If you’re spending a little extra time in town, we’d love for you to enjoy some of our favorite spots in Hermosa Beach, around the South Bay, and beyond. Whether you want coffee, a casual meal, beach time, or a bigger LA day trip, there’s plenty nearby to explore.

Racer Tea

Funky tea bar with motorcycle and metal music theme. Who would have thought? Jake's favorite is the Twist the Throttle, and Caitlin's is either the Rude Boy or Medicine Man

Granny's Grocery

100 year old beachy grocery store and deli. Head there to grab a sandwich for the beach or a coffee and breakfast sandwich in the morning.

Good Neighbor

A new addition to the neighborhood, this laundromat/cafe has been fun to support while they run pop-ups while getting ready to open!

Mickey's Deli

Another favorite! Plenty of sandwich options, as well as pizza, pasta, salads, and Jake's favorite; calzones.

Barsha

A blend of Tunisian, Mediterranean, and global cuisine meld with Californian fresh ingredients. We adore the falafel sliders, but don't think you could go wrong with anything on the menu.

Red & Louie's Pizza

We aren't experts on the menu since we only ever get the Carnivore, but it's great!

Proudly Serving

Simple, satisfying smash burgers with fries or tots.

Cafe Minerva (opening date TBD)

Coffee shop with Guadalajara influence; we recommend trying their Cafe de Olla

Tigres Fuego

If you’re in town on a Friday, Saturday, or Sunday morning, we highly recommend getting either the chorizo or bacon breakfast burrito. They open at 9 am and the line can get long, but it’s worth it.

The Strand

Walk, bike, roller skate, or skateboard along this iconic path by the beach.

The Greenbelt

A 3.7-mile path that runs from the south end of Hermosa up through Manhattan Beach.

Beach Volleyball

Nets are available on the Hermosa, Manhattan, and Redondo beaches. No reservation needed — just first come, first served.

Beach Day

Take advantage of the beach for swimming, relaxing, reading, or just soaking up some sun.

Friends of the Library Bookstore in Hermosa Beach

A great stop for browsing and maybe picking up a book or two. 50 cents for paperback and 1 dollar for hard copy. Their hours are limited, open Tuesday, Friday, Saturday from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm.

El Porto

On the north end of Manhattan Beach, this is one of our favorite places to post up and watch surfers. North Manhattan Beach highlights El Porto as a go-to spot for surfing, biking, beach volleyball, and soaking up the view.

Topgolf El Segundo

A fun option if you want something active that isn’t the beach. Topgolf El Segundo is open daily and has year-round bays with food and drinks, so it’s an easy group activity.

El Segundo Breweries

If you’re in the mood to wander a bit, El Segundo has some great brewery and food options and is an easy stop just north of the South Bay. The city’s business guide highlights its dining and drink scene as part of the local lifestyle mix.

Tony’s on the Pier

A classic Redondo Pier stop and one of our favorite places to take visitors. Order the Mai Tai and you’ll get the souvenir glass to take home.

Barnacles Bar & Grill

If you’re looking for a dive bar in Hermosa, this is our favorite.

Disneyland

A bigger outing, but one we always love. Disneyland Resort in Anaheim remains one of the classic Southern California day trips, with both Disneyland Park and Disney California Adventure.

Abbot Kinney Boulevard

One of our favorite spots on the west side for shopping, food, coffee, and people-watching. This iconic boulevard is a mile-long stretch of fashion, art, and food just minutes from Venice Beach.

Griffith Observatory

Great for views, classic LA scenery, and getting close to the Hollywood Sign. The Observatory is free to visit, and its grounds connect to trails and overlooks above the city.

Dockweiler Beach Bonfire

If you want a very classic LA beach night, Dockweiler is the bonfire beach. Fire pits are first come, first served, and personal fire pits are not allowed outside the official ones. Many flights departing LAX will be passing directly overhead, and it is fun to wonder where they are headed to.

Pacific Coast Highway through Malibu

If you have a car and want the full Southern California coastal drive, heading up PCH through Malibu is hard to beat.

Neptune’s Net

A classic stop on the Malibu stretch, especially if you want the beach-road, biker-stop version of California.

The Rock Store

For anyone who loves a canyon drive or motorcycle culture, this is a legendary stop.

Oxnard

An easy stop if you’re heading north and want more beach-town energy without going all the way to Santa Barbara.

Santa Barbara

A little farther, but a beautiful day trip if you want something slower and more scenic.

Joshua Tree

A longer day trip, but a great option if you want desert scenery, hiking, and a very different side of Southern California.

Lake Arrowhead

A good mountain getaway if you want pine trees, cooler weather, and a slower pace for the day.