Torrance sits on the South Bay coast between Redondo Beach and the Palos Verdes Peninsula, with about a mile and a half of Pacific shoreline at its west edge and Del Amo Fashion Center near its middle. Its landmarks include the Madrona Marsh wetland, the Pacific Electric Railway-El Prado Bridge on the eastern city border and the runways of Zamperini Field. The original downtown was planned in the 1910s, and its Mission Revival and early modernist commercial buildings stand near El Prado Park and the Hacienda-style homes around it.
Getting around
Torrance Transit, the city's own bus agency, runs local lines along with Rapid 3 and the 4X express toward Downtown Los Angeles, and several of them meet at the Mary K. Giordano Regional Transit Center at 465 Crenshaw Blvd. There is no Metro Rail station in the city today, so Metro riders connect by bus. Interstate 405 crosses the north end of the city, Interstate 110 runs just to the east and Pacific Coast Highway crosses the south end. LAX and Long Beach Airport are the closest commercial airports, and Zamperini Field handles general aviation.
Neighborhoods to know
Old Torrance. The original downtown, planned by the Olmsted Brothers firm, with several early buildings by architect Irving Gill. Restored storefronts line El Prado, Sartori, Marcelina and Cabrillo avenues, and Gramercy and Andreo avenues were the city's first residential streets. Hacienda-style houses face the trees of El Prado Park.
Del Amo. The commercial center of the city, built around Del Amo Fashion Center and Hawthorne Boulevard, with Madrona Marsh, the Civic Center and Torrance Art Museum a short drive away.
Walteria. A section of south Torrance bounded by Crenshaw Boulevard, Pacific Coast Highway and Vista Montana. The Begonia Village tract stands on a former begonia farm, and the Newton Triangle pocket park is planted with California natives.
Hollywood Riviera. A residential section of the city near Torrance Beach, with Miramar Park on the ocean side.
Things to do in Torrance
Madrona Marsh Preserve and Nature Center, 3201 Plaza Del Amo. One of the few urban vernal marshes left in Southern California. It fills with rain in winter and spring and dries by late summer. Admission is free, and the site is open Tuesday through Saturday.
Torrance Beach, along the west edge of the city. About 1.5 miles of sand with a view of the Palos Verdes Peninsula, parking, restrooms and outdoor showers, and the south end of The Strand bike path.
Miramar Park, 201 Paseo De La Playa. A park above Torrance Beach with ocean views and sculptures of a dolphin and a frog.
Charles H. Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd. A large city park with a 2,500-square-foot wooden tree house built for universal access, a splash pad, a fitness course, an amphitheater and courts for several sports.
El Prado Park, El Prado Avenue in Old Torrance. A 2.9-acre green strip that runs three blocks between Cravens and Manuel avenues, shaded by mature trees.
Western Museum of Flight, 3315 Airport Drive at Zamperini Field. Prototypes, target drones, jet and piston engines, World War II instruments and a large model aircraft collection. Open Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Torrance Art Museum, 3320 Civic Center Drive. Free rotating exhibitions, open Tuesday through Saturday during exhibition dates.
Torrance Historical Society and Museum, 1345 Post Ave. City history displays, open Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday afternoons.
Events and markets
Torrance Certified Farmers' Market. When: Tuesdays and Saturdays, 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine. Where: Wilson Park, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd. Produce growers and prepared food vendors set up at the park twice a week all year.
Torrance Antique Street Faire. When: Fourth Sunday of each month, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Where: Sartori, El Prado and Marcelina avenues in Old Torrance. Antique dealers fill the downtown streets once a month.
Historical Society Walking Tours. When: Fourth Sunday of the month, May through October. Where: Starting at the museum, 1345 Post Ave. A free walk through downtown history and architecture, with no reservation needed.
Madrona Marsh Nature Festival. When: Each spring around Earth Day; the next date has not been posted. Where: Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza Del Amo. A daytime festival at the preserve with nature programs.
Armed Forces Day Celebration. When: Each May; the 64th edition ran in May 2026. Where: Torrance Boulevard for the parade. The city's long-running celebration centers on its parade.
Torrance Summer Nights. When: Summer; check the city's page for the current schedule. Where: Wilson Park Amphitheatre. A city concert series.
Coffee in Torrance
Offset Coffee, 1413 Marcelina Ave and 24416 Crenshaw Blvd. A South Bay roaster with single origins, blends and a rotating seasonal menu, and retail bags to brew at home.
Clutch and Coffee, 1321 El Prado Ave. An off-road racing theme, espresso drinks and a full breakfast and lunch kitchen, with shakshuka and biscuits and gravy among the plates. Closed Mondays.
First Flight Coffee, 22501 Crenshaw Blvd, Suite 200. Espresso, signature lattes and ceremonial matcha, along with pastries and bagels.
Chrome Coffee Studio, 2734 Sepulveda Blvd. Specialty drinks such as banana cream and coconut matcha, foam-topped lattes and a case of sweet and savory pastries.
Places to eat
Hakata Ikkousha Ramen, 21605 S Western Ave, Suite J ($). Rich tonkotsu ramen with toppings such as spicy cod roe.
Torrance Bakery, 1341 El Prado Ave. An Old Torrance fixture for cookies, lemon bars, cupcakes, breads and custom cakes, with sandwiches, salads and a coffee and tea bar.
Red Car Brewery and Restaurant, 1266 Sartori Ave ($$). English-style ales brewed in house with pizzas, burgers, pastas and fish and chips.
Madre, 1261 Cabrillo Ave, Suite 100 ($$). Oaxacan cooking with mole, tlayudas and handmade tortillas, and a long mezcal list.
Din Tai Fung, 21540 Hawthorne Blvd, Suite 519, at Del Amo Fashion Center. Soup dumplings, noodles and a chilled cucumber salad.
Frida Mexican Cuisine, 21438 Hawthorne Blvd. Mexican plates at breakfast, lunch and dinner, specialty cocktails and a Sunday mariachi brunch.
Hours, prices and event details checked November 2026.
Torrance questions
When does the Torrance farmers market run?
Tuesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., rain or shine, at Wilson Park on Crenshaw Boulevard.
Where is the Western Museum of Flight?
At 3315 Airport Drive on Zamperini Field, the Torrance airport. It opens Friday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., and parking is free.
Is there a city transfer tax in Torrance?
The city code sets a tax of $0.275 per $500, the standard city share under state law. Torrance is not on the county's list of cities with special rates, so the total stays at $1.10 per $1,000.
Escrow notes for Torrance
Transfer tax. County tax only: $1.10 per $1,000 of value. Torrance's municipal code (Section 224.1.2) sets a city real property transfer tax of $0.275 per $500 ($0.55 per $1,000) under Revenue and Taxation Code Section 11911, the standard city share allowed by state law, which is credited against the county tax rather than added to it, so the total stays at the county rate. Torrance is not among the cities the Registrar-Recorder lists with special rates. As of November 2026. Source: official page and Torrance Municipal Code.
Our transfer tax calculator runs the county and city tax for any Los Angeles County price, and the free 2026-27 LA Transfer Tax and Measure ULA Cheat Sheet has every city rate on one page.
Buying or selling in Torrance? Send Iris the fully executed contract at iris@calwestescrow.com or call (323) 300-6122.
About this guide. Cal West Escrow wrote this guide to share general local information. No business paid to be included, and we do not accept free goods or services for mentions. A mention is not an endorsement, and hours, prices and events change, so check with each business before you go. Business names and trademarks belong to their owners. Transfer tax and other escrow notes are general information as of November 2026, not legal or tax advice. Cal West Escrow is committed to fair housing: this guide describes places, not people, and is not meant to suggest who should live anywhere.