Dining Sipping and Shopping In Torrance

Sometimes the best trips are those that you make in your own backyard. Well not literally, but figuratively in that taking a weekend trip and staying in a nearby town is a great way to enjoy a weekend and limit the driving you have to do. We spent 48 hours on a quest to discover Torrance and today I am sharing that experience and my tips with you. This is a sponsored post in partnership with Discover Torrance.

 

I would call then highlights, but truly, every part of my weekend in Torrance was a delightful experience so I want to share all my Torrance recommendations with you. Located in the South Bay, Torrance, California provides a great place to spend a week or weekend and an opportunity to savor the diverse array of its eateries, venues and retail shops.

 

Torrance offers a nice mix of cool suburban style and old neighborhood charm. With many local shops that have been around for years in the Old Torrance Area, to the new shops at the Del Amo Fashion Center, there is truly something for everyone to enjoy.

Whether you are looking for a great place to shop and chill for the day or enjoy a weekend of terrific dining and brewery hopping, you will find that Torrance has it all. You will find plenty of great dining choices, lovely walking tours and fun brewery options.

Where to Stay in Torrance

We started the weekend by checking into DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel  - South Bay in Torrance, which could not have been more perfect for our stay. We were greeted by a gorgeous Christmas tree in the lobby and the front office staff was friendly and helpful in checking us in and getting our weekend off to a good start.

This hotel is just right across the street from the Del Amo Fashion Center and was so convenient as a base for the weekend getaway. The room was spacious and welcoming and I am very happy to say that the chocolate chip cookies that DoubleTree hotels are known for, were delicious.

The room was clean and nicely appointed with large beds (which were very comfortable) and a large window at the end of the room.

There are so many local shopping and dining options to choose from that walking distance and our close proximity to the Redondo Beach Pier. I would definitely choose this hotel again when staying in the South Bay Area.

Double Tree by Hilton South Bay
1333 Hawthorne Boulevard
Torrance, California, 90503

 

Where to Dine - Torrance

Frida Mexican Cuisine

This beautiful Mexican restaurant was just magical in its decor and setting. The restaurant atrium was glistening with beautiful lit trees and holiday decorations, and I could feel a welcoming and festive vibe

There is an inviting bar area with TVs and lots of tasty cocktails on the menu. We were there for dinner, but I we heard that they have happy hour specials during the week.

 

We started with some Special Watermelon Margaritas and they were absolutely wonderful. Refreshing and delicious, I highly recommend them if you like watermelon.

I sampled several items for dinner. The mixed fajitas were a lovely and generous option and I appreciated that there were several ways you could customize this dish (steak, chicken, shrimp, vegetables). Served with beans, salsa, rice, and fresh handmade tortillas, they were wonderful. We also tried the Shrimp tacos which were fabulous and made with sauteed shrimp, onions and guacamole.

The Mole Poblano is a dish where chicken is simmered in a chili chocolate sauce and is served with rice, refried beans, fried plantains and fresh handmade corn tortillas. This was also very good if you like mole.

Frida's has a Sunday brunch that is popular and I plan to try it on my next visit.

Frida Mexican Cuisine
21438 Hawthorne Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 371-0666

 

Din Tai Fung

This restaurant serves the most freshest dumplings you could ever have. You can watch the dumplings being made in the window and I have to tell you that there is a distinct art to making these. 

The menu is several pages long and also has photos to help you decide what to order. We went with some recommendations from our server, Ahn, and were not disappointed.

We started with the hot and sour soup which was very flavorful and one of the best we have ever had. We then tried the Shrimp & Kurobuta Pork Wontons with Spicy Sauce, a fresh dumpling that has a wonderful flavor with a little bit of heat comes at the finish.

The Kurobuta Pork XioLongBao Dumplings and Shredded Pork Fried Rice came next. The Kurobuta Pork XioLongBao dumplings are made with a little bit of soup inside the dumpling. These were so good!

Everything sampled was fresh, flavorful and tasty. The small portions were fun to eat and I would suggest a soup and 1-2 dishes per person and sharing family style.

We loved everything we tried. I recommend all of these dishes mentioned and just know that the spicy sauce is a mild sauce and not too spice. The prices are reasonable and be sure to try their iced tea. This place is popular and you may have to wait a little while for a table, but you can be shopping while you are waiting since this is located in the shopping center.

Din Tai Fung

Del Amo Fashion Center
21540 Hawthorne Blvd
Torrance, CA 90503

Hey 19 Public House

This place may not look special on the outside, but it has a really cool vibe on the inside. The interior resembles a cross between a barn and a recreation room from the 1980s. For a moment I felt like I was in the original Footloose movie.

First, their cocktail list was very tempting. I ended up ordering a Denise Denise, made with infused Watermelon Vodka, Agave, Lime and mint. It was delicious and I ended up ordering another with dinner.

Fostering the old-school atmosphere, the menus come in old-school Pee Chee folders. If you are old enough to remember them, you most likely would relish the throwback decor on the walls like I did.

The Hey 19 is a shout out to a Steely Dan song back from the early 1980s and it is also the number of the owner’s hockey jersey, (as told to us by our server). The jersey is one of the many things hanging in the restaurant.

The food reminded me of comfort food with things like Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots, Meatloaf, Pot Pie, Pork Chops and Ribs on the menu. I opted for the Shepherd's Pie and was very happy with my menu choice.

There is live music on Saturdays and some other evenings. We did not stay for the music, but it seems like it would be fun to stick around for it sometime.

Hey 19 Public House
4525 Calle Mayor
Torrance, CA 

Eat At Rudy's

We stopped here for breakfast one morning as it was recommended to me by a friend from Torrance. This quaint eatery is located in the old town and near the Torrance Bakery. We sat outside and the meal was great. One thing to note is that they only take cash, but otherwise a perfect place for breakfast. 

Eat At Rudy's
1340 Post Ave
Torrance, CA 90501

What to Do In Torrance

Del Amo Fashion Center

A trip to Torrance would not be complete without a trip to Del Amo Fashion Center. I had not been there in years and I was enthralled with how beautiful their recent renovation and expansion was. They now have 25o shops and restaurants and a beautiful outdoor area. At one time Del Amo was the largest shopping mall in America. Now it is the 5th largest and if you can't find it there, it probably doesn't exist.

What I love about the shopping center is that it not only has the familiar department and boutique stores, it also has some unique specialty shops that you do not find in many of the shopping centers here in Southern California.

Shops like David’s Tea are not found in most centers but there is one here.

 

Stores like Miniso offer some great items at reasonable prices.

Not to mention the many great eateries, bakeries and beverage stores that exist there. You could easily spend the whole day here and they even have a nice amphitheater style lounge to enjoy and take a break.

Del Amo Fashion Center
525 Carson St
Torrance, CA 90503

Torrance Beach

Tucked away at the south end of the city where the ocean meets the shore is Torrance Beach. I loved how serene and secret this beach appeared. Parking was easy to find and the beach was tranquil and beautiful. There is a park area next to the beach as well and the perfect spot to enjoy a few hours taking in the beach.  

There is a great view of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and the beach was clean and not at all crowded. There is a Strand beach bike path that runs all the way to Malibu if you are a bike rider. The sound of the seagulls and splashing waves is enough to lift your spirits and savor the California coast in a quiet and peaceful setting. It truly is a perfect place to unwind or just gather your thoughts and disconnect for a while.

Torrance Bakery

Being a foodie, I can always appreciate a good bakery. But if you have a bakery like this one, it truly deserves a special visit. Their cupcakes were absolutely delicious (not only fresh but even after a couple of days)! The cupcakes were amazingly delicious and some of the best cupcakes I have ever tasted from a bakery. There were so many flavors to choose from that my only regret is that I didn't try more of them.

 A great bakery not only makes good cupcakes but cookies too. I have to tell you that their Black and White cookies rivaled those I tasted while in New York City. They happened to have a pop-up shop in the Nordstrom store the same day I visited. These houses were available for purchase.

Torrance bakery has lots other bakery goods too, such as pastries, scones, cinnamon rolls, and muffins. They are busy there but the ticket system moves pretty fast. I have been to many bakeries in my life and this is one of the best in Southern California, do not miss it on your next visit to the South Bay area. 

Torrance Bakery
1341 El Prado Avenue
Torrance, CA 90501

Take a Walk in Old Town Torrance

Old Town Torrance has so many beautiful shops and cafes that make it a great place to spend a few hours exploring. Besides the bakery and Eat at Rudys, there are may fun and eclectic shops here. Nearby you can spot the famous house from Buffy the Vampire Slayer.

Visit the Torrance Historical Society Museum and learn about Torrance's rich history. They offer a guided walking tour of the area. It is all complimentary, and donations are accepted. 

Nearby you can drive by Torrance High School and you might recognize it from some fun shows and movies such as Beverly Hills 90210, Buffy the Vampire Slayer and She's All That.

Candy Cane Lane

During the holiday season, there are several streets that don their holiday lights and decorations transforming the neighborhood into what is known as Candy Cane Lane in the evenings. You can drive or walk this area and it warms the heart to see so many people enjoying the season together. Some of the neighborhood folks sell hot chocolate, and you can hear Christmas music playing as you enjoy the beautifully decorated homes.

 

Breweries To Visit in Torrance

One area that Torrance is well known for is their great selection of Micro breweries. Craft beer has exploded over the last decade and Torrance has a reputation of being home to several outstanding breweries.  All of the breweries we visited were dog and kid friendly, had plenty of available parking and together make a nice itinerary for beer fans.

Monkish Brewery

I start with Monkish because it is one of my favorites. I have been to Monkish several times and am always thrilled with their refreshing beer and friendly vibe. Offering a nice selection of styles from Belgians to Hazy (New England style) IPA’s, Monkish often has special releases of their beers, which people line up to purchase, because they are just that good. 

 

Monkish Brewery
20311 S Western Avenue
Torrance, CA 90501

Smog City

Smog City is a lively brewery and it hopping the evening we visited. I love that there were lots of seating inside and out, making it a great place to relax and enjoy a brew. Their beer list is extensive and offers a lot of variety in styles. I enjoyed a pint of the Sabre-toothed Squirrel IPA, an American Amber ale.

Smog City
1901 Del Amo Blvd
Torrance, CA 90501

Shoulb Premium Ales

This family owned alehouse is new to Torrance and has a welcoming and friendly vibe. I enjoyed a glass of the Kiss Of Peaches Saison, which is a Belgian Pilsner malt beer and really loved the smooth and delicious taste. I noticed that Shoulb had some cool events  planned at this fun and worthy brewery and plan to visit this one again.

Shoulb Premium Ales
2964 Columbia Street
Torrance, CA 90503

There are several other breweries in Torrance and the surrounding area. I hope to check out the others and share with you soon. 

As you can see, Torrance has so much to offer with something for everyone. Don't forget to pin this when planning your next visit.

Check out more information at the Discover Torrance website.