Indulge In Art & Culture In Torrance

Art is best experienced in person, as is the beautiful Southern California coast, and you’ll find both in Torrance, CA. This coastal city offers a unique blend of artistic expression and scenic charm. Enjoy live concerts and theater performances by top talent from Los Angeles and around the world. Explore colorful street murals, renowned art galleries, engaging museums and tranquil botanical gardens. Don’t miss Torrance Beach, featuring 1.5 miles of pristine coastline perfect for relaxation and inspiration. Keep reading to uncover the best spots for art and cultural experiences in Torrance, California.

ART MURALS IN TORRANCE

Torrance believes in making art accessible for everyone, so the city has funded several public art murals around town. We put together a Mural Map featuring murals of NBA-great Kobe Bryant and WWII-hero Louis Zamperini so you can easily find them. It’s free and makes for a fun afternoon with the family, taking in the murals and then stopping to grab a bite to eat. Then you can head to Torrance Beach to relax and watch the sunset.

ART GALLERIES & MUSEUMS IN TORRANCE

There are several art galleries and museums to explore in Torrance – and most are free.

Chen Art Gallery
Cost: Free
Tour one of the most important collections of Chinese art in the United States. It spans 1,000+ artifacts and 5,000 years of Chinese history, as well as rotating exhibits featuring artifacts from all across Europe. The museum is open Tuesday through Friday, 10 am to 4 pm. They do require that you call to schedule your visit so a tour guide may be arranged. Walk-ins are not permitted. The tour lasts between 90 and 120 minutes.

Western Museum of Flight
Cost: $5 per person, 12 and under free
Come see numerous warbirds, aircraft and target drones, piston and jet aircraft engines, WWII instruments, an extensive model airplane collection and much more. They also have a celebrity lecture series and several educational programs for children, so be sure to check their schedule.

Torrance Art Museum
Cost: Free
This particular art museum focuses on the beauty and power of modern and contemporary artwork in Southern California, with impactful exhibits and public events. They’ve exhibited thought-provoking exhibits like Liminal Level an immersive hallway experience featuring a new site-specific installation by artist Darel Carey. Another featured exhibit was Aire Libre by Erin Cooney that included a live performance by CONTRA-TIEMPO Activist Dance Company and vocalist Carmina Escobar.

Destination: Art Torrance
Cost: Free
This particular gallery celebrates Torrance’s local artists and has an exciting selection ranging from oil and watercolor paintings to sculptures and mixed media. Exhibits here generally follow a theme, like a recent one called Creative Awakenings, which featured works from 13 different artists from a wide variety of disciplines, including stills, landscapes, portraits and modern art subjects. They have art for purchase and host art classes and workshops for artists of all levels.

VEFA Gallery
Cost: Free
This contemporary art gallery strives to bring a global artistic presence to Torrance. You’ll find a wide diversity of art in multiple mediums from international artists to peruse and purchase. They have exhibited the California Art Club Gold Medal winners, Monumental, which included several impressive bronze statues and Surreality 101, highlighting surrealistic pieces from several artists.

Veterans Memorial Wall
Cost: Free
The City of Torrance built this memorial to honor the many citizens of Torrance who have given their life in service of their country during war. The wall is engraved with their names and continues to be added to.

Torrance Historical Society
Cost: Free
Located in Old Torrance, this local museum houses permanent and special exhibits honoring the history of Torrance and the surrounding area. It also offers walking tours during operating hours. The museum is open Wednesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, 1-4 p.m., and is closed the other days of the week.

PERFORMING ARTS IN TORRANCE

As part of Los Angeles County, Torrance taps into the same incredible pool of performers as much of LA and Hollywood. At the Torrance Cultural Arts Center, several events are held throughout the year, including concerts, symphonies and a wide variety of performances.

FAMOUS FILM SPOTS IN TORRANCE

Torrance has been the film site for several movies, TV shows and commercials. You can visit the high school where Buffy the Vampire Slayer and Beverly Hills, 90210 were filmed. You can also visit the sites for several movies, including Horrible Bosses, The Longest Yard, Scarface, Bad Santa and She’s All That.

Some spots are open to visitors, while others are private residences that should be viewed from the street. We’ve compiled a map of Torrance’s famous film spots with all the details for you.

YEAR-ROUND EVENTS IN TORRANCE

Torrance often hosts several cultural events throughout the year. In the spring, you can attend the Cherry Blossom Cultural Festival, a celebration paying homage to the original festival of the same name held in Japan. There’s the Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival, a 2-day event celebrating the richness of Japanese culture, and the Torrance Armed Forces Day, where we celebrate our war heroes and current servicemen and women with a parade, museum exhibits and meet-and-greets. There are several others held throughout the year, so be sure to check our upcoming events calendar as we update it regularly.

EVENTS NEAR TORRANCE

Southern California’s weather lends itself to several seasonal events and music festivals. One of the more well-known is the BeachLife Music Festival, a spectacular three-day event that brings some of the biggest names in music to perform live right on Redondo Beach, just 3.5 miles down the road from Torrance. Stay in comfort in Torrance and then ride share to the many concerts.

Over at Dignity Health Sports Park, just 5.9 miles away from Torrance, they host all the MLS LA Galaxy home games, the international Rugby SVNS Championship, concerts and more. At SoFi Stadium, just 12 miles from Torrance, you can catch NFL Chargers and Rams home games, Super Bowl LXI in 2027, epic concerts and more. Both stadiums will also be hosting events for the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.

PLAN YOUR ARTFUL GETAWAY TO TORRANCE

There are lots of things to do in Torrance and lots of places to stay, including 15 hotels ranging from deluxe suites to comfy, wallet-friendly rooms. For more personal suggestions, stop by the California Welcome Center Torrance. While you’re there, you can plan your trip through our interactive kiosk, shop locally-sourced merchandise, get custom activity planning and more. The California Welcome Center is located in the Del Amo Fashion Center at the Main Level, Entrance 1. We hope to see you soon!