Hermosa Beach

Welcome to Hermosa Beach

The Best Little Beach City

A sunny small beach city of 1.4 square miles, Hermosa Beach sits at the center of Los Angeles County’s South Bay coastline along the Santa Monica Bay. The town is the very essence of the Southern California lifestyle, with an average of 283 sunny days per year and nighttime temperatures that rarely dip below 50 degrees. With two miles of sandy beach shoreline, Hermosa attracts more than a million visitors to the beach each year.

Essence of SOCAL Style

The small-town charm of Hermosa Beach is highlighted in commercial areas like Pier Avenue, well known for its many diverse restaurants and local retailers. There are architecturally diverse residences on the Strand, bungalows scattered throughout the town, and multi-level homes with ocean views.

The beachfront sidewalk called The Strand is the Hermosa Beach thoroughfare for the active set, from bicyclists and runners to walkers. Joining them in some form of people-powered locomotion is the obvious activity, but people-watching is also excellent. You can rent bicycles and other beach gear at several shops near the pier. Shops up the hill from the beach on Pier Avenue also rent surfboards, and some offer surfing lessons.

The People and Lifestyle

Outdoor activities such as beach volleyball, surfing, skateboarding, and biking are quintessential to the Hermosa Beach culture. Other favorite activities include jogging or walking along the Greenbelt or the Strand, the paved path paralleling the beach, and connecting Hermosa Beach to cities up and down the Santa Monica Bay coastline.

This lively beach city is also well known for its entertainment offerings including live music from rock to blues to jazz. Festivals, special events, and summer concerts occur throughout the year. The three-day weekends of Memorial Day and Labor Day bring thousands of visitors to the Fiesta Hermosa street fair, which has been a tradition for many years, and features hundreds of crafters and artists, and live bands.

Insider Tips

(Parks, entertainment, and clubs)

Peninsula and Beach Cities:

• Rancho Palos Verdes Beach

• Santa Monica

Parks:

• Clark Field

• Valley Park

Entertainment

Comedy and Magic Club

Lots of locals know this, but few outsiders realize that Jay Leno hasn't completely retired. In fact, he performs here regularly on Sunday nights, something he did even when hosting his late night show.

Community Theater

The Hermosa Beach Community Theatre is a 502-seat theatre and a favorite venue for Youth Musical Theatre groups, film premieres, dance productions, and a variety of shows that offer residents of Hermosa Beach the chance to experience the wonders of cultural arts.

Hermosa Pier

The Hermosa Pier affords great views and is a favorite spot for local fishermen. Bring your own pole to cast a line or watch others reel 'em in.

Where to Stay In Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach Parking Tips

You'll find paid parking lots at Hermosa Ave and 11th St, Hermosa Ave & 13th Street, and 13th Court at 13th Street. Otherwise, most other spots are metered. You can also use the ParkMe app to find parking lots and find out how much they cost. Or just take an Uber or Lyft to get there and avoid the parking hassles altogether.

Education

The Hermosa Beach City School District, consistently recognized as a California Distinguished School, offers a high-quality education to students in kindergarten through eighth grade, while high schoolers attend Mira Costa or Redondo Union High Schools.

School

Two public elementary and middle schools: Hermosa View (K-3) and Hermosa Valley (grades 4-8) with North School elementary under pending construction. Serviced by two out-of-city high schools in Redondo Beach (Redondo Union) and Manhattan Beach (Mira Costa). One Catholic school (pre-school to grade 8) and one private school serving middle and high school students.