Have you heard of Torrance?
This city, located in Los Angeles’ South Bay, is known for its cultural and ethnic diversity. As a consequence, it is an exciting place to explore (think beaches, eateries, and markets) when visiting Southern California.
This comprehensive guide will give you all the reasons to start planning a visit to Torrance.
THINGS TO DO IN TORRANCE
As a city of more than 147,000 residents, believe me when I say Torrance has a plethora of attractions, facilities, and open spaces available to the public. What follows is my local perspective on the best things to do in Torrance
STROLL AROUND OLD TOWN
In the early 1900s, a real estate mogul called James Sydney Torrance took the chance to develop a community south of Los Angeles.
His investment paid off since the area incorporated as the City of Torrance in 1921 and grew in size through annexing different pieces of land.
The original planned community survives in what is known as Old Town. The quiet streets are sprinkled with businesses, residences, trees, parks, and monuments to local heroes.
I visit the area mainly to eat. My husband and I love By Brazil, a churrasqueria known for its home cooking and flavorful meat, chicken, and pork cuts. We save money by taking advantage of the lunch special (about $20 per person).
We were beyond excited when Madre Oaxacan Restaurant opened in the area. We adore Oaxacan food and it is great to have tlayudas, mole negro, and tasajo close to home.
For breakfast, we go to Eat at Rudy’s. For pastries (and donuts, ahem), we go to the Torrance Bakery. We meet with friends at Red Car. For something different, I recommend visiting the Chado Tea Room. Try one of their blossoming teas.
JOIN A WALKING TOUR
Every 4th Sunday of the month, the Torrance Historical Society offers a free tour of Old Town Torrance. The 90-minute tour will take you to several landmarks and expand your knowledge about the city.
Note: The tour is offered from May to October. Confirm details a couple of days before the tour date.
VISIT A POPULAR FILMING LOCATION
TV and movie fans will be interested in knowing that the Torrance High School has been featured in several well-known productions.
The building gained notoriety for serving as the high school on the popular Beverly Hills, 90210 series. In addition, its facade and patio have been part of TV shows such as Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Medium and movies such as She’s All That and Bruce Almighty.
ENTER BIVALVE PARADISE AT THE JOLLY OYSTER MARKET
When I told my husband, I was writing an article about things to do in Torrance, he told me not to forget about The Jolly Oyster. Then, he repeated the same thing 20 times.
Per my husband’s mandate, I am suggesting you visit this market specializing in oysters, clams, and crab claws. They have a big local following and excellent reviews.
Actually, this brand started with a truck at the San Buenaventura State Beach (in Ventura, 70 miles north of Los Angeles). We used to stop when driving back from Santa Barbara. My husband was elated when they opened a market in our backyard.
GET IN TOUCH WITH NATURE AT THE MADRONA MARSH PRESERVE
The Madrona Marsh showcases the marshland that used to cover the coastal plains of Southern California. Most of these areas were drained in order to develop living and business complexes. Therefore, this marsh is a rare example of how things used to be.
The place provides a habitat for birds, insects, frogs, reptiles, and small mammals. In addition, it is a stop for migrating birds.
The preserve is open to the public every day (except Monday) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. An on-site nature center provides information about the creatures calling home the area and facilitates different types of activities (hikes, workshops, etc.)
HUNT FOR AN ANTIQUE TREASURE
If you enjoy browsing for antiques and unique objects in a lively environment, then you have to stop by the Torrance Antique Street Fair.
This monthly event (4th Sunday) gathers 200 vendors and attracts thousands to Old Town Torrance. The fair has been going strong for 20 years and it is a South Bay favorite. Bring the entire family to this fun event. Admission and parking are free.
If you are not in town for the event, you can visit the fair’s store at 1317 Sartori Avenue (in Old Town).
SHOP AT THE ROADIUM OPEN AIR MARKET
The Roadium can be described as a swap meet or flea market (even though it is “officially” an open-air market). I am pretty sure you are familiar with the concept but, if not, this is a place where used objects are sold or exchanged. Offerings can be new or never used. The idea is to acquire a good at a lower price than usual.
The Roadium covers a big space and it is well organized. You can find cosmetics, perfumes, clothes, shoes, and bags as well as automotive, gardening, locksmithing, and hardware store items.
SPEND THE DAY AT THE BEACH
A lot of people mention the beach cities of Los Angeles County (Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach) but they do not realize Torrance has 1.5 miles of beachfront.
The long stretch of sand between the Redondo Pier and the Palos Verdes Peninsula is shared between Redondo Beach and Torrance. The Torrance part starts south of Miramar Park (where Esplanade meets Paseo de la Playa).
This beach is less hectic than others in the South Bay so, it is a good place to spend the day without having to share your space with hundreds of people. In season, there is a cafe and beach rental shack on-site. The other nice thing is that the Riviera Village, an area with more than 20 restaurants, is located a couple of blocks away.
Palos Verdes Golf Club provides an exceptional and memorable experience for members and guests. The Club offers outstanding services for hosting special events.
STOP BY THE BEST FARMERS MARKET EVER
Many farmers’ markets in the Los Angeles area get tons of rave reviews. I am not sure if it is local pride but, in my opinion, they are not as good as Torrance’s Farmers Market.
This market is huge! They have products from 60 farms plus flowers, honey, baked goods, nuts, candy, fish, eggs, prepared food, an international food court, and live music. You have the opportunity to sample a lot of different things and try things you have never tried before. Come hungry because you will need space in your stomach to tackle all the offerings.
