Top 10 Things to Do in Hermosa Beach, CA
From the Strand to the Surf, Explore this Casual Beach Town in LA!
From sand to surf to Shakespeare by the Sea, the area is teeming with activities you won’t soon forget. Check out our top 10 things to do in Hermosa Beach, CA handpicked by our in-the-know team members to ensure you make the most of your stay in this easygoing Cali town.
Top 10 Things to Do in Hermosa Beach:
The Strand
The Strand, which runs from Hermosa to Manhattan Beach, is perfect for biking and rollerblading. Surrounded by shops and ocean views, The Strand is the most exciting place to get out and enjoy the Cali sun in style.
The Comedy & Magic Club
1018 Hermosa Avenue
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 372-1193
Jay Leno is a regular Sunday night feature at this well-loved comedy venue in Hermosa Beach as well as many other favorite comics. Arrive early to dine to assure good seats and take advantage of their nearby rooftop parking to ensure a side-splitting hilarious evening of fun.
Fiesta Hermosa
The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce has produced Fiesta Hermosa since 1972. It is known as the ”largest arts & crafts fair in Southern California”. More than 300 artists and crafters exhibit, including painters, photographers, ceramicists, jewelers, sculptors, and handcrafters. Taking place every Memorial Day and Labor Day Weekend (Saturday, Sunday and Monday) in downtown Hermosa Beach, California with the ocean as a backdrop. Hermosa Beach’s Fiesta Hermosa is a perfect place for a summer festival with temperatures of 80 degrees and pleasant sea breezes.
International Surf Festival
Possibly the biggest sports weekend of the year in the South Bay, the International Surf Festival annually returns to Manhattan, Hermosa and Redondo Beach. An athletic competition encompassing several events, it spans 3 days and is non-stop activity. The Festival has events throughout the weekend centered in the beach and ocean, including a Bodysurfing Championship, Surf Contest, Lifeguard Competition, Sand Soccer, Paddleboard Race and more. The favorite of the contests is properly known as the Charlie Saikley Volleyball Tournament- but most people refer to it as the 6-man.
The Lighthouse Café
30 Pier Avenue
Hermosa Beach, CA 90254
(310) 376-9833
The Lighthouse Café has hosted some of America’s most famous jazz artists and is one of the famous West Coast venues of the music’s history. A modestly sized establishment, it now hosts a mix of musical genres with Wednesday night reggae bands, Tuesday night open mic and well-known rock artists on the weekends with matinee jazz shows.
Shakespeare by the Sea
An organization that presents the works of “the bard” free to the public across Southern California, Shakespeare by the Sea is presented in Hermosa Beach as well as locales such as Newport beach and Pasadena. Among Hermosa Beach activities, this is one you won’t want to miss.
Hermosa Beach Farmer’s Market
Every Friday afternoon at the Hermosa Beach Farmers Market a cornucopia of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers can be found. Shoppers will be elated to find fruits and vegetables that are fresh-picked, vine- and tree-ripened, and sold by licensed farmers who cultivate the products at local farms.
Hermosa Beach Film Festival
The two Chapter Beach Shorts Film Fest events dedicates the first chapter to short films with surfing or beach lifestyles as the central theme. The screening night is a popular and entertaining family event that unites amateur and professional filmmakers from the South Bay and surrounding areas.
Hermosa IronMan
The most notorious event held in the South Bay area is the July 4th Hermosa Beach ironman competition. Participants must run a mile, paddle a surfboard a mile and then consume a six-pack of their favorite beer; the first one to hold down their beverages is the winner.
Surfing & Paddle Boarding
A famous beach would seem strangely empty if it were not for surfers. Whether you like hanging ten or using an oar there are many opportunities to employ a range of sea going vessels with hire shops abounding on Hermosa beach.