Torrance is diverse and ambitious yet clean, family-oriented, and nestled in the spirit of classic Americana. Even the high school is on point, chosen as a filming location for both Beverly Hill 90210 and Buffy the Vampire Slayer.
The affection only grows fonder with each bite of every meal you try in Torrance. The city has more than 200 restaurants within a footprint of roughly 21 square miles — that alone makes it a community worth taking a moment to explore.
There’s nothing quite like walking the streets of Old Torrance in the morning, whether you’re admiring the street-art murals, visiting the two-block stretch of El Prado Park, or browsing vendors at the monthly Torrance Antique Street Fair. The scene is even better with a cup of coffee and something sweet to nibble on. Come dinnertime, the historic downtown is a safe bet for a date-night spot or otherwise memorable meal.
Photo: Robert Kachelriess
The Torrance Bakery has been around for 40 years and counting, proving to be a stable presence that spans generations in Old Torrance. The operation has only grown over the years and now includes an adjacent sandwich shop and custom cake shop. The lines in the main bakery grow long but move quickly down an extended display case, giving customers ample opportunity to choose from pastries, cookies, brownies, doughnuts, and more. You may recognize the “crookie” from TikTok, a cookie dough croissant that went viral online.
Torrance Bakery: 1341 El Prado Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
Photo: Robert Kachelriess
Just a few doors down from the Torrance Bakery, Clutch and Coffee is like a diner and coffee shop in one. It resists the urge to lean too heavily into its motorcycle theme, offering a comfortable space for coffee and all-day breakfast plates. The Elvis toast is worth a visit alone, topped with bananas, peanut butter, and the crackle of black pepper on pieces of candied bacon. Soft, tender, pork shoulder takes the place of ham on the Eldon classic Benedict. The beverage list has a deep lineup of lattes and other coffee staples, but the frothy on-tap nitro cold brew is the most satisfying sip you’ll enjoy in between bites.
Clutch and Coffee: 1321 El Prado Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
Photo: Robert Kachelriess
It’s hard to find a better dinner date restaurant than Madre, which has a prime Old Torrance location on Cabrillo Avenue. The kitchen offers a fresh spin on Mexican and Latin cuisine, mixing traditional recipes with contemporary touches. Mole is the specialty, with hearty sauces served in a variety of formats, including a green version that brings out the flavor of grilled branzino. The house favorite, however, is the pecado del moles: chicken breast with white rice and three sauces on top. The agave spirits collection is Madre’s secret weapon, featuring a heavy emphasis on artisanal mezcals that aren’t always easy to find. Mix and match three into a flight with guidance from your server or bartender.
Madre: 1261 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
When it comes to restaurants in Torrance, Depot is among the most iconic. As the name suggests, it stands in the spot once home to the railroad depot that helped establish the city in the early 20th century. Today, Chef Michael Shafer covers all the bases with a deep selection of daily seafood specials and juicy cuts of steak topped with gorgonzola cheese. The dining room is relatively formal by Torrance standards, but the bar and lounge by the main entrance is something of a locals’ hangout for loud conversation, martinis, and small bites.
Depot: 1250 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
Torrance has more than 30 parks, including the Madrona Marsh and Nature Preserve with nearly two miles of walking trails. But Charles H. Wilson Park is the largest, featuring everything from a softball field and splash pads to an oversized, walkable treehouse and outdoor amphitheater for free concerts. It also has the most diverse array of food in one place.
Photo: Robert Kachelriess
Torrance is often singled out for its farmers’ market, which runs from 8 AM to 1 PM every Tuesday and Saturday, rain or shine. It’s one of the largest farmers’ markets in Southern California, taking over Wilson Park with more than 60 farms represented. It also has an unusually efficient layout, divided among fresh produce, retail items, and prepared foods to order. The latter is almost like an outdoor global food court with everything from dim sum to traditional Peruvian dishes represented.
Torrance Certified Farmers’ Market: 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
Torrance has one of the largest Japanese-American communities in the country. It’s the home of Honda’s US headquarters (with a Collection Hall of exhibits open to the general public) and the former location for Toyota’s US headquarters. The business landscapes evolve, but the diverse array of Asian cuisine has only become more compelling over time.
Photo: Robert Kachelriess
There’s a reason Torrance is nicknamed the “Ramen Capital of Southern California.” There are at least eight restaurants that specialize in the noodle dish, but you can’t go wrong with Hakata Ikkousha Ramen, tucked away in a strip mall of Asian businesses. There are no reservations here — you sign up on a digital screen by the door, and you’ll receive a text when a table is ready. The payoff is delicious ramen that simmers for hours, courtesy of award-winning Chef Kousuke Yoshimura. The classic tonkotsu is rich in flavor, thanks to pork bones boiled in the broth. Add some heat with a choice of four spice levels and a slice of cha-shu barbecue pork. Don’t forget the gyoza appetizer on the side.
Hakata Ikkousha Ramen: 21605 S Western Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
Miyabi Uni dabbles in fine dining, serving a high-end take on seafood while frequently spotlighting aggressively rich sea urchin. The ingredient is especially effective in rolls of Wagyu beef and toro (the fattest part of a Bluefin tuna). You can even chomp away at french fries with sea urchin butter on top. The main courses range from crisp and clean sashimi platters to inventive recipes that incorporate vast global influences, like pasta topped with spicy tomato sauce and various seafood. Executive Chef Toshi-san lets his creativity unfold in a modest but modern dining room with dark wood decor. The best seats are at the sushi bar, where it’s easiest to watch the kitchen team in action.
Miyabi Uni: 1231 Cabrillo Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
Torrance is home to Del Amo Fashion Center, one of the largest shopping malls in the country. It was actually formed by two separate plazas that became so big that they finally merged together. Today, Del Amo Fashion Center is three levels tall with a variety of indoor and outdoor spaces. At times, it’s like walking through a neighborhood of boutiques — and, of course, there’s plenty of food to choose from.
Photo: Robert Kachelriess
MB Grille hits all the right notes for those craving seafood. The restaurant is a bright, rustic space with tall ceilings and a covered outdoor patio, featuring an approachable menu based on a fresh catch, pulled directly from oceans and rivers throughout the world. Try a sushi roll or a fisherman’s stew of lobster, shrimp, scallops, crab, clams, calamari, and mussels in a San Francisco-style tomato broth. MB Grille knows flexibility is key, allowing customers to mix and match their own steak and seafood combinations with a choice of seasoning and two sides.
MB Grille: 21536 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Finding a place like this inside a shopping mall is a true delight. Din Tai Fung is a Michelin-recognized Taiwanese concept that, despite growing to nearly 200 locations throughout the world, retains a fierce dedication to authenticity when serving dumplings, noodles, and other dim-sum-inspired plates. Din Tai Fung is most famous for its xiao long bao (soup dumplings), traditionally rolled by hand and filled with a flavorful Kurobuta pork broth — although other versions contain crab or chicken. Just poke it with your chopstick to let out the steam before slurping at all down in one bite. There’s even a chocolate-filled dessert version.
Din Tai Fung: 21540 Hawthorne Blvd, Torrance, CA 90503
Torrance Beach is an enticing enclave to enjoy the coastal California weather, stretching across 1.5 miles of shoreline and framed by cliffs that offer a sense of seclusion. The beach is very much a local spot, which has its pros and cons: It’s less crowded and more calm, with minimal competition for parking, especially in the paid lots. Then again, it lacks the bars and restaurants in flashier beachside destinations. Fortunately, there are a few spots to load up on calories just across the border of Torrance in Redondo Beach.
This SoCal favorite focuses on healthy ingredients, making it a top pick for a delicious breakfast before soaking in the sun at the beach. The restaurant uses cage-free eggs, hormone-free meats, and applewood-smoked bacon in various combinations that reflect a California sensibility for clean eating. If you’re in a rush, order a burger or teriyaki bowl to go — and enjoy a picnic on the beach.
Good Stuff: 1617 S Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
Yellow Vase is a photogenic cafe that serves coffee, pastries, and other light bites. It also doubles as a florist if you want to put together a colorful bouquet for a romantic day on the beach. Choose between paninis, egg scrambles, crepes, salads, and more. Bonus: There’s another Yellow Vase south of the beach in Palos Verdes Estates with a charming courtyard.
Yellow Vase: 805 S Catalina Ave, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
You can’t ignore the growing craft beer scene in Torrance, which began with Red Car Brewing and now includes at least 10 local producers. According to legend, the secret is in the water, sourced from artesian wells and two aqueducts, but you can’t discount the attention to detail and ingenuity of Torrance’s favorite breweries.
Photo: Robert Kachelriess
Smell the hops and feel the “daily breeze” that passes through the warehouse-like setting of the Smog City Brewing Co. It’s a beer lover’s dream come true. If you don’t know where to begin, order a flight, which includes four core favorites and a hazy IPA that changes every three months (and named after extreme weather events). The variety offers something for all, from an easy, drinkable Czech-style lager to boozy seltzers and slushies. Smog City opened in 2013 and has grown to four locations, although all of the beer is brewed in Torrance. Smog City West (22755 Hawthorne Blvd) is a second, smaller taproom in town, where you can hang out, play chess and bring your own vinyl for the turntable.
Smog City Brewing Co.: 1901 Del Amo Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
Absolution Brewing was founded by the head of a software company who wanted to pursue his love of craft brews and have a line of American beers that matched those he loved back home in England. The Forbidden Blonde ale is a light and smooth “gateway” beer that leads to more adventurous recipes like the 405 West Coast IPA (named after the highway) and a rotating sour, made with fresh fruit. The social energy of the taproom spills outdoors, where visitors will find church-like pew seating, live music, and the occasional food truck. It’s family-friendly vibe with root beer and fruit sodas brewed in house for the kids, and a water station for doggies.
Absolution Brewing Company: 2878 Columbia St, Torrance, CA 90503
The Marriott is the complete package with ample parking in a multi-level garage and a convenient location next to the Del Amo Fashion Center. The rooms are clean and contemporary with views of the surrounding landscapes — and possibly a glimpse of the ocean. The morning breakfast buffet is worth an extra few bucks. Arrange a welcome platter of locally sourced charcuterie and cheese to greet you upon arrival. Foodies will also appreciate the on-site 21 Square Bar + Kitchen for light bites and late-night cocktails underneath string lights by a fire pit.
Torrance Marriott Redondo Beach: 3635 Fashion Way, Torrance, CA 90503
The Bluestem Hotel is so cozy and intimate that you could easily miss it driving down Sepulveda Boulevard. The bold, modern exterior blends in with the shops and businesses that surround it, but step inside this boutique hotel and you’ll find a warm layout that combines stylish, contemporary decor with mid-century modern touches. Sliding doors open wide to a courtyard and fire pits, ideal for sharing a drink or enjoying breakfast with the morning breeze. The Bluestem is also conveniently located within range of Old Torrance, several parks, and everything else the city has to offer.
Bluestem Hotel: 2448 Sepulveda Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501
Photo: Joshua Ezell/Shutterstock
Torrance is just a 20-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), but most visitors are navigating their journey through SoCal’s complex web of highways. Fortunately, Torrance is worth a road trip with reasonable driving times. Within a two-hour drive, it’s just 20 miles from downtown LA, 100 miles from Santa Barbara, and 120 miles from San Diego. You can also get to Torrance within four to six hours by car from Las Vegas, Phoenix, and San Francisco.
Once you’re in town, there’s no getting around needing a vehicle — a car is virtually required, although you can make due with rideshare services. Some areas, especially Old Torrance, are extremely walkable, and bikes aren’t out of place in residential neighborhoods or at The Strand by the beach. Torrance Transit is a low-cost bus service with routes throughout the city, as well as to Redondo Beach, Long Beach, downtown LA, LAX, SoFi Stadium, and other in-demand destinations. 