We all know what Southern California looks like. We’ve seen it on TV. In Hollywood’s SoCal, tall palm trees wave against perpetually blue skies. Whether it’s portraying a city or a small town, there’s ample shopping and great restaurants. A golden-hued, sandy beach is never far away.
I had assumed this version of SoCal was a product of Hollywood’s imagination, assembled from the best parts of various places. But it’s real, and you’ll find it in Torrance. It’s a beach town 10 miles south of Los Angeles International Airport.
Perhaps not coincidentally, Torrance has been the filming site for more than 200 television shows, movies, and commercials. Remember Beverly Hills, 90210? Scarface, Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and Gone in 60 Seconds? All were filmed in Torrance.
Sunny beaches, palm trees, extensive shopping, great restaurants—Torrance has all that and more. Here’s how to make the most of it.
If you’re flying to Torrance, Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest airport. There you can either rent a car or use a rideshare to get to Torrance. Depending on your itinerary, you can get around by bike or rideshare. Most of the town’s attractions are within a few miles of each other. If you do have a car, driving is an easy way to get around town and to the beach.
History of Torrance
In the early 1900s, labor troubles were making headlines in Los Angeles. Industrialist Jared Sidney Torrance decided to do something about it. His solution was to design a model city that would be a “workingman’s paradise” with a mix of commercial and residential properties.
With 3,522 acres of ranchland purchased from the Dominguez family (to whom Spain had granted 75,000 acres in 1785), J.S. Torrance set out to build his new city. He hired world-famous landscape architects Olmsted and Olmsted to plan the layout of the town. The railroad bridge (now an icon of the city) and other buildings were designed by Modernist architect Irving J. Gill. For the parks and landscaping, J.S. Torrance hired Frank Lloyd Wright, Jr. The new city of Torrance was founded in 1912 and incorporated in 1921.
Play in Torrance, California
Tomatoes at the Torrance Certified Farmers Market ⓒ June Russell-ChamberlinThe Torrance Theatre Company ⓒ June Russell-Chamberlin
With its sandy beaches, bike-able streets, extensive shopping, and lively art scene, there’s plenty of things to do on a weekend getaway to Torrance. Here’s a list to get you started.
At the Torrance Certified Farmers’ Market, you can find a cornucopia of colorful fruits and vegetables, farm-fresh eggs, seafood, cheeses, nuts, flowers, baked goods, and more. The market is held at Charles H. Wilson Park and operates from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
Explore the local art scene. Grab a guide to Torrance’s murals at the California Welcome Center, located inside the Del Amo Fashion Center. Spend an evening watching a play by the Torrance Theatre Company. The Torrance Art Museum offers two galleries of contemporary Southern California art. Admission is free.
Play, swim, at relax at Torrance Beach ⓒ Debbie Hays
Learn the story of Louis Zamperini, a local boy who became an Olympic runner and WWII hero. His story became the subject of a book and the movie Unbroken. Mementos from his adventurous life are on display at the Torrance Historical Society and Museum. The museum also showcases the history of Torrance, founded in 1912 as a workingman’s paradise.
Enjoy a beach day at Torrance Beach, an uncrowded, 1.5-mile strand of golden sand between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove. Take a dip in the Pacific Ocean, play volleyball, or get a snack at the concession stand. Feeling energetic? Rent a bike and pedal The Strand, a 22-mile-long paved bike path along the beach.
Visit filming sites from various movies, commercials, and television series, including Buffy the Vampire Slayer. In Buffy, Torrance plays the role of Sunnydale, a small town with a large vampire problem. Torrance High School and Buffy’s house are two filming sites from the series (please respect the homeowner’s privacy and stay on the sidewalk.) The California Welcome Center, located inside the Del Amy Fashion Center, has a map and a list of sites.
More Things to Do in Torrance, California
Explore historic Old Torrance, where you’ll find Torrance High School, boutiques, and foodie favorites, such as Torrance Bakery.
Shop to your heart’s content at the Del Amo Fashion Center, the sixth-largest mall in America. The mall includes more than 250 stores, a movie theater, and more than a dozen restaurants.
Grab a pint at one of nearly a dozen local craft breweries, including the Red Car Brewery & Restaurant.
Learn about aviation history at the Western Museum of Flight. The museum showcases the planes and artifacts of Southern California’s aviation history.
Get your nature fix at Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center, a freshwater wetland in the heart of the city. Walk the trails, enjoy the wildflowers, and watch for birds and other wildlife.
Eat in Torrance, California
Margherita pizza at Red Car Brewery & Restaurant in Torrance ⓒ June Russell-ChamberlinBreakfast enchiladas at Local Kitchen in Torrance ⓒ June Russell-ChamberlinPoke nachos at MB Grille in Torrance ⓒ June Russell-Chamberlin
The Best of SoCal in One Town
Swim in the surf. Soak up the sun on the beach. Shop until you drop or down a pint of local craft beer. Whatever your interests, a weekend getaway to Torrance allows you to discover for yourself why this is one of Hollywood’s favorite Southern California towns.
Although I was generously hosted, all opinions are my own.
June Russell-Chamberlin likes nothing better than to explore and photograph the gems and hidden corners of the Pacific Northwest and the world. When she's not traveling, June can be found tucked into a good mystery novel, hiking in the Cascade Mountains or continuing her quest for the ultimate piece of pie. She lives in Eugene, Oregon, with her family and a very bossy cat.
