Free admission for all with a suggested donation of $5, a small neighborhood museum with rotating…read moreexhibits that reflect current events.

I would call this a hidden gem in Torrance. I had heard about it, but finally decided to visit…read more Best part, it's free. No charge. It's located in the civic center, in the back, so you can't see it off of the street. It's almost a game of hide and seek, where you need to find it. Even when I did finally find it, I wasn't sure I was at the right place or if it was even open. However, I was not disappointed when I finally walked inside. It's a teeny place. More like a gallery than what I would call a museum. Open floor plan. Great art though. An eclectic collection of paintings and mixed media when I visited. There were a couple other parties viewing the artwork. Not crowded. Parking: Free lot.

The 2024-2025 NBA season kicked off today and what better place to kick off basketball season than…read morewith a visit to the Kobe Bryant Mural located in Torrance! Painted by Mike Trujillo; the mural highlights Kobe's basketball journey via all his jerseys. The mural starts off on the left with a painting showasing when he played high-school basketball at Lower Merion High School and wore #33. The mural then shows how he first wore #8 for the Lakers for when was first drafted and on to when he won three championships in 2000, 2001, and 2002. The mural next highlights him wearing the #10 jersey for the USA men's basketball team at the 2008 and 2012 Olympic Games. Lastly it shows Kobe sporting #24 starting in the 2006-07 season; all the way till he retired in 2016. I also loved how the mural had purple and gold hues for the background. This is an amazing mural to see and it can be easily missed as it is on the backside of the Burger City restaurant in Torrance. I definitely say though it is one not to pass up seeing as it's a great tribute to Kobe via showcasing all of Kobe's jerseys from the start to the finish of his career. This mural is something Lakers and basketball fans will truly appreciate. I know I certainly did!

Public art in Torrance, California…read more.. My friend, Craig Y., knew that there was a relatively new Kobe Bryant mural in his hometown. He tried to figure out where it was located on Torrance Boulevard. We found it in Old Town Torrance... on the wall of Burger City Grill. It's by Mike Trujillo and is awesome! The gigantic mural has great illumination at night! It includes all of the numbers that Kobe wore: from High School, to the Olympics, and when we was with the Lakers! Look for Kobe's Academy Award! It's very cool - go see it!

Best pinball room in all of LA! Beer are good. Vibe is chill. Pool table in back, Jukebox, Karaoke…read moreNights, Pinball tournaments, Trivia and occasional Live bands. My personal favorite brewery.

Cool little brewery. Very aesthetic, decent beer selection. Just wishes breweries would remember…read morethere are other types other of beer other than IPA's... Just missing is some full time food. Personally I order more beer when you have something to snack on. More vendors or trucks would def be an upgrade. The arcades & pinball machines are a chefs kiss tho.

I think this is my favorite art gallery of all time, and it's gate kept for a good reason. The…read moreliteral entrance is modeled after ancient Chinese palace gates, how's that for gate keeping? Anyway, for those not in the know, Chen Art Gallery is tucked away in the Sunrider office building. You have to call to make an appointment and parking is free on the street. But it's all free so book away! Anyway, once you're in, there's a heavy emphasis on no phones or photography, and you'll discover why once you step foot inside. Holly was an amazing tour guide and knows her Chinese history really well, better than most of us probably. Anyway, where to even start? There's 15 rooms of artifacts from all dynasties of China, as young as Qing dynasty up to the 19th century to as old as 3000BC. And you'll be seeing things from authentic thrones to lavish silk embroideries to beautiful jade to sculptures to ceramics to gold, gold and more gold. Everything is carefully curated and honestly, if photos got out, big museums might hound them to borrow their exhibits hah! Anyway, you will be blown away by the sheer proportion of this lowkey museum/art gallery and by the sheer quantity AND quality of everything in here. This is a must visit and I'm very lucky to live so close by cause I hope to visit again in the future. Props to Dr. Chen for having such good taste and literally paying for all of this!

Amazing historical art , well worth the time spent. The docent was well informed and provided…read moreamazing insights into the history and values of these incredible art pieces

This was my first time ever stopping here, and boy was I impressed for a public facility! For those…read moreof you who are ever in the area and need to print out a few forms or documents, you can't beat this library. Your first 10 printouts are free. And while my home public library in Culver City is up to the task and gets the job done, the environment here is on another level all together. Perhaps it has something to do with looking out on the mighty Pacific right? Lol Leslie and Ann were super helpful immediately upon entry as my guest and I had never been here before. In addition to their great customer service, the cleanliness of the facility also stands out. Would highly recommend to anyone.

I visited this library for the first time yesterday, and I was impressed at this facility. Parking…read moreis free (at least for two hours) if you park at the lot that is connected to the library. You can either walk around or cut through the path to get to the main entrance. The bottom floor is mostly kids media as well as DVDs, and when I went the library itself was pretty quiet, so that was a pleasant surprise. The construction of the building was nice to look at as well, with a lot of glass and stainless steel, and there were also a ton of art features, such as the hanging jellyfish when you walk up the stairs to the second floor. There are rentable study rooms, but also a good amount of tables and chairs, and most of the tables had their own outlets to use as well, making this a great place to study. I took up a spot at a table that faced the ocean, and it was just so calm and serene. I would come again, as it wasn't too busy from 1-3 PM.

What a cute little store! I stopped by after grabbing coffee by the shop next to it…read more This place definitely has items for yourself, friends family or kids! I saw some really high quality figurines. The selection is pretty broad with things varying from Star Wars, the simpsons, hello kitty, minions, anime, etc. they have a lot! I ended up purchasing some cute anatomy organ stickers here! The service was great and the gentleman that helped me was very warm and welcoming. I assume he was the owner of the shop but he was kind, informative and answered any questions we had!

I loved this little shop. Kind service, wonderful selection of figures, and high value items and…read morecollectibles. I'm so happy it exists and hope to visit again the next time I'm nearby.

Another shop with cute blind boxes, kawaii and anime character goods, stationery etc. Reminds me of…read moreTokyo Lifestyle if anything, though with much more independent series due to the blind boxes. Staff was friendly and welcomed us in. It was also the first place in the states where I've seen the Dodgers Chiikawa and the Cubs Usagi and Hachiware. I can't speak confidently about the authenticity of some of these items, but it's worth stopping by if you're doing a price comparison gauntlet of blind boxes or a common item with all the shops at this mall.

Lots of plush, model kits and figurines, prices are a bit high but understandable due to their…read morelocation in the mall. Staff was friendly, store is well organized.

VEFA is one of the most exciting additions to the Los Angeles art scene and a true cultural gem in…read morethe South Bay. Located on Hawthorne Boulevard, this innovative gallery has created a space where emerging talent and internationally established artists are celebrated side by side. Every visit offers something extraordinary. I've had the opportunity to meet remarkable artists, including Andy Scott, the sculptor and designer of The Kelpies, Scotland's magnificent monumental horse-head sculptures. I've also met acclaimed street artists such as Rick Rock, along with artists from around the world whose work spans an impressive range of styles and genres. VEFA is far more than an art gallery--it's a complete artistic experience. The gallery seamlessly weaves together fine art with exceptional food, music, and dance, creating unforgettable evenings. One of the highlights was a spectacular Salvador Dalí-themed dinner, featuring recipes created by Salvador Dalí himself. It was imaginative, immersive, and unlike anything else I've experienced. The venue is magnificent. Housed in a beautifully transformed building that began life as a bank and later served as a doctor's office, the architecture has been reinvented into a vibrant, contemporary gallery. Even the restrooms are works of art and worth seeing on their own. The current exhibitions feature outstanding fine artists, including Michael Dargas, Alexandra Manukyan, Rino Gonzalez, and my personal favorite, Kenya Verse. The quality of the artwork is exceptional, and every exhibition demonstrates VEFA's commitment to presenting museum-quality fine art. VEFA also champions artists, providing opportunities for both rising and established talent while fostering a welcoming community for collectors, art lovers, and creatives alike. Whether you're a seasoned collector or simply someone who appreciates beauty and creativity, VEFA is a destination not to be missed. It is bold, imaginative, beautifully curated, and has become one of Southern California's premier destinations for contemporary fine art.

VEFA Gallery is truly one of the best places to buy art in Southern California. From the moment you…read morewalk in, you can feel that this is more than just a gallery. The space is beautifully curated, modern, and inviting while still feeling intimate and intentional. The artwork is exceptional. Every exhibition feels thoughtfully put together and showcases artists with real depth and meaning behind their work. You can tell the team genuinely cares about what they present. Whether you are a first time buyer or an experienced collector, they take the time to educate you and make the experience feel comfortable and exciting without any pressure. The professionalism is also on another level. They communicate clearly, handle logistics smoothly, and make the entire process seamless. Buying art here feels elevated and inspiring. If you are serious about collecting or even just starting your journey, VEFA Gallery is absolutely a place you should visit. It is a great place to buy art and a space that truly respects both the artists and the collectors.

We came for a 6 year old slime birthday party and it was sooooo much fun!…read more Ms Angelique is a kindergarten teacher and owner of Creative Joy Studio and she just exudes positive energy. The girls all had a blast and they all left with two slimes they made themselves. There are so many themed kids and adult parties you can choose from. The studio is tucked near the older part of Del Amo Mall near Burlington Coat Factory. I had no idea it was here but now I really hope more people discover this gem.

Wonderful environment, easy to find, very pleasant staff.....as we walked in we were greeted by the…read moreowner, the staff were very accommodating.

We visited specifically because we wanted to see the trolls, and we were definitely not…read moredisappointed! It was like a little scavenger hunt finding each of them in the gardens. And they were absolutely darling! We were inspired to go visit other of Thomas Dambo's trolls after this visit. The gardens themselves are striking. Wide open spaces, beautiful greens, and lots of thought given to the way you move through the regions. It is such a special place. The gardens are easy to find. You'll find ample signage from the freeway. Plenty of free parking in the dedicated lot, and good dining options nearby if you're visiting during meal times.

We absolutely loved spending the afternoon at the South Coast Botanic Garden! It is such a…read morebeautiful and peaceful place to explore. We enjoyed wandering through the stunning gardens, admiring the variety of trees, plants and flowers, and even watching the playful squirrels along the way. I loved the rose garden and its beautiful scent. We packed a picnic and enjoyed a delicious charcuterie board while relaxing in one of the shaded areas, which made the visit even more special. We also purchased tickets to the butterfly garden, and it was such a fun experience--definitely worth it! Everyone we encountered was incredibly friendly, welcoming, and helpful. As we were leaving, they were setting up for the Thursday evening Music in the Garden event, which looked like so much fun. We'll definitely be coming back to experience that one day as well. A wonderful place to spend a few hours--we highly recommend it