Hermosa Beach beach vacation rentals

About a half-hour drive from the high-rise glitter of Los Angeles, Hermosa Beach is the surf town you see in movies about Southern California culture — literally. Several blockbuster movies and television shows have repurposed Hermosa’s sandy shores to depict their versions of California beach life. Once a bohemian mecca, Hermosa’s streets used to be dotted with shops peddling incense and vintage clothes; later it birthed legendary punk bands. A ritzier side has since crept into town. Many of those hippie outposts have been replaced by boutiques, while ornate mansions are sandwiched among the low-slung bungalows that line the beach. One thing that hasn’t changed: surfers arrive in the early morning and swimwear-clad athletes thwack volleyballs at public nets all year long.

Summer guarantees a surplus of hot days perfect for lounging on the beach, swimming in the cool Pacific surf, and optimal people watching. That said, the sun shines year-round in Hermosa, and even in December the shore is alive with beachgoers, as well as folks roaming the Strand (a popular paved pathway) in flip-flops and shorts. Hermosa is a city that likes to celebrate, and hosts several well-attended outdoor gatherings throughout the year, including Halloween and New Year’s.

Pier Avenue

Hermosa’s diminutive downtown is clustered around a few blocks of Pier Avenue, which terminates at the Hermosa Pier. Grab a coffee at the longtime local favorite cafe built inside a 1920s bungalow, and wander this strip lined with boutiques, restaurants, and bars. At the intersection of Pier and Hermosa Avenue you’ll find a painted utility box that pays homage to several local punk bands. Cross the street and you’ll arrive at a courtyard with more shops, before being spit out in front of a bronze statue of a surfer that welcomes visitors to the pier. Walk to the end and you’ll find an ideal spot for watching the sunset.

The Strand

This paved esplanade that connects Hermosa to Santa Monica in the north is the city’s main artery, where skateboarders, cyclists, and joggers converge. Little kids, dogs, and sun-blasted long-timers all flow through here. Rent a bike and go for a leisurely ride on this smooth, flat thoroughfare. It’s flanked on one side by scenic beaches and on the other with a mix of architecture ranging from glass-front modern to beach shack, as well as plenty of places to grab refreshments.

Hermosa Valley Greenbelt

Stretching between Hermosa Beach and nearby Manhattan Beach, this tranquil 3.7-mile walking path is the Strand’s less buzzy inland twin. Built on the site of a former railroad corridor, the wide woodchip-lined path is overhung with trees and appointed with butterfly gardens, benches, and outdoor exercise stations. Pair it with the Strand to make a loop through the two cities, experiencing totally different environments at start and end.