- Location: West Los Angeles on the Santa Monica Bay, south of LAX. See directions below
- How Long: Allow a few hours for a look around, up to a day for beach play and a meal
- Best Time to Visit: Like most of the Los Angeles coastline, Hermosa Beach can be shrouded in foggy "June gloom" for days or weeks on end. Rainy, winter days may be best spent elsewhere, but on a clear day just after a rain, the views are stellar.
More Nearby Towns: Manhattan Beach | Redondo Beach
Of the three beach towns in the area Angelenos call the "South Bay," Hermosa Beach is the least formal and most beach-y feeling, a place where you're more likely to see a skateboarder than a spa and more likely to find a dive bar than a fancy wine bar.
Things to Do in Hermosa Beach
- Hermosa Pier: One of several piers jutting into the Santa Monica Bay, it affords great views and is a favorite spot of local fishermen.
- The Strand: Locals call the beachfront sidewalk The Strand, and its like the town's main street, filled with bicyclers, runners and walkers
- Shops on Pier Avenue: You'll find locally-owned shops selling beach gear and casual clothing, as well as some inexpensive places to eat. We also like the laid-back ambiance at Java Man Coffee Shop, about two blocks above the pier.
- Comedy and Magic Club: Locals know this, but few outsiders realize that Jay Leno performs here regularly on Sunday nights, trying out new material.
Hermosa Beach Tips
- You can park in the lot near the pier, but in other areas, bring lots of coins for the parking meters
- You can rent bicycles and other beach gear at Jeffers Beach Rentals (39 14th Street) or Hermosa Cyclery (20 13th Street). Shops on Pier Ave. also rent surfboards and some offer lessons.
Hermosa Beach Review
We rate Hermosa Beach 3 stars out of 4 for its casual attitude and beachfront ambiance.
Others may disagree. You can see what other people just like you think about it, then bookmark this page and after you've been there, come back and tell us what you think.
What do you think of Hermosa Beach as a tourist destination?
Getting to Hermosa Beach
From LAX, the most enjoyable (albeit a bit slow) way to get to Redondo Beach is to drive straight west toward the ocean on Imperial Highway and turn left. Follow the beach as closely as you can as you drive through Manhattan Beach to Hermosa Beach.
From I-405, take Artesia Blvd. west to Pacific Coast Highway and go south. Turn right on Pier Ave. to reach downtown Hermosa Beach and the pier.
