At practically every turn in Torrance, you’ll find one of the city’s 33 parks, with no two quite the same. From a small pocket park ideal for a leisurely stroll to a 52-acre property with a variety of activities, Torrance parks are second to none. And most of them are dog-friendly, as long as Fido has a 6-foot-leash and stays off the sports courts.
Whether you’re here for a quick trip or an extended stay, you’ll love the choices of where to play, exercise, barbecue or just sit back and enjoy the beautiful surroundings. The City of Torrance has made a special effort to plant hundreds of new trees each year throughout the city, including in its parks. Torrance is a recognized Tree City USA, an honor bestowed to those locations that maintain a tree board or department, have a community tree ordinance, host a community forestry program and celebrate Arbor Day.
Torrance is home to several city parks celebrated across the state and many local gems that are just as extraordinary. With Torrance’s year-round beautiful weather, we hope you’ll get the opportunity to enjoy as many of these well-maintained parks as possible!
Best Parks in Torrance for Picnics
There’s nothing like getting together with family and friends and enjoying a day at the park. If you’re planning such a gathering with hot dogs, hamburgers and the works, check out these ideal locations.
BEST:
The shaded area at Hickory Park provides a great spot for a get-together. Barbecue grills and tables are available, and you can reserve the picnic area if you’re planning to have more than 25 people. Tennis courts, children’s play equipment (including a rocket ship structure and slide), sand volleyball and well-maintained trails earn our top honors.
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The 6.6-acre Victor Park offers more than just a picnic area with barbecue grills. Work off those extra slices of pie on the fitness path and exercise stations, the half-basketball court or the large open grass area, or show off your skill in a friendly game of horseshoes.
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At less than a half-acre, Discovery Park covers a small area, but it’s big on fun, especially for the young ones. While someone does the grilling on the built-in barbecue, kids can imagine they’re royalty in the walk-through play castle. A picnic gazebo is welcome on warm days.
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With picnic tables and grills spread around the area, Paradise Park is great for a birthday party, and the picnic area can be reserved through the city. Kids love the play structures, especially a submarine that will keep them climbing until the food is ready.
Best Walking Trails In Torrance
You can go for a stroll in all 33 parks, but a handful provide dedicated walking trails from a fifth-mile to almost a full mile long.
BEST:
Entradero Park’s walking path may be shorter than some, but there are few others with such wonderful surroundings. Take a relaxing walk, and depending on the time of year, you may see wildflowers and other scenic plants, as well as ducks, geese, rabbits and more. One of the largest parks in Torrance, Entradero Park also offers sports courts, a picnic area and playgrounds.
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A half-mile partially rubberized walking/jogging track lined with an abundance of trees makes Delthorne Park a popular place to get your steps in. The park, just under 10 acres, features a small bridge as well as workout stations along the path, in addition to sports courts, play equipment and a picnic area.
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Although the Alta Loma Park trail is only about a quarter-mile long, you’ll want to keep circling the park for the incredible views of Torrance and the Los Angeles South Bay area. The 5-acre park is also home to a flock of wild peacocks, so beauty surrounds you in this special place.
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Descanso Park is simply … simple. The handicapped-accessible 3-acre park is hidden away, although homes are situated all around. Young children will love the playground, and adults will appreciate the fitness course with exercise stations along the trail. Open fields are perfect for the sport of your choice.
Best Parks In Torrance For Ball Games
Only a few of Torrance’s 33 parks offer facilities for softball, basketball and volleyball (or tennis instead of volleyball), and only one — Wilson Park — provides area for all four, but we’ll spotlight them a little later.
BEST:
Whether you’re a skilled athlete or just a novice who wants to have fun, El Nido Park is for you. In addition to horseshoe pits, El Nido includes a lighted basketball court and reservable softball diamond, as well as a sand volleyball court. An area to race remote control cars may or may not be available, depending on local regulations (call the city for the latest information).
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The 12-plus-acre De Portola Park offers plenty of green space to run around, and you can probably find a pickup basketball game at practically any time on the full court. The softball field and sand volleyball court are popular as well.
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Improve your game by practicing on the tennis and basketball courts at La Carretera Park. Relax in the shade of a gazebo while the family chef grills lunch or dinner in the sheltered picnic area.
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There are few parks in California where you can enjoy a round of golf, but Sea Aire Park is one such place. Named by schoolchildren in the mid-1950s, the park is adjacent to a school and scenic 9-hole golf course, which is perfect for beginners or those looking for some practice tee time.
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With plenty of green space, Sunnyglen Park is perfect for a pickup football game or soccer match. There are basketball courts and a baseball diamond, as well as a fitness/walking course.
Best Parks In Torrance For Pickleball and Horsehoes
According to the Sport and Fitness Industry Association, pickleball has been the fastest-growing sport in the U.S. for the past three years, with only biking and running attracting more participants. In Torrance, you can try this popular game or step back in time with one of the oldest sports still played today — horseshoes, a pastime that dates back to the Roman Empire. Both offer plenty of fun and challenge and Torrance has more than enough parks to enjoy them.
BEST FOR PICKLEBALL:
Sur La Brea Park has four outdoor asphalt pickleball courts with permanent lines, and portable nets are available for use. Use of the courts is free, and it’s first-come, first-served. Should you have to wait for a little while, warm up on the .31-mile walking path and fitness course, or just relax and enjoy the surroundings.
RUNNER-UP FOR PICKLEBALL:
Six outdoor asphalt courts make Walteria Park a popular place for a game of pickleball, although you’ll need to bring your own net. A park exercise area is ideal for staying in shape if your pickleball match doesn’t raise up your heart rate enough.
BEST FOR HORSESHOES:
While the cooks are grilling up hamburgers and hot dogs on the picnic-area barbecue grills at La Romeria Park, you can head over to the horseshoe courts for a friendly match. There are other sports fields as well should you still be in a competitive mood.
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The 7.8-acre Guenser Park has plenty of ways to spend the day, including a game or three of horseshoes. Like La Romeria Park, there’s a picnic area, play equipment, sports courts and more.
Best Parks In Torrance For Events
Have a group that loves nature and wants to get together? Torrance has many parks with facilities available for gatherings.
BEST:
McMaster Park is a popular place for residents of all ages, as the park features four recreational buildings. They include the North Torrance Library, the Herma Tillim Senior Citizens Center, the North Torrance Neighborhood building and the McMaster Recreation Building. After your meeting, everyone can head to the softball field for a friendly game.
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El Retiro Park (which means “the retreat,” not “the retired”) has two buildings, each able to accommodate 100 persons. The recreation room is ideal for camps and city programs, while the community building is perfect for parties. And like McMaster Park, there’s plenty to do after the events are over.
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The buildings are a major reason visitors come to Greenwood Park. Day care, day camps, classes and meetings by a number of area groups find the park an ideal place to gather. Play equipment for both toddlers and bigger kids is perfect for expending some of the children’s energy.
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The Pueblo Recreation Center, which was developed through fundraising efforts by a local citizens group, features meeting rooms for area residents, a perfect place to meet when friends and family visit. Kids will love the fun tunnels in the climbing structure, and parents will appreciate the gate around the park.
Best Historical Parks In Torrance
Although each of Torrance’s parks is special in its own way, we’ve chosen a few that stand out for the neighborhoods they serve.
BEST:
Named Seaside Heroes Park in 2010 with help of the community, this 1.2-acre parcel of land doesn’t have plenty of sports facilities or picnic areas; in fact, a toddler play area with a rubberized surface is really the only activity. But the park is special for another reason: it is named for three fallen Army soldiers. All three lived and attended Torrance High School. A special memorial wall honoring the men is erected in the park; gatherings at the wall are well-attended during Independence Day, Memorial Day and other veteran-related dates.
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Nothing says “neighborhood” better than a community garden and the one at Lago Seco Park is special. Thanks to a city improvement project, the park features 125 full community garden plots, each one 20×20 feet, and six handicap-accessible gardens. Fruits, vegetables and plants are raised by members of the community, the perfect way to feel connected with nature and the park.
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We’d be remiss not to give special recognition to Torrance Park, the city’s first public park. Dedicated in 1934, the 10-acre park has plenty of sports areas and picnic areas, along with an outdoor band shell, open to the community, making it truly unique. There is also a lighted baseball field called Kendall Field, named after Fred and Jason Kendall, a father and son who attended Torrance High School and both became Major League Baseball players.
Other Parks In Torrance
Torrance is home to several passive parks, a term that describes areas that feature recreational activities in a natural setting, rather than host specific programs and facilities such as those for baseball and basketball. Community members are encouraged to enjoy activities of their own choosing, such as birdwatching, jogging and walking.
BEST:
The history of La Paloma Park is indeed inspiring. It was completely constructed — from digging the trenches for the sprinkler system to planting of bushes and trees — by high school students as part of a Public Employment Summer Program. It was completed in 1973 and includes a children’s swing set.
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Encompassing nearly three acres, El Prado Park is lined with trees and offers an enjoyable way to kick back and relax. “Centennial Plaza,” located at the north end of the park, was created using commemorative bricks purchased by local residents, businesses and organizations, and includes a time capsule buried in 2012, with plans to open it in 2112, in case you’d like to come back for another vist.
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Riviera Park is situated on .3 acres, making it the second-smallest of the 33 Torrance parks. However, the “vest pocket park” — a small parcel of land obtained for use as a park — was part of a big idea, whereby two cities that owned the land would maintain its area of the park. The city of Torrance owns 60% of the land, with Redondo Beach owning the remaining 40%. The beautiful park features an abundance of trees, as well as a picnic table, bench and drinking fountain.
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The smallest park in Torrance, Osage Park is another vest pocket park situated on .2 acres. Kids will enjoy the swing set, and the play equipment features a rubberized play surface. Bring lunch and enjoy a picnic in the gazebo.
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Pequeno Park literally means “small park,” which describes the lovely spot. Developed by high school students and community volunteers, the park offers colorful children’s play equipment with a rubberized surface, as well as a picnic area with barbecue grills.
Eventful Parks In Torrance
Torrance has several parks that local residents know quite well, and visitors make a special effort to enjoy when in town. Here’s a look at some of the amazing amenities that make these locations so extraordinary.
COLUMBIA PARK: The largest of the 33 Torrance parks, Columbia Park has plenty of unique features, starting with bocce ball courts for lovers of the game. A 1955 Mack Ladder Fire Engine Truck is permanently on display, as is a sculpture named “Fujimahara.” There are community garden plots, an exercise path that winds through the park, a gazebo and barbecue grills. Four lighted soccer fields, a youth baseball field and a sand volleyball court are just a few of the park’s highlights.
WILSON PARK: The second-largest park in Torrance, Wilson Park has practically every amenity you could think of. Four softball fields, multiple basketball and tennis courts, volleyball courts, an 18,000-square-foot sports center, an amphitheatre, a roller hockey rink, a splash pad and batting cages … well, you get the idea. However, one of the biggest draws to the park is the Wilson Park Annenberg Tree House, the first universally accessible tree house in a public space in California. The 2,500-square-foot wooden structure takes visitors along winding paths to spots where you can view the amazing park. Prepare to spend a whole day at this Torrance landmark.
LOS ARBOLES PARK: Although this 6-acre park features play equipment and a swing set, there are two other features that have people coming back again and again. A three-story-tall, four-level rocket ship lets kids take an imaginative journey into space. Adults will appreciate the other highlight: an amazing view of the ocean and the entire city, stretching as far as the famed Hollywood sign, Griffith Park Observatory and the Getty Center.
MIRAMAR PARK: Although it is situated on only 1.6 acres, Miramar Park has become one of the most important spots in Torrance for some people. With the background of Torrance Beach and the Pacific Ocean, wedding ceremonies are a regular occurrence at the park. The original site of the Hollywood Riviera Beach Club, the park offers a whimsical frog statue named “Dreaming of a Kiss” that overlooks the ocean, a dolphin statue and a “Fido Fountain” designed especially for dogs.
In addition to excellent parks, Torrance offers a variety of things to do. From beaches and nightlife, to nearby professional sporting events and amusement parks, there are endless options. Plus, Torrance is home to more than 400 wonderful places to eat. The city also offers quick access to LAX, so take advantage of the many hotel options to fit any budget, and start making plans to see what you’ve been missing.
