Where is Torrance California?
Torrance is located about 15 minutes (with no traffic) from LAX and Long Beach airports. Proximity to San Pedro (cruise port), Palos Verdes (my favorite Southern California destination), and the gorgeous Southern California beaches are strong reasons to stay in Torrance.
Torrance is nestled between the 405 and 110 freeways so it is an easy and convenient Southern California destination to visit. PCH runs along the southern edge of Torrance and leads to the magnificent Torrance Beach.
1. Smog City Brewing Co
Smog City Brewing Company Torrance offers tastes of both Smog City core offerings and experimental beers on 18 exclusively Smog taps!
From Torrance, CA the family-run craft brewery is focused entirely on creating and distributing exceptional beers. Smog City Brewing’s satellite tasting “room” at SteelCraft features 20 taps of draft beer that can be ordered by the glass or into a growler to take home. Can’t decide between the Coffee Porter and Hoptonic IPA? Order the beer flight!
2. Madrona Marsh Preserve
Right in the middle of busy Torrance is an urban oasis called Madrona Marsh Preserve. It is a reminder of what this area looked like before houses, buildings, and roads took over. Start your visit at the fun visitor center, then spend time walking around the native marsh. Be on the alert for small animals and migratory birds.
3. Western Museum of Flight
The Western Museum of Flight, at Torrance Airport, celebrates Southern California’s aerospace history and legacy. Sitting inside a Douglas A-4A Skyhawk or other aircraft might be your favorite Southern California instagrammable moment.
4. Alpine Village
To get your fill of German food and culture, head to Torrance’s Alpine Village—home of Southern California’s largest Oktoberfest event. Alpine Village is a year round destination though, with a Beerhall and restaurant, stores and a German church, music and events on Wednesday through Sunday nights, and an import market. Sarah Dandashy from Ask a Concierge visited us for the day in Torrance and (McCool Travel tip) was astonished at the imported candy selection in the German market at Alpine Village.
5. Torrance County Beach
One and a half miles of glorious beach await you at Torrance County Beach. Sand dunes rise high to the left heading toward the Palos Verdes peninsula while the magnificent The Strand starts at the other end. Bring your bike (or rent one) and ride the classic oceanfront Marvin Braude Bike Trail 22 miles to Santa Monica. Check out Beach City Bike Tours for a local-led tour starting in gorgeous Hermosa Beach.
