COASTAL ACTIVITIES.   A wide sand beach starts below the bluffs of Palos Verdes in the south RAT (right after Torrance Beach) and stretches north beyond the Redondo Pier, Hermosa and Manhattan Beaches.  The popular paved beach path, called The Strand continues north through South Redondo, Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, and eventually to Santa Monica. A typical day on this path will see thousands of people on foot, bicycle, skateboard, roller-blade, including wheelchairs and strollers enjoying the sun and surf. The Strand is broken by the massive Redondo Beach King Harbor Marina and Pier, where it veers away from water and onto dedicated lanes of surface streets for about a mile before again turning to the ocean in Hermosa Beach. Continuing north from Manhattan Beach, with occasional inland stretches, this path goes well into Marina Del Rey, Venice  and beyond.  Surfing is a key element of the South Bay lifestyle year-round, especially the well known surfing spot of the Redondo Breakwall.  It is common to see locals catching waves on both Christmas and New Year's Day. Powerful winter storms in the Pacific ocean can typically turn placid and rolling South Bay waves into large and occasionally dangerous conditions.  Beach Volleyball is another important aspect of Hermosa Beach's lifestyle. The wide and flat sand beaches provide the perfect venue for the sport and permanent poles and nets are placed and maintained by the city year-round. Professional tournaments managed by the AVP take place in both neighboring Redondo and Manhattan Beach. Currently Hermosa and Redondo Beach is growing in popularity with filming production. Fox's "The O.C." was also seen filming at Redondo Union High School, Redondo Beach Pier, and local parks. Also, Redondo Beach was home to the filming of the classic television series, Baywatch.