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Enjoy Fun and Sun During Spring Break in Torrance
Torrance Beach
Spring break has evolved into a time of relaxation, fun and travel, and nowhere is that more evident than in Torrance, located in the gorgeous South Bay of Los Angeles.
Torrance offers excellent food and drinks, entertainment, outdoor activities and much more, but without the hustle and bustle of the big city. Even better, you can stay at one of our excellent hotel options, spend a fun-filled week (or more!) in Torrance and still be just minutes from the glitz and glamour of LA.
Here are some great vacation ideas as you make your spring break plans. Check for specials as some businesses are offering excellent spring break deals.
FUN IN THE SUN
For many, spring break means heading to the beach. One of the area’s gems is Torrance Beach, a 1.5-mile stretch of the most beautiful coastline in the Golden State.
Torrance Beach provides plenty of parking spaces, restaurants and shops, views of the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula, opportunities for surfing and swimming, volleyball courts and an abundance of sand to sit back and relax on.
Bike-riding lovers should travel along The Strand, a paved 22 mile bicycle path that runs along the Pacific Ocean shoreline, with plenty of stops along the way to rest or grab a bite to eat. Bring your own bike or rent one at Perry’s Café and Beach Rentals, Marina Bike Rentals or at local hotels.
Torrance Beach
THE GREAT OUTDOORS
The South Coast Botanic Garden is a natural marvel. Through March 19th, enjoy “Astra Lumina – An Enchanted Night Walk Amongst the Stars,” an experience that uses light, sound and projection to create a spectacular journey for stargazers. Another exhibit worth checking out is “Hide and Seek: Art Meets Nature,” featuring eight works (six from the collection of the Los Angeles County Museum of Art) placed throughout the Garden for visitors to find.
Another nod to nature is the Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center, one of the last remaining vernal wetlands in Southern California. Walk along the trails to see the native plants, insects and wildlife that are attracted to this environment, and visit the science exhibits in the Nature Center.
Madrona Marsh
Kids can use their imagination at Los Arboles Park, where a four-level metal rocket is the perfect place to play. The park also provides one of the most beautiful views of the city, and if you time it just right, the sunset as well.
Torrance is a short drive from a variety of nationally known, fun-filled amusement parks, too, including Disneyland Park, Six Flags Magic Mountain, Knott’s Berry Farm and Universal Studios. It’s easy to travel to these nearby attractions while still making Torrance your home base.
SPECIAL EVENTS
Take part in the annual celebration of spring at the Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on March 26 at Columbia Park. Enjoy the beautiful cherry trees, demonstrations, arts and crafts, food vendors, multicultural performances by Pan-Asian dancers and Taiko drummers and much more. Free parking and shuttle service are available, too.
Play bingo like you’ve never played before at Magic Bingo at 7 p.m. on April 1 at the Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation’s George Nakano Theater. Described as “part drag queen bingo, part magic show and a whole lot of hilarity,” the event features plenty of prizes and tons of laughs.
Wrestlemania comes to Southern California on April 1 and 2 at nearby SoFi Stadium in LA. The biggest annual WWE event will include a variety of dream matches for Wrestlemania fans, including WWE men’s universal champion Roman Reigns vs. Royal Rumble winner Cody Rhodes, and women’s Royal Rumble winner Rhea Ripley vs. SmackDown women’s champion Charlotte Flair.
The AniFest Anime Festival 2023 returns to the Torrance Cultural Arts Center on April 8. Dozens of vendors and numerous guests will be featured, with a variety of anime performances from all over the world.
Photo by Brad Graverson
HAPPY FAMILY
There are hundreds of family-friendly activities in the nearby Torrance area, including the Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, a fascinating adventure featuring sea otters, sharks and more, as well as a “Babies!” exhibit celebrating the Aquarium’s new arrivals. In Torrance, Dig It, a huge interactive construction-themed kid’s play area at Del Amo Fashion Center in Torrance, will empower children to create and learn at the same time. Dig It can also offer parents some kid-free vacation time with a daily drop off for 1-3 hours and a pizza party on Fridays from 6-9pm.
With its photogenic neighborhoods, charming historic buildings, excellent weather and proximity to LA, Torrance is a popular location for filming TV shows and movies. Fans of TV hits Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Beverly Hills, 90210, as well as movies like Bruce Almighty and She’s All That, will recognize the campus of Torrance High School. Bad Santa, Valley Girls and Reno 911! were filmed at Del Amo Fashion Center. More than 200 films and TV shows have used Torrance as the backdrop for their productions.
Speaking of shopping, Del Amo Fashion Center is one of the largest shopping centers in the country. You could literally spend days there. Movie theaters, escape rooms, amusement centers and dozens of restaurants make for a memorable fun-filled day. For a change of pace, take a walk around Historic Downtown Torrance, featuring historic buildings, shops and excellent eateries for any taste.
The arts and culture are alive and well in Torrance, as the city is home to a variety of museums and art galleries. Kids and kids at heart are always fascinated with airplanes, so make sure to stop at the Western Museum of Flight and see its collection of warplanes, target drones, model aircrafts and more. For art aficionados, visit the contemporary art exhibits at Torrance Art Museum and the unique artifacts and works of Chinese art spanning 5,000 years at the Chen Art Gallery.
Western Museum of Flight
EAT AND DRINK
With all the sightseeing and activities you’ll be doing in Torrance, getting a bite to eat and a beverage to drink is truly important. Fortunately, Torrance is home to more than 400 eateries for the family and a bevy of breweries for adults. From casual to elegant, burgers to lobster and breakfast to midnight fare, Torrance has it all.
One of Torrance’s most popular stops is King’s Hawaiian Bakery & Restaurant, which features a unique selection of Hawaiian food and traditional American fare, not to mention some of the most delicious baked goods you’ll ever eat. For a quicker meal that’s just as wonderful, visit The Local Place Bakery & Café, King’s Hawaiian’s sister location. If you’re feeling Italian, there are a number of excellent places to try, such as Gaetano’s Restaurant, a family-owned eatery sure to satisfy your cravings. A variety of Mexican restaurants will also hit the spot, such as Madre Oaxacan Restaurant and Mezcaleria, which also has the largest selection of artisanal mezcals in the United States. Torrance is also known as the Ramen Capital of Southern California – there are so many options that we’ve narrowed down our top eight ramen restaurants, including even a drive-thru option.
With a dozen craft breweries located in Torrance, a refreshing beer is never far away. The Brews Hall is an excellent stop for food and drink, as the large multi-concept area features brewery Buzzrock Brewing Co. – as well as four restaurants – Chingon Kitchen, Rock’N Fish Grill, Chicken T.W.I.L.I. and Colin Cowherd’s The Herd.
The staff at HopSaint Brewing Company loves to try new craft beer flavors, and they offer a wide variety of food that goes great with a cold one. Choose from 24 beers on tap at The Dudes’ Brewing Company, including seasonal and experimental beers. And family-owned Scholb Premium Ales can find the perfect beer for any patron.
Photo: Ramen Yamadaya
STAY
Torrance hotels offer a little bit of everything from luxurious suites to cozy hotel rooms. With an assortment of lodging options and styles, it’s easy to create your ideal vacation.
Looking to immerse yourself in a new or familiar culture during your stay? Come experience the Miyako Hybrid Hotel, an upscale property with Japanese soaking tubs in every room. Want to kick back at relax at the hotel one night? Try their incredible on-site restaurant, Ise-Shima Restaurant & Bar.
If a boutique hotel is more your style, look no further than the Bluestem Hotel, a coastal sanctuary with a name that stems from the blue grass found at the Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center. Enjoy courtyard fire pits at night and outdoor yoga.
If you’re looking for fabulous pools, stay at the Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach or DoubleTree by Hilton. Both properties also have on-site restaurants and are in walking distance to the Del Amo Fashion Center.
Bluestem hotel courtyard – Photo Credit: @Bluestemhotel
PLAN & PLAY AWAY
Whether you plan to spend a few days or a week or more in Torrance, make sure to stop at the California Welcome Center for help in planning your activities and to get discounted tickets to some of the area’s great attractions. Then relax in your hotel and think about all the fun you’ll have in Southern California.
