New King Harbor Gateway Sign Arrives in 2026

Redondo Beach Residents Divided Over New King Harbor Sign

Some residents of Redondo Beach have spent their entire lives looking up at the steel poles that mark the entrance to their hometown marina. For many, these poles are more than just a gateway — they are a symbol of history and identity. However, a new sign welcoming visitors to the Redondo Beach King Harbor is set to be unveiled next year, sparking both excitement and concern among locals.

The City Council recently approved a new design to replace the iconic Redondo Beach King Harbor gateway sign. This decision was made as part of a long-term plan to revamp the entrance, with staff initially selecting the design in November. The final decision was made on Tuesday, December 9, paving the way for the replacement to be completed by 2026.

Reasons for the Change

According to a staff report, the sign needs to be refurbished for safety, durability, and visibility. The current structure and metal components are showing signs of wear, with rusting, faded colors, cracked paint, and aging plastic. The city has allocated $74,000 in its 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program to repaint the sign, which will now cover a complete remodel.

The original sign dates back to the 1920s, with a redesign in the 1940s and another in 1969, which created the familiar arch style that most locals know today. A version of this design was first seen in 1995, and it was last updated in 2010 when protective plastic on the sign was replaced.

Community Reaction

While the city sees the update as necessary, some residents are not happy with the changes. A community petition urging a pause on the redesign to allow for more public input has already gathered over 2,000 signatures. During the council meeting, resident Jake Tedesco urged the council to put the redesign on hold until more public input could be evaluated, calling the sign "public artwork" and an "icon and a landmark."

The main point of contention among critics is the font style change. The new, modern sans serif font is seen by some as erasing the local character that the sign has held for decades. Redondo Beach resident Josh McLeod argued that preserving historic characteristics of the city sign "tells you the place has a soul, a memory and identity that survived time." He added that redesigning something to feel current guarantees it will feel outdated soon after.

Historic Preservation Efforts

A few residents who spoke against the redesign also mentioned plans to submit the structure for designation as a historic state landmark. Despite these concerns, the effort to replace the sign is expected to begin early next year and be complete by mid-2026. The bidding process for contractors to create, install, and paint the new structure will soon start.

During the work, traffic control measures will be in place, including an intermittent closure of the left turn lane at the intersection of 190th and Anita Street and Pacific Coast Highway.