Los Angeles

Part quaint beach town, part post-college town, Hermosa Beach incubated Black Flag, the Descendents and The Beach Boys. An unusual combination of homey and hoppin', you'll know you're there when you begin to notice the street signs, which are brown with an almost antique typeface. Hermosa is anything but outdated, however. Whether you want to stroll through an art gallery with a latte, blade on the Strand, or catch the sunset with a margarita during happy hour, you'll find somewhere to do it near the cross streets of Pier and Hermosa Avenues. Make sure to stop by statue of Tim Kelly surfing that's right on the pier.

Landmarks

• Hermosa Beach Fishing Pier • Pier Ave
Just bring your pole. There are bait and tackle shops right on the pier.

Nightlife

• Café Boogaloo • 1238 Hermosa Ave
310-308-4326
New Orleans café with live music. Attracts 30+ crowd.

• Comedy & Magic Club • 1018 Hermosa Ave
310-372-1193
Off-Hollywood club with an all-star lineup.

• Dolphin Bar • 1995 Artesia Blvd
310-318-3339
South Bay’s only gay bar; cheap drinks and fun regulars.

• Fat Face Fenner’s Fishack • 53 Pier Ave
310-379-5550
A local hangout: more bar, less nightclub.

• Hermosa Beach Yacht Club • 66 Hermosa Ave
310-376-6767
No ships are pulling in this port. Local dive with schooners of beer.

• Patrick Molloys • 50 Pier Ave
310-798-9762
Good brews on tap inside and a shorter line outside.

• Poop Deck • 1272 The Strand
310-376-3223
Guy paradise with lots of games. Pool, cheap beer and back patio.

• Saint Rocke • 142 Pacific Coast Hwy
310-372-0035
Variety of live music. Becomes a piano bar on Tuesday nights.

• Underground Pub & Grill • 1334 Hermosa Ave
310-318-3818
English themed sports pub with darts and pool. Attracts the ex-pats.

Restaurants

• Big Mike’s Philly Steaks & Subs • 1314 Hermosa Ave
310-798-1499 • $
Best cheese steaks west of Philly.

• The Bottle Inn • 26 22nd St
310-376-9595 • $$$
Campy old school Italian restaurant with phenomenal wine list.

• Buona Vita • 439 Pier Ave
310-379-7626 • $$
Best Italian in town. BYO vino.

• Créme de la Crepe • 424 Pier Ave
310-937-2822 • $$
Savory or sweet. How do you say "yum" in French?

• El Burrito Jr • 919 Pacific Coast Hwy
310-316-5058 • $
Always a line outside this amazingly authentic Mexican food stand.

• El Gringo • 2620 Hermosa Ave
310-376-1381 • $
Cheap Mexican. Enjoy 2 for 1 tacos on Tuesday and sit on the open air roof.

• Fritto Misto • 316 Pier Ave
310-318-6098 • $$
Create your own pasta combo or choose a house special.

• Good Stuff on the Strand • 1286 The Strand
310-374-2334 • $$
Fabulous people watching on the Strand. Oh, and they have good healthy food too.

• Havana Mania • 3615 Inglewood Ave
310-725-9075 • $$
Cuban cuisine at its finest!

• Hennessey’s Tavern • 8 Pier Ave
310-372-5759 • $$
Californian favorites.

• La Sosta Enoteca • 2700 Manhattan Ave
310-318-1556 • $$$
An Italian gem with charming waiters.

• Martha’s 22nd Street Grill • 25 22nd St
310-376-7786 • $$
American fusion.

• Paisanos • 1132 Hermosa Ave
310-376-9883 • $
Pizza straight from New York.

• Pedone’s Pizza • 1332 Hermosa Ave
310-376-0949 • $
One of the few places at the beach where you can get NY-style pizza.

• Phuket Thai • 901 N Pacific Coast Hwy
310-374-9598 • $$
Try to say the name out loud without giggling! Tasty thai in pretty setting.

If you're under 25 or over 30 and experiencing a midlife crisis, Pier Avenue is the place to go for a night out. Go early or spend the evening standing in queue on the pier. The dress code includes bleached hair, flip-flops, and cheap shades. Patrick Molloy's represents all that's typical of the Hermosa scene (practice saying "dude," "like," and "that's so random" like you mean it).

Shopping

• Aardvarks • 2621 Artesia Blvd
310-370-6500
Vintage clothes and great costumes all year round.

• Stars Antique Market • 526 Pier Ave
310-318-2800
Grandma’s barn in a beach town.

• Yak & Yeti • 1124 Hermosa Ave
310-372-4315
Best Tibetan shop for Buddha statues or singing bowls.

• Yari • 327 Pier Ave
310-937-9800
Trendy, affordable clothing that doesn’t fall apart.