Harbor - Torrance, CA

Harbor City began as part of the Spanish land grant Rancho San Pedro and eventually became part of the larger Los Angeles area along with Willington and San Pedro. Since then the population boomed and Harbor has become a sprawling residential and business center. If you want to learn more about the area’s history, stop in to the nearby Lomita Railroad Museum or Torrance Historical Society Museum.

Harbor City’s residents head over to neighboring San Pedro for the annual Lobster Festival, held every autumn. There you can taste world famous lobster and listen to live music on the harbor.

Cuisine in the Harbor City area presents an array of colorful fresh seafood from the nearby harbor blended with a touch unique Los Angeles flavors.

Maricela's Bionicos y Antojitos creates a unique fusion of Mexican and Asian cuisines. Be sure to try one of the most popular dishes, the fresh Thai wrap, which includes chicken, crushed peanuts and fresh veggies smothered in a spicy dressing. Refresh yourself with a raspado, the Mexican rendition of shaved ice, featuring flavors such as chocolate, vanilla and coconut. Warm up on a chilly day with the pork or chicken pozole soup.

Lomita Thai Cafe dishes out authentic freshly prepared Thai dishes. Savor the flavors of the duck curry, which features roasted duck, pineapple and tomato in red curry sauce. Check out Lomita's signature dish, Lomita noodles, which includes shrimp, scallops and mussels pan-fried with rice noodles in a special sauce. Be sure to stop in between Noon and 3 p.m. for the inexpensive lunch specials.

Don't miss the rich flavors of seafood freshly caught from the nearby ocean featured at Baja Fish Grill. Order up some white roughy grilled fish smothered in garlic butter sauce with a side of rice, coleslaw and freshly baked bread, or kick back with an order of flavorful beer-battered fish tacos and a cold beer for a relaxing afternoon treat.

When it comes to nightlife, many locals enjoy relaxing at Sahara Hookah Lounge and listening to some good tunes in the laid-back atmosphere. Be sure to stop in to O' Hearn's Pub for a good time and a cold beer, as well. Shoot some pool, sing karaoke or kick back for a live performance. Order up a burger, and sip a cocktail as you catch up with friends and watch the game.

Commuters enjoy easy access to nearby Los Angeles; it generally takes around 38 minutes to drive from Harbor City to the center of Los Angeles via Interstate-110 North. Those who choose to drive their own cars will find several public parking ramps and lots scattered throughout the area.

Numerous public metro routes run through the Harbor City area as well, making getting around to the surrounding Los Angeles area a breeze without a car. Getting to the center of Los Angeles from Harbor City takes about an hour and a half by public transportation via route 910.

Harbor City has bike trails that run along Machado lake and around the area as well as plenty of walking trails and sidewalks, making the area highly walkable.

Hailing a cab is easy when you use Uber, a taxi service that provides regular service to the area.

Spend your afternoon at Ken Mallow Harbor Regional Park for a hike through the park’s trails along the lake. Take the kids to feed the ducks or play on the well-maintained playground. This park is also dog-friendly, so feel free to grab your canine comanions and take them for a walk around the park too. Have a barbecue in the picnic area, and enjoy the pristine natural beauty of this regional park.

If you’re looking to get in shape, be sure to check out nearby Lomita Park, which features both tennis and basketball courts, baseball and soccer fields and a playground. Outdoor fitness equipment located around the park can be used free of charge. This park also sometimes hosts community events and get-togethers.

The rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the Harbor City area generally costs around $910-945 along Lomita Boulevard and 260th Street.

Gas prices in the Harbor City area settle around 11 percent higher than the national average. You can grab a beer at a local pub for around $7, and a ride on the local metro bus runs $1.75. The cost of the living in Harbor City ends up being slightly higher than the Los Angeles average, but this does not seem to bother the residents, who fully enjoy the beautiful surrounding and varied entertainment and dining options that make Harbor City a prime place to call home.

When the mood for a shopping spree strikes, you can visit Saver's Thrift Stores for some bargain deals or Walgreens for those little things you need around the home. Harbor City does not provide a lot in the way of boutique stores, although you can easily head over to neighboring Lomita to check out stores such as Butter 2 Honey Boutique and Debbie's Chic Boutique. Butter 2 Honey is a unique shop that provides fashionable vintage items such as accessories, shoes and clothes. Pick up some groceries from stores such as Fresh & Easy, Albertson's or Sam's Market. Farmer's Big 7 Market provides an array of fresh produce from local farmers as well as a large selection of imported authentic spices. Keep it fresh when you head to South Bay Kaiser Farmers' Market, which is initiated by the Model Neighborhood Program. You can find local and organic products such as such as apples from the orchard, handmade salsas, dried fruits and freshly cut flowers. Kaiser's Farmers' Market also promotes a special gift card that you can purchase and share with your friends and family.