Hermosa Beach and Pier

LA is just so nice when you get off the freeway! When I'm trapped on the LA freeways, I always think "WHY? WHY did I come here?" But, once I get off the freeway to one of LA's amazing beaches or parks, I think, "I could live here."

Hermosa Beach is one of the nicest. The beach itself is wide and spacious, and the sand is gorgeously clean. The water is a million shades of perfect blue. And the pier, being concrete with white metal railings, is clean of bird poop and lovelier than most piers! The sight as you walk along the pier is blissful- the white lines that stretch before you, the yellow sand, the blue sea! Sit on one of the new, wooden benches and watch the surfers glide by!
As you look back at the beach from the pier, it's amazing to see how built up the area is. Every possible space has been built on!
Everywhere around you there is action, action, action! Lots of mommies push their kids in strollers along the wide bike path that runs all the way from Santa Monica in the north to Torrance Beach in the south. Roller skaters, bike riders, and volleyball players enjoy the endless sunshine and crisp ocean air. 
People sit out at the cafes in the pedestrian-only square that fronts the pier. Here, palms full of chirping green parrots line up alongside fun-looking stores and restaurants. Hennessey's Pub has a rooftop balcony with a gorgeous view of the beach and Palos Verdes. Up on the roof you are surrounded by glass that keeps you warm and also provides 270-degree views. Their food is great too- try the California Citrus Salad, or the Prime Steak. They have dinner specials that are a deal! Hermosa Ave, which runs parallel to the beach one block back also has some cafes, a Starbucks, and some nice historic buildings. 13th Street (The Strand), just off of Beach Drive, around the corner from the Pier, has a very popular breakfast spot called Good Stuff where you can sit outside and look at the beach. 
In the 50s and 60s, Hermosa Beach had a big Latin Jazz scene, with such famous musicians as Mongo Santamaria and Eddie Palmieri livening up the scene.
A fun place for kids nearby is Redondo Pier, where there's a circular pier with nice decorations, shops, and an arcade game place below the pier.

Directions

From LAX, take the Pacific Coast Hwy (Hwy 1) south all the way here. Once you reach the town of Hermosa Beach, simply turn towards the ocean on Pier Avenue and find a parking space along the road. Bring quarters for the metered parking.
Hennessey's Tavern, 8 Pier Ave, call (310) 372-5759.
Good Stuff, 1286 The Strand, call (310) 374-2334.

Click on map for interactive view