Getaway to Torrance: A Relaxing, Non-Touristy & Dog-Friendly Escape

“You are going where?” “Torrance, near LA.” “But why?” That was pretty much the standard reaction when I told friends and family about my upcoming weekend getaway to Torrance. To be honest, I thought so as well at first. Who goes to LA on purpose, right?

I was looking for a little getaway for my husband and me and our dog Robby. I had three main criteria: Close by, not overrun by tourists, and relaxing. And somehow, I stumbled on Torrance.

Torrance is located just south of Redondo Beach and North of Palos Verdes, two really lovely beach towns as well. But Torrance is a little bit different. It isn’t your typical beach town with a pier and tourist shops all over.

It is a local community that hasn’t been overrun with cheesy tchotchke souvenir stores and chain restaurants. Perfect for our lowkey weekend getaway, where we didn’t feel like we “had to” go to this must-see spot and that top attraction or risk FOMO. So, instead of rushing from one place to the next, we got to chill and relax.

Where to Stay in Torrance – Pet-friendly Hotel

We stayed at the Sonesta ES Suites Torrance/Redondo Beach and had a roomy, two-bedroom, two-bathroom suite with a full kitchen. The architecture of the hotel reminded me of an apartment complex Greg and I briefly lived in in Texas, which added to the homey feeling. It was the perfect home away from home, but with a yummy breakfast buffet, haha. I wish I had that at home every morning!

The hotel is also dog-friendly and has no weight or breed restrictions. Super awesome for us, as we sometimes have issues with our 75 lbs fluffball Robby to find a hotel that doesn’t have weight restrictions. Pet fees are also very reasonable ($75 for up to 7 days and $150 for longer stays).

In the hot afternoon, we went back to the hotel and chilled by the pool for a few hours, and Robby took a nap in the room, before venturing out again for the night. Check for availability here>>

Dog-Friendly Things to Do in Torrance

Torrance Parks

Did you know that Torrance has over 30 parks? Not bad for a small-ish city with only 140k people. We explored a few of them, as we love to walk and Robby is always happy to go explore a new grassy spot.

Miramar Park

201 Paseo De La Playa, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

This was my favorite park because I am a sucker for ocean views. The park stretches from the southern tip of Torrance all the way to Redondo Beach Pier. The park is set up on a bluff, and you can see the wide sandy beach and the famous boardwalk that starts in Torrance and goes all the way to Malibu.

We talked to a few locals walking their dogs, and they said that you can even spot whales here, especially during migration season between December and March. Pretty cool, eh?

One thing I didn’t like was that there was no shade. We walked there early in the morning, so it was ok, but if you walk in the hot hours in the summer, be mindful of your puppy’s paws and bring some doggy boots.

Wilson Park

Address: 2200 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance, CA 90501

Torrance has one of the best Farmer’s Markets I have ever been to. They have fantastic produce on offer from local farms and also yummy food stalls and food trucks that offer something for everyone. From tacos to bao buns, heavenly sweet baked treats, and fiery Thai curries, there is something for everyone.

Only problem: The farmers market is not dog friendly. But right next to the Farmers Market is Charles H. Wilson Park, a huge park with many walkways, sports amenities, a playground, and even a splash pad. So Greg and I took turns exploring the Farmers Market and then had a little impromptu picnic with some of the delicious treats we found (Tamale and Pupusas, yum!).

Robby LOVED this park because there were squirrels everywhere. He got really excited and wanted to chase them, but since he was on a leash, he just sat below the trees, barking at the squirrels as if to say: “Come down and play with me!” Obviously, the squirrels didn’t fall for that.

Torrance Breweries & Brew Pubs

Greg and I are homebrewers and craft beer lovers, so we’ll check out a few breweries in Torrance as well. Added bonus: They are all dog-friendly or offer at least a dog-friendly patio. While we enjoyed our beers, Robby got some fresh water, lots of cuddles, and a few treats. It was a perfect way to get out of the sun and enjoy a few tasters.

Project Barley

Address: 1109 Van Ness Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
Phone: (424) 376-5115
Website

Project Barley was a really cool experience because we got to do a beer pairing with our food. I have had wine pairings before, but never a beer pairing. It was so much fun and delicious. The menu consisted of elevated pub food favorites.

We started off with a refreshing Chicken Salad paired with a key lime sour. They actually fly in the key limes from the Florida Keys to make this sour. Pretty cool, eh? Next up was the typical SoCal pairing: Carne Asada Tacos with a West Coast IPA. The next beer pairing was a nod to the brewery’s history and previous owner, a chap from England, who wanted to brew English-style ales in California. The pairing was fish and chips with a cask ale English Bitter and a real treat. The dessert was a delicious bread pudding with spiced rum caramel sauce paired with a fabulous baltic porter. Everything was so delicious.

They plan on offering this beer pairing and tasting menu soon to the public as an occasional popup event and if they do, definitely add that to you list of things to do in Torrance!!!

The Brews Hall

Address: 21770 Del Amo Cir E, Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: (310) 294-9838
Website

The Brew Halls is a fun concept of Brew Pub meets Food Hall, but with sitdown service. They have a variety of options, including burgers, wings, Mexican food, an Asian food. And the best part? They have a dedicated dog menu! You can choose between an unseasoned burger patty or a plain chicken breast for your pooch. Robby was in heaven!!!

Greg and I also enjoyed our food, and the beers were awesome. Greg is super picky about his burgers, but he was so happy with his perfectly cooked rare burger. I had the spicy ramen, and it definitely had some kick to it. I loved it, but unfortunately, it wrecked my palate a bit, and all the beers tasted a bit bland after thata. But according to Greg, the beers were really delicious and, he knows his beers!

Absolution Brewery

Address: 2878 Columbia St, Torrance, CA 90503
Phone: (310) 490-4860
Website

Absolution Brewery was my favorite brewery in terms of vibe. It reminded me a little bit of Lost Abbey in San Diego. They had a nice variety of beers, and they were all delicious.

Two of their beers, The Rector (Belgian Strong Ale) and Cruisin’ South (Standard American Lager) won bronze at the CA State Fair Craft Beer Competition this year. The Rector uses local Orange Blossom Honey and it is only available when they can source that. They are not willing to compromise on quality and rather not brew a beer than brew one that doesn’t stand up to their high quality standards. The Flagship beer of Absolution Brewery is their Absolution 405 IPA, which won Gold in the San Diego International Beer Competition in 2022.

Greg and I were really impressed with the beers we tried at Absolution and how they nailed such a wide variety of beer styles. Definitely a gem in the SoCal beer world!

Red Car Brewery & Restaurant

Address: 1266 Sartori Ave, Torrance, CA 90501
Phone: (310) 782-0222
Website

Craft Beer AND Pizza? That definitely makes for a winning combination in my book. The restaurant inside is really beautiful and the antique brew kettles and landmark building give it a historic feel. The outside patio is dog friendly and shaded, a perfect spot to take a break from the midday heat with your pooch.

The menu at Red Car takes pub food to the next level. I was really impressed with their menu. There wasn’t a single thing that didn’t sound delicious and was a serious contender. I love that they had a really big salad selection, which is rare for brewery pubs. Ultimately, their wood-fired oven made me choose the Fig pizza with goat cheese, bacon, and arugula, and Greg ordered the Margharita Classico with added mushrooms and fennel sausage. Both were so delicious and

Their beer menu is short but mighty. We really enjoyed their South Bay IPA and thought it was our favorite IPA we had tasted in Torrance all weekend. With over 9% ABV it packs a punch though, so sip slowly or bring a designated driver!

Pro Tip: Just around the corner from Red Car Brewery, there is Torrance Bakery. This iconic bakery has been in business for over 30 years, and there is always a line out the door. But don’t worry, it moves extremely fast, and the treats are to die for. Definitely check it out!

Other breweries in Torrance

Greg and I also checked out Smog City Brewery and Monkish Brewing Co. during our stay in Torrance and liked them both as well.

Smog City had a really nice outdoor patio area and live music, when we got there, but we didn’t get a seat there. Inside was pretty crowded and loud, so we just enjoyed a pint and left. I really enjoyed their Sabre Tooth Squirrle Hoppy Amber Ale though and would definitely go back there for that.

Afterward, we walked over to Monkish Brewing Co. and got there right before they closed.. As their name suggests, they have a few Belgian beers on tap, Greg’s favorite. We both got the Belgian Tripple with Hibiscus. Yum! They also have nice beer garden and it was the perfect spot to finish up the night.

As I already said, when Greg and I set up this trip, I wasn’t sure if we would like it and if there would be enough things to do. But honestly, it was so nice not to have the pressure to check off an endless list of must-see sights and just chill, relax, and soak up the local vibe, and Torrance was perfect for this. If you are looking for a destination that has a local feel, enjoys low-key things like walking in beautiful parks, going to the farmer’s market, and enjoying a few breweries, then definitely add a weekend getaway to Torrance to your list of options for a relaxing staycation near San Diego!

Disclaimer: Getaway to Torrance was written by Maria Haase for SanDiegoExplorer.com. As customary in travel journalism, this article was based on a Press Trip hosted by Discover Torrance, and some of the mentioned hotels, restaurants, and experiences were complimentary. This has not influenced their opinion and the content of this article.

Last Updated on August 23, 2024 by Maria Haase

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