Torrance is the place to stay during FIFA World Cup 2026
It’s not too early to make plans and book your stay for the FIFA World Cup 2026, which is coming to Los Angeles, Santa Clara and 15 other cities in the US, Canada and Mexico in June and July of 2026. Located in the South Bay of LA, the city of Torrance is ideally situated just 10 miles from Los Angeles International Airport and 23 minutes from SoFi Stadium, one of the locales for the action, with the first match scheduled for June 12, 2026.
The soccer competition will feature some of the best teams from around the world, including the defending champions from Argentina. On days when no games are scheduled, you can experience the best of LA and all of Southern California’s wonderful attractions from the safe city of Torrance, where life may be laidback, but there’s still plenty of exciting things to do. Here are a few of our favorites.
WHERE TO STAY IN TORRANCE
Torrance is home to 15 hotels, with choices that will fit any budget. From quaint inns to luxury four-star hotels, you’ll be able to book the perfect lodging with many of the amenities you’d expect. Each location is just minutes from plenty of fun things to do in Torrance, from surfing and biking to shopping and exploring. You can let someone else do the driving at an affordable price if you’d like, as the Torrance Transit system services many of the hotels to locations throughout Torrance and neighboring cities, including LA and SoFi Stadium.
TAKE ME TO TORRANCE BEACH!
Whether the musical group Imagine Dragons is singing about Torrance Beach in their song “Take Me to the Beach” is anyone’s guess, but you’ll definitely be singing its praises after your first visit to the 1.5-mile stretch of beautiful coastline. The normally uncrowded beach is a favorite of scuba divers, fishermen, swimmers and surfers (surfing lessons are available for people of all ages and abilities). Volleyball, building sand castles and working on your tan are perfect ways to spend some time out of the water.
While enjoying the beach life, you’d be remiss not to take a bike ride along The Strand, a 22-mile-long (one way) path that starts at Torrance Beach and runs to Will Rogers State Beach in Pacific Palisades. Besides the obvious aerobic benefit, the ride offers a view of the incredible Pacific Ocean shoreline. Bike rentals are available from local hotels and shops, and there are various stops along the path so you can enjoy a bite to eat or to take a break.
FAMILY TIME
If you’re coming to see the FIFA World Cup in person with your family, you’ll want a few ideas on how to spend time in and around Torrance when the games aren’t being played. We’ve got a few hundred tips we could share with you, but we’ll limit it to some of our favorites.
Torrance is known for its wonderful outdoor attractions, such as the Wilson Park Annenberg Tree House. The 2,500-square-foot double tree house is fun for all ages; in fact, it’s the first universally accessible tree house in a public area in California. In addition to making your way through the wooden structure, kids can enjoy the park’s Splash Pad and adults can try out the Fitness Zone.
Other outdoor attractions include the South Coast Botanic Garden, a relaxing oasis you don’t want to miss. Located on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, the 87-acre garden features a variety of plant life, an abundant wildlife and bird population and more. You can also enjoy the great outdoors at the Madrona Marsh Preserve & Nature Center vernal wetland that provides an excellent habitat for birds, insects, reptiles and small mammals. Across the street is the Nature Center, where you can learn about the marsh and other wetlands, and see live animal exhibits. You don’t need to tell your kids its educational, because they’ll be having too much fun!
Torrance is home to more than 30 parks, including the one-of-a-kind Los Arboles Park. Most people know it as Rocket Ship Park, which features a 28-foot steel rocket ship that kids love to climb up. The park, which is at one of the highest points in the city, offers an excellent view of LA and is a perfect picnic spot.
Torrance has been the filming site of many movies and TV programs. Among the most popular tourist stops are Torrance High School, the backdrop for Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Bruce Almighty and Scarface; Historic Old Torrance, which was featured in both the 1974 and 2000 versions of Gone in 60 Seconds as well as 911: Lone Star; and Del Amo Fashion Center, which claims Bad Santa, Valley Girl and Reno 911!, among others.
The Western Museum of Flight provides a closeup look at warbirds, target drones and more, while the Torrance Art Museum, Chen Art Gallery and the Torrance Historical Society provide incredible artworks from the past and present.
Torrance also hosts numerous concerts showcasing local, national and international entertainers. For a laidback, local flair, you’ll find a variety of free and low-cost summer night shows at various venues and parks. Adults can enjoy a wide assortment of nightlife experiences to choose from in and around Torrance.
RESTAURANTS FROM A TO Z
Torrance is home to more than 400 restaurants — from Alfredo’s Mexican Food to Zabon Ramen and everything in between. Offering a wide variety of diverse tastes — from American and Asian Fusion to Thai and Vietnamese — Torrance is the perfect place to get the energy flowing with a healthy breakfast, to take a break with a delicious lunch and to wind down with dinner and a scrumptious dessert. (Click here and use our handy search tool to find the type of food you’re craving!)
Torrance is considered by many as “the Ramen Capital of Southern California.” Making real ramen is not as simple as it looks, according to Helen Rosner from Food Fanatics Magazine, as the preparation is key to great ramen. From long-cooked broth to perfectly placed protein and vegetables, ramen is indeed an art. You can download a Ramen Trail Map, which will lead you to some of the best ramen restaurants in Torrance. And if you love Italian food, check out our Pasta Map!
SENSATIONAL SUDS
If you’re a craft beer lover — and what self-respecting soccer fan isn’t? — Torrance is home to 10 excellent craft beer breweries. You’ll find an incredible variety of ales, lagers and more by following our Beer Map, which highlights the local establishments. Some offer delicious food to pair with your beer, while others feature tasting rooms for the ultimate beer experience. And don’t worry, you won’t miss any of the action. Most breweries will be showing the World Cup on their big screens.
MORE TO DO IN TORRANCE
We’ve merely scratched the surface of what you can do in our wonderful city. Surfing is a big draw in Southern California, and Torrance is no exception. Whether you’re a newbie or experienced, you’ll find the conditions just right to catch the ultimate wave. And if running around solving puzzles is your thing, there are numerous escape rooms in Torrance to test your skills. Events such as the Irish Fair, HellmouthCon and others will most likely be held in Torrance during the summer of 2026, providing you with additional events to consider attending while staying in Torrance.
You’ll be able to get your daily walking steps in by visiting the Del Amo Fashion Center, one of the largest malls in the U.S. There are more than 250 stores where you’ll find great deals and souvenirs to show off back home. You may want to plan a whole day at this mall, where you can also find nearly a dozen eateries, an 18-screen movie theater, escape rooms, arcade games, kid fun centers and much more.
You deserve to be pampered, so make sure to check out Torrance’s day spas, where relaxation and luxury are top of mind. Did your team lose? Let massage therapists help you relax and relieve the stress. Body scrubs and wraps, facials and spa treatments (couples’ packages are available at select spas) are just a hint of what’s in store.
A SHORT DRIVE FOR MORE FUN
Torrance’s location makes it easy to drive to many of Southern California’s most popular attractions. Less than 25 miles to the east in Buena Park is Knott’s Berry Farm, an amusement park that offers thrilling rides, Old West adventures and more. About 5 miles further in Anaheim is Disneyland, where kids of all ages can meet Mickey, Minnie and the gang as they make memories that will last a lifetime. And about an hour’s drive to the north is Universal Studios, where you can see how some of your favorite shows and movies are made and enjoy one-of-a-kind experiences in Super Nintendo World, The Wizarding World of Harry Potter and more.
Unbelievable, but true—Torrance is the sports hub of Southern California, with an amazing number of professional teams located just minutes away (some even accessible via the Torrance Transit system). Check the NBA schedule and perhaps you can see Luka, LeBron and the Los Angeles Lakers, or the Clippers, in playoff action. The Dodgers and Angels will be in the middle of their MLB season, so there’s a good chance you can see Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout swing for the fences. LA is also home to three professional soccer clubs and multiple semi-professional and amateur clubs you’ll want to check out.
The most highly anticipated sports competition in 2026 will be happening close to Torrance, so make sure to book your hotel and make your plans early. The California Welcome Center, located in the Del Amo Fashion Center, can provide you with all kinds of insider tips on the latest activities, trip-planning ideas, sightseeing tours, directions and more.