Thanks to Discover Torrance for hosting our visit. Opinions are our own.
Torrance is city of hidden gems for locals and visitors! We didn’t have a shortage to do. Since our trip, I’ve been telling all my friends. Here is my family’s list of Things To Do in Torrance:
Del Amo Fashion Center
Definitely one of my favorite malls in SoCal. Modern, hip roomy (large walkways/hallways) indoor and outdoor mall with a variety of shops. There’s a nice food court with places such as BiBiGo, Blaze Pizza, or enjoy a delicious meal for a sit-down experience at one of my favorites, Din Tai Fung. Premiere mall in California with 3 levels of stores, including Bloomingdales, Macy’s, Nordstram and other mall favorites, like H&M, but also some cool shops, like Miniso, !Ay Guey!, a shop dedicated to Hispanic culture, and there’s an AMC. Shopping heaven, you could spend the entire day here shopping to your hearts delight.
South Coast Botanic Garden
This beautiful 87-acre botanic garden located on Palos Verdes Peninsula is worth the visit. The gardens are gorgeous, and I loved the sights and scents of the vast array of plant life from around the world. I read that they have over 2,500 different plant species. Pack a lunch, sunblock and comfy shoes and get lost in this horticultural paradise. For a limited time, the garden is offering a special Fairies and Trolls event. Think of it as a scavenger hunt where kids follow a map to find clues. If you find three or more clues, take your booklet over to the gift shop for a small prize. Kids will fall in love with the children’s garden area. It’s enchanting!
Torrance Beach
You can’t be along the coast and miss a day at the beach. Torrance beach is a local beach stretching 1.5 miles and lies between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove. Lifeguards on duty, Miramar Park has nice grassy area to sit, and take in the views. Plenty of street parking, metered parking as well as a lot. Selling point is that it’s not as crowded as other nearby beaches. Bathroom facilities, bike path and gorgeous views of cliffs and the Palos Verdes peninsula.
Western Museum of Flight
This small museum is dedicated to aviation history. Visitors will love to explore the hangers filled with displays, books and models. Kids can even climb into a real jet. Staff are impressive with their knowledge and always nearby to answer questions or give tours. The museum is located at the Torrance Airport/”Louis Zamperini Field”. Grab a seat on a bench to watch the small planes fly in. Suggested $5 donation.
Chen Art Gallery
Talk about an unexpected hidden gem in the Southbay! This gallery is located inside the Sunrider Building and you will be astonished by Dr. Tei Fu Chen and his families collection of Chinese art. Tips: The tour is 1.5-2 hours and there is no where to sit. Recommended that kids be 10 years and older to enjoy. Use restroom before hand, and no photos inside. Just take in all the beauty and information provided by the tour guide. There are smaller rooms with changing exhibits. Best part about this? The tour is free, but reservations are required. Also, visit the garden outside of the entrance to the building. Another gem for sure!
Madrona Marsh Nature Center
Take a walk through nature at this urban seasonal wetland -possibly one of the last in the Los Angeles. Kids should bring their binoculars for some bird watching, and don’t forget to look down to check out the tracks left behind by the littlest insects. Tours are available by registration, free admission to the marsh to the public and hours are listed on their website. Make sure to visit the Center across from the entrance where parking is free and learn more about the area. It’s great for kids, and offers a much-needed escape from the city highlights.
Rocketship Park
Pack a picnic, sit under one of the large trees while your kids explore the cool metal retro rocket ship structure. Your kids can imagine blasting off to the moon while you take in the scenic views of Torrance below you. It was a bit overcast the day we came but we could see the ocean.
Hungry yet? We have our food recommendations here.
Where To Stay In Torrance.
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