Published June 20th, 2024

Photography by Jennifer Merrick

A sprawling metropolis is the very definition of the City of Angels. Spread over 33,954 square miles, the Greater Los Angeles area has over 200 neighbourhoods, municipalities and even cities within its boundaries. Like a patchwork quilt, each section has its own design and distinctive character. West Hollywood is sequins and gemstones. Venice Beach is bohemian fringed. And Torrance is an unpretentious bright patch of sun, surf, brews and fun.

This under-the-radar coastal city in southwest Los Angeles County is only 11 miles from LAX airport and about the same distance from the LA cruise terminal. It’s also the beginning of ‘The Strand’, a picturesque 22-mile bike trail that runs along the Pacific shoreline from Torrance Beach to Santa Monica. All of which made it an ideal place to stay before embarking on our four-day West Coast Getaway Princess Cruise. On our all-too- short stayover, we cycled one of the most scenic bike rides ever, watched surfers ride the giant waves, sampled tasty craft brews, indulged in local eateries and even squeezed in some shopping.

We rented bicycles at Torrance Bikes with the full intention of cycling the entire length of the trail to Santa Monica. But we didn’t make it. There were simply too many photo opps and sites along the way to distract us. Redondo Beach had a classic wooden pier with a sign on the landing boasting ‘food, shops and fun!’ It wasn’t false advertising, and we walked our bikes for a while to enjoy a stroll and the ambiance. On the boardwalk, among the stalls and the eateries, was a statue of George Freeth, whose claim to fame was being the first surfer in the US. He certainly started something because as we pedaled along the ocean trail, we saw plenty of wave enthusiasts along the way. We stopped and watched in awe at how miniature the wet-suit-clad surfers were compared to the massive waves they were shredding.

All good bike rides deserve a reward, and we had ours at Good Stuff, a local chain serving up fresh Californian fare and all-day breakfasts. Its large outdoor patio was just off the bike path and had a view of the ocean and all the action happening along Hermosa Beach. We toasted our grand Strand bike with a local lager.

Torrance is well-known for its craft beer scene, and it all began with Red Car Brewery.

“We started in 1994 with a beer kit,” said proprietor, Laurie Brandt. Today, their popular IPAs and English-style ales are made on the premises. The restaurant, located in Old Torrance, serves up pub classic and wood-fired pizzas. Nearby is the Del Amo Fashion Center, one of the largest malls in the US, and too big to see more than a fraction of it on our quick lookaround. We also didn’t get the chance to try ramen. Torrance is the ramen capital of Southern California, and there’s even a ‘ramen map’ showing where visitors can enjoy this slurpy dish. But this just means we’ll have to visit this vibrant patch of Los Angeles the next time we’re in town. Hope to see you there!

If you go: A great choice for accommodation is Sonesta ES Suites Torrance Redondo Beach. Each of their oversized one- and two-bedroom suites features a fully equipped kitchen, work area and large comfy beds.

Spending Time in Los Angeles? Stay in Torrance

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