The largest of the South Bay communities, Torrance is a bustling city of around 150,000 residents that balloons to over 200,000 during the day. Home to a robust employment base, Honeywell Aerospace, Honda, Robinson Helicopter and Lisi Aerospace are among the city’s major employers. “Employers want to be where their talent base is, and we’ve got a great talent base attracted by great schools and a safe community,” says Assistant City Manager Danny Santana. Though it doesn’t have as much coastal real estate as neighboring Redondo and Hermosa beaches, Torrance has 40 acres of soft sand that stretches one-and-a-half miles along the Pacific. “Basically, we have all the benefits of Los Angeles without all the drawbacks of a massive urban area,” Santana says. “And we’ve got our own amenities, like 33 parks and a public library system with six branches.”
Torrance is a bustling city of around 150,000 residents and offers amazing amenities.
Los Arboles Rocketship Park in South Torrance, CA is 1 of 33 fun-filled parks in the city.
Torrance Beach is a 1.5 mile stretch with 40 acres of soft sand lining Torrance's coastline.
Torrance beach is the South Bay's coastal bridge between Palos Verdes and Redondo Beach.
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Sloping hills and ocean views in the Hollywood Riviera
Housing costs in Torrance are high, even by California standards. In late 2024, the city’s median home price was around $1.2 million, compared to $400,000 nationally and $900,000 in broader California. The housing inventory is overwhelmingly single-family, but some condos and townhomes exist. “We are built out as a city, so we’re focused on medium-density development,” Santana says. “We recently approved over 900 residential units in the Gable House redevelopment and the Del Amo Circle Drive apartments.” Each neighborhood offers something different with a distinct vibe. There are cozy prewar bungalows and ornate Craftsman homes in Old Torrance, as well as newer condos and townhomes. There are tree-lined streets and midcentury ranch-style homes in West Torrance. Tightly packed modest homes are slightly more affordable in North Torrance. Seaside Ranchos is a standout neighborhood sometimes called Sleepy Holly or Christmas Lights due to its luminous holiday decorations strung across the trees. Most homes are bigger, with larger lots and robust backyards. South Torrance and Hollywood Riviera are the most desirable areas of the city. The latter is along the coast, with contemporary homes on sloping hills with views of the ocean.
Opt for a large, recently built, modern home with a pristine lawn in Seaside, CA.
Two story Mediterranean style homes are found lining the hills of Riviera, CA.
Colorful midcentury ranch homes line the quiet residential streets of Torrance, CA.
Quant pre war bungalows are found not only in Southwood but all of Torrance, CA.
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Torrance Unified is among the best districts in California
The Torrance Unified School District is graded A by Niche, putting it among the best in the state. The district serves over 22,000 students in 17 walkable community elementary schools, eight middle schools and four high schools. “We have great schools — they’re routinely recognized as California Distinguished Schools because they have some amazing programs,” Santana says. “From some high schools, students can enroll in a community college like El Camino College and earn associate-degree level credits, which is a huge financial savings. And El Camino has a very high transfer rate to four-year schools.”
Seaside Elementary School has an overall A rating from Niche.
Bert M. Lynn Middle School has an overall A rating from Niche.
South High School has an overall A+ grade from Niche.
Torrance High School has an overall A rating from niche.
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Surfing, fishing and swimming at Torrance Beach
There is never a shortage of recreational opportunities in Torrance, as the city is home to over 30 parks. The largest is the 52-acre Columbia Park, which features a pair of fitness courses, community gardens and sports fields. One of the perks of living in Torrance is direct access to the Pacific Ocean. Torrance Beach is a soft sand beach with concession stands, restrooms and showers. Volleyball players gather on the sand, and the ocean is popular with anglers, surfers and swimmers. Torrance Summer Nights is a weekly event from June to September where locals gather for free live music and shop local vendors. Locals looking for an art scene can visit the Chen Art Gallery, which houses work from local artists.
Play pick-up basketball at Wilson Park in Central Torrance, CA.
Have fun windsurfing with friends off the sunny Torrance Beach coastline.
Torrance, CA residents head to always exciting Wilson Park for the large playgrounds.
Play bocce ball with friends at Columbia Park in North Torrance, CA.
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Shopping at Del Amo and dining along the ramen trail
Torrance is home to the famous Del Amo Fashion Center. The three-level mall opened in 1959 and was the largest shopping mall in America until 1992. The indoor/outdoor mall has over 250 stores, from national chains to local boutiques. "Del Amo is a shopping mecca. There are so many great shops — they actually just opened an Apple store there, which is a big deal," says Jin Chun, public engagement manager with the city.
The dining scene is diverse, but Japanese and Korean cuisine are favorites. The self-proclaimed title of the Ramen Capital of Southern California holds water, as the ramen trail map — exactly what it sounds like — includes eight ramen hot spots. "The downtown commercial districts are very walkable, with a big focus on mom-and-pop shops," Santana says. A beer drinker's paradise, Torrance is also home to almost a dozen breweries.
Del Amo Mall is the go to shopping destination for South Torrance residents.
Sit at the bar at Brews Hall and have a drink with friends in South Torrance, CA.
Gen Korean BBQ is a favorite restaurant among locals in Southeast Torrance, CA.
Order a bowl of delicious udon or ramen at Mitsuwa Marketplace in West Torrance, CA.
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Direct highway access and proximity to LA, Long Beach
Torrance has direct highway access to Interstate 405 and is close to Interstate 110. The city is 30 miles south of downtown Los Angeles and 15 miles west of Long Beach, its bigger and busier neighbors. Traffic is a fact of life for residents because “you have to get to or go through Torrance to do anything,” Santana says. There are multiple public transit options, including buses operated by the Torrance Transit System. The city built the Regional Transit Center adjacent to the rail line, an extension of Metro’s Green Line expected to open around 2030. The city also promotes a $2 ride service to the stadiums in Inglewood. Los Angeles International is just 10 miles north via the 405 — a drive that can take over an hour during sometimes unpredictable rush hours. “We have two regional hospitals based in the city, which are expanding, while other places in greater LA have been closing,” Santana says.
Violent crime happens at half the national rate
Violent crime in Torrance happens at half the rate as it does nationally and at the state level. In 2023, there were about 50 incidents of violent crime reported per 100,000 residents each month, compared to 105 nationally and 115 in broader California. On the other hand, property crime is higher than the national average. In 2023, about 220 incidents of property crime were committed per 100,000 residents each month, compared to about 160 nationally and 200 in broader California. The city has dedicated public safety resources, including well-staffed police and fire departments, so it doesn’t have to rely on Los Angeles County for emergency services.
Looking ahead to development in Torrance
Looking ahead, the city has put together plans to continue to improve life in Torrance for residents. One such program is the Downtown Torrance Business Improvement District. This will be used to bring new businesses into downtown Torrance to draw in customers from neighboring areas and pump up the local economy. Another initiative to bring money into the city is the Discover Torrance program, which is an attempt to draw tourism into the area by bringing the city’s beaches and craft restaurants to the attention of those looking for a Southern California vacation destination. The major roads near downtown have been paved in recent years, and there is construction underway to bring more parking into the area.
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