Blog
Explore a Wealth of Wellness Activities in Torrance
It’s that time of year to hit up healthy activities and Torrance has a wealth of them. The average annual temperature is 72 degrees in this beach town, so there are plenty of outdoor mental, emotional and physical wellness activities to pursue. Plus, with over 400 diverse eateries – with most also offering take-out – you can check ‘eating well’ off your resolutions list too. Here are our picks for a very healthy new year in Torrance.
TORRANCE BEACH
Uncrowded, pristine beach with plenty of parking – that sums up why we LOVE Torrance Beach. Between the waves and the sand, there are tons of fun things to do along our 1.5-mile stretch of gorgeous coastline.
Surfing
Depending on the day, Torrance Beach can offer up challenging waves to test your skill or gentler waves perfect for beginners. Boogie boarding and body surfing are popular as well and may offer a gentler learning curve.
If you’d like private or group lessons, Aqua Surf School can teach novice surfers from age 4 to 94 in about two hours, as does Wavehuggers, who also offers video coaching. They’ll film your two-hour session and then analyze it afterward to provide helpful tips.
For custom wetsuits, try JMJ Wetsuits in Torrance.
Biking
Torrance Beach is a Southern California biking hot spot as it’s the starting point for “The Strand,” a coastal bike path that leads all the way to Will Rogers State Beach in Malibu. That’s a 44-mile-ride roundtrip with gorgeous views of the coast and fresh ocean air all along the way.
If you don’t have your own bike, you can rent from Perry’s Café, which also rents out e-bikes; Torrance Bikes, located on your way to the beach; and Marina Bike Rentals, which offers cruisers and fixed-speed bikes. Just a note that dogs are allowed on The Strand trail on a leash, but are not allowed on the beach.
Sand Sports
Sprints in the sand, volleyball and football are welcome activities here. For the gentler folk, a soothing walk on the beach, building a sandcastle or flying a kite is the perfect way to take advantage of the fresh air and sun.
Meditation
Being far less crowded than some beaches makes Torrance Beach a great option for an intimate chat or some quiet time spent taking in a view of the beautiful Palos Verdes Peninsula. To really avoid the crowds, we find early mornings and weekdays are best.
Local Tip: There are outdoor showers here to clean off before you head home, plus restrooms, beach wheelchair access mats and lifeguard stations.
PARKS & GARDENS
Time in nature can be a total wellness tool for mind, body and soul. According to research, “exposure to nature not only makes you feel better emotionally, it contributes to your physical wellbeing, reducing blood pressure, heart rate, muscle tension, and the production of stress hormones.” In addition to the beach, Torrance has two uniquely beautiful options.
Madrona Marsh Preserve & Nature Center
One of the last remaining vernal wetlands in Southern California, Madrona Marsh Preserve is a valuable habitat for birds, insects, frogs, reptiles and small mammals. Staff and volunteers offer nature walks, docent tours, bird watching and more.
South Coast Botanic Garden
The South Coast Botanic Garden is also a great place to find some zen. The 87-acre site features 13 specialty gardens and a host of remarkable plant collections. Check their calendar for special family events, concerts, art shows and workshops, gardening classes and much more.
PICKLEBALL SPOTS
A little healthy competition is always a good idea, especially for Picklers (pickleball addicts). The sport that’s picked up in popularity nationwide has become pretty popular in Torrance, too. There are three city parks with available courts. Please note that these courts cannot be reserved.
- Walteria Park(six courts)
- Sur La Brea Park(four courts)
- Charles H. Wilson Park(two courts) for free.
The City also allows pickleball at the following basketball courts Monday – Friday until 2:00 PM, but you’ll need to provide your own net:
- La Carretera – 2040 W 186th St.
- La Romeria – 19501 Inglewood Ave.
- Delthorne – 3401 Spencer St.
- Wilson Park – 2200 Crenshaw Blvd.
- Lago Seco – 3900 W 235th St.
- DePortola Park – 25615 Lazy Meadow Dr.
WHERE TO EAT WELL
What you put in your body is another important part of wellness. Nearly every cuisine is available in Torrance’s 400+ restaurants, including healthy Californian and Asian cuisines. Here are some top healthy spots you’ll want to check out.
Beach Bowl Acai Café
To start your day, you can grab breakfast at Beach Bowl Acai Café. Popular for their organic gourmet oatmeal and refreshing acai bowls, they also offer a pitaya (dragon fruit) bowl and their signature Rainforest Acai Smoothie. Items are topped with fresh fruit, organic hemp granola and honey.
Mama Says
Later on you should try Mama Says, a healthy Italian deli serving good-for-you, eco-friendly fast food. Choose from salad bowls, wraps, sandwiches and tasty dressings like apple ginger and yuzu.
Urban Plates
This tasty spot is big on greens, serving salads and grain bowls. You can choose from nearly a dozen salads including Wild Ahi Nicoise and Grilled Salmon Caesar. Our favorite grain bowl would be the Beets + Avocado Plant-Based Bowl.
Sugar Free Shack
For dessert, try the Sugar Free Shack. It’s the perfect spot to get your sweet fix without ruining your diet. Everything is sugar-free, and some options are even keto-friendly. Choose from cakes in a jar, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, donuts and more.
STAY AWHILE
Planning a wellness getaway feels like the perfect way to start the year. For help planning your stay, stop by the California Welcome Center Torrance at the Del Amo Fashion Center at the main entrance on level 1. They can help you plan out your whole vacation on their interactive kiosks while you’re there. Hurry and book your stay today.
