Hermosa Beach

Hermosa Beach is a lively South Bay beach town centered on Pier Plaza at 1 Pier Plaza in Hermosa Beach, California, about 20 miles (32 km) southwest of downtown Los Angeles. The beach has wide, soft, light sand and a gently sloping shoreline, with blue-green Pacific water that is moderately clear in summer. It is a long, open strand with regular surf, which suits swimmers near the lifeguard towers and also attracts surfers, bodyboarders and paddlers. Hermosa has a livelier, younger and more social mood than neighboring Manhattan Beach, with a larger weekend crowd. The Hermosa Beach Pier extends from the plaza, and the pedestrian Pier Plaza is lined with restaurants, bars and cafes, while the Strand, the paved path that runs along the sand, is used by walkers, joggers, cyclists and skaters. Beach volleyball courts are a central feature, and the town has a long history with the sport, with courts spread along the sand and matches played on most sunny days. Amenities include lifeguards through the day in the warm season, restrooms, showers and fire pits that may be used under city rules, along with food and drink along Hermosa Avenue and the plaza. Parking is in metered lots near the pier and on surrounding streets, which fill quickly on summer weekends, and some streets have time limits or permit rules. Access is by car or rideshare, and there is no direct rail service to the beach, though bus lines serve the South Bay. The Strand continues north toward Manhattan Beach and south toward Redondo Beach, allowing visitors to link several beaches in a single walk or ride. Evenings are busy near the plaza, where restaurants and live music venues stay open late, so visitors seeking quiet may prefer a weekday morning or the northern end of the sand.