toward better outcomes. Setting expectations before negotiations begin often determines whether a deal ultimately succeeds.
HOW DO YOU HANDLE DEALS THAT REQUIRE AN UNEXPECTED, CREATIVE SOLUTION?
Every transaction brings its own challenges, often revealed through inspections. Having strong construction knowledge and access to a network of trusted experts allows our agents to find practical solutions quickly. That experience can turn a potential deal breaker into a successful closing.
WHAT DO PEOPLE ASSUME ABOUT REAL ESTATE THAT ISN’T ALWAYS TRUE?
Reality television often portrays the industry as purely transactional and focused on commissions. In reality, most agents are deeply invested in helping their clients achieve meaningful life decisions. Empathy and long-term relationships are at the core of our business.
DOES INSTINCT PLAY A ROLE IN YOUR WORK?
Instinct in real estate comes from experience. Over time, agents develop a sense for potential issues within a transaction and understand how to navigate them before they escalate. That experience allows us to guide buyers and sellers toward the best possible outcomes.
Bill Ruane
Realtor®, Estate Properties
Realtor Bill Ruane is based in El Segundo and serves the South Bay and Westside Los Angeles markets. He is a lifelong resident of the South Bay and has over $2 billion in residential and commercial sales and more than four decades of experience in the industry.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
With a deep understanding of local neighborhoods, I have built a reputation for excellence in residential, commercial and investment property transactions. I am known for my client-focused service, strong negotiation skills, and commitment to helping clients achieve their real estate and wealth-building goals.
HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT?
We structure strong, clean offers with thoughtful terms, clear timelines and solid financing to give sellers confidence. I also communicate closely with the listing agent to understand what matters most to the seller, allowing us to tailor the offer and position my clients as the most reliable and prepared buyers.
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
Experience matters. Real estate transactions often have unexpected bumps, but with the right guidance, those issues can be handled proactively rather than reactively. My role is to anticipate challenges, keep everything organized and make sure my clients feel confident and informed every step of the way. When preparation, communication and experience come together, the process becomes far less stressful and much more successful.
WHAT SEPARATES LONGTIME REAL ESTATE AGENTS FROM THOSE WHO BURN OUT?
Longevity in real estate comes down to consistency, relationships and adaptability. Agents who last in this business focus on building trust and long-term relationships rather than chasing quick transactions. They stay disciplined with their routines, continue learning as the market evolves and remain committed to serving their clients at a high level. Real estate can be demanding, but I’ve learned that to succeed over time, I need to deliver value, maintain strong networks, and approach the business with patience and professionalism year after year.
HOW HAVE YOU EARNED YOUR CLIENTS’ TRUST?
Growing up in the South Bay gave me a love and dedication for the community and its people. My passion for real estate began early in life and has led to a complete commitment and devotion to serving people—not only as homeowners but also as investors.
Residential
Commercial
Industrial
Land
I wholeheartedly believe in building wealth with a well-planned portfolio of commercial and multi-unit properties. I believe this is why I have earned the trust of many loyal clients.
WHAT DO YOU SAY WHEN HOMEOWNERS ASK,
“WHEN
SHOULD I LIST MY HOME?”
After working with hundreds of South Bay sellers over the years, we’ve learned that timing isn’t just about picking the “best month” from a chart. It’s about understanding the interplay between seasonal buyer behavior, local inventory patterns, your specific property type, your personal circumstances and current market conditions. Sometimes conventional wisdom holds true; other times, the best strategy is to zig when everyone else is zagging.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOUR CLIENTS WHEN PREPARING FOR THE SALE OF THEIR HOME?
Regardless of when you plan to list your home, it’s best to begin preparing at least 90 days in advance. That timeline gives you enough room to handle the improvements that make the biggest difference in how a home shows and ultimately how it sells. It allows time for things like painting, landscaping, minor renovations, decluttering, deep cleaning and sorting through years of accumulated belongings. It’s also time to make sure the home is completely photo-ready before it goes on the market. We work closely with our clients during this process to identify which updates will have the greatest impact on value and buyer appeal, so you’re focusing your time and money in the right places.
HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS WHO WOULD LIKE TO EXPLORE IF DOWNSIZING IS RIGHT FOR THEM?
When clients consider downsizing—or rightsizing—I help them evaluate the financial, lifestyle and practical benefits. Many South Bay homeowners are looking to unlock equity, reduce maintenance and simplify daily living. For empty nesters especially, a smaller home can better match their current needs while creating opportunities to live in more walkable neighborhoods—often closer to shops, restaurants and the beach.
Alison Clay-Duboff
Realtor®, Salty Water Properties Inc. | Estate Properties
Alison Clay-Duboff has worked in real estate for nearly 20 years and operates Salty Water Properties as part of Estate Properties. She grew up in Southern California, attended the American University in Paris and graduated from George Washington University with a degree in radio-television broadcasting. Alison has lived in the United Kingdom, St. Barts, France, Sweden and Saudi Arabia. She is a published author and public speaker, and has contributed stories to Southbay magazine.
WHEN DID YOU FIRST GET INTO REAL ESTATE?
I dove in headfirst in 2007—right at the cusp of the crash. It was a great way to learn the hustle required to be a successful Realtor for my clients.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
No matter the love affair people have with AI, real estate is a contact sport, and Realtor relationships are crucial in a competitive situation. Your Realtor’s reputation carries gravitas. I exert an unflinching commitment to ethics, professionalism and serving my clients beyond their expectations.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
Medium simmer. Buyers are realizing rates will not return to the cosmic lows of yesteryear; however, they are shopping.
WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE YOU WATCHING MOST CLOSELY RIGHT NOW?
I have a very dear client who is looking for an exceptional property for his family and growing car collection. Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach are under my keen observation. I’m shaking the bushes and hunting my off-market resources. They have a doubledigit million-dollar budget, but it’s not an easy find.
TELL US ABOUT A REAL ESTATE DEAL THAT TAUGHT YOU INVALUABLE LESSONS.
A young single mom contacted me about buying a home. So many aspects didn’t add up. She was mysterious about funds, uneducated on the home-buying process and told me her mother was a princess and would be paying for the purchase. She exhibited very odd behavior, had some interesting habits and family members, but I persisted, listened and assisted in her search. Once the property of her dreams was located, I found out that her “princess mother” was part of one of the most illustrious and historic families in the USA. We subsequently did many transactions together. Reserve discernment.
My Local List
Favorite Seafood: Fishing With Dynamite
Best Cheeseburger & Shakes: Proudly Serving
Favorite Steakhouse: The Arthur J
Fun Event: Halloween on Catalina, Redondo
WHAT HOME FEATURES CONSISTENTLY ADD VALUE?
Curb appeal and welcoming landscaping. First impressions are vital. And I can’t stress enough the value of good professional staging.
TELL US ABOUT A DEAL THAT REQUIRED AN UNEXPECTED, CREATIVE SOLUTION.
I once represented a professional poker player. Financing required a little bit of creativity!
HOW DOES INSTINCT PLAY INTO YOUR WORK?
Intuition plays a big role in understanding people’s goals and also their fears. A widower client needed to sell the family home. I could sense that he was torn up because the house would be torn down. He had fear and guilt all wrapped up into a ball of emotion. My role was to guide him through that fear.
WHAT WAS ONE OF YOUR PROUDEST MOMENTS?
It was a huge honor being invited to speak to a group of over 500 Realtors and owner-brokers on the main stage at Euro Disney outside Paris—all in French. They even carried me out on a surfboard, which is a trademark of my marketing.
WHAT IS NEW AND EXCITING FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
Being partnered with Leading Real Estate Companies of the World®. The Sanders family—the owner-brokers of Estate Properties—is amazing! I enjoyed being on a panel at the LeadingRE Global Symposium in Prague last October, and I look forward to being a panelist in Las Vegas at the upcoming LeadingRE LIMITLESS conference. Our global referral business is thriving. Anyone interested in a château in France or a prosecco vineyard in a UNESCO site in Italy?
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
I am married to my darling Michael. We share our South Redondo Beach home with our two Bouviers des Flandres. I also have an amazing daughter and a 4-year-old grandson.
Alison Clay-Duboff and Babu the Bouvier
Charles Fisher
Owner,
Fisher Real Estate | Estate Properties
Charles Fisher has worked in real estate for more than 20 years, focusing on residential and multifamily sales and advisory services in the South Bay, Westside and surrounding coastal communities. He also works closely with families, trustees and attorneys on trust and estate property sales. He has been with Estate Properties since 2016.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
I advise homeowners and buyers throughout the South Bay and Westside of Los Angeles on residential real estate decisions, from strategic home sales to thoughtful property acquisition. I help sellers properly position their homes for the market, often coordinating targeted improvements and preparation to maximize value, and help buyers navigate competitive markets through a proactive search strategy and strong industry relationships. My goal is to provide clear insight, thoughtful strategy and trusted representation throughout the process.
WHAT DO PEOPLE ASSUME ABOUT REAL ESTATE THAT ISN’T TRUE?
A common assumption is that real estate is mostly about sales and marketing. While those things matter, the reality is that a large part of the job is strategic advising, problem-solving and helping people navigate complex decisions. Many transactions involve unique circumstances—trust sales, estate transitions or significant financial considerations—where clients need clarity, guidance and someone they trust to help them think through the process. The role is much more advisory than people often realize.
HOW DOES INSTINCT PLAY INTO YOUR WORK?
Instinct in real estate usually comes from experience and pattern recognition. After being involved in many transactions and studying market behavior over time, you start to develop a feel for how buyers will react to a property, how pricing will influence activity or which improvements will have the greatest impact before a home goes on the market.
When preparing a property for sale, I often help clients identify a few targeted improvements that can significantly enhance buyer perception and overall value. Experience helps you recognize which changes will truly move the needle and which ones won’t. That same instinct also helps when advising buyers. Having a strong understanding of local market conditions and buyer behavior can help clients make more informed decisions about pricing, financing strategy and even which types of properties are likely to hold their value over time. In competitive markets, that kind of insight can make a meaningful difference in helping buyers pursue the right opportunities with confidence.
Highlights
• Seller & Buyer Representation
• Trust & Estate Properties
• Advisory Planning
• Pre-Market Property Preparation
WHAT SEPARATES
LONGTIME REAL ESTATE AGENTS FROM THOSE WHO BURN OUT?
Longevity in real estate usually comes down to mindset and relationships. The agents who last tend to focus on building long-term trust rather than chasing short-term transactions. They take care of their clients, communicate clearly and approach each situation with a sense of responsibility. Real estate can be unpredictable, so resilience and consistency matter. The people who succeed over time are those who stay steady, keep learning and treat the work as a profession rather than a quick opportunity.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENERGIZED?
Professionally, I enjoy the strategic aspect of the work—analyzing markets, preparing properties to achieve their highest potential and helping buyers identify the right opportunities. No two situations are exactly the same, which keeps the work interesting. Personally, I stay energized by spending time with family, exploring new restaurants and staying active—whether it be volleyball, golf, camping or workouts.
IF YOU WEREN’T A REAL ESTATE AGENT, WHAT KIND OF WORK WOULD YOU BE DRAWN TO?
If I weren’t in real estate, I would likely be working in engineering or the aerospace industry. My father owned an aerospace fastener business in El Segundo, so it was something I was exposed to from an early age. Being around that environment gave me a real appreciation for engineering, manufacturing and the level of precision involved in the industry. Living in the South Bay and Los Angeles, we are surrounded by companies and people working on some incredible technology, engineering and aerospace technology advancements. It is great to see this industry return to our area, as it had been fading for years. Companies like Boeing, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman and now SpaceX are developing technologies that are shaping the future. The challenge of solving complex problems and building systems that push the boundaries of what’s possible is something I’ve always admired.
L to R: Sylvette Mascioni, Charles Fisher, Ryan Martin
Johannes Steinbeck
Luxury Real Estate Advisor, Steinbeck Homes | Estate Properties
Steinbeck Homes represents buyers and sellers in the South Bay and Los Angeles coastal communities. Owner Johannes Steinbeck has worked in real estate for a decade and boasts a background in carpentry, interior design and event production, including building restaurants and designing experiential spaces.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
Competitive, resilient and highly localized. Even when the market changes, the South Bay still attracts buyers due to its lifestyle, schools and coastal access. Well-priced homes with strong presentation are still moving quickly.
WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE YOU WATCHING MOST CLOSELY RIGHT NOW?
Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach continue to see strong demand, especially for newer construction and homes with ocean views. I’m also watching areas like Redondo Beach and Palos Verdes, where buyers are finding exceptional lifestyle value.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
Preparation and presentation make a huge difference. We focus on thoughtful staging, professional marketing and positioning the property so buyers immediately understand the lifestyle it offers. When a home feels compelling and well-curated, it creates an emotional connection—and that’s powerful.
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
Communication and preparation. When expectations are clear and everyone stays proactive—from agents to escrow and inspectors—the transaction goes more smoothly. The goal is to anticipate issues before they become problems.
WHAT SEPARATES LONGTIME REAL ESTATE AGENTS FROM THOSE WHO BURN OUT?
Longevity in this business comes from adaptability and relationships. Markets change constantly, but trust and reputation compound over time. Agents who stay curious and committed to serving clients tend to build lasting careers.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES WORKING IN REAL ESTATE FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
I’ve always enjoyed the intersection of design, construction and people. Before real estate, I worked with my hands building spaces
• Strategic Negotiation
• Luxury Marketing
• Design & Staging
• Global Exposure
and creating environments—from restaurants to event venues. That hands-on experience gave me a deep understanding of construction and materials and a unique view of how spaces function and feel. Today it helps me evaluate homes more critically. It also helps me advise clients on improvements and prepare homes for the market. Real estate brings all of those interests together: architecture, design, strategy and helping people make meaningful life decisions. I combine my design and construction insight with strategic marketing and negotiation to help clients achieve exceptional results.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENERGIZED?
I enjoy the creative side of real estate—architecture, design and helping a home show at its best. Personally, spending time with my family and being part of the local community keeps everything grounded and balanced.
WHAT HOME FEATURES CONSISTENTLY ADD VALUE— AND WHICH DON’T ALWAYS PAY OFF?
Quality architecture, natural light and well-designed indoor-outdoor living always resonate with buyers in coastal California. On the other hand, highly customized upgrades may not add value if they don’t appeal to many buyers.
IN COMPETITIVE SITUATIONS, WHERE DO DEALS REALLY GET WON OR LOST?
The winning offer isn’t always the highest price. Terms, timing and the confidence a buyer communicates can be just as important. Experienced representation helps structure an offer that gives the seller certainty and clarity.
TELL
US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
My wife, Sylvia, and our daughter, Emma, are a big part of my life. Living and raising our family in this community gives me a personal connection to the neighborhoods I serve. That perspective helps me guide clients not just as an agent but as a local resident.
Kathy Tyndall & Rachel Tyndall Martiens
Realtors®, The Tyndall Team | Estate Properties
Kathy Tyndall and Rachel Tyndall Martiens are a motherdaughter team operating under the umbrella of Estate Properties. Kathy joined the real estate industry in 1983 when Rachel was only 2 years old. She is a well-known South Bay artist and a former member of the board for the Palos Verdes Peninsula Association of REALTORS®. Her designations include the Estate Properties Hall of Fame and Lifetime Achievement awards.
Rachel earned her real estate license after graduating from business school at Chapman University in 2004. Through her internships, she worked in management and marketing at various firms before moving into real estate.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
We are a family-run business with old-fashioned ethics and new age techniques. Each of our clients’ transactions is a bridge— leaving behind memories, gaining new opportunities and starting a new chapter. Our job is to make that transition smooth, confident and exciting so clients can focus on what comes next instead of the stress of the process.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET IN JUST A FEW WORDS?
Selectively competitive.
WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE YOU WATCHING MOST CLOSELY RIGHT NOW?
The Palos Verdes Peninsula.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
Terms, qualifications, working with a trusted lender, preparation, connections, communications and personal touch.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
Communication, organization and realistic expectations.
WHAT INVALUABLE LESSON HAVE YOU LEARNED ABOUT THIS BUSINESS?
Flexibility wins and sometimes requires structuring creative solutions.
IF YOU WEREN’T A REAL ESTATE AGENT, WHAT KIND OF WORK WOULD YOU BE DRAWN TO?
Interior design.
Highlights
• Residential Sales
• Honesty & Integrity
• Staging & Design Home Prep
• Expert Negotiations
WHAT WAYS DOES WORKING IN REAL ESTATE FIT YOUR PERSONALITIES?
We love helping others and connecting with people, and we are self-motivated, independent, driven and energetic.
WHAT HOME FEATURES CONSISTENTLY ADD VALUE— AND WHICH DON’T ALWAYS PAY OFF?
Remodeled kitchens and baths, lighting and windows, curb appeal, landscaping, newer flooring and fresh paint add value. Extremely personalized touches that are too loud, trendy or bold don’t pay off, nor do overly luxurious upgrades.
HOW HAS BUYER CONFIDENCE CHANGED OVER THE PAST YEAR?
Buyers are much more apprehensive and particular in their home search. Many have interest rates at or under 3% and aren’t inclined to give them up. We help by focusing on affordability strategies, negotiating power and timing.
TELL US ABOUT A DEAL THAT REQUIRED AN UNEXPECTED, CREATIVE SOLUTION.
A seller saved all of her newspapers, and they filled the fivebedroom house from top to bottom. We sold the home despite the clutter and managed to remove everything ourselves at the close of escrow.
WHAT DO PEOPLE ASSUME ABOUT YOU BECAUSE YOU’RE IN REAL ESTATE?
That we have flexible schedules, when in reality we work seven days a week.
WHAT SEPARATES LONGTIME REAL ESTATE AGENTS FROM THOSE WHO BURN OUT?
Consistency! We have some clients who have sold many family homes with us through three generations.
Rachel, Kathy & Panda the mini bulldog
Clara Baum
Realtor®, Real Estate with Clara | Estate Properties
South Bay native Clara Baum earned an MBA and spent many years in business before transitioning into real estate. She ranked in the top 10% of agents at Estate Properties last year and is active in the Palos Verdes Peninsula Association of REALTORS® and other South Bay networking organizations. Clara and her husband have invested in a variety of properties, including single-family homes, multifamily properties and triple-net investments.
"My personal investments give me a strong understanding of real estate from an investor’s perspective," she says. "And my husband is a contractor, giving me an additional layer of construction insight that often benefits my clients during the buying and selling process."
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
My focus is on providing local expertise, strong negotiation and a personalized approach so every client feels supported through the entire process. Having grown up in the South Bay, I have a deep appreciation for the community and the lifestyle that makes the area so special. My background in business strategy, negotiation and client service has been invaluable in helping my clients make smart real estate decisions.
DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET.
Competitive, resilient and location-driven. Even with changing interest rates, demand for well-located homes remains strong because of the lifestyle, schools and proximity to the ocean. Buyers are more thoughtful today, but quality homes still move quickly.
WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE YOU WATCHING MOST CLOSELY RIGHT NOW?
The Palos Verdes Peninsula, Redondo Beach and Torrance continue to see strong interest. Each area offers something unique— from coastal views to family-friendly neighborhoods and excellent schools. Buyers are paying close attention to value, lifestyle and long-term appreciation.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
Preparation and strategy make the difference. I guide buyers on crafting strong offers that include thoughtful terms, clean timelines, and a professional presentation. Sellers benefit from marketing, staging and positioning their property to attract the right buyers.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES BEING A REAL ESTATE AGENT FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
I genuinely enjoy helping people through important life decisions.
Highlights
• Local Market Expertise
• Strategic Negotiations
• Personalized Service
• Strong Referral Network
Buying or selling a home is a big milestone, and I like being someone clients can rely on for guidance, knowledge and support throughout the process. I’m naturally detail-oriented and organized, which helps when navigating contracts, negotiations and all the moving parts of a transaction. I also love connecting with people and being involved in my community. As a South Bay native, it’s meaningful to help clients find a home and a lifestyle that truly fits them. Real estate allows me to combine my business background, local knowledge and passion for helping others into work that feels both purposeful and rewarding.
HOW DOES INSTINCT PLAY INTO YOUR WORK?
Real estate often requires reading situations and people quickly. Sometimes it’s knowing when to push forward with an offer and when patience will create a better opportunity. Experience and instinct together help guide those decisions.
WHAT SEPARATES LONGTIME REAL ESTATE AGENTS FROM THOSE WHO BURN OUT?
Consistency and relationships. The agents who last in this business truly care about serving their clients and building long-term trust within the community. When your business is built on relationships and referrals, it becomes very rewarding.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENERGIZED?
I love helping people achieve meaningful milestones like buying their first home, investing or selling a longtime family property. Outside work, I enjoy spending time with my family and being part of the South Bay community where we live.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
Family is incredibly important to me. My husband, Jeff, and I are raising our two boys here in the South Bay, and we love being part of such a vibrant community. Living locally helps me truly understand the neighborhoods, schools and lifestyle my clients are looking for.
Peninsula Escrow
Peninsula Escrow is a full-service escrow company that acts as a neutral third party for real estate transactions, preparing grant deeds, transfer deeds, quitclaim deeds, trust deeds, notes, assignments and requests for notice. The firm’s 13 escrow officers coordinate with lenders, title companies, insurance companies and other agencies to complete each client’s escrow. Peninsula Escrow opened for business in 1989 in Palos Verdes and today has six locations across the South Bay.
We asked the escrow officers at Peninsula Escrow to discuss the services they provide, and how they ensure that each client feels like a top priority while they deliver an efficient, high-quality escrow process every time.
Victoria Kraft: Purchasing a home may be the single most important transaction you make in your lifetime. I work hand in hand with your real estate agent to form a team dedicated to relieving any stress related to the purchase or sale of your home. I understand California law and the steps necessary to bring the dream of owning a home to fruition.
Diana Matthews: I’m a lifelong South Bay resident, and I love that my business supports this amazing area! I provide excellent customer service tailored to clients’ communication preferences and schedules, and I work hard to foster the positive relationships that I’ve built over the years with well-known lenders and vendors.
Kevin Kraft: Communication is of the utmost importance in every transaction. I offer my clients over 44 years of experience handling every type of transaction. One of my specialties is resolving anything that may occur throughout the transaction for a successful closing. I strive to help clients understand the process, eliminate the stress and make buying or selling a home a great experience.
Adam Winge: Buying your forever home can feel overwhelming. I ensure that every client receives my full attention, never rushed. I guide them through each step and document with the same care I’d offer family—supportive, respectful and clear. No jargon, no condescension, just steady guidance when it’s needed most.
Danielle LaCharite: With nearly 30 years of experience, I combine technical expertise with deep empathy. By prioritizing a friendly, caring attitude and active listening, I ensure clients feel heard and understood. This patient, enthusiastic approach transforms escrow transactions into calm, solution-oriented experiences where every customer's unique needs are met stress-free.
Eddie Sayles: Every transaction is unique, and each client’s needs are distinctive. My careful review of every escrow, thorough communication with the parties and adept problem-solving allow clients to feel secure in their transactions with me.
• Residential Home Sales/Bulk Sales
• Commercial
• Refinance
• Mobile Homes
Laurie Acore: Communication and detail are key to a successful closing. Our team treats every file like it’s our only file. Clients receive clear timelines and same-day responses. We anticipate issues before they surface, coordinate closely with all parties and streamline documents digitally. Our calm, detailed approach ensures a smooth, low-stress, on-time closing—every time.
Brenda Barragan: Throughout the escrow process, I keep all parties informed with timely updates. I treat every client like family, creating a welcoming environment. Understanding escrow can feel overwhelming, so I personally guide clients through each step, clearly explain details, ease concerns and help them feel confident from start to finish.
Lorena Avila: I approach every escrow as more than a transaction; it’s a milestone in someone’s life. I lead with intention, communicate with clarity and stay ahead of every detail to ensure a seamless experience. My clients feel heard and protected because I deliver efficiency with confidence and integrity, backed by unwavering personal commitment.
Suzanne Lawrence: It is still possible to “have it your way.” I blend old-fashioned accessibility (not only in my office all week, but also for in-house signings or to answer questions most weekends), technical expertise based on years of experience, and openness to learning the latest rules and technologies.
Veronica Martinez: I provide a smooth, high-quality escrow experience where every client feels genuinely valued and prioritized. I communicate with clarity, empathy and consistency—guiding step-by-step and easing stress along the way. What makes my service unique is personalized care, proactive attention and a calm, reassuring approach through the escrow process.
William Baltazar: I personally lead every escrow. Quick replies, straight talk and catching risks early ensure that nothing derails closing. I’m always available by phone, text or email. Clients feel secure—funds protected, everything transparent, and we record on time with no surprises.
Escrow Officers, L to R: Brenda Barragan, Victoria Kraft, William Baltazar, Laurie Acore, Diana Matthews, Danielle LaCharite, Adam Winge, Veronica Martinez
Seated: Lorena Avila
Not pictured: Kevin Kraft, Jackie McGee, Suzanne Lawrence, Eddie Sayles
Devra Zandell
Associate Realtor®, The Zandell Real Estate Group | Estate Properties
Devra Zandell has worked as a South Bay real estate agent for 22 years, starting with Shorewood Realtors in 2004 and moving to Estate Properties (formerly RE/MAX) in 2014. She holds certifications as a Property Manager and a Certified Divorce Specialist and is experienced in assisting elderly clients with the sale of their homes, ensuring a compassionate experience during what can be a significant life transition.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE SUCCESS FOR YOUR CLIENTS?
My long-standing connections—forged over decades—enable me to foster trust and open communication with clients and colleagues alike. Coupled with my extensive vendor network, I bring significant resources to the table, ensuring we can tackle any challenge that arises. Ultimately, it’s this combination of enduring relationships, unwavering dedication and proactive energy that positions my clients and me to seize opportunities and secure successful outcomes in a competitive landscape. As my tagline says, "When it's time to buy or sell, it's time to call Zandell!"
TELL US ABOUT A DEAL THAT REQUIRED AN UNEXPECTED, CREATIVE SOLUTION.
In a recent transaction, I faced the challenge of securing maximum seller credits for the buyer while maintaining the property’s purchase price to uphold its value. To achieve this, I proposed a creative solution: highlighting the credits to the lender by utilizing a “buy-down” structure, ensuring that all parties were satisfied and the property’s market value remained stable. This successful approach reinforced the importance of innovative problem-solving in my real estate transactions.
WHAT IS NEW AND EXCITING FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
In 2026 my team is leveraging artificial intelligence and cuttingedge technology to enhance my real estate strategies significantly. I employ advanced tools for virtual property tours and automated client interactions, which streamline processes and improve overall client engagement. This integration of technology not only enhances efficiency but also elevates my client’s experience, positioning my business at the forefront of the industry.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
In my experience with real estate transactions, several key factors can differentiate a smooth process from a stressful one: (1) Clear Communication: regular and transparent communication among all parties; (2) Thorough Preparation: having all necessary documents and information organized from the beginning, which can greatly reduce stress; and (3) Proactive Problem-Solving: anticipating potential challenges and addressing them proactively.
Highlights
• Strategic Home Preparation
• Professional Photography & Drone
• Trusted Vendor Network
• Luxury Level Marketing
IN WHAT WAYS DO YOU STAND OUT FROM OTHER REAL ESTATE AGENTS?
After more than two decades in the industry, what truly sets me apart is my experience, strategy and personal dedication to my clients. I don’t just list homes; I help sellers prepare their properties to shine in the market with my trusted vendor network. I create strong buyer demand through professional marketing, and I negotiate strategically to achieve the best possible outcome. I pride myself on being honest and ethical. My clients know they have a seasoned advocate guiding them every step of the way.
WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO WORK IN THE SOUTH BAY?
The South Bay stands out for its powerful sense of community, balanced lifestyle and proximity to innovative, thriving businesses. Its coastal vibe enhances a distinct collaboration, wellness and high quality of life, which positively influences me both professionally and personally. Working here offers the opportunity to contribute to a dynamic local economy while being part of a community that values both professional excellence and well-being.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM.
My team includes marketing experts who craft tailored strategies to effectively promote my listings, including escrow officers, a buyer's agent and more. This ensures a smooth, efficient closing process for clients. A dedicated transaction coordinating department streamlines communications and logistics, allowing us to provide exceptional service throughout the buying and selling experience.
HOW DO YOU ENSURE EACH CLIENT FEELS SUPPORTED AND CONFIDENT?
Real estate is deeply personal because every transaction represents a major life transition for my clients. I take the time to truly listen, understand their goals and guide them with clear communication, thoughtful strategy and honest advice at every stage of the process. My priority is not just closing a deal but building lasting relationships so my clients feel supported, informed and confident from our first conversation through the final closing and beyond.
Raquel Rogers
Realtor®, Estate Properties
Raquel Rogers, a California native born in Hollywood, has nearly two decades of experience in real estate. She guides buyers and sellers through every step of the process—from identifying impactful improvements to coordinating contractors, staging, marketing and negotiations. An active member of the South Bay community, she contributes through local initiatives, neighborhood Little Libraries and free educational videos offering guidance on complex real estate transactions.
WHAT HOME IMPROVEMENTS CONSISTENTLY ADD VALUE—AND WHICH DON’T ALWAYS PAY OFF?
The improvements that deliver the best return are those that help balance any imperfections in the home—such as layout, storage and overall functionality—while also highlighting its most desirable features. A visually stunning home will attract attention, but it won’t generate strong offers if it doesn’t function well for the buyer most likely to pay top dollar. Sellers sometimes overspend on upgrades that reflect their personal taste or, in the other extreme, finishes that are so neutral, they make the home forgettable. The goal isn’t simply to renovate; it’s to invest strategically in improvements that will showcase the home in its best light.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
Structure and communication. When timelines, expectations and responsibilities are clear from the beginning, the process becomes far more manageable for everyone involved. My role is to stay ahead of the moving parts—coordinating vendors, anticipating challenges and guiding my clients through decisions so the experience feels organized, calm and low-stress.
HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT?
The strongest offers aren’t always the highest number, and cash isn’t always king. The winning offers are those that give the seller confidence that the transaction will close smoothly. I work exclusively with the most prepared and reliable buyers because I guide them on how to get there; then I communicate clearly with the seller’s side to structure thoughtful terms and position the offer in a way that reduces uncertainty for the seller. Providing the seller peace of mind can make all the difference in competitive offer situations.
WHAT DO MOST SELLERS MISUNDERSTAND ABOUT MAXIMIZING THEIR HOME’S VALUE?
Many sellers believe the list price itself is the biggest factor in the outcome, but preparation, timing and pricing strategy are the trifecta with the greatest impact. Homes that generate the strongest offers are usually the ones that have been thoughtfully
Highlights
• Concierge Home Preparation
• Strategic Guidance
• Expert Negotiation
• Complex Transactions
prepared, presented and positioned. When buyers feel confident and excited about a property, competition naturally follows—and that’s what drives seller leverage and premium results.
WHAT DO CLIENTS VALUE MOST ABOUT YOU?
Clients often tell me they appreciate the structure, strategies and solutions I bring as I guide them through each stage of the process. Selling or buying a home can feel overwhelming, but when someone coordinates the details, communicates clearly and advocates for your best interests, it becomes much more manageable. Most of my clients come through referrals, which I consider the greatest reflection of trust in the service I provide.
TELL US ABOUT A REAL ESTATE TRANSACTION THAT REQUIRED CREATIVITY.
There have been so many over the years! I’d say the common trait of the most meaningful transactions is that they involve major life transitions, with many moving parts beyond the sale itself. In divorce sales, I coordinate closely with attorneys, appraisers, coparenting coaches and mediators while helping all family members feel secure in the transition. In trust sales, I help the trustees prepare the property, complete any necessary repairs and bring the home to market to maximize its value. By carefully crafting a manageable timeline for the parties involved, I help them establish a smooth, predictable process for the family during what could have been a very overwhelming time.
WHAT INFLUENCES HOW BUYERS PERCEIVE A HOME’S VALUE?
Most homes don’t reach their full potential because they weren’t positioned correctly before going to market. How a home is prepared and presented directly impacts how buyers perceive its value. My role is to guide that process so the home stands out the moment it enters the market, creating the strongest opportunity to generate demand.
Kevin Megowan & Maureen Megowan
Owners, Megowan Realty Group | Estate Properties
Megowan Realty Group is a full-service real estate team and mother-son partnership. Kevin Megowan and Maureen Megowan specialize in luxury estate properties, handling each detail of the transaction from architectural staging to complex contract negotiations and market analysis. Maureen started her real estate career alongside her late husband, Bruce, in 2004. Kevin has been involved in the business from the beginning and has been officially licensed since he was in college. They joined Estate Properties when it first began and formed Megowan Realty Group in 2015.
WHAT SETS YOU APART FROM OTHER AGENTS AND TEAMS IN THE SOUTH BAY?
We’re not just selling homes; we’re essentially the local historians of Palos Verdes. Long before mega-portals like Zillow even existed, we built our website, MegowanRealty.com, from the ground up. Over the decades, we wrote hundreds of pages of content about the South Bay, which has consistently kept us at the top of local search results. That immense library of local knowledge actually evolved into a published book, Historic Tales from Palos Verdes and The South Bay, which Maureen and Bruce co-authored. That deep, encyclopedic knowledge of this area can’t be replicated.
TELL US ABOUT A DEAL THAT REQUIRED AN UNEXPECTED, CREATIVE SOLUTION.
When we were tasked with selling “The Cottage”—the original 1916 Portuguese Bend home of Palos Verdes founder Frank Vanderlip— we knew its incredible historical pedigree would draw attention, but its need for significant updating was a major hurdle for traditional buyers. Because we are known for our deep local historical knowledge, the sellers trusted us to find a creative path forward. Ultimately, the unexpected solution was sourcing a visionary builder who recognized the property’s legacy and was willing to meticulously update the 3,800-square-foot estate while preserving its century-old charm.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
We bring a unique left-brain/right-brain approach to every listing. Maureen is a former clothing designer, so she has a phenomenal eye for architectural staging and presenting a home to evoke an emotional response from buyers. Kevin pairs that aesthetic sensibility with a strong analytical edge, drawing on his background in IT project management and a degree in real estate economics from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo. Together we ensure the pricing strategy and contract negotiations are just as flawless as the home’s visual presentation.
My Local List
Deli Favorites: Malaga Cove Ranch Market
Fresh Groceries: Lunada Market & Deli
Authentic Italian: Fatto a Mano
Go-To Butcher: South Shores Meat Shop
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM.
We’ve merged Maureen’s decades of coastal luxury market expertise with Kevin’s modern, data-driven approach. But our team’s roots go even deeper. We carry forward the professional legacy of our husband/father, Bruce Megowan, who brought over 30 years of commercial asset management experience (including serving as president of the Building Owners and Managers Association of Greater Los Angeles) to our family’s foundation. We truly view our clients as an extension of that family.
HOW ARE YOU INVOLVED IN THE COMMUNITY?
Our family’s dedication to Palos Verdes goes far beyond the housing market. Years ago, Maureen and Bruce helped lead the grassroots effort to establish the Rancho Caninos Dog Park, which is a legacy we are incredibly proud of. We actively work to preserve and share the unique stories of the Peninsula with both long-time residents and newcomers.
WHAT BUILT THE FOUNDATION OF YOUR REAL ESTATE GROUP?
Our foundation was built on two pillars: strong personal relationships and being digital pioneers in the real estate space. Decades ago, we recognized the power of the internet and built our website into a massive resource for local information. That early digital footprint generated incredible referral business and gave us a rocksolid foundation that we still build upon today.
WHAT DO PEOPLE ASSUME ABOUT YOU BECAUSE YOU’RE IN REAL ESTATE THAT ISN’T TRUE?
People often assume we are “all business, all the time” and that our lives revolve entirely around market trends. But we have a lot of creative passions outside of real estate! For instance, Kevin is an avid cook and guitar player. In fact, his musical background actually led to a solo vocal performance at Carnegie Hall with the Cal Poly Arab Music Ensemble. We bring that same creative energy into everything we do.
Harbor Lights Escrow
Mary Fujisaki, Owner
Harbor Lights Escrow is an independently owned escrow company serving the South Bay and surrounding communities. The firm specializes in residential, commercial, refinance, wholesale, mobile home and investment transactions. Mary Fujisaki founded Harbor Lights Escrow in 1999. She and her team have over 250 years of combined escrow experience and more than $6 billion in closed transactions.
WHAT DIFFERENTIATES HARBOR LIGHTS ESCROW FROM OTHER FIRMS?
Our experience, communication and commitment to every client set us apart. There is very little we haven’t seen—and we know how to get deals closed. Our mission is simple: provide every client with personal service, clear communication and the confidence that their escrow is being handled by experienced professionals built on faith, service and integrity.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
Active, competitive and resilient. Even with changing interest rates, the South Bay continues to be a highly desirable area, and well-priced homes are still moving quickly.
WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE YOU WATCHING MOST CLOSELY RIGHT NOW?
We are seeing strong activity in Rancho Palos Verdes, Palos Verdes, San Pedro, Torrance and Redondo Beach. These areas continue to attract buyers because of schools, location and lifestyle.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
Communication and experience make the difference. When escrow is handled correctly and efficiently, it gives buyers and sellers confidence that the transaction will close smoothly.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
Preparation and communication. When everyone involved stays informed and deadlines are handled properly, the process becomes much easier for all parties.
TELL US ABOUT A REAL ESTATE DEAL THAT TAUGHT YOU AN INVALUABLE LESSON.
Every escrow is different, and even after decades in the business, we still see surprises. One complex transaction reminded us that staying calm, patient and solution-oriented is the key to getting any deal closed.
Highlights
• Residential & Commercial Escrow
• 1031 Exchanges
• Mobile Home Escrow
• Wholesale/Investor Escrow
IN COMPETITIVE SITUATIONS, WHERE DO DEALS REALLY GET WON OR LOST?
Details matter. Missing documents, slow responses or a lack of experience can cause unnecessary delays. A strong escrow team helps keep everything on track and prevents small issues from becoming big problems.
TELL US ABOUT A DEAL THAT REQUIRED AN UNEXPECTED, CREATIVE SOLUTION.
We once worked on a transaction with multiple parties and title issues that needed to be resolved quickly. By working closely with the agents, title company and lender, we were able to clear the issues and still close on time.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES WORK IN ESCROW FIT YOUR TEAM'S PERSONALITIES?
Escrow requires organization, patience and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Our team enjoys helping people and takes pride in making the process easier for our clients.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENERGIZED?
Our clients and our team, which is like family. Many of us have worked together for years, and we truly enjoy what we do. Our experience shows in the way we handle transactions. Clients know they can rely on us for professionalism, knowledge and personal service. Every successful closing is rewarding, especially when we know we helped make the transaction smooth.
WHAT IS NEW AND EXCITING FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
We continue to grow while staying true to our boutique style of service. In 2026, we are focused on expanding our relationships in the South Bay while continuing to provide the personal attention and experience our clients rely on.
Back, L to R: Stellesa Petorella, Jessica Summer, Lorena Christie, Maryann Johnson, Luann D’Ambrosi-Pearce Front: Annette Kaio, Mary Fujisaki, Laura Turner
Gail Kiely Owner, Gail Kiely Real Estate | Vista Sotheby’s International Realty
Realtor® Gail Kiely has more than 25 years of experience living and working in the South Bay, and connecting clients with homes that fit the way they live. She was drawn into real estate by her father-in-law and her husband, who specialized in South Bay real estate development projects. Gail was a silent partner before joining the team as a licensed agent. Previously she worked in advertising and marketing and as a holistic health coach.
WHAT DO YOU WANT PEOPLE TO KNOW ABOUT YOUR WORK AS A FULL-TIME REAL ESTATE AGENT?
I put my clients’ needs first. I’m incredibly hardworking and strategic in the way I do things. I ask a lot of important, detailed questions of my clients in terms of how they live currently and how they’d like to live in the future, so that together we can find the perfect house that matches their needs. The same holds true when I’m working with a seller. It’s about digging deep to determine the motivating factors—what’s negotiable and what’s not. That clarity makes everything smoother.
I also bring a deep understanding of the community, its lifestyle and its ever-evolving real estate market. Having raised my family in the South Bay, I know firsthand what makes this area such a special place to call home. My commitment to my clients goes beyond just helping them buy and sell homes. I’m dedicated to providing top-notch service and exceeding expectations on all fronts.
HOW DID YOU FIND THE SOUTH BAY?
I was introduced to the South Bay when we were living in Venice (pre-kids). We would come down to Manhattan Beach and Hermosa Beach to visit friends. Dinner and drinks at Michi’s, dancing on the Hermosa Pier and ending the night at The Kettle long after the bars had closed. I fell in love with the community—the friendliness of it, the vitality of it. We found an amazing rental in Manhattan Beach with an ocean view. About a year later, we were notified to vacate as they would be demolishing the home.
One sunny afternoon while on a walk, my dog suddenly stopped in front of a “For Sale” sign. It was an adorable little duplex in the Sand Section with an unbelievable ocean view. Long story short, the original offer on the home fell through, and our backup offer secured the deal. That’s when we officially began to put down our roots in this community.
AS A LONGTIME RESIDENT, HOW HAVE YOU SEEN THE SOUTH BAY EXPERIENCE EVOLVE?
It’s funny you asked that, because just last week I celebrated a neighbor’s 89th birthday, and my husband said with a laugh, “Wait, the party is at 10 a.m.?” I answered, “Yeah, it’s the perfect
My Local List
Best Brows: For Love & Beauty
Best Beans: Pure Bean Coffee
Best Bakery: Tommy & Atticus
Best Beach Happy Hour: Surfer Girl
time for a party!” Back when our kids were little, we’d all get together after school drop-off and toast the first day back with mimosas. Now here I am celebrating a neighbor’s 89th birthday at 10 a.m., and my kids are both nearly grown and flown!
The party was hosted by a dear friend who recently moved to a home on The Strand in Hermosa. The birthday girl brought her photo scrapbooks—some dating back to the 1970s. It was definitely nostalgic, looking back through those photos and some of us sharing photos from our early-day block parties. It was heartwarming to see how our friendships have deepened over the years.
MEETING PEOPLE AFTER MOVING TO A NEW COMMUNITY CAN BE DIFFICULT. HOW DID YOU CREATE YOUR NETWORK OF FRIENDS?
It’s definitely been an evolution. When we moved to the South Bay, I was traveling to the Pacific Northwest weekly for my marketing job. We knew the majority of our friends through our careers. But once we had kids, everything changed. We met other people who had babies, and we formed great bonds as we navigated parenthood together.
I still get together monthly with my original preschool mommy friends, and I have another tight-knit group of girlfriends from the kindergarten years. It’s crazy how we’ve all changed but have remained very close. I’m also a part of a neighborhood book club with a diverse group of women of all ages, and we’re members of the California Surf Club, which brings our community together through special events. My suggestion to those who are looking to meet new people: Get involved in whatever you’re passionate about!
WITH SPRING HERE AND SUMMER ON THE WAY, WHAT ARE YOU EXCITED ABOUT?
The real estate market here in the South Bay always heats up this time of year. And with the special events like the World Cup and the Olympics coming to Los Angeles, we’re going to see an increase in demand. I’m excited for both my buyers and my sellers, as there will be a lot of opportunities!
Jennette Phillips Toderick
Broker/CEO, CENTURY 21 Coastal Properties
CENTURY 21 Coastal Properties is a full-service residential real estate brokerage handling everything from first-time homebuyers and luxury estates to investment properties and multi-unit opportunities. The firm has served the South Bay for over 40 years. CEO Jennette Phillips Toderick oversees the company’s vision, operations and growth strategy while leading a team of more than 200 agents.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM.
At CENTURY 21 Coastal Properties, we operate like a family. Our experienced professionals, rising agents and dedicated support staff all share the same commitment to service, integrity and results. Many of our agents are deeply rooted in the South Bay— they live here, raise their families here and are actively involved in the community. That local connection gives us a genuine understanding of the neighborhoods we serve and the people who call them home. Behind the scenes, our operations team ensures every transaction runs smoothly, from marketing and compliance to escrow coordination and client communication. We’re proud of the culture we’ve built—collaborative, driven and professional—where success is shared and growth is intentional.
WHAT DOES LEADERSHIP IN REAL ESTATE LOOK LIKE IN TODAY’S MARKET?
Leadership goes beyond transactions. It’s about setting standards, mentoring agents, protecting consumers and staying ahead of market shifts. We believe leadership means being proactive—whether that’s embracing new technology, educating clients through changing regulations or creating a culture of professionalism and accountability within our office. In a fast-moving and sometimes uncertain market, strong leadership provides clarity. And clarity creates confidence—for our agents, our clients and our community.
WHAT IS NEW AND EXCITING FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
2026 is a major growth year for us. We’re expanding our footprint, elevating our marketing platform, and continuing to invest heavily in agent development and technology. Our focus is on building a modern brokerage that combines strong leadership, brand power and hands-on support. We’re seeing many experienced agents making the move to CENTURY 21 Coastal Properties because they want more than just a desk. They want leadership, accountability, culture and real market presence. In a shifting market, agents are looking for strong branding, strategic coaching, competitive commission structures and a brokerage that is truly invested in their success. That’s exactly what we’re building. Our goal isn’t just growth in numbers; it’s growth in quality, professionalism and impact within the South Bay community.
Highlights
• Elevated Marketing & Global Reach
• Deep Local Expertise
• Full-Service Support
• Agent Development & Leadership
DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET.
Resilient, competitive and opportunity-driven. Despite shifting interest rates and broader economic headlines, the South Bay continues to show strength because of its coastal lifestyle, strong schools, limited inventory and long-term desirability. Well-priced homes are still attracting serious buyers. The pace is more strategic than the frenzy of past years, which creates opportunity for buyers and sellers who approach the market with the right guidance.
WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE YOU WATCHING?
We’re closely watching the Hollywood Riviera, South Redondo (especially the Avenues), Torrance and Hermosa Beach. These areas continue to see strong buyer demand because of their walkability, school districts and long-term appreciation potential. We’re also seeing interesting movement in parts of Lawndale and Hawthorne, where buyers are finding more entry-level opportunities and upside potential as values continue to climb outward from the coastal core. Inventory remains tight, so when well-priced homes hit the market in these neighborhoods, they tend to move quickly.
HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT?
In today’s market, strategy wins—not just price. We focus on preparation, positioning and presentation. For sellers, that means elevated marketing—professional photography, targeted digital campaigns, strong storytelling and strategic pricing to create demand. For buyers, it’s about crafting clean, compelling offers with strong terms, clear communication and reputation-backed credibility. Relationships matter in this market, and our long-standing presence in the South Bay often helps our clients gain an edge.
WHERE DO DEALS REALLY GET WON OR LOST?
Deals are won or lost in the details. In competitive situations, it’s about terms, presentation and execution. Clean offers with strong timelines, solid lender communication, thoughtful contingencies and proof of performance matter. A track record of closing smoothly and communicating professionally makes a difference.
Jennette Phillips Toderick and Michael Toderick, Director of Growth & Development
Kevin Moen
Director of Luxury Division, Estate Properties
Kevin Moen is a licensed real estate agent with more than 35 years of experience representing homebuyers and sellers in the South Bay. He is a graduate of UC Berkeley and joined Estate Properties in 2014, where he serves as the director of the firm’s Luxury Division.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES WORKING IN REAL ESTATE FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
I love to help people, and working as a real estate professional allows me to assist families in the purchase or sale of an asset that is very significant in their lives.
WHAT SEPARATES LONGTIME REAL ESTATE AGENTS FROM THOSE WHO BURN OUT?
Finding value in helping clients creates a sense of gratitude in our profession and helps eliminate the stress that can develop into burnout.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
One key element in helping my clients’ properties stand out beyond price is exposure and reach. I meet weekly with a network group of top-producing agents to ensure that my listings are seen and talked about, and that agents and their clients are aware of them among the vast array of companies in the South Bay market and beyond. This helps expose my listings to other top agents from a variety of companies. Of course, exposure and reach also include a robust digital online presence, local and global print advertising, direct mail to the community and word of mouth.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
A smooth transaction has some key elements, primarily communication among agents and clients so all parties are engaged in the sale process. The next element is having the experience to address issues and offer resolutions to problems as they appear in a transaction.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENERGIZED?
Staying engaged in all aspects of our profession allows me to maintain a positive attitude. Taking time for personal activities, such as horseback riding, skiing, fishing and family, helps keep things in balance.
Jane Sager
Real
Estate Agent, Estate Properties
Jane Sager was an electrical engineer before transitioning to real estate 37 years ago. She has been recognized among the top 1% of agents nationwide by Estate Properties and featured by the Los Angeles Business Journal.
WHAT HOME FEATURES CONSISTENTLY ADD VALUE—AND WHICH DON’T ALWAYS PAY OFF?
Along the coast, orientation, views and walkability make a remarkable difference. I’ve moved more than 10 times within the South Bay, often choosing homes with potential others might miss. One was a corner coastal property where the position created sweeping views that interior lots simply don’t capture. Another was a 1920s home in Downtown Manhattan Beach that I purchased before it was as sought-after as it is today. I loved the walkability and felt that lifestyle would resonate more broadly over time. Years later, buyers come into my downtown office asking specifically for homes in that immediate area. Those experiences shape how I evaluate property today and allow me to guide my clients with a thoughtful, long view toward appreciation.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
The South Bay is defined by the rarity of its coastal properties. With so few homes near the ocean, welllocated properties with great light, views and proximity to the beach tend to draw strong interest and often a sense of urgency among buyers. That balance of limited supply and enduring lifestyle appeal continues to support the market.
IN COMPETITIVE SITUATIONS, WHERE DO DEALS REALLY GET WON OR LOST?
Preparation and strategy make all the difference. I recently represented a home that received 25 offers, and the winning offer wasn’t simply the highest. It was the one that best aligned with the seller’s goals. My background has shaped a more analytical approach, looking closely at the details and thinking a few steps ahead, which helps my clients navigate competitive situations with clarity, confidence and a sense of calm.
Kelly Evans
Realtor®, Estate Properties
Kelly Evans brings 26 years of residential real estate experience to the South Bay community she proudly calls home. As a real estate agent with Estate Properties, she has built her career on lasting relationships and a genuine love for the South Bay beach lifestyle, helping clients find their place in the coastal neighborhoods where she and her husband raised their two daughters.
WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE YOU WATCHING MOST CLOSELY RIGHT NOW?
While I’m always watching the South Bay as a whole, I’m especially focused on the Hollywood Riviera. After 26 years specializing in the community I’m proud to call home, I’ve had the privilege of selling many homes here—often more than once. What makes it truly special is that my clients become my neighbors and friends. I get a front-row seat to their life milestones, and that’s one of the greatest joys of what I do.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
A smooth transaction starts with trust. I focus on preparing my clients from day one so they understand what to expect at every stage. Clarity replaces uncertainty, and that alone reduces so much stress. Equally important are strong relationships within our community. My long-standing connections with fellow agents, contractors, inspectors and trusted service providers allow me to quickly provide solutions and thoughtful guidance. When clients feel informed, supported and surrounded by the right team, the process becomes far more seamless and far less stressful.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENERGIZED?
I’ve always loved a good game. Tennis, pickleball, backgammon, cards, cornhole, bocce … I’m happiest when there’s a little strategy involved and just enough unpredictability to keep things interesting. Real estate taps into that same energy for me. Every transaction is its own puzzle, with different players, different goals and a unique path to the finish line. No two deals are ever alike, and that keeps me sharp and engaged. What truly energizes me, though, is the people. I enjoy getting to know what makes someone tick, understanding what “home” means to them and then connecting the dots in a way that feels seamless and right. When all the pieces come together, it’s incredibly rewarding.
Gayle Probst
Realtor®, Estate Properties
Gayle Probst has been selling homes in the South Bay for 34 years. She works with sellers, buyers and investors and also assists with leasing. Gayle grew up in the Midwest and worked on Capitol Hill for a couple of years before relocating to California.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
The current market is very tight, with limited inventory and cautious buyers. In this market, patience truly is a virtue. My clients know they will never feel pushed by me. Sellers rely on me to be honest about pricing, timing and improvements that may increase their home’s marketability. Buyers depend on me to help guide them through the entire transaction—from negotiations and inspections to all the decisions that must be made along the way. Honesty and clear communication are always at the heart of my approach.
TELL US ABOUT A REAL ESTATE DEAL THAT TAUGHT YOU INVALUABLE LESSONS.
My very first transaction taught me an important lesson. I represented both the buyer and the seller, and at first their goals seemed incompatible. During negotiations, I simply asked each of them what mattered most. Surprisingly, the seller’s main priority was not the final price; it was having a rent-back period so his family could finish building their new home. The buyer's goal was that he simply wanted to “win.” Ha! Once I understood their motivations, the solution became clear. The seller received the rent-back he needed, the buyer got the price he wanted, and everyone finished the transaction happy. That experience taught me the importance of asking questions and truly listening.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
Difficult transactions often arise from unrealistic expectations, heightened emotions, financial concerns, family disagreements or a lack of honesty. Most of these challenges can be resolved with clear communication, thoughtful guidance and sometimes a little extra patience and support.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
I am the proud mother of two adult daughters, grandmother to five wonderful grandchildren, and fortunate to share a long and happy marriage with my best friend. I believe every day is something to be grateful for.
Lynn Lord
Broker Associate, Estate Properties
Lynn Lord has worked in South Bay real estate for 40 years and joined Estate Properties 20 years ago. She holds designations as a Certified Luxury Home Marketing Specialist, a Palos Verdes Specialist, an Accredited Staging Professional, a Senior Real Estate Specialist and a Trust/Probate Sale Specialist. Her real estate partner, Johnny Religa, worked for 20 years leading large-scale operations across retail and health care prior to joining the real estate industry.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM.
As my business continues to grow, I am proud to welcome a new agent, Johnny Religa, to my team. My approach has always been centered on thoughtful service, strong market knowledge and meaningful relationships with my clients. Adding a carefully selected professional allows me to further elevate the level of attention and expertise I provide while continuing to deliver the refined service clients expect. Johnny brings an exceptional background in marketing and customer service to our team. He focuses on innovative marketing strategies, assisting first-time home buyers and guiding clients through the sale of inherited properties. His client-first approach, combined with strong communication and attention to detail, will help ensure a smooth and positive experience for the clients he serves.
HOW HAS BUYER CONFIDENCE CHANGED OVER THE PAST YEAR?
Buyers are still cautious, remaining concerned about affordability, price-to-income ratios and down payments. At the same time, mortgage rates are slightly lower than last year, which has started to bring some buyers back into the market. Buyer confidence is stronger in the South Bay than the national average, with the bigger issue locally being affordability and inventory.
WHAT IS NEW FOR YOUR BUSINESS?
I’m honored to have been ranked #10 company-wide with Estate Properties. It has been a privilege to work with such wonderful long-term clients who continue to inspire me every day. I’m deeply grateful for the talented team of vendors and my staff who consistently deliver exceptional work and ensure every transaction runs smoothly. Thank you to everyone who makes this possible.
Johnny Religa & Lynn Lord
Brittny Burford
Realtor®, Burford Beach Homes | Estate Properties
Brittny Burford is a residential Realtor focusing on the Beach Cities, Palos Verdes and surrounding cities. She has worked in real estate since 2009 and joined Estate Properties in 2013. Previously she owned Paciugo Gelato Caffe in Hermosa Beach.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
Competitive, resilient and lifestyle-driven. The demand for the South Bay lifestyle—coastal living, great schools, a connected community—remains incredibly strong, while inventory is still relatively limited. As a result, well-priced, thoughtfully prepared homes continue to attract serious buyers and move quickly, even as the market evolves.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE FOR BOTH BUYERS AND SELLERS IN TODAY'S MARKET?
Work with a local, experienced, well-connected Realtor who truly understands the South Bay market and can guide you through the right strategy. For buyers, preparation is key—being fully preapproved and ready to act when the right home comes along. For sellers, thoughtful pricing and strong presentation from day one make all the difference. Even in a shifting market, the South Bay remains a desirable place to live; having the right local expertise is invaluable.
HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT?
Standing out in a competitive market requires a strategy well beyond price. I guide my clients through building the most compelling offer package possible: strong financing, clean contingencies, flexible terms and proactive communication with the listing agent. I also focus on understanding what matters most to the seller, whether that’s timing, certainty or simplicity, and tailoring the offer around those priorities. A well-structured offer that feels secure and seamless often rises to the top, even in multiple-offer situations.
HOW DOES THIS JOB FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
In so many ways! It combines the things I naturally love: connecting with people, being part of the South Bay community and helping others reach important life milestones. I’m very relationship-driven, so guiding families through buying or selling a home and watching them start their next chapter is incredibly rewarding. I also thrive in a fast-paced environment where every day is different, and this business certainly keeps me on my toes.
David Keller
Realtor
®, Team Keller | Estate Properties
David Keller has worked in real estate in the South Bay since 1988 and joined Estate Properties in 2013. He and his team—including agents Mia Ellison, Gina Bradley and Morrine Robey—have more than 100 years of experience in the real estate industry.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
A smooth transaction comes down to preparation, communication and relationships. I stay steps ahead—anticipating challenges, setting clear expectations and keeping clients informed throughout. In the South Bay, the trust and respect I’ve built with other agents helps keep negotiations collaborative and solutionfocused, so the process feels seamless, efficient and far less stressful for everyone involved.
TELL US ABOUT A DEAL THAT REQUIRED AN UNEXPECTED, CREATIVE SOLUTION. It’s not always about price. I represented a buyer in a multiple-offer
situation—an estate sale. My client was willing to pay full price or more, like everyone else. Because I knew a bit about the decedent, I suggested offering full price, with any additional funds directed as a separate donation to the decedent’s nonprofit. That gesture secured the property for my client.
HOW DOES INSTINCT PLAY INTO YOUR WORK?
Instinct is shaped by experience. After decades in the South Bay, I can read the subtle cues—timing, motivation and market shifts— that aren’t always obvious on paper. It helps me guide clients with confidence, anticipate outcomes and make strategic decisions quickly, often before others see the opportunity or the risk.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENERGIZED?
I live for an active outdoor lifestyle—especially the kind that demands skill, focus and a willingness to push my limits every single time. For me, nothing compares to the rush of motorcycling, whether on the road or off, and the raw experience of ocean swimming. Both are truly life-changing.
Sandy Bruce
Broker Associate, Estate Properties
Born in Southern California, Sandy Bruce graduated from the University of Southern California and is now raising her children in the South Bay. She enjoys spending time with family and friends at the beach and local eateries. At work, in addition to assisting buyers and sellers through her own real estate business, she is the director of career development at Estate Properties.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
Buyers should consider the sellers’ needs, other than just price. For example, in some cases a seller is looking for a replacement property. A buyer who allows some flexibility in the contract to allow them to find and secure that property can be just as valuable as the purchase price.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
Communication is so incredibly important. Buying or selling real estate is one of the largest transactions in most people’s lives. I work diligently to set proper expectations from the beginning with my clients, maintaining steady communication with the agents on the other side and considering other perspectives of those involved as we move through the escrow. My goal is to exceed my clients’ expectations and continue to build rapport with everyone involved.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES WORKING IN REAL ESTATE FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
I truly love people. I enjoy helping people match with the perfect property and making their visions a reality. Whether it is where they will set up the backyard BBQ or how they wish to renovate the kitchen, it makes my heart feel so fulfilled.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENERGIZED?
I am honored to be the director of career development/ mentor for Estate Properties. I train, mentor and support new licensees who join Estate Properties, offering guidance and overseeing their transactions to ensure that they are completing everything correctly. Being front row as each one in my group completes another transaction and seeing how excited they are to achieve their goal gives me such pride and motivation. And with their many questions, it keeps me on my toes as well!
Kristen Faye
Realtor®, Kristen Faye Real Estate | Estate Properties
Kristen Faye is a real estate advisor with Estate Properties, serving clients across the South Bay and Westside since 2018. Before real estate, she worked in entertainment postproduction and distribution.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
With a highly personalized, relationship-driven approach, my business is centered on thoughtful guidance, strategic marketing, and helping clients navigate the buying and selling process with clarity, confidence and care. When I worked in entertainment, I developed a strong foundation in project management, presentation and staying calm under pressure and tight deadlines. Today I bring that same detail-oriented, strategic mindset to marketing, negotiations and guiding clients through complex transactions.
WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE YOU WATCHING MOST CLOSELY RIGHT NOW?
I’m always watching the South Bay closely, especially Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Manhattan Beach and El Segundo,
because each has its own buyer rhythm and lifestyle appeal. I also keep an eye on nearby Westside pockets such as Westchester and Playa del Rey, since many clients are comparing coastal access, community feelings and long-term value across multiple neighborhoods.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
Selective, strategic and still highly opportunity-driven. Buyers are paying close attention to value, condition and lifestyle, so homes that are priced thoughtfully and presented well are still generating strong interest.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
The strongest offer is not always the highest one. It’s the one that feels the most complete, credible and well-positioned. I help clients stand out by thinking through the full picture: preparation, timing, presentation, terms and communication, so the seller has confidence in the offer and the overall transaction.
Theresa Bruno
Associate Broker, Theresa Bruno Group | Estate Properties
Theresa Bruno has been licensed as a real estate agent for the past 25 years and joined Estate Properties one year ago. She has three grown children—one of whom recently started working in real estate—plus two grandchildren and many family members who live in the community.
DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET.
Strong and steady. The South Bay remains one of the most desirable coastal communities in Los Angeles, and demand continues to outpace supply. When the right home comes on the market, buyers are ready.
HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT?
Price matters, but it’s not everything. I focus on strong terms, experienced lenders and clear communication between agents so the seller feels confident the deal will close smoothly. In many cases, certainty and professionalism can be just as powerful as price.
TELL US ABOUT A DEAL THAT REQUIRED AN UNEXPECTED, CREATIVE SOLUTION.
I once had a listing fall out of escrow because the buyer raised concerns about the home’s foundation. Instead of trying to work around the issue, we decided to tackle it head-on. I helped the seller secure affordable funds to complete the foundation repairs, which allowed us to relist the property with confidence. The result was a successful sale at a higher price that covered the cost of the repairs.
WHAT DO PEOPLE ASSUME ABOUT YOU THAT ISN’T TRUE?
People often assume I’m extroverted because of the industry I work in. In reality, I’m naturally more reflective and observant. I’ve found that listening carefully and paying attention to the details often leads to better outcomes for my clients.
WHAT HOME FEATURES CONSISTENTLY ADD VALUE—AND WHICH DON’T ALWAYS PAY OFF?
In the South Bay, natural light, functional floor plans, updated kitchens and bathrooms, and usable outdoor space consistently add value. Buyers love homes that feel open and connected to the outdoors. On the flip side, very customized upgrades don’t always translate to resale value.
Stephen Blais & Emily Piemonte
Realtors®, Piemonte & Blais Group | Estate Properties
Ahusband-and-wife real estate team, Stephen Blais and Emily Piemonte bring decades of experience in the real estate industry. Emily joined Estate Properties in 2016 and has been named a Top 100 Agent with the firm. Stephen joined Estate Properties in 2018.
WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE POTENTIAL CLIENTS TO KNOW ABOUT YOU?
Our partnership allows us to offer our clients something unique: two experienced professionals working together on every transaction. We combine deep knowledge of the South Bay with strategic marketing, strong negotiation skills and a trusted network of stagers, contractors and vendors to ensure every home is presented at its very best and every client achieves the best possible result.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
There aren’t many homes for sale in the South Bay now, but there are still plenty of buyers. When something good comes on the market and it’s priced right, it usually sells fast. Most homeowners in the South Bay have low mortgage rates and strong equity, so they are not motivated to sell. That keeps the number of homes available extremely tight.
HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT?
In today’s competitive market, it’s not just about price; it’s about preparation. We help our clients stand out by getting their homes market-ready. We coordinate trusted vendors like painters, handymen, plumbers, electricians, professional stagers and photographers to make the home shine. We also help with the entire transition process—recommending companies that offer packing, removing unwanted items, donating and even auctioning items. It’s a very personalized and detailed, one-stop approach to preparing and selling a home.
HOW DOES THIS JOB FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
Real estate fits us because it combines relationships, service, community involvement and problem-solving—all things that come naturally to us.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENERGIZED?
Staying active. We met at the Bay Club in El Segundo. Going to the gym keeps us happy, fit and energetic, which helps us stay focused on bringing positive energy to our clients and our work.
Cheyne Inman
Realtor®, Estate Properties
ARealtor at Estate Properties for the last seven years, Cheyne Inman has a background in sales and marketing. He grew up in Northern California and moved to Southern California 10 years ago. Cheyne was previously a competitive Division 1 athlete and a U.S. Olympic Trials qualifier in the marathon.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
The South Bay housing market is always competitive. Yes, there are peak seasons and the market is slower at the end of the year during the holidays. But with people moving here to join top companies and live near the beach, the demand to buy is always high.
TELL US ABOUT A DEAL THAT TAUGHT YOU INVALUABLE LESSONS.
I had a client who was very motivated to purchase in West Torrance or South Redondo Beach. We submitted offers on multiple homes, and every time the home had 15+ offers and went well over list price. Although our offers were competitive, we weren’t winning and the buyers experienced fatigue. They decided to take a break from searching and pick back up when the market slowed down. The next week their dream home came on the market, and they got it. This showed me that you cannot time the market; you just need to be prepared and put your best foot forward. If it’s the right home for you, it will happen.
HOW HAS BUYER CONFIDENCE CHANGED OVER THE PAST YEAR?
The current interest rate has increased buyers’ hesitation. The low rates during the pandemic made any current rate a tough comparison. This is why buyers should consider the type of home they can get in their price range and decide if it is the right time for homeownership in their situation, rather than stressing about whether they could afford something different should the interest rate change.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES WORKING IN REAL ESTATE FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
As a runner, I have won many marathons by setting high goals, outworking my peers and doing everything I can to reach the goal. That same work ethic enables me to help my clients reach their homeownership goals.
June Shim & John Shim
Realtors®, Shim Real Estate | Coldwell Banker
June and John Shim are a husband-and-wife team operating Shim Real Estate. June’s career began at an international investment company, and John brings 25+ years of experience in accounting and finance.
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT?
First impressions are more important than ever before. When representing a listing, we make sure it is well presented when it first hits the market, rather than making adjustments after the fact. That means having productive pricing conversations before going on the market, as well as excellent photos and strong marketing. For buyers, we make sure price and terms are strong, but we also attend the broker’s open or open house to meet the listing agent face-to-face and build a positive rapport.
WHAT SEPARATES A SMOOTH TRANSACTION FROM A STRESSFUL ONE?
Your real estate agent matters a lot. We firmly believe in delivering the facts, not the emotions that happen behind the scenes. This helps our clients make not only steady decisions but successful ones.
HOW DOES INSTINCT PLAY INTO YOUR WORK?
We are both sharp about reading between the lines, and that instinct has always paid off as we represent our clients. Sometimes fairly early on we sense that a client has had a negative real estate experience. We speak to it gently to help overcome mental hurdles. On the deal front, we were once in a situation competing with 30+ offers, and our gut told us to call the listing agent—who it turns out was debating between our client’s offer and another. Our phone call helped the seller choose our client’s offer.
HOW DO YOUR BACKGROUNDS ENHANCE WHAT YOU OFFER YOUR REAL ESTATE CLIENTS?
In our previous careers, we moved up the corporate ranks to become trusted representatives of and resources for high-profile clients and elite organizations. Today, we both optimize our knowledge, experience and keen interpersonal skills to best service our clients in real estate.
Cindy Shearin
The Shearin Group | Strand Hill Forbes Global Properties
Cindy Shearin, a longtime Manhattan Beach resident, has been a top-performing South Bay Realtor® for over 30 years. RealTrends continues to name her a Los Angeles All-Star for her performance in the local market and a RealTrends Verified agent, an honor given to top-performing Realtors nationwide. Cindy holds numerous real estate credentials, including Graduate, REALTOR® Institute (GRI), Certified Residential Specialist (CRS), Seniors Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and Short Sales and Foreclosure Resource (SFR).
IN THIS COMPETITIVE MARKET, HOW DO YOU HELP YOUR CLIENTS STAND OUT BEYOND PRICE?
Preparing a home for market is a crucial skill. Setting the tone is a one-shot opportunity. I have a step-by-step process that includes evaluation of needed repairs and updates that will make a difference in the outcome. Soft staging or full staging is also available for the final touch that will appeal to the masses.
WHAT HOME FEATURES CONSISTENTLY ADD VALUE—AND WHICH DON’T ALWAYS PAY OFF?
A home that presents itself as being in good condition and not in need of major repairs will consistently be well received. Updated kitchens and baths, windows, roofing, mechanical and plumbing items also add value. Many buyers are OK with painting or replacing floors and possibly appliances as long as they are clean and functional. Properly staging the home (soft or full) is an art for creating desirability and ultimately value.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES WORKING IN REAL ESTATE FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
It’s in my blood! I grew up in a family that had builders, designers and real estate brokers, and I enjoyed observing and learning about it all. Over the years in my career, I have evolved to a top-performing Realtor who is detail-oriented and loves all aspects of the process from A to Z. I also understand the construction process from the ground up. I bring value by my ability to assess features that create value (whether for sellers or buyers) and have the expertise and personality to attend to all the details. The art of the deal is not just a catchy title … it is a skill.
Georgiana Rosenkranz, JD
Managing Partner, The Rosenkranz|Friedman Group LLC | Compass
ASouth Bay native, Georgiana “George” Rosenkranz has been a top-producing real estate broker for 22 years. She practiced transactional law for 11 years before obtaining her real estate broker’s license and forming The Rosenkranz|Friedman Group. Her team joined Compass in 2023.
WHAT ARE THE KEYS TO SUCCESS FOR REAL ESTATE AGENTS?
Consistency, connection and commitment are key to succeeding in this industry. Consistency in your work habits, research and market knowledge is essential because real estate isn’t static. Connection applies to the market you sell as well as the relationships you form—not only with clients but also with other agents and the community. I love being involved in my community, which makes me excited about selling it.
Commitment to the highest ethical standards is critical to my success and paramount in every transaction. Clients need to know they can trust my professional judgment and advice. I earn that trust through consistent adherence to the highest ethical standards and by putting myself in their position. When I see my clients in the community, I want to know that they love their homes and feel good about the transactions because they know everything was done right.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES THIS JOB FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
I grew up in a family that loved real estate and talked about it a lot. It’s challenging but fun, and I love being my own boss! I am intentionally very relational. The real estate relationship is such an important one—you’re dealing with something that is one of the most important decisions clients will make. Having a job that dovetails with relationships makes real estate a good fit for me.
My work as a lawyer gives me a unique perspective on every transaction because my mind is predisposed to look for details that others may miss. I want my clients to know exactly what they’re purchasing.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY.
I am blessed to have two sons, ages 27 and 24. I am so proud of the kind, caring and responsible young men they have become. Both of them are guided by an unwavering moral compass, and I see that filter into their relationships and their work ethic.
Molly Hobin Williams
President & CEO, The Hobin Company
The Hobin Company is a boutique real estate brokerage company with offices in Downtown Manhattan Beach and Palm Desert. The firm specializes in the luxury residential market, representing buyers and sellers throughout the South Bay as well as throughout the Coachella Valley. Owner Molly Hobin Williams has worked in real estate since she was in high school and is the fourth generation of the Hobin family to operate the firm, which recently celebrated its 100-year anniversary.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES WORKING IN THE REAL ESTATE INDUSTRY FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
I am a people person and am constantly connecting people and helping others. I am also very social and love working hard and playing hard. We entertain clients frequently, whether on the golf course or at happy hours, dinners or The Hobin Company Wine Social Club. Most of our clients end up becoming great longtime friends.
WHAT KEEPS YOU ENERGIZED?
I am energized by the thrill of the deal! I love it when new clients tell
me what they are looking for and I find them their ideal dream home at the beach or in the desert. I also love going to Love.Life—our great new workout and recovery gym in El Segundo. After a good workout, I hit the infrared sauna and sometimes the cold plunge. It is definitely energizing and a great way to start my morning.
WHAT IS NEW AND EXCITING FOR YOUR BUSINESS IN 2026?
We have expanded our team and now have three full-time agents working in the desert and three agents working at the beach. A lot of people who live at the beach want a vacation home in the desert. Both markets have been extremely active since the beginning of the year.
TELL US ABOUT THE HOBIN COMPANY’S HISTORY.
My great-grandfather started our company in Northern California in 1925. He and my grandfather and father ran the company before I took over in 2010. It is a true honor to carry on our family legacy.
L to R: April Tussing, Mo Duman, Molly Hobin Williams, Jillian Ostick Kreiner, Tom Williams, Hobie Williams, Ben Duman, Debbie Eggerland
Terry Niemann
Realtor®, Terranea Real Estate
Terranea Real Estate is a full-service real estate agency specializing in the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the Beach Cities of the South Bay. The firm also maintains a waiting list of people who want to be notified about Terranea Casitas & Villas resales. Terry Niemann has worked in the industry for two decades and joined Terranea Real Estate in 2010.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE CURRENT SOUTH BAY MARKET?
Today’s market is noticeably different from a year or two ago. Some buyers are hesitant to make a move, as they are waiting for market conditions or interest rates to change. Many sellers are comfortable staying in their homes for a much longer time than we have seen in the past.
WHAT NEIGHBORHOODS ARE YOU WATCHING MOST CLOSELY RIGHT NOW?
We love the steady value of Manhattan Beach, and our clients are also buying and selling in Rolling Hills Estates and Palos Verdes Estates. We are carefully watching the Lunada Bay market for clients who are eager to purchase a home there.
IN WHAT WAYS DOES WORKING IN REAL ESTATE FIT YOUR PERSONALITY?
Residential real estate is so rewarding because it is a personal and emotional journey for buyers and sellers. I am blessed to have the best clients, many of whom have become close friends. Of course, we want the best result for our friends, and home is where we hold our fondest memories and future dreams for ourselves and our families.
HOW DOES THE PUBLIC’S ACCESS TO SO MUCH INFORMATION INFLUENCE YOUR WORK?
Although we can compile and analyze data and comps, much of a home’s value is not precisely measurable because it also involves one’s perceived lifestyle while living there.
Properly preparing sellers while realistically getting their homes ready to sell is as important as setting the right listing price. Listening to buyers and understanding their wish lists, their priorities and why they want to live in a specific neighborhood or home can be as important as making sure that the data is accurate.
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Discover what’s possible for your home.
Under One Roof
FACED WITH A NEW LIFE TRANSITION, A PALOS VERDES ESTATES COUPLE CREATES A MULTIGENERATIONAL DWELLING TAILORED FOR EACH FAMILY MEMBER.
Written by Jennie Nunn | Photographed by Peter McMenamin & Lauren Taylor
For Palos Verdes Estates couple Pete and Maya, it was pure luck and impeccable timing that led to a spacious vacant lot equipped with preapproved floor plans ideal for a multigenerational family. In 2019, after the loss of Maya’s father to cancer, the family— including their two daughters and Maya’s mother—began navigating the path forward.
Pete, a retired Santa Barbara firefighter who volunteered as base camp operations manager for 11 days during the Palisades Fire, met Maya in high school in Palos Verdes, where both were raised. Maya’s only sibling resides in Switzerland, so the family started exploring the prospect of a shared household on the Peninsula that would include her mother.
“My father-in-law and I were extremely close, and we had a lot of candid conversations,” recalls Pete of the Swiss-born engineer and Army veteran. “He was one of the best men I have ever known. Many of his wishes were to take care of my mother-in-law, whom he referred to as ‘my angel.’ Living all together was one of the ideas—and ultimately the one that my
mother-in-law wanted the most. She wanted to be with her daughter and granddaughters.”
After an exhaustive and underwhelming search, they were drawn to a lot they’d spotted earlier with an ocean view in Lunada Bay.
“Real estate is kind of a hobby,” shares Pete, coowner and partner of an employee benefits consulting and brokerage firm. “I dug it up on Zillow, and it was for sale again. I thought, ‘This is a sign. If we can’t find what we want, it’s better for us to build exactly what we need.’ Fortunately for us, it came with pre-existing plans for a three-story home.”
Originally designed by Miles Pritzkat and Keith Johnson of Pritzkat & Johnson Architects in Redondo Beach, the floor plans met nearly all of their requirements, apart from a few tweaks and modifications to the 5,884-square-foot residence.
On the lower level, they created a spacious gym for Maya, who works as a personal trainer, as well as a small craft area for gift-wrapping and sewing projects. The primary suite, originally planned for the top floor, was moved to the main floor to allow for a designated onebedroom mother-in-law suite—affectionately called the
“penthouse”—complete with its own kitchenette, office, living area and laundry. The daughters’ bedrooms were positioned on the opposite side, and the elevator was relocated for improved access to the upper level.
“There aren’t a lot of empty lots in Palos Verdes, so just being able to start fresh on something was unique, and it’s fun to see this built,” explains Keith. “The concept was there, so we didn’t have to do huge changes with the city. The original design leaned more contemporary, but they envisioned clean, fresh lines. So we blended classic elements like board-and-batten siding and a metal roof with modern, flat cementitious tiles.”
To execute their vision with a modern, coastal ranch style—along with a pool, jacuzzi, outdoor kitchen and regulation-size grass volleyball court—the couple turned to Jose Mendez of JM Landscaping; longtime friend and general contractor Ennio Schiappa of Schiappa Homes, Inc; and Redondo Beach–based mother-daughter design duo Jennifer Allison and Paige Allison of Jennifer Allison Design.
“The design process was highly collaborative,” says Jennifer. “Their inspiration photos guided our selections, which we translated into refined design options
“Everyone is at different stages of their lives. Not only does everybody have space for themselves, but the communal areas are super inviting.”
that fit their aesthetic. Through regular sourcing trips and on-site meetings, every detail was thoughtfully reviewed and selected together.”
On the exterior, warm elements flood the home, such as a three-color blend limestone veneer and columns wrapped in barn wood, while reclaimed Trestlewood beams define interior living areas. In the entry, a Moroccan-inspired tile—admired by Maya from one of Jennifer and Paige’s previous projects—was selected for the floor and paired with a custom tile mirror and a Matthes console table in natural pine by Four Hands.
Distinctive, eye-catching tile is a recurring feature throughout the house, from the backsplash on the downstairs bar adorned with Lunada Bay Tile’s Silhouette Mosaic design with circles, squares and petite cross motifs—a subtle nod to Maya’s Swiss roots— to the bold, circular Arto Brick Scirocco-H2A style from BattagliaStile in Lomita that takes center stage on the living room fireplace.
“I love fun tile and thought it would warm up the room a lot,” says Maya. “From here in the evening, you’re staring at a view of the water and the sunset. We wanted to feel like we’re on vacation all the time.”
Future resale flexibility was also a key consideration in the overall design.
“We will be empty nesters before we know it,” explains Pete. “Years from now, if a family buys this home but doesn’t want a second kitchen upstairs, they can remove the appliances and turn it into a game room or TV room. It was about ‘How can we maximize utility and value for a future family that doesn’t have the same needs?’ But for us, Miles and Keith knocked it out of the park.”
The peaceful retreat now functions seamlessly to support each family member. The oldest daughter, away at college, has a dedicated space to call her own when she visits but can easily join the family for movie nights. The mother-in-law—free to come and go as she pleases— hosts Sunday family dinners in her “penthouse” and meets friends for Rummikub and card games.
“Everyone is at different stages of their lives,” says Pete. “Not only does everybody have space for themselves, but the communal areas are super inviting. It’s not like having one room that’s off-limits except for holidays, or ‘This is my dad’s room, and he’s watching his TV down there.’ Our home feels inclusive. We’re very, very lucky.” ■
This remodel was such fun! My client is a professional chef, so her kitchen needed to be highly functional. We created space for all her working tools and laid out the footprint in an ergonomic way that’s simple and quick to navigate including dark oak floors that are easier on the back than stone.
Aside from function, my client wanted old-world European farmhouse charm. For this, we sourced threshing boards from barns to construct the rustic island. We mixed finishes to create interest and light using antique and distressed stains on the cabinets, then outfitted all with antique hardware. The appliances: Sub-Zero and Wolf. The result: Magnifique!
DREAM UP A DRAMATIC AND INVITING FOYER WITH THESE STYLISH LOCAL PICKS.
Curated
by
Jennie Nunn
1. Caldera by Ryan Borne, $420 (framed), driftward.com
2. Glasshouse Fragrances Kyoto in Bloom 13.4-ounce candle, $55. Waterleaf Home in Manhattan Beach, waterleafhome.com
3. Skeem Design Helix match cloche with black-tipped matches, $40. Forma in Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, forma.la
4. Matr Boomie Mukhendu picture frame in carved bone with brass accent (4x6), $56. Gum Tree Shop & Café in Hermosa Beach and Gum Tree in Manhattan Beach, gumtreela.com
5. Large column lamp in slate by Victoria Morris, $1,350. Dacha in Manhattan Beach, dachainteriors.com
6. Kanta rectangular 48-inch fluted marble console table in tuxedo marble, $1,798. Anthropologie at Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, anthropologie.com
7. Kate Lester + Jaipur Living Harman HBL10 rug, $385. Kate Lester Home, katelesterhome.com, jaipurliving.com
At Helena Studios, we design with connection in mind, creating spaces that are as personal as they are beautiful.
From full homes to unexpected moments, every detail is considered.
This bespoke chicken coop transforms a simple backyard element into a curated design feature, honoring each hen, and her iconic female rock musician namesake.
Because every detail, down to the coop, deserves intention.
Hang clothes on matching slimline hangers. This makes a huge difference! Organize by sleeve length and then by color to optimize your space.
Spices can be pretty! Eliminate the visual clutter of typical spice labels by decanting into matching jars. Label, organize alphabetically and simply refill when the spice runs out.
Choosing the correct containers is half the battle. After installing a shelving system, I put office supplies in modular bins that have the option to stack.
Create zones in your pantry with like items together. Here we have snacks organized into bins on the bottom and cans/condiments on tiered risers for easy reachability.
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Test of Time
WITH A NEW SHOWROOM IN EL SEGUNDO, HERMAN MILLER BRINGS ITS ICONIC DESIGN LEGACY TO THE SOUTH BAY.
Written by Kara Mickelson | Photos courtesy Herman Miller
Founded in West Michigan and propelled into design history through visionary collaborations with modern masters, Herman Miller remains synonymous with purposeful, enduring furniture. Its arrival at The Point in El Segundo marks a new chapter for discerning homeowners, architects and collectors of iconic design in the South Bay.
Long before the company became a symbol of modern luxury, its namesake belonged to a Dutch
immigrant. Born Harm Mulder, he arrived in the United States in 1867 and, like many immigrants of the era, anglicized his surname to Miller. His son-in-law, D.J. De Pree, persuaded him to invest in the Michigan Star Furniture Company, which was renamed Herman Miller in 1923. In 2021 the brand merged with Knoll to form MillerKnoll, uniting two of the most influential names in modern design.
Although globally recognized, Herman Miller’s
headquarters remain in West Michigan, and much of its production continues in the United States—an increasingly rare distinction in today’s furniture market. The company’s commitment to American craftsmanship and innovation underscores the integrity behind its name. Precision engineering, advanced ergonomics, sustainable practices and meticulous material selection are embedded in its design philosophy.
Yet Herman Miller’s cultural resonance extends far beyond the factory floor. Picture a mid-century living room straight out of Mad Men: walnut paneling, low ambient lighting and a sculptural Noguchi coffee table anchoring the space. In scenes like these, the furniture did more than define a period. It embodied ambition, modernity and a distinctly American optimism in the postwar economy.
I remember my father coming home from work, loosening his tie and settling into an Eames lounge
chair, feet resting on the ottoman, television positioned squarely in front of him while my mother prepared dinner. Perhaps there were martinis involved; perhaps slippers were offered.
The ritual felt ordinary at the time. And yet the chair always seemed special—Dad’s chair, which we were allowed to occupy only occasionally. The world has since evolved beyond many of those traditional 1970s roles, and households look different today. Still, that chair— now mine—and the memories it carries remain relevant.
These pieces are more than furnishings; they are foundational design elements. They define a room, draw on heritage and, in many cases, bridge generations. That is the quiet legacy of Herman Miller.
Through collaborations with Gilbert Rohde, Isamu Noguchi, George Nelson, and Charles and Ray Eames, the company created designs that transcended trends and defined the zeitgeist of the 1950s and ’60s. The Noguchi coffee table remains a master class in balance and organic form. The Eames lounge chair and ottoman redefined comfort through molded plywood innovation and refined upholstery—now offered in updated materials to suit contemporary tastes.
Nelson’s coconut chair—with its open, sculptural shell—felt daring at its debut and remains strikingly contemporary decades later. Rohde, Herman Miller’s first design director, introduced his easy chair in the early 1940s. It was reissued in 2024 as part of the company’s archival revival program.
“Herman Miller is a trusted brand in the design industry, particularly for mid-century modern and transitional residential projects,” says South Bay designer Diane Barber. She points to the versatility of the collection, especially for creating classic yet inviting home offices that seamlessly connect with surrounding living spaces.
Today, leading design magazines regularly feature the Eames lounge chair and ottoman, and the piece holds a place in major museum collections worldwide. Its black leather upholstery and molded rosewood veneer frame have become icons of the mid-century aesthetic. Crafted for daily use without sacrificing luxury,
its clean lines and disciplined minimalism account for its enduring appeal.
Charles Eames once said the chair was inspired by the traditional club chair and designed to evoke “the warm, receptive look of a well-used first baseman’s mitt.”
In an era of disposable, fast-produced interiors, Herman Miller’s signature pieces offer a deliberate counterpoint. Built to last, they become heirlooms. They age gracefully. Rooted in postwar modernism, they express a design ethos grounded in simplicity, innovation and functional comfort without compromising beauty. It is form following function in its purest expression—and anyone who experiences this iconic furniture line understands why it endures.
As mid-century modern continues to evolve alongside Scandinavian restraint and California coastal
minimalism, these sculptural forms feel less nostalgic and more foundational. They provide structural clarity upon which contemporary styles can build.
The El Segundo showroom offers in-house design services, allowing clients to work directly with knowledgeable specialists to integrate these classics into modern homes—reinforcing the original philosophy that good design should be both livable and lasting.
Nearly a century after a Dutch immigrant’s name became synonymous with design excellence, Herman Miller remains rooted in history yet forward-looking— a global brand committed to American manufacturing, innovation and the belief that quality furniture should outlast trends.
In a culture that often replaces rather than restores, that permanence feels more meaningful than ever. ■
This total refresh using the existing footprint gave a more relaxed, family-friendly vibe— perfect for hosting with ease. BEFORE
A rarely used formal dining room was transformed into the favorite room in the entire house: the family game room.
Stairway upgrades included a custom rug runner, bespoke 3’ x 6’ ocean art and more contemporary handrails.
Sunsets & Open Doors
A LONGTIME MANHATTAN BEACH COUPLE TRANSFORMS THEIR HILLSIDE PROPERTY INTO A COASTAL RETREAT BUILT FOR ENTERTAINING, ART COLLECTING AND UNFORGETTABLE OCEAN VIEWS.
Written by Tanya Monaghan | Photographed by Lauren Taylor
It’s the sound of water that greets visitors first at Marty and Tina Sarafa’s hillside home in Manhattan Beach. Not the crashing surf of the Pacific below, but a quiet, meditative trickle guiding guests across floating steps toward the front door. Water surrounds the entrance, creating a moment of calm before you step inside.
Then the door opens, and the house reveals itself. Light pours in from every direction. The entry splits upward and downward in a graceful architectural gesture, revealing multiple levels at once.
Suspended overhead is a breathtaking installation of hand-blown glass droplets cascading through the center of the home like raindrops. It’s the kind of entrance that makes you pause, and it was entirely Marty’s idea.
From the beginning, he imagined a home where the entry would feel open and connected rather than hidden behind a long flight of stairs. Interior designer Phil Norman says that openness created both an opportunity and a challenge for the design team.
“We wanted to create uniqueness and personality while still keeping everything cohesive,” says Phil, whose solution was to treat the house as a series of experiences rather than one large open space. “People love the fact that things are open and flowing, but you still have to create moments of discovery from one room to the next.”
Architect Louie Tomaro approached the structure with a similar philosophy: “The house was designed to feel like it’s rising out of the land. Board-form concrete anchors the base, while warm materials like wood create a layered texture above. And the top-level glass layer creates the sun-drenched crown.”
The result is a home that feels grounded yet lightfilled, modern without ever feeling cold. For Marty, this vision had been quietly forming for years. After living on the lot for more than two decades, he knew exactly what he wanted to capture.
“The whole point of tearing down the original house was to take advantage of the views and open it up,” he says. “We wanted indoor-outdoor living and flow.”
And what views they are. Because of the home’s elevated position, the Sarafas enjoy something rare in Manhattan Beach: sight lines that stretch above neighboring rooftops toward the Pacific. At sunset, the sky becomes its own daily spectacle.
“I’m such a cornball,” Tina laughs as she describes calling friends and family outside to watch the colors change. “The sunsets here just take your breath away.”
Louie explains that the building achieves its sense of balance through strong horizontal elements and its anchoring to the land. Combined with the symmetrical façade, these elements create the home’s striking composition.
Inside, the home balances architectural precision with warmth, something Tina felt strongly about from the beginning. “We wanted contemporary,” she says, “but warm and timeless.”
The interiors layer clean lines with texture, art
and thoughtful materials that soften the modern architecture. Phil says creating that balance always comes down to understanding how people live in their homes. For the Sarafas, that meant designing a house meant for gathering.
Despite its striking architecture and state-of-the-art amenities, the home never feels formal. Instead it feels welcoming, a place where friends naturally gravitate.
“We became the house everyone comes back to,” Tina shares.
And the home is designed perfectly for that. The lower level opens to an outdoor cooking area with grills and lounge spaces where friends gather for relaxed dinners. The outdoor area includes a gorgeous pool and a pickleball court.
Upstairs, expansive terraces overlook the coastline. Inside, there’s a state-of-the-art gym, a golf simulator and not one but two wine cellars, one for everyday drinking and another for longer-term aging.
The whole property feels a bit like a private resort
tucked into the hillside. It’s the kind of home where the Sarafas’ children love bringing friends to visit and where guests frequently stay.
Dinner parties often begin outside and slowly move through the house as the evening unfolds. The Sarafas love to cook, but they also have friends who happily take over the kitchen. Wine tastings inspired by trips to Bordeaux and Tuscany are a regular occurrence. Tina even hosts mahjong nights that stretch late into the evening.
“We have a revolving door of friends,” she says.
Despite the many spaces designed for entertaining, Tina admits she still has a favorite corner of the house. “The nest for me is the living area between my office and the kitchen,” she says of the space where she spends most mornings, sipping tea and looking out toward the ocean.
Every room in the home feels personal, none more so than the spaces filled with Tina’s art collection. An avid collector with a passion for supporting emerging artists, she regularly introduced Phil to creators she discovered online or through friends. Phil loved collaborating with her on the art throughout the home.
That generosity extends well beyond her walls. A longtime volunteer and active member of American Martyrs Church, Tina dedicates countless hours supporting immigrant communities and advocating for those who often don’t have a voice. Her compassion is woven into everything she does, including the art inside her home.
One of the most memorable pieces sits downstairs: a
life-size black sheep sculpture that immediately sparks conversation. Phil says the symbolism felt perfect: “She’s always rooting for the underdog.”
Tina loved it instantly, but Phil didn’t stop there. With a playful sense of humor, he quietly hid small black sheep references throughout the house: books, objects and subtle nods tucked into shelves and corners like little surprises. Those thoughtful touches help give the home its personality.
While the Sarafa residence is architecturally striking, what truly defines it is the life inside. After raising three children in Manhattan Beach, Marty and Tina now find themselves in what Tina calls the “sweet spot” of life, when the kids are grown, friendships run deep and there’s time to enjoy the home they’ve built.
“This is our last house,” she says simply.
With the ocean breeze drifting through open doors and the quiet sound of water still echoing at the entrance, the home feels like more than just a beautiful place to live. It feels like exactly where they’re meant to be. ■
Designs on Santa Fe
GET LOST IN ART, HISTORY AND ADVENTURE DURING A VISIT TO NEW MEXICO’S CHARMING STYLE HUB.
Written by Jennie Nunn
Like an actor unwavering in character on the theatrical stage, Santa Fe, New Mexico, embodies an unmistakable identity and sense of place. For centuries, “The City Different” has entranced curious travelers with architectural marvels, mystical energy vortexes, watercolor-inspired sunsets and vast, arid desert landscapes with sculptural cacti.
Situated at 7,198 feet within the Sangre de Cristo foothills, the destination is a haven for Pueblo Revival style architecture, storied chapels, world-renowned cuisine, endless hiking trails, and spa resorts lined with healing and restorative hot springs. Here’s what not to miss for contemplation, relaxation and adventure in the oldest capital city in the country.
OBSERVE AND WANDER
Take your walking shoes for must-visit museums, including the famed Georgia O’Keeffe Museum, opened in 1997. The space features works on paper, oil paintings, watercolors, drawings and ephemera by the American modernist, along with works by artists
such as Helen Torr, Arthur Dove and Charles Sheeler. From now until November, explore Tewa Nangeh/ Tewa Country, an exhibition with works from artists and scholars from six Tewa Pueblos in Northern New Mexico. A new museum and expanded campus are scheduled to open in 2028.
At Loretto Chapel—a storied Gothic Revival-style former church-turned-museum and designated Historic National Landmark—prepare to scratch your head in wonder at the 20-foot-high spiral staircase, an architectural feat known around the world as the “mysterious staircase.” Nearby, visit the San Miguel Chapel, constructed in 1610 and recognized as the oldest church structure in the continental United States.
For textiles and locally made wares, peruse boutiques and goods from makers at the infamous Santa Fe Plaza, or mosey to Canyon Road, dotted with more than 250 high-end art galleries. On Sundays, venture to the Railyard Artisan Market for silver jewelry and handmade candles from local artisans.
Hop aboard the resurrected Santa Fe Southern
Clockwise: Loretto Chapel; Gatsby’s; San Miguel Chapel; Leo’s; Bishop’s Lodge lobby and exterior
Railway—conceived in the late 1880s and now known as Sky Railway—for thematic rides ranging from sunset-watching and stargazing to wine tasting. At The Santa Fe Opera, located 7 miles north of town, watch performances such as The Magic Flute and Madama Butterfly, or make a reservation for a behind-the-scenes tour of the open-air venue.
Grab a water bottle, hat and sunscreen for hiking along the Dale Ball Trails, a 25-mile system including the Santa Fe Canyon Preserve Trail, which winds along two historic dams.
INDULGE AND IMBIBE
Food is a main attraction here, with upscale restaurants like Geronimo and The Compound and Southwestern favorites including The Shed, Cafe Pasqual’s and Coyote Cafe
Notable newcomer Leo’s borrows from Thai and Malay flavors with dishes from fried chicken with fermented tofu-mustard and jiao chili sauces to crispy catfish salad with pomelo, green papaya and herbs. Housed in a former family-run auto shop and gas station dating to the 1950s—most recently a furniture studio—the restaurant is helmed by James Beard award-winning chef Zakary Pelaccio, executive chef Stella Achenbach, woodworker and cook Jonathan Boyd, and cocktail specialist Ian Wolff.
At Market Steer Steakhouse, co-founded by executive chef Kathleen Crook and general manager Kristina Goode, choose from crispy onion rings, lobster pot pie, and a selection of prime steaks and cuts served in a modern, Southwestern space. In The Tack Room—an adjacent space adorned with saddles and competition ribbons designed as a nod to Crook’s rodeo days—order inventive bites including the Caviar Frito Pie with house-made potato chips, chives, shallots, caviar and crème fraîche tucked into a Fritos bag.
Open seasonally from May to October, the Bell Tower Bar—situated on the fifth floor of La Fonda on the Plaza—is a popular hangout for smoky pineapple margaritas and chips, salsa and guacamole. In the Railyard District, Gatsby’s serves up tuna tartare and handmade cocktails in a glamorous, speakeasy-type space hidden behind a barber shop.
SNOOZE AND SOAK
Choose from a diverse array of hotels and resorts for families, couples and solo travelers—from historic adobes and revamped roadside motor inns like El Rey Court and Pueblo Bonito Inn to spa retreats with spring-fed thermal pools such as Ojo Santa Fe. For a touch of luxury, consider Bishop’s Lodge, set on 317 acres, or check in for relaxation at The Washington Inn, a newly opened property with suites appointed
Left: Bell Tower Bar; right: Ojo Santa Fe
PHOTOS
photography: Joe Fletcher Architecture
with gas fireplaces and kitchenettes.
A short walk away, La Fonda on the Plaza, designed in 1922 by Isaac Rapp, is a beloved fixture with Southwestern charm and deep history. The 180-room hotel just completed a refresh to its kitchen and lobby spaces, while historic rooms will be updated with new artwork, paint and case goods later this year.
Further north in the quiet village of Tesuque, Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe has 65 recently refreshed rooms and suites, a standalone spa and an adventure center with seasonal activities from private fly-fishing and mountain biking tours to fullday guided excursions to Tsi’pin, an ancestral Puebloan ruin in the Santa Fe National Forest.
For an overnight trip or scenic drive, head to Taos, located approximately 69 miles northeast in New Mexico’s high desert. Set up base camp at Hotel Willa, a reconceived 1940s motel with outdoor firepits, an artist-inresidence program and on-site restaurant Juliette ■
Top to bottom: Hotel Willa; The Washington Inn; Four Seasons Resort Rancho Encantado Santa Fe
DESCRIBE THE FEATURED PROJECT.
Embracing panoramic views and coastal light, this home is shaped around the rhythms of everyday life and relaxed entertaining. Warm modern architecture blurs the boundary between interior and landscape, extending living spaces outward.
An edited palette of oak and travertine recalls mid-century glamour, reimagined with refined contemporary detailing. The organic curve of the roof subtly mirrors the coastline, while generous overhangs provide passive solar shading. In the living room, an oculus frames ever-changing views of the moon and sky.
Biophilic principles—including operable window walls, layered lighting and a multisensory connection to nature—enhance the health and wellness of the homeowners. A dramatic lounge cantilevers over the hillside, a sculptural element that heightens the beauty and awe of the landscape.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR STUDIO.
dSPACE Studio is an AIA award-winning architecture firm specializing in contemporary singlefamily homes, interiors and landscapes. Our work is defined by a warm modern aesthetic and a wellness-driven philosophy—architecture designed to make life better. We approach each project as a dialogue between architecture, site and daily life, and create spaces that balance
sculptural form with multisensory richness— shaped by natural light, authentic materials and a strong connection to the land. Architecture should be both beautiful and livable. Our goal is to design artful homes that endure and enrich everyday life—spaces that feel calm, intuitive and grounded in how we live.
HOW DOES DSPACE INTEGRATE WELLNESS INTO RESIDENTIAL DESIGN?
Wellness is considered from the first conversation. dSPACE designs with spatial psychology, indoor-outdoor flow, natural materials, circadian lighting and multisensory experience in mind— elements that quietly support calm, comfort and daily well-being. Our clients’ homes not only look beautiful but actively shape how they feel and live each day—making both the design process and the finished home more meaningful.
WHAT
MAKES DSPACE STAND OUT?
At dSPACE, the design process is a true collaboration, with clients actively shaping the vision. We begin by understanding how you live— and what helps you feel your best—and then translate those insights into architecture shaped by light, materiality and a strong connection to the site. Through conversation, sketching and immersive 3D visualization, we work closely with clients to create personalized homes that elevate health, well-being and everyday life.
WHAT WAS THE GUIDING DESIGN VISION FOR THIS HOME?
To create a home that feels architectural, timeless and deeply connected to its materials. The inspiration draws from Mediterranean architecture, where simplicity, proportion and craftsmanship shape the experience of the space. Rather than relying on decorative gestures, the design focuses on form, texture and light to create interiors that feel sculpted, calm and enduring.
HOW DID YOU TRANSLATE THAT VISION INTO THIS SPACE?
We approached the interiors through architectural gestures that feel integrated into the structure of the home. Hand-applied plaster walls bring softness and depth, while recessed niches in the great room replace traditional shelving, creating moments that feel both intentional and timeless. Natural stone and warm wood tones introduce contrast and warmth while maintaining the home’s calm material palette.
A central design focus was the relationship between the backyard pool and the ground-level entertainment room. A multi-sliding door system allows the space to open entirely to the pool terrace. At the bar, an awning-style window lifts to connect the interior bar with the outdoor pool bar, creating an effortless interaction between the two spaces. Mediterranean blue tones woven into the bar materials echo the color of
NOELLE INTERIORS
Noelle Isbell, Principal and Owner
815 MANHATTAN AVE., SUITE C, MANHATTAN BEACH
310-985-5085
NOELLEINTERIORS.COM
SHOPNOELLEINTERIORS.COM
@NOELLEINTERIORS
the pool, reinforcing the connection between architecture, landscape and the relaxed rhythm of outdoor entertaining.
THE HOME FEELS LUXURIOUS BUT UNDERSTATED. HOW DID YOU ACHIEVE THAT BALANCE?
Luxury here is expressed through material integrity and craftsmanship rather than embellishment. There’s a confidence in restraint—allowing limestone, plaster and natural stone to speak for themselves without competing elements. By carefully editing each decision and prioritizing cohesion over trend, the home maintains a sense of calm sophistication. The Mediterranean influence reinforces that discipline—spaces feel substantial and grounded while remaining filled with natural light and subtle elegance. Nothing feels overstated, yet everything feels intentional.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE OWNERS FEEL WHEN LIVING IN THE SPACE?
I hope they feel a sense of ease and belonging. The home was designed to feel grounded and welcoming—warm underfoot, textural to the touch and intuitively functional. It’s a space where daily rituals feel elevated without ever feeling precious. Ultimately, I want the home to age beautifully, gaining character over time while remaining a sanctuary that feels both refined and deeply personal.
DESCRIBE THE FEATURED PROJECT.
Tucked into the heart of Manhattan Beach’s coveted Tree Section, Poinsettia is a 4,354-squarefoot new build that reimagines Classic French Traditional design for modern luxury living. With 5 bedrooms, 6.5 baths and an architectural sensibility rooted in elegance and proportion, this home is a seamless blend of timeless style and exceptional craftsmanship. This home was a collaboration with RJ Smith Construction, Tomaro Architecture and Stewart Design Inc.
WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT A CLIENT BEFORE YOU BEGIN A PROJECT?
Before we discuss design or aesthetics, we want to understand three things: how you want to live in your home, your budget and your timeline. Many clients come to us first—before selecting an architect or interior designer— which isn’t typical in the industry. By starting with us, clients benefit from strategic matchmaking based on style, budget and project compatibility. We’re not just recommending names; we’re building dream teams.
That kind of intentional partnership-building from the start separates good projects from great ones. Real collaboration isn’t just executing plans. It’s constant communication, proactive problem-solving and understanding how every decision ripples through the project.
RJ SMITH CONSTRUCTION
RJ Smith, Founder
901 MANHATTAN BEACH BLVD., MANHATTAN BEACH
310-648-8353
RJSMITHCONSTRUCTION.COM
@RJSMITHCONSTRUCTION
WHAT SMALL DETAIL MAKES A BIG DIFFERENCE IN EVERYDAY LIVING?
The details that make the biggest difference are often invisible, or they should be. Perfectly aligned doorjambs so every door closes smoothly. Window installations that create seamless indoor-outdoor transitions without air leaks. Countertop overhangs calculated for comfortable seating. These aren’t glamorous details, but in luxury home-building they are the silent expectation. One well-executed detail might go unnoticed, but hundreds of them create a home that simply works—intuitively, beautifully and permanently.
WHAT MAKES A CLIENT RELATIONSHIP TRULY SUCCESSFUL?
A truly successful relationship doesn’t end when we hand over keys. Many projects start with our site preparation and demolition services. From there we move into construction, where our craftsmanship and project management shine as we coordinate with various design trade professionals. But we don’t disappear after completion. Through Homecare, our luxury home management services, we stay connected—handling seasonal maintenance, coordinating repairs and being the first call when something needs attention. Our clients aren’t just hiring a builder; they’re gaining a partner invested in their home from the ground up and for years to come.
DESCRIBE THE FEATURED PROJECT.
This project is a 100-year-old Tudor-style home that my clients bought right after they had their first baby. It was in good shape but was staged in a way that wasn’t true to the home’s history. My clients wanted to add depth and personality with the finishes and furniture.
WHAT’S THE FIRST THING YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT A CLIENT BEFORE YOU BEGIN A PROJECT?
I want to know what is important to them. What does their day-to-day life look like? How could design decisions best support anything they want to change about their current routine?
HOW DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH OTHER PROFESSIONALS TO BRING A COHESIVE VISION TO LIFE?
I’ve built strong relationships with several general contractors who are responsive, produce highquality work and are genuinely great to collaborate with. They make my job much easier. The key to collaboration on any project, though, is organized documentation. Everyone on the project, including subcontractors, knows exactly where to look if they have a question. We have site meetings before a new trade begins working to make sure everyone is on the same page. It’s best to live by the saying: “Measure twice, cut once.”
CARIAN DESIGN
Brooke Abcarian, Principal Designer
REDONDO BEACH
BROOKE@CARIANDESIGN.COM
CARIANDESIGN.COM
@CARIANDESIGN
WHAT KIND OF PROJECTS ENERGIZE YOU THE MOST AT THIS STAGE OF YOUR CAREER?
While I love remodels, my favorite is when I also get to specify the furniture. There’s nothing better than finding the perfect combination of color, texture and pattern while selecting fabrics. The scale of furniture in a space is also important, so it’s best to have a designer handle it.
WHAT DO YOU HOPE CLIENTS FEEL THE MOMENT THEY WALK INTO A SPACE YOU’VE CREATED?
I want them to feel at peace, like a big sigh. A home should reflect their values and experiences. Remodeling or furnishing a home requires a lot of decision-making and investment, so I’d hope that they feel like it was all worth it.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR FAMILY. My family includes my husband, Scott, and my two children, who are 5 and 3. My mom lives five minutes away, so I include her in our immediate circle too. It takes a village to have balance between work and family, so I’m thankful for their support. The kids make us laugh every day, and my eldest has even started “designing” her own room.
Designed for a family that loves to gather, this 5,400+-square-foot residence was envisioned with entertaining at its core, where indoor and outdoor living feel inseparable. Rooted in the timeless language of Spanish architecture— smooth stucco walls, clay tile roofing and arched openings—the home is thoughtfully layered with modern elements that bring a sense of lightness and ease to everyday living.
The expansive backyard was treated as an extension of the home. Generous sliding doors fully open to a covered loggia with an outdoor fireplace and dining area—creating a natural transition between the interior great room and the exterior entertaining spaces. The pool, spa and surrounding lounge areas are positioned to feel both inviting and intentional, allowing everything from large gatherings to quiet afternoons.
Inside, clean lines and a restrained palette offer a contemporary contrast to the home’s traditional shell. Dark windows and doors, exposed wood beams and curated finishes create a sense of warmth without excess while maintaining a visual connection to the outdoors.
The floor plan is designed to support both daily family life and hosting with ease, with open-concept living areas on the main level and private bedrooms above. The result is a home that feels rooted in tradition yet tailored for modern living.
WHAT OPPORTUNITY IS OFTEN OVERLOOKED IN OUTDOOR SPACES?
When designing an outdoor space that seamlessly becomes part of the home’s interior—whether an open-air patio, screened-in sunroom or covered loggia with a colonnade—it is important to consider how those doors function when open. If folding, does their position impact layout or circulation? Does the slider completely pocket, or is there one fixed panel, and does that panel sit on the optimal side for entertaining or views? The goal is that when the boundary disappears, the space doesn’t just look connected; it functions as a cohesive environment where gathering feels effortless.
SHARE A BIT ABOUT YOUR BUSINESS.
C&C Partners Design Build is your custom home concierge, guiding you from design conception to handing you the keys to your new home. C&C is the preferred architectural/construction firm for custom homes in Los Angeles’ most established neighborhoods. Founded in 1987 by brothers Patrick Cunningham, AIA, and Michael Cunningham, GC, the 18-person inhouse team includes Patrick’s daughter Brieanna Cunningham, Assoc. AIA, and Michael’s son Liam Cunningham, assistant construction manager. We optimize clients’ experience by producing a one-of-a-kind home that truly manifests their unique vision.
L to R: Brieanna Cunningham, Patrick Cunningham, Michael Cunningham, Liam Cunningham
DESCRIBE THE FEATURED PROJECT.
This project took shape when the homeowners acquired the adjacent corner lot, allowing the property to expand beyond the footprint of the original house and evolve into a more complete indoor–outdoor living environment. At the garden level, a pool house anchors the outdoor entertaining area, where shaded lounge seating and a dining space open directly to the pool and surrounding terrace. The design encourages an easy flow between indoor and outdoor living, reflecting the relaxed coastal lifestyle that defines the South Bay.
Below the pool, the project reveals one of its most distinctive features. A bar and lounge space doubles as a garage for a prized sports car, transforming the vehicle into a sculptural centerpiece within the room. An underwater viewing window connects the bar to the pool above, allowing the illuminated water to cast shifting patterns of light and movement into the space. The result is a layered entertaining environment that transitions seamlessly from sunlit outdoor living to a more intimate lounge atmosphere below.
HOW DO YOU STRIKE THE BALANCE BETWEEN TIMELESS DESIGN AND CURRENT TRENDS?
In the South Bay especially, timeless design often begins with responding to the
RINI KUNDU INTERIORS
Rini Kundu, Owner
1745 CARVER ST., REDONDO BEACH
310-985-2197
INFO@RINIKUNDUINTERIORS.COM
RINIKUNDUINTERIORS.COM
@RINIKUNDU.INTERIORS
environment, natural light, coastal colors and relaxed materials. Those elements rarely go out of style. When the core of a design is grounded in its surroundings and architecture, a home tends to age gracefully, while more contemporary touches can be layered in thoughtfully to reflect how people live today.
WHAT IS THE FIRST THING YOU WANT TO UNDERSTAND ABOUT A CLIENT BEFORE YOU BEGIN A PROJECT?
The first thing I try to understand is how someone lives in their home. Not the idealized version but the real day-to-day rhythms, where people gather, where things tend to pile up, how they cook, relax or entertain. When a design responds to those habits, the space feels effortless and truly works for the people living in it.
HOW HAS YOUR PROFESSIONAL APPROACH EVOLVED OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS?
My approach has become more focused on clarity and intention. Early on it’s easy to get excited about every idea, but experience teaches you that the strongest spaces often come from a few well-considered decisions rather than many competing ones. By focusing on fundamentals such as layout, proportion and materials, the design process becomes more refined and the results more enduring.
PHOTOGRAPHED BY LAUREN TAYLOR
DESCRIBE A PROJECT THAT EVOLVED DRAMATICALLY FROM START TO FINISH.
On several occasions, Fair Studio was commissioned to design detached pergolas, but through thoughtful discussions with our clients we pivoted to develop more expansive designs for a pool house. One notable instance involved a project where the homeowners were able to move into their newly completed pool house while their main residence was undergoing a comprehensive remodel.
We begin every project by thoroughly researching potential development opportunities, considering the highest and best use of the property. This often includes exploring options to add square footage to enhance property value. Our approach maximizes the potential of each lot, empowering clients to make well-informed investments that align with the long-term vision for their home.
DO YOU COLLABORATE WITH OTHER INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS?
Our firm has worked to gain the trust of many industry leaders, and we have had the privilege of working on the personal homes of local architects and builders in the area. It has been a great honor to be entrusted with the full exterior façade design and hardscape of the residences of those who have deep knowledge of architecture and design. We were honored to
be welcomed as collaborators on these homes, which are owned by individuals with deep expertise in architecture and design. Being entrusted with such projects has been both a privilege and a testament to the trust and mutual respect we’ve cultivated within the design community.
As Fair Studio celebrates its 12th year of business in the South Bay, we are grateful for the strong relationships we’ve developed with local design professionals. Over the years, we’ve consistently found that collaboration is key to delivering exceptional results. In every project we’ve been involved with, consultants from various fields have worked seamlessly with us, contributing to finding the best solutions for our clients. This cooperative spirit has enriched our work and allowed us to continually bring fresh ideas to the table.
WHAT TYPE OF PROJECTS DO YOU PRIMARILY FOCUS ON?
We consider all aspects of a home’s design. Whether it’s large-scale developments on multiacre properties or intricate, detail-oriented designs like our recent 8th Street project with a disappearing pool, we approach each project with the same enthusiasm and dedication. We recently worked on exciting projects in Lake Tahoe, Tiburon and the Southern Oregon Coast, and we continue to expand our work throughout the United States.
L to R:
DESCRIBE THE FEATURED PROJECT.
Infused with rich saturated colors, all the custom upholstery pieces and handmade area rugs were designed or selected to complement the details of this special home. With such a timeless style, one would never know the house was decorated and finished more than 10 years after construction was complete.
Thrilled with the outcome, our clients said, “We purchased the property in beautiful Hermosa Valley in 2008 and completed construction on our Spanish Colonial Revival home in 2011. It was very important to us that the house feel as authentic as possible, from the architecture to the ceramic tiles, light fixtures and furnishings. Josette, Celeste and their team did an amazing job helping bring this vision to reality. They immediately understood our desired aesthetic. They designed custom furniture and sourced luxury rugs and antique furniture that perfectly match and enhance the style of our home. We could not be happier with the results!”
HOW DO YOU STRIKE A BALANCE BETWEEN TIMELESS DESIGN AND CURRENT TRENDS?
Design trends interest us only if they interest our clients. We design each project as a unique challenge, and our clients’ preferences dictate the design direction—always! As evidenced by
ABOUT:SPACE
Josette Murphy, Principal
305 RICHMOND ST., EL SEGUNDO
310-726-0137
INFO@ABOUTSPACESTUDIOS.COM ABOUTSPACESTUDIOS.COM
the featured project, we embrace and explore classic styles, if that is where the architecture and client brief lead us. However, our website also shows a wide range of styles in our completed projects. We do not have a “look” or chase trends because we understand that fundamental design principles transcend style. We always exercise restraint, resulting in homes that are comfortable to live with long-term. To quote a longtime client who still loves her home 20 years later, we “know when to stop.”
WHAT DEFINES “CREATIVE MAGIC”?
I have been doing this work for over 30 years, and it’s still a spine-tingling thrill when a client “sees” what their own home is going to look like and realizes what it is possible. When designing a remodel or new build, that moment comes when we reveal a 3D virtual model of their proposed new home. Sometimes there are tears … the good kind. “Creative magic” means really “getting” my client and then translating that into space solutions. It never gets old.
TELL US ABOUT YOUR TEAM.
Over the years, I have chosen my studio team carefully. All of our projects are collaborative; we lean on each other and never feel alone. We are all moms too, so we truly understand work-life balance, and we tag-team very well.
Olga Vodeneeva, Josette Murphy, Heather Putnam, Christina Chudabala, Celeste Faber
DESCRIBE THE FEATURED PROJECT.
This is a home we designed for the team at First Light Development. They wanted to create something that captured the elevated coastal feeling of the Sand Section, and it was a fruitful, design-driven process with Kreag Custom Homes as the builder. Form and function work hand in hand to make a space that is both beautiful and incredibly livable.
The secret to modern structures and open floor plans is the way you finish them. Our team selected a palette of natural materials (white oak, brick and natural stone) to add warmth. Lighting is also a huge part of our designs. The way the exterior uplights illuminate the “floating” roof is something that gives us a huge sense of gratification.
WHAT MAKES YOUR FIRM UNIQUE IN THIS INDUSTRY?
After practicing architecture in the South Bay for over 25 years, we continue to look at every project with fresh eyes. Each new home is a chance to design something unique and exciting that will enhance the lives of its inhabitants. We carry this enthusiasm through the design and construction process and work diligently to ensure that our projects exceed our clients’ expectations.
MICHAEL LEE ARCHITECTS, INC.
Michael Lee, AIA
2200 HIGHLAND AVE., MANHATTAN BEACH
310-545-5771
INFO@MLEEARCHITECTS.COM
MLEEARCHITECTS.COM
@MLEEARCHITECTS
WHAT IS IT ABOUT THIS INDUSTRY THAT CAPTIVATES YOU?
Working in architecture is challenging, given the huge range of skills and responsibilities an architect must take on. However, this is what makes being an architect so rewarding. An architect must solve problems in an aesthetic way, engineer projects cost-effectively, handle the byzantine municipal approval processes, and then coordinate the construction and finishes. Having an understanding of all aspects of the design process and a deep appreciation for good architecture and its various components gives us great satisfaction.
DESCRIBE THE VERNACULAR OF YOUR PRACTICE.
We are primarily a custom residential design firm. We specialize in private homes throughout the Los Angeles Basin and Southern California. Our belief in the basics of good design enables us to design successfully in a range of styles. We also do multifamily residential, small commercial and restaurant work, along with interior design and construction management. Designbuild has been a very successful formula for us on numerous projects.
DESCRIBE THE FEATURED PROJECT.
This project featured a family of four that had recently relocated to Palos Verdes Estates from Manhattan Beach, seeking a home that reflected their new chapter while honoring the charm of their new surroundings. The home’s Cape Cod architecture—expressed through classic dormered windows and thoughtful millwork detailing—provided a beautiful architectural foundation. Our intention was to celebrate these elements while introducing a fresh, updated perspective that felt both refined and relevant.
In the formal living room, we embraced the scale of the vaulted ceilings, allowing the volume to feel dramatic yet harmonious. A calm, soothing palette and subtle use of color softened the height of the space, while tailored furnishings and balanced proportions grounded the room with quiet sophistication.
In the family room, the focus shifted to warmth and everyday livability. We layered texture, incorporated inviting seating, and created a layout that encouraged connection and comfort. The result is a home that feels serene, refined and thoughtfully designed for family life.
WHAT ELEMENTS ARE ESSENTIAL TO MAKE A HOUSE FEEL LIKE A HOME?
Personality. Beyond beautiful finishes and thoughtful layouts, it’s the personal layers that bring warmth and meaning: collected pieces,
J. HARKAVY INTERIORS
Jennifer Harkavy, Owner, Principal Designer
777 SILVER SPUR RD., ROLLING HILLS ESTATES
917-689-8449
JHARKAVYINTERIORS@GMAIL.COM
JHARKAVYINTERIORS.COM
@JHARKAVYINTERIORS
artwork with a story, materials that age gracefully and furnishings that invite you to sit and stay awhile. A well-designed home supports daily rituals and feels tailored to the rhythms of those who live there, becoming welcoming rather than a showcase.
HOW DO
YOU BALANCE TIMELESS DESIGN AND CURRENT TRENDS?
It begins with honoring the architecture of the home. The foundation—scale, proportion, millwork, cabinetry and core furnishings—should feel timeless and rooted in the character of the space. I introduce trends in ways that feel layered rather than dominant. Statement lighting, textiles, color-forward fabrics and wallcoverings bring personality and a sense of the present into a home without compromising longevity. These elements can be updated over time, allowing the home to evolve with intention. When classic design is complemented by curated, of-themoment details, a home feels fresh yet enduring.
WHAT MAKES A CLIENT RELATIONSHIP SUCCESSFUL FROM START TO FINISH?
Honest conversations around goals, expectations and the way clients want their home to feel create clarity from the outset—allowing decisions to be made with confidence and ease while avoiding costly mistakes and ensuring every element comes together seamlessly.
Visit chrisadlam.com for all photos.
Rancho Palos Verdes Built in 1927, this majestic English Tudor home captures the charm and architectural character of a bygone era. Over 4100 square feet and situated on a 32,000 square foot parcel, this property also features breathtaking coastal harbor light views.
DRE#00967574
The Art of Excellence 2025 Awards Ceremony
TOP PRODUCERS
TOP TEAMS
#1 Results Group
#2 Yutronich Team
#3 Yamada Clayton Realty
#4 Go Gabby
#5 Team Mcguire
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#10 Lemieux-Stott Team
The Estate Properties 2025 Awards Celebration brought our top producers together for an elegant evening honoring success and the people behind it. A true celebration of achievement, energy, and community across our entire network.
JUST LISTED
Palos Verdes Estates
SADDLEBACK ROAD
ROLLING HILLS PRICE UPON REQUEST
This property is an architectural triumph. The 9,400-squarefoot contemporary ranch home is nestled on a sprawling 54,732-square-foot lot with panoramic views. Its positioning was guided by two feng shui masters to ensure harmony with its environment, and natural materials abound. The sleek, contemporary kitchen is complemented by a separate entertainment kitchen with a pizza oven, a home theater and a wine cellar. The residence functions as a private sanctuary, offering five bedrooms and nine bathrooms. Wellness is central to the design, with a spa including sauna, steam room with rain shower, massage room and a soaking tub that transitions to an outdoor shower. A dedicated library/office is located in a separate barn. This estate prioritizes craftsmanship, history and the simple joy of a life well lived. Visit LuxuryonSaddleback.com for more.
Keith Kelley
Strand Hill/ Forbes Global Properties
310-944-5554
keithkelleyrealestate.com
keith@palosverdesrealty.com @keith.a.kelley DRE #01810798
Experience
A Realtor since 2004, Diana’s deep local knowledge of the area gives her clients a great advantage. Her vast network of contacts with Brokers / Agents has been a benefit to secure properties. The Sotheby’s International Realty exclusive global network adds another important layer of connections.
310.466.4656
DRE#01014808
CHATEAU MARGUERITE - LUNADA POINT AT CHATEAU MARGUERITE EVERY FACET IS POSITIONED TO ELEVATE DAILY LIVING FEATURING A BLEND OF ITALIAN AND FRENCH INFLUENCES, THIS HOME DETAILS THE HIGHEST QUALITY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP AND DESIGN, OFFERING TRANQUIL SPACES THAT FEEL BOTH INVITING AND GRAND FEATURING UNPARALLELED VIEWS OF CATALINA ISLAND TO THE MALIBU COAST WITH 4 BEDROOMS, 6 BATHS, PRIVATE OFFICE WITH EN-SUITE BATHROOM, WINE CELLAR, POOL, SPA, GAME ROOM OR MUSIC STUDIO, STUDY, GYM/MEDITATION SPACE 1 26 ACRES, 7,300 SQUARE FEET OF STUNNING INTERIOR DESIGN $8,950,000
Unlearning the Grind
RETHINKING THE BELIEF THAT EXHAUSTION IS THE PRICE OF SUCCESS
Written by Fatima Djelmane Rodriguez
I grew up in the ’90s. It was the era of 90210, boy bands, LA Gear, hip-hop, Aqua Net, landlines and staying out until the streetlights came on. There was no internet, no social media, no cell phones and certainly no electric vehicles—those only existed on The Jetsons
We didn’t carry water bottles to school. Hydration meant a Cactus Cooler, the communal water fountain or a piping hot water hose on a scorching California summer day.
Like every generation, the times shaped how we lived. Back then, the words “self” and “care” were never seen side by side. While many things have improved since then, some norms we grew up with are now recognized as unhealthy. The absence of self-care was one of them.
In my single-parent Mexican American household, self-care simply wasn’t part of the conversation. My mother embodied the “nose to the grindstone” mentality. She rarely complained, but it was clear her plate was always full. For her, self-care looked like a glass of wine at the end of a long day. I watched her climb the corporate ladder while raising two children and trying to maintain a personal life.
As the oldest daughter, I became a mini parent to my younger brother, taking on responsibilities beyond my years. I learned to multitask, work hard, avoid complaining and prioritize achievement above all else. Self-care, in my mind, was for the weak.
When I began my career, I carried those same habits
with me. Working for an under-resourced grassroots nonprofit, 12- to 14-hour workdays felt like proof of my commitment to the mission. It became a regular point of tension with my husband—then boyfriend—who saw how much I was sacrificing.
At the time, I believed working harder meant caring more. I hadn’t yet learned the value of working smarter.
If I’m honest, that drive was rooted in fear: fear of not doing enough, of wasting opportunity, of letting people down. As the eldest daughter of a single mom, overfunctioning felt normal.
Seven years later, becoming a mother shifted everything. When my daughter Ale was born, it crystallized the importance of balance. I realized that if I wanted to model healthy behavior for her, I had to start by caring for myself.
My first step was making a career pivot. Determined to continue serving my community while creating a healthier balance, I found my way to Ronald McDonald House. There, I was able to thrive professionally while also investing in my family and personal passions.
Today, with two children and fuller schedules, my concept of wellness centers on time. Learning to say “no” has become my greatest challenge—and my most important form of self-care.
I don’t want my daughters to grow up believing exhaustion is a badge of honor. I want them to see that ambition and rest can coexist, and that sometimes the most powerful act of self-care is simply allowing ourselves to pause. ■
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*Offer valid through 12.31.26 at The NOW South Bay & Redondo Beach only. One-time use only, cannot be combined with any other offers or Ritual Memberships.
