Hermosa Beach
By day, locals can be found playing volleyball on the beach, running/cycling/rollerblading along the Strand, or congregating around the Pier Avenue shopping area. By night, the bars and restaurants along Pier Avenue become crowded with young people, while the patios and decks of the tightly packed residences buzz with the chatter and bustle of private parties.
Get in
From downtown or Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) take terminal shuttle or Green line to LAX/Green Line Station. Then take Beach Cities Transit (BCT) 109.
The Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) is the main north-south route through Hermosa Beach.
Get around
Use beach cities transit.
See
Hermosa BeachThe main thing to see in Hermosa Beach is the beach itself along with the bicycle and pedestrian walkway called The Strand. The sand and sun, combined with the tanned, fit beachgoers strolling down The Strand exemplify the stereotype of California beach culture.
Hermosa Beach PierThis pier has a statue dedicated to a pioneer in surfing. On a summer weekend, go to the Strand at the Hermosa Beach Pier, and see how many wheeled devices will pass you in 10 minutes. Bicycles, tricycles, roller skates, scooters, roller blades, etc.
Do
- Grab a towel and soak up the sun on the beach.
- Rent a bicycle or rollerblades and travel along The Strand from Redondo Beach up to Santa Monica. Shops near Pier Avenue will rent bicycles or rollerblades.
- Play in the water. Although the water along California comes down from an Alaskan current and can be chilly, when the weather's warm, it can be very enjoyable. Shops around Pier Avenue will rent surfboards or you can buy a boogie board.
- Go fishing off the Hermosa Beach Pier.
Fiesta HermosaFor the past 36 years, the "largest arts & crafts fair in Southern California". Over 270 artists and crafters are featured, including painters, photographers, ceramicists, jewelers, sculptors, and handicrafters. People flock to Fiesta Hermosa each year for not only the art fair, but for the Music which is always of the highest caliber. Fairgoers rave about the Food Court, which offers 18 different kinds of ethnic food choices. The festival offers something for everyone, there is a Kiddie Carnival that features a 30 foot slide, mechanical rides, rock climbing wall and bungee jump, and games for kids from 3 to 10 years old. Pony rides, a Petting Zoo, and facepainters are sure to delight the little ones. The festival takes place every Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) in downtown Hermosa Beach, along Pier and Hermosa Avenue. With the ocean as a backdrop, Hermosa Beach is an ideal place for a summer festival with temperatures of 80 degrees and balmy sea breezes.
Hermosa Beach Firefighters Association Annual All-You-Can-Eat Pancake BreakfastThe HBFA Pancake breakfast is a fundraising event held on Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend and is a unique opportunity to join over 900 members of the community for a breakfast cooked and served buffet-style by your firefighters. Eat breakfast inside the firehouse, meet the firefighters, and bid on many of the exciting auction items all to benefit your community. Kids can sit in the fire trucks and ambulances, get their photos taken with the firefighters and Sparky the Fire Dog, and see the inside of the firehouse.
Buy
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phone: +1 424-261-4496address: 200 Pier AveOliovera specializes in the freshest, highest quality, certified California extra virgin olive oils and vinegars. This shop also sponsors "Oliovera Impact", which is a program that provides five healthy meals to a hungry child for every bottle of Oliovera Olive Oil or Vinegar.
Eat
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phone: +1 310-379-2525address: 1034 Hermosa AvePaciugo freshly prepares its authentic Italian gelato and sorbet each morning, serving 30 to 38 flavors daily. Based on third-generation Italian recipes, Paciugo has faithfully and authentically created over 200 flavors of gelato. Paciugo gelato is authentically made with the highest quality ingredients and no preservatives. Since Paciugo recipes call for no cream or butter, the fat content is 3.5% (a little higher for flavors that contain cocoa and nuts), considerably less than ice cream, making Paciugo a more wholesome and nutritious product. The milk-based gelato is 70% lower in fat than premium ice creams, while the fruit-based product is fat free. This results in a richer taste and smoother texture versus conventional ice cream.
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phone: +1 310 374-2334address: 1286 The StrandA South Bay landmark, Good Stuff has good lunch/brunch food at affordable prices. There's a large outdoor patio facing the beach with great opportunities for people watching as they bike or skate down The Strand. Fills up fast on weekend mornings.
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The Spot
phone: +1 310-376-2355address: 110 Second StAnother South Bay landmark, The Spot is a vegetarian restaurant. The restaurant is off of the Strand and as with most beach cities parking is strictly enforced, read the signs. -
Planet Earth Eco Cafe
phone: +1 310 318-1888address: 509 Pier AveA recently opened all-organic vegetarian cafe/sweet shop. Ground-breaking and full of vegan options, including great raw organic hemp shakes made by the famous Tommy Adams. Free wi-fi as well!
Drink
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phone: +1 310 376-9833address: 30 Pier AveA venerable jazz institution in Los Angeles County, the Lighthouse has also seen the best of the LA area's rock music get its first start.
Pier AvenueThe hot spot for singles and the young.
SangriaHip-hop club
Patrick Malloy'sIrish Pub with suburbanites letting off steam for the weekend
SharkeezYoung party crowd, always crowded. Good food.
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Blue 32
address: Hermosa AveSmaller Hollywood-type club. The ShoreAnother smaller Hollywood-type club.
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Fat Face Fenners Fishshack
phone: +1 310 379-5550address: 53 Pier AveBoston themed bar. Local watering hole. -
The Poopdeck
address: 1272 The StrandCash only dive bar. Come for the name, stay for the atmosphere.
Sleep
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Holiday Inn Express Hotel & Suites
phone: +1 310 798-9898address: 125 Pacific Coast Highway -
phone: +1 310 374-2666address: 901 Aviation Blvd68 rooms and suites.
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address: 26 Pier AveCheap beds, perfect location. Easy transport to the airport $20 taxi or take beach cities transit bus 109 stop located along hermosa ave to the LAX/Green Line station then take the free LAX shuttle to airport terminal