The son of Yvonne Chouinard ,Fletcher has worked hard for nearly a decade now developing, researching and refining his craft of board building. This is the place where it all happens and has happened. The building is extremely important in Patagonia history and the vibe when you drop in tells you that. It’s smack in the middle of the Patagonia Campus. I always stop by when in Ventura. Good pizza around the corner, blocks away from the downtown farmers market on Saturdays.Drop by and hang out on the porch and you could easily run into any number of the Patagonia team riders ...  read more >>>

Donuts, Donuts Donuts Donuts!! Sooooo very good yet so Very bad for you. The pure fat and sugar I guess is what makes them so good. Wouldn’t it be great if they weren’t So Very bad for you? Super cool idea of the month has to be BAKED DONUTS at Beach City Baked Donuts in Redondo Beach. On the border between Redondo and Hermosa down the famous Pacific Coast highway you’ll find the well styled minimalistic shop in the home of what looks like an old style donut shop. The BCBD owners hail from Japan, Koji the owner from Osaka and his wife from Chigasaki. They have brou...  read more >>>

This is the spot! This is the spot it all started at or at least where the work began. Ok maybe not the Exact spot but the Patagonia Ventura store is shop is very near where the work started at the Original Pacific Iron Works. If you make your way to Ventura you Must stop into Patagonia at The Great Pacific Iron Works and of course right up the block to Point Blanks / Fletcher Chouinard shapes surf shack. Patagonia is a giant in the world of climbing and has over the last 5+ year forged a good mark on surfing. A company that has put so much care into what it’s doing and w...  read more >>>

Peaceful and intimate this calming pastry, tea garden offers a great lunch as well. Great for a romantic escape or casual meetings. www.jinpatisserie.com...  read more >>>

This swanky and charming bistro offers wine tastings four times a month!! How can that be bad?! The chef here is from Ne Zealand and blends influences and flavors from N’Zed, Europe, Australia and the United States. Seafood like Trout, Salmon, Scallops, Ahi. Heartier faire like Pork and Poultry as well as steak and rack of lamb. They offer several different preparations of filet mignon, I’m eyeing the one with the Portobello mushroom cream sauce. Check their web site and facebook page for tastings and the daily lunch and dinner menu. www.secondcitybistro.com http://www.facebo...  read more >>>

I don’t often use this word but I’m going to call this shop Exquisite!! I moved ever so slowly through this unique and fresh “everything” store so I could carefully marvel over all the different utensils, tools and crafts I never knew I needed. You can also visit their quality online store, too. Please be amazed by their great selections. http://www.tortoisegeneralstore.com/...  read more >>>

No really, come on this is a Great idea. I’m ready to go tomorrow and copy this killer little trip down the amazing California coast….by Train!! Union Express takes us on a trip with Timmy Curran through laid back California chill spots where we meet up with some of Timmy’s California surf buddies and 2 Florida transplants. Timmy grabs the train up to the bay area and clickety clacks his way back down by train and car to surf spots in S.F., Central Coast, Santa Barbara, Oxnard, San Clemente, Oceanside Cardiff and Solana Beach. North coast segments start off the ad...  read more >>>

Aptly named after the famous endangered El Segundo Blue Butterflies that visit the region. This excellent little local hang offers up fine coffees and pastries as well as the latest in local talk and news. Great selection of coffee drinks and pastries even fruit loops in a cup! ...  read more >>>

The menu is diverse and tantalizing. Peruvian and Italian mixed delivers dishes like; The hospitable owner may even be on hand. Take in these appetizers chilled mashed potatoes with shredded chicken, avocado stuffed vegetables and steamed shrimp, Peruvian sashimi and fried plantains. Main dishes include many chicken, lamb, seafood and meat dishes.  Delicious and tempting courses like Fried Sea bass with Peruvian beans, Angus steak fillet with fries and plantains as well as grilled Salmon with rosemary and ginger. It’s friendly and the choices abound. www.playablancarestaur...  read more >>>

A south bay landmark since 1969 they call themselves “The Original Eat At Joe’s”. I love these places, on tour for year with rock bands the best places were the greasiest heartiest American cooking joints and this one rates strong. Packed to the gills all day be prepared for a wait. The bustling dining rooms are a great setting to lay out your plans for the day, read the paper or meet a small group for breakfast. I don’t recommend groups too large. I had Conan Special your basic bacon and eggs and French toast with coffee. the couple next to me ordered the famous &l...  read more >>>

This place is a must for the Venice boardwalk tourist. Nothing spectacular about the food but the atmosphere is excellent and the people watching is a 10 on a scale on 1 to 10. I always get the bacon and eggs and check out the array of L.A.’s finest from homeless to exercise clubs, roller skaters to skate boarders, artists and activists, gangstas and supermodels it’s all here. Note: the Café also has a pretty good sports bar attached to it if you are looking to catch any games. http://thesidewalkcafe.com/...  read more >>>

This is amazing. I stopped for coffee and discovered a strange new food. Food in a pie. Steak, chicken, veggies, eggs all of the above. It looked so weird and I was afraid and then I bit into the warm flakey crust of my egg and meat pie and was SOLD Crazy. You will crave this standard from Down Under. The coffee was hearty and strong and as I said the Pie’s are incredible and addictive. This is certainly an excellent Pre or Post surf session re-fuel food and on Mondays you get Free Coffee!! Now that’s a welcome to Redondo Beach. www.mojopies.com...  read more >>>

It’s hard to find a good thrift store, so often it’s either a store full of beat down clothes that show why they are priced low or they are a “vintage” store that is too over priced. Gotta Have It has a nice mix and it hasn’t been picked over. The owner is passionate about her wares and supports the local creativity. If you are in Venice stop by and check out some of the current local designer goodies as well. I was really impressed by the art from local artists and especially CHASE some of which could be found on T-shirts and canvases in the shop....  read more >>>

Animal House sells bits of history and even has some itself to brag about. The shop is in the block made famous by Orson Welles “Touch of Evil” where this street posed as a dangerous street in Mexico circa late 1950’s. So much has passed through the intersection and down this block it’s a must visit spot and many treats can be found in the area. Animal House is a place to find Dog Town classics, vintage accessories and concert shirts as well as fine vintage clothing and collectible denim and leather. It has the perfect mix of vintage, collectible and contemporar...  read more >>>

Protection from the sun is a very important part of the mindful surfers experience. Skin cancer is nothing to joke about or take lightly and the chances of getting it are a serious reality if you don’t take the proper precautions. Finding a good source of protection can be daunting. I’ve tried quite a few and one of my favorites is the line from Beyond Coastal. I am fair of skin tone and really nee that extra protection. I also have sensitive eyes and many creams are prone to burning my eyes after a short time in the water as the product wears off and runs into my eyes. Beyond C...  read more >>>

This surf shop is an international destination. There are only a few shops as cool as this in all of California, maybe all the United States. The vibe is super laid back and friendly and you could hang out for a while appreciating the original art on the walls the many independent shapers crafts and even a complete library of surf videos and a listening station for music purchases. At Mollusk you can find all the latest Warriors of Radness and Ando goodies too. Mollusk also carries the latest from Dano, Junod, Rainbow, Mandala, Swift, Wegener, Gato Heroi, two birds and others. www.mollusk...  read more >>>

It’s simple it’s functional and we sure like to support the “little guy” inventor. In this case it’s actually the “Little Gal”. Independent inventor, wet suit repair queen and entrepreneur Lisa Hetman designed and created the Cinch Sac years ago. It’s a changing mat that cinches up and keep your wet suit, sand and wetness all wrapped up. Find out more in the RE:Cal store or at www.swell-stuff.com   ...  read more >>>

Now, I can eat expensive and I can eat scary things off taco carts in alleys in Mexico but I sure do prefer delighting in a meal that hits all the buttons in the taste buds. I often hunt for that great combination of flavors, and creations matched great atmosphere and affordable prices. Now of course affordable is relative as I am willing to pay a little more than average for quality adventure in gastronomy. Gastronomy is the study of the relationship between culture and food. At Farm Stand you’ll find a blend of simple foods from recipes found in French, Italian, American and Mediter...  read more >>>

Please check out these movies below showing Joel Tudor riding his new models for KOOKBOX!!  1st Movie shows that Joel Tudor is riding a new Moontail Noserider shaped by Wayne Rich. Joel seems so stoked to have this model, with saying this is one of the best noserider he has ever ridden. Now He is in Noosa, Australia with three of this model with a few minor changes, to attend the Noosa Festival and for the betterment of this model.   2nd Movie captured JT on Skarab, a collaboration model between KOOKBOX and Mandala Custom Shapes. This is a board ...  read more >>>

Walk throught Abbot Kinney Blvd... Abbott Kinney Boulevard is a culture all in itself. It’s a place for art, education, film, music, business, and medical marijuana, eating and drinking and of course shopping. Any day and night you can find celebs and stars of the underground from music and film, super models, artists, writers and all walks of the people that define Venice and Santa Monica California. The place has so much character that I find myself making plans to get over to Abbott Kinney and meet some friends any chance I can get. It doesn’t hurt that Abbott Kinney flows no...  read more >>>

I met Lisa years ago helping her find people interested in one of her inventions, the Cinch-Sac. It’s a great piece of surfing equipment that’s been copied many times. It’s a changing mat that cinches up to be a bag that hold your soaked wetsuit. Check it out in our products section. What I quickly learned though was Lisa is more than an inventor, she's an avid surfer, a camper and traveler, a big fan of Westy’s (VW Westfalia vans), a business woman with a talent for sewing. Lisa makes hats, beanies, changing towels, hand bags, board bags, board carriers and ...  read more >>>

Good, clean, comfortable and inexpensive near the beach is sooooo hard to find. This hotel is even close enough to L.A. to work as a home base if you are visiting Venice, Santa Monica and the West Side. Finding anything under $130 is extremely hard in the L.A. are and this cozy functional place can bring you in for possibly half that on the right dates. Be sure to tell them we sent you!! The motel is near authentic ethnic cuisine in Thai food and French as well as a few good Mexican and American places. St Raphael is excellent well priced French, Eat at Joe’s is a solid greasy spoon ...  read more >>>

Cool, no, Super Cool shop alert! The shop has such a warm feel and through many lay out changes I think they have finally found the one that directs the flow allowing the visitor to cruise through and see all Thalia St has to offer. Here you’ll find brands like KookBox, Captain Fin Co., RAEN, VANS, Ando, Brixton, Hippy Tree, INSIGHT and Toddland as well as many other cool little brands. Also find surfboards by Swift, KookBox, Wegener, Junod, Gato Heroi and others. Deep on the coast protected by the lush hills of Laguna this great little destination is a must for surf travelers an...  read more >>>

Riverboat Gamblers “To The Confusion of Our Enemies” on VOLCOM Entertainment O.K. it’s 14 tracks straight out and full on. Do you like Rocket From the Crypt with a little less horns? This is sweaty fist pumping in the air sing-a-long rock n roll action. I love this band and find myself hitting replay on RFTC influenced songs like “True Crime”, “On Again Off Again” and “Year of the Rooster”. I hear The Tubes from Completion Backwards Principle, I hear the Meices and of course, Rocket From The Crypt. This is one my favorite driving alb...  read more >>>

In California we have pretty consistent surf, meaning there is almost always something. Maybe it’s not that good but it’s something. 2-4 ft a little on shore a little slow but the ride boards can make it all fun. The way to be prepared is to have that board that can make a good session out of poor surf and even Bad surf. If the board can also handle some nice winter swell then all the better, If some set waves roll through or if the surf is a little soft here are a few boards that I really recommend for your quiver. These boards will make the difference and help you enjoy getting o...  read more >>>

Irons Brothers Productions; Andy and Bruce Irons, Chris Cote, Blair Marlin and Matt Beauchesne. Staring Andy Irons and Kelly Slater Directed and Edited by Matt Beauchesne Edited by George Manzanilla Filmed by Ryan Young, Matt Beauchesne, Greg Browning and Daren Crawford Available through Koastal Media I plopped down on the couch all geared up for the what all the surf magazines have been hyping as a trip to the Mentawai; KANDUI Resort to be specific. By two of the best surfers of the last two generations and arguably the biggest rivalry in surf history, at least the most hyped. So it...  read more >>>

Produced and Directed by Taylor Steele Filmed by Kai Neville and Ivan Tanjung Edited by Kai Neville A Poor Specimen Production Available through Koastal Media OK so I think I just said somewhere I’m not the biggest fan of Hack-A-Froth music videos, and, as I now put a Huge disclaimer on that recent statement, you can’t call that I changed my tune bcause I’m a Steele groupie or something because the signature silly skits have bugged the hell out of me, since way back in the Warren Miller film days and I wish Taylor would leave them out. ...But oh my, I really dig this Mu...  read more >>>

One day, Joel Tudor took his new Diamond Tail Mini of KOOKBOX at somewhere waves breaking... Check his beautiful riding on the mini log...noseriding...cutback... Please check our online store for more KOOKBOX stuff: http://shop.recalmag.com Joel Tudor on his Diamond Tail Mini from Re:Cal Mag on Vimeo. Video Courtesy of Secter 9. Another Vimeo clip coming soon...  ...  read more >>>

Check out these actions. Xanadu Surf Designs from Re:Cal Mag on Vimeo. Boards in this movie are from Xanadu Surf Degins。 http://www.recalmag.com/shop/Surf-Boards/Xanadu-c10/ http://www.xanadusurfdesigns.com/...  read more >>>

By Mick Waters Surfers: Neil Purchase Jr, the Fitzgeralds, Rasta, Albe Falzon, Andrew Kidman, Beau and Nat Young, Joe Larkin, Matt McHugh and others I find it hard to escape the feeling that there is a bit of a movement, a quiet revolution even, afoot in the surfing world. Surfers, I reckon, are beginning to reclaim their culture, after years of having it dominated by surf industry marketing material. All those ads, posters, billboards, free dvds, contests, webcasts and signature model boardshorts have been cramming the space that would otherwise be occupied by what we might call surf cult...  read more >>>

  Directed by Jeremy Gosch Director of Photography Gary Rohan Edited by Danny Bresnik Screen Media Films and Fresh & Smoked Staring; Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew, Ian Cairns, Mark Richards, Shaun Tomson, Peter Townend. Inspired by Wayne “Rabbit” Bartholomew Distributed by Koastal Media This film smacked me in the face. It took a hold of me instantly and didn’t let me go. It begins in the era I took many of my surfing idols from. On stage were Shaun, Rabbit, PT, Hakman, BK, Lopez, Russell, Abellira, later I added Bertelsmann, Dane, Cheyne and...  read more >>>

Get in the Van it’s gritty, it’s fun, it’s Low-Fi, a simple story idea. Ya gotta feel the adventure these guys experienced in making it, adding to the (regular) already anything-can-happen sense that usually begins a surf film. Heck we’re here to see some surfer’s go off in search of some good waves. It’s the safari, that’s what we all crave down to the local break or down to the jungles of anywhere. These guys make you wish and you kinda feel like, you’re going with them. Maybe being in the room watching it with several of the surfer’s i...  read more >>>

Whenever I am in L.A. I try as hard as I can to grab a lunch at this special market on the corner of Centinela and Venice Blvd. This authentic Japanese market has all you could ever want from a quick bite of Japanese cuisine. The atmosphere is cafeteria food court style but there is usually some interesting show or sports, in Japanese, on the flat screens and plenty of L.A. style people watching. Here is my insider tip. I usually go first into the Market area and grab some poke style, sashimi style ahi tuna or fresh sushi from the sushi counter. Then I head over to one of the food court s...  read more >>>

There are a ton of people in L.A. nearly 13 million to try and give you and exact number and a good 130,000 live in the Venice Santa Monica area. There aren’t many breaks to choose from along the beaches that provide shore for some kinder of breakers and let me tell you from experience more often than not they are...shore breakers. It’s a tough surfing existence but if you go everyday and stay core it is pretty dang cool to surf dog town. You have an area that is bordered by Playa Vista on the south that leads into El Segundo, West L.A. and Culver City to the east, Santa Monica...  read more >>>

Ty Ponder (directed, produced by); Scott Bass (created, directed and written by); narrated by John Milius Featuring surfers; Pat Farley and Brant Page, also Rich Thomas, Herbie Fletcher, Ron Sizemore, Drew Kampion, Jim Cowell, Greg Samp, Tom Luker, Jerry Anderson, Mark Martinson, Howard Fisher and Greg Murray.   This is a great film. I just have to start with that simple statement. I’ve seen some entertaining films in the last year like “Surfwise”, important films like anything from Nathan Oldfield and some well done proper features like “...  read more >>>

“A Perfect Soundtrack For A Thoughtful Sunday Afternoon” “Inva De Siva” manaloft records I was first turned on to Years Around The Sun (YATS) by my friends at GLOBE through their amazing surf film “Secret Machine”. A few songs from their debut E.P.. “Introstay” were peppered throughout the film adding some nice flavor to that diverse and fresh soundtrack. I really liked the film too but that’s another story for later. Year’s Around the Sun can and has been compared to Pinback, another San Diego band but I myself hea...  read more >>>

by 14 Day productions Greg Browning, Taylor Steele Surfers: Donavon, Benji Weatherly, Pat O’Connell, Alex Gray, Ozzie Wright and Occy. Places: Well…I’ll give you one guess. All over New Zealand. Directed by Greg Browning DP’s: Cory Scott, Ryan Young, Matt Beauchense. Edited by Jeff Motyll Double Disc with extra 43 minutes of 16mm footage released by Koastal Media. Also be on the look out for the Drive Thru Box Set!!!   I love Drive Thru’s, Don’t you just want to be there? It’s a travelers drea...  read more >>>

Beneath The Surface by Dana Morris; Surfers = Joel Tudor, Sam Hammer, Joe Curren, Nate Tyler, Greg and Rusty Long, Dodger Kremel, CJ Nelson, Josh Hoyer and many more. Places = Eight countries. approx. 60 min Studio 411 and Reel Life Films. I love this Kind of film at least the look the story intention, the travel places chosen, the cinematography but please please can we do our best as young film makers, can we as the next generation try to not combine the art with the age old dry narration and obligatory lame surf film humor after a few segments of seriousness? Nothi...  read more >>>

Bessell Ear Drying Spray 　　 – So we all know or at least we’ve heard stories from friends about the ear trouble you can get if you don’t pay attention to your ears after numerous sessions. The thought of having my ears “Bored out” just sends shivers through me.I’ve tried the rubbing alcohol and ear swabs thing but it’s such a hassle, you drop the swabs, get sand in everything and it’s just a mess or you slack off due to the hassle. Enter Bessell Ear Drying Spray. Hey the concept is nothing new or innovative it&rs...  read more >>>

Medication by The Background Collective; Surfers = Taylor Knox, Slater, Fanning, CJ, Timmy Curran, Mike Losness Places = approx. 30 min Studio 411 and the Background Collective . This film is a bit short but being that I think it was a free promotional piece Good On the marketing team at Rip Curl for funding it I hope and putting it out. My only down note is that for as much as it hypes to be a piece about Taylor Knox and inside Taylor Knox we really don’t know him a whole lot more at the end of it. I mean I guess I did come away thinking, hey he seems to hav...  read more >>>

Surf Prescriptions “New Toy” I surfed the 6’2” version of the versatile made for California quad. It just goes; it’s a great paddler, quick down the line, through sections and you can even get some nice carving in the pocket with it. The only draw back may be it’s width, one of the features that helps so much in typical low surf conditions. I feel it’s a little wide in bigger surf, higher speed and more hollow faces. The width can sometimes get your fins popping out on deep turns. Of course all you need to do is order it a bit tr...  read more >>>

By Alex Parker and Jerry Ricciotti; Surfers = Ben Bourgois, CJ, Sam Hammer, Pete Mendia, Dylan Graves, Aarom Cormican, Jesse Hines, Toth, Nolan, Geiger and a host of east coasters Places = Northeast, indo, Caribbean, Florida, West Indies approx. 50 min. 321 entertainment Studio Studio 411. This is a great little surf film. It’s nothing new of course that a surf film be set up as a bunch of surfer’s go in search of waves but this story, even though it may have been done a 100 times before this particular 50 minutes works well for me. It’s no easy task to ca...  read more >>>

By Buildworldwide, Mark Jeremias and Jason Baffa (also doubling as DP’s). Surfers: The Malloy’s, Jimmy Gamboa, the Nolls, Alex Knost, Tyler Warren, Joe Curran, Tyler Hatzikian, Dan Perlee, Lance Carson, Skip Frye and others. Places: Of course California; Baja, La Jolla, San Diego, Newport Beach, Rincon, Sand Spit, San Onofre, Malibu, Santa Cruz and more California secret & maybe not so secret spots. Crew: Photography: Jason Baffa, Devon Howard, Mark Jeremias, Scott Kassenoff, Jeff Johnson, Joey Watts, editing by Carl Cramer. Released and available Double DVD with bookle...  read more >>>

“Tijuana Panthers e.p.” These guys rock and need to get out more. So more people can get turned on to their oil can echoy charged up garage rock. They are doing a great job actually playing an array of cool shows; the INSIGHT clothing ASR party in San Diego and a film release party at Shelter in Long Beach for Nathan Oldfields warm and soulful film “Seaworthy”. They tease us with only five songs but it’ll get you going morning noon or night. Best tracks would be Crew Cut and Red Headed Girl find more about Chad, Phillip and Daniel, the band at ...  read more >>>

  1 block east of PCH and Morse, just around the corner from the DAV. Good eats guiding in your travels is one of our objectives here at Recalmag and here’s a really good one to plug into your GPS. Primo Market offers quality food in several perfect packages. Shop at the market for all your basic needs from toiletries to groceries. If you are in a hurry or if traveling and you don’t have a place to cook Primo has a great selection of prepared foods from meatloaf to chicken to sa...  read more >>>

Here’s a good spot for sushi in Santa Cruz near Pleasure Point and the Hook. I like dropping for a great and simple lunch after a surf at the point. This day I had edemame, spicy tuna and a soda for under $11. It’s across the street from Freeline surf, the Mel family’s surf shop and just a couple doors down from the Billabong store. The atmosphere is excellent sushi bar style with several small private rooms for groups super friendly service indoor and outdoor eating. Drop on by and tell them we sent ya.  ...  read more >>>