Know all about Torrance, California

Don't let people befool you with any random holiday plans or suggestions and ruin all your free time that you earmarked for your vacations. You are smart enough to decide what would be the best for you because no one other than you knows what you like and dislike the most. But, we also understand your confusion as to how to finalize a name unless you are acquainted with its ins and outs. Indeed, you will be seeking others' help to pick one name that caters to all your holiday needs and goals. Fret not! We know of a place that is claimed to be a perfect holiday destination satiating to a wide gamut of people irrespective of their preferences and taste. Torrance is said to be a land that easily becomes everyone's favorite as city's popularity doesn't bank upon which region you belong to, but how wholeheartedly you embrace it. The vibes of the city are quite accommodating. Just step inside it and you would be easily swayed away.

History of Torrance

The city had its first council meeting on May 12, 1921. Union Tool Company, Pacific Electric, and Llewellyn Iron Works were the major businesses which were lured by this prospering city and made their existence there during its initial days. Torrance National Bank was the first bank established in the city. Jared Sidney Torrance, who was the resident of Pasadena, became the founding father of Torrance. Jared Sidney Torrance appointed D.C. Frederick Law Olmsted as an architect to design the city he envisioned. The foundation of Torrance was laid on October 24, 1912. This time it was incorporated officially. Gramercy became the first residential avenue in the city. Post World War II, the city witnessed a remarkable growth in its infrastructure, economy, technology and businesses. During the 1950s and 1960s, the city witnessed the establishment of whopping housing developments. Torrance underwent deplorable circumstances from 1970s to 2000s by experiencing recessions, de-industrialization, and regional economic slowdowns. Of late, the city transformed itself into a multi-cultural and diverse land with the heavy immigration of Asians.

Important Locations in Torrance

Western Museum of Flight  

Revered as an unparalleled milestone in the domain of education, the Western Museum of Flight is dedicated to preserve and display aircraft history and artifacts belonging to aviation heritage of Southern California. The museum allows its visitors to catch a glimpse of airplanes and build a profound understanding of aviation history. Through its educational programs, the museum also educates its visitors on aircraft restoration projects. Myriads of Warbirds, aircrew accessories, piston, aircraft, jet aircraft engines, aircraft ejection seats, target drones, aircraft components, and World War II instruments together make the splendid collection of the Western Museum of Flight. North American F-86 Sabre Jet, Grumman F-14A "Tomcat", British Aerospace Harrier T.4 Jump Jet, Northrop YF-17 "Cobra" (Prototype #1), Douglas A-4A Skyhawk, and many more are amongst its jaw-dropping aircraft and exhibits. Want to know more?

Madrona Marsh  

The Madrona Marsh Preserve is Los Angeles County's one of the last vestiges of vernal freshwater marshes. Back dune, vernal pool, coastal prairie, vernal marsh area, and alkali margin together make micro-habitats nestling at Madrona Marsh. These habitats allows its visitors to get engaged with the breathtaking native plant species. The Madrona Marsh Preserve has been designated as a 'Significant Ecological Area' due to its irreplaceable biological resources, support to threatened and precious species, corridors promoting species movement, promotion of component species' sustainable populations, and linkages. Hence, the Madrona Marsh preserves the physical and genetic diversity of the County. This is achieved by establishing biological resource areas. The Preserve also provides the shelter and food to the migration birds nestling on the Pacific Flyway. Visit the link for more info.

Toyota USA Automobile Museum  

It's been more than 55 years, and the glory of Toyota USA Automobile Museum is believed to be unparalleled. Its splendid collection of vintage vehicles makes this place breathtaking offering an unprecedented visual treat. It also educates its visitors on what Toyota has impact on the United States. You can also get acquainted with the inspirational and intriguing history of Toyota. It is also famed as the only Toyota Museum nestling outside Japan. 1959 Toyopet Crown Custom 4-door Sedan, 1965 Land Cruiser FJ45V Wagon, 1966 Corona, 1966 Stout 2-Wheel Drive Pick-up Truck, 1967 2000GT 2-door Coupe, 1969 Corolla, 1971 Celica St, 1982 Supra 3-door Lifback, 1989 Camry Le 4-door Sedan, 1990 Lexus LS 400 4-door Sedan, 2004 Scion xA, and 2004 Scion xB are amongst its most breathtaking collection of Toyota USA Automobile Museum. Click here for further details.

Torrance Art Museum  

Torrance Art Museum is engaged into encouraging and roping in people so as to accentuate their understanding of contemporary artwork. The museum strives achieving its mission through its educational and information-rich exhibitions lectures, artists talks, symposia, and other educational programs conducting in its gallery spaces. The museum is an incredible place to get acquainted with Southern California's contemporary artistic expression. It is also dedicated to bridging the gap between various disciplines of sciences & humanities and visual arts. THE GILDLESS AGE, THINGS THAT GET IN OUR WAY, FINAL MAS ATTACK, SOUTH BAY FOCUS 2016, and many more are amongst its most-appreciated exhibitions. Find more info here.

California Museum of Fine Art  

The California Museum of Fine Art is revered as one of the most sought-after amalgamation of art museum and fine gallery. Be it nationally or internationally-acclaimed artists, the California Museum of Fine Art provides them with a platform to showcase their talents and sell their work. It is achieved through its hands-on demonstrations, lectures, and workshops. The California Museum of Fine Art is also engaged into conducting international cultural exchange programs and supporting art education. It also allows artists to accentuate their art education and skills. Realism without Borders at Fall Exhibition, Van Gogh Lecture by Dr. William Havlicek, Nikolay Blokhin Private Exhibit, and many more are amongst its most-thronged exhibitions. Get details here.

Torrance Historical Society  

The foundation of Torrance Historical Society and Museum was laid in 1973, and it opened its doors for visitors in 1979. If you are really lured by the historical facts of Torrance and eager to go off the deep end, then the Torrance Historical Society and Museum becomes the must-visit spot for you. Its permanent as well changing exhibits are educative enough to make you acquainted with Torrance's history, development and evolution by the course of time. The museum is also indulged into promoting and propagating historical research in the city. It is also engaged into collecting, acquiring, preserving, and conserving photographs, records, oral history, data, and the associated documents based on the history of Torrance. For more details, visit the link.

Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge

The Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge is now known as the 'Pacific Electric Railway- El Prado Bridge'. This double-tracked arch bridge traverses throughout Torrance Boulevard at Bow Street. You would love to say thanks to Irving Gill who was the mastermind behind this architectural wonder. He laid the foundation of Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge in 1913. On July 13, 1989, Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge was honored by being placed on the list of the National Register of Historic Places. After Torrance High School, it became the second spot in the city to make an entry on the list of National Register of Historic Places. Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge was also acknowledged by the California Office of Historic Preservation.

People and Culture of Torrance

When it comes to uplifting its culture and flourishing it wholeheartedly, Torrance nails it, and there are myriads of arts and cultural centers thriving that are actively participating in escalating the culture scene of the city. Torrance Cultural Arts Center, Torrance Civic Chorale, Torrance Art Museum, Torrance Theatre Company, and many other cultural institutions are revered as the trademarks setting examples for Torrance's rivals by flourishing its culture and widening the horizons of its community. More than 147,181 people call Torrance their home and they are proud of being a resident of the this vibrant and diverse city. According to them, their ideas, beliefs, values, notions, and opinions are entertained and welcomed irrespective of their backgrounds, cultures and religions. Thus, Torrance is a happy land of diverse sections of religions, castes, and ethnicity. Whites, blacks or African Americans, American Indians, Alaska Natives, Asian Indians, Chinese, Filipinos, Japanese, Koreans, Vietnamese, Native Hawaiians, Guamanian or Chamorros, Samoans, Mexicans, Puerto Ricans, and Cubans together form the racial make-up of the city.

Time Zone and Phone Codes of Torrance

Torrance is in Pacific Time Zone (UTC-8). The Summer Daylight Saving Time (DST) is Pacific Daylight Time (UTC-7).

Standard time zone: UTC/GMT-8
Daylight saving time: 1 hour
Current time zone offset: UTC/GMT-7
Time zone abbreviation: PDT

Phone Codes of Torrance: 310 and 424

Best Time to Visit Torrance

A wave of gentle breeze traverses throughout the city around April 16 making it pleasant for tourists. The time period between December 14 and January 13 is said to be the most ideal time to explore the city as it remains free from muggy as well as dry air. A wave of light breeze wafts throughout the city around January 4.

A Map Guide on Torrance's Important Locations