This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #DiscoverTorrance #CollectiveBias
Southern California is a mecca for family-friendly fun, but it’s rare to find somewhere to enjoy yourself without crowds of people. Last weekend, my mom and I, along with my two little girls, did a #GirlsTrip down to the town of Torrance, CA to see what this beach town was all about. I had always heard of Torrance, but never knew how beautiful the beach was or how many dining options and activities they had to offer.
Torrance, California is located about 15 minutes away from LAX and has somewhat been a hidden gem that tourists haven’t seemed to catch on to just yet. The locals love Torrance for their array of craft breweries, variety of shopping options, cuisine to match any mood you might be in, and the clean uncrowded beach. Visitors love Torrance for the same reason, as well as the multitude of hotel options there are to choose from.
Quick Facts about Torrance
- 400+ Eateries
- 10 Craft Breweries
- 2.7 Million Feet of Shopping to Cover
- 1.5 Miles of Clean, Uncrowded Beach
- 14 Hotels
- Museums
Free Kid-Friendly Things to do in Torrance
During our visit to Torrance, we tried to find kid-friendly dining options and activities, but didn’t want to overwhelm my girls. We ate at a few restaurants, stayed in a fabulous kid-friendly hotel, and shopped around a bit. While we were driving around town we found many parks that the girls could play at, too. But after all the exploring, my girls really just wanted to be at the beach.
We felt so safe at Torrance Beach and enjoyed 360 degree views of greenery, ocean and beautiful white sand. My girls were able to walk along the shore and collect seashells while I relaxed on the beach. I have to admit, I got a little giddy when I saw the blue lifeguard stations. I just love those!
Here’s a quick list of free kid-friendly things to do in Torrance:
- Torrance Beach
- Farmer’s Market
- Torrance Art Museum
- The Strand Bike Trail
- Torrance Public Library
- Rocketship Park
Del Amo Fashion Center
This shopping mall is one of the most desirable shopping centers in Southern California. With over 200 stores and tons of eateries, there’s something for everyone. Some of my favorite stores at Del Amo were Anthropologie, Billabong, Marshal’s, Free People, Old Navy, Lululemon, Arhaus (beautiful furniture) and Steve Madden. My girls loved the Disney Store, Build-A-Bear, Sweet Factory and Justice.
Some eateries you might like within the shopping center are the Pressed Juicery (this one services frozen treats), P.F. Chang’s China Bistro (our dinner stop), Buffalo Wild Wings, Johnny Rockets, and RA Sushi Bar.
We found out that King’s Hawaiian Bakery and Restaurant was in Torrance and had to make a stop. Their sweet rolls are to-die-for and their pulled pork sandwiches are a must-try.
The King’s Hawaiian Bakery had so many delectable options to choose from, but the Macadamia Nut cookies were calling my name. My mom and I pretty much finished the bag before we got home.
Where to Stay in Torrance
Our family stayed at Staybridge Suites in Torrance. This hotel is a bit of a drive from Torrance Beach, but is a great hotel for families with kids. Our suite featured one bedroom, one sectional sofa with a pull-out bed, a full kitchen, full bathroom with tub/shower combo, and a walk-in closet. We really enjoyed the free breakfast in the morning which had everything you could ever want for breakfast. The hotel staff was absolutely amazing and some of the friendliest people I’ve ever met during my travels.
If you are staying at Staybridge Suites with younger kids, I recommend that you request a room on the bottom level. We stayed on the third levels and had to carry my little ones up flights of stairs.
Hotel Amenities
- Free American Breakfast Buffet included daily
- Free traditional Japanese Breakfast daily
- Free evening receptions (Mon-Wed) with heavy appetizers and free beer and wine
- Free wired and wireless high-speed internet access
- Free self-serve laundry facilities (no coins required)
- Free hotel shuttle within 3 miles of hotel (M-F)
- Free BBQ gas grills (4) for guest use
- Free local and 800 telephone calls
- Free DVD selection to borrow (DVD player in every suite)
- Free Parking
- Pool
Final Thoughts
I can’t believe that of all the years I’ve lived in California (my entire life) that I had never been to Torrance. The entire town has such a friendly atmosphere that has me wanting to go back. The temperature during summer is so mild compared to many southern California beach towns, so it’s the perfect California road trip destination for families. You feel like a local from the moment you set foot on the white sand beach and you won’t want to leave.
Ready to visit Torrance, California? Learn more here.
