Leisure activities

Things To Do In Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes and Torrance!

ARTS AND ENTERTAINMENT

• Palos Verdes Art Center
Changing exhibits feature a range of arts, from photography to watercolor painting to sculpture, and exciting classes are on offer for both children and adults. The center also has a ceramic studio and gift shop. Special events throughout the year include the "Concours D'elegance", "Art for Fun(d)s Sake" and holiday art camps for children.
http://www.pvartcenter.org

• The Peninsula Symphony Orchestra
Under Maestro Joseph Valenti, the Peninsula Symphony presents four annual concerts and hosts an annual Summer Fest, a "Young Musician's Performance Competition Showcase", and other special family concerts in summer.
http://www.palosverdes.com/symphony/

• Palos Verdes Symphonic Band
This non-profit community band plays concerts at a number of different venues in the South Bay and neighboring communities. Their repertoire includes classical, Big Band jazz, show tunes, and marches.
http://www.palosverdes.com/pvsb/index.htm

• Los Cancioneros Master Chorale
Since its founding in Torrance in 1949, Chorale membership has grown to more than 50 members drawn from the entire South Bay area. LCMC produces four concerts each season, presenting diverse and musically challenging works from both sacred and secular composers.
http://www.lcmasterchorale.com/

• Norris Theater
This elegant modern facility in Rancho Palos Verdes hosts dance, drama, and musical productions and seats 450.
http://www.norristheatre.com/

• Torrance Cultural Arts Center
The center offers a wide range of artistic events including opera, ballet, concerts and theatrical productions; the Joslyn Fine Arts Gallery shows contemporary modern art.
http://www.tcac.torrnet.com/

• Torrance Historical Society Museum
The Torrance Historical Society's collection of photos, documents, books and artifacts is housed in a historical building in old downtown Torrance.
http://www.visittorrance.com/historical.htm

• El Camino Center of the Arts
On campus at El Camino College, the centre showcases a wide range of visual arts, music, plays and cultural events.
http://www.elcamino.edu/centerforthearts/

• San Pedro Ballet
The company presents performances in Torrance, including "The Nutcracker" every December. They also hold performance workshops throughout the city of Los Angeles.
http://www.sanpedrocityballet.com/main/

• Cabrillo Marine Aquarium and Museum
Located just steps from the ocean in nearby San Pedro, this non-profit aquarium is host to a variety of Southern Californian marine life. Beach walks and classes are designed promote awareness and respect?many are geared towards children.
http://www.cabrilloaq.org/

• Los Angeles Maritime Museum
This museum of maritime history includes 700 ship models and other nautical paraphernalia. Changing exhibits explore the maritime history of Southern California, while the Los Angeles Maritime Institute provides sail-training opportunities for students year-round.
http://www.lamaritimemuseum.org/

• Los Angeles Attractions
Residents of Palos Verdes Estates, Rancho Palos Verdes, and Torrance benefit from their closeness to Los Angeles and all that the city has to offer, including all of Southern California's most popular attractions including Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, Universal Studios, NBC Television Studios, Paramount Pictures, the Los Angeles Zoo and Six Flags Magic Mountain.
http://losangeles.citysearch.com/section/attractions/?cslink=yahoo-losangeles_attractions&brand=yahoo

SPORTS AND RECREATION

• Trump National Estates and Golf Course
The Peninsula's newest public course, Trump National Golf Course was designed by Pete Dye and features panoramic ocean views from every hole. The clubhouse has 2 excellent restaurants and is a popular location for wedding receptions.
http://www.trumpgolf.com/

• Los Verdes Golf Course and Country Club
Los Verdes is an 18-hole bent grass course, situated on the cliffs overlooking the Pacific. Water is in play on several holes in this challenging public course.
http://www.click4teetimes.com/course.asp?c=714

• Palos Verdes Stables
Horseback riding and stables for hire.
http://www.palosverdeschamber.com/things_to_do.htm#Palos Verdes Stables

• Palos Verdes Tennis Club
http://www.pvtennisclub.com/index.cfm

• Palos Verdes Sports
A website providing local children and parents with information on sporting activities for children in the area, including the Pony League, Girl's Softball, and the Palos Verdes Soccer Club.
http://www.pvsports.com/

• Redondo Beach Marina
Sport fishing, boat rides and whale watching.
http://www.rbmarina.com/

• Palos Verdes Peninsula Parks
With its miles of Pacific Coastline, the Palos Verdes Peninsula has a wealth of beautiful parks and recreational areas; the Los Serenos de Point Vicente volunteer organization provides educational docent-led park tours, special events, docent workshops and classes.
http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/recreationparks/

• Torrance Parks and Recreation
For information on public events (including the farmers market), special activities for youth and senior citizens, clubs and sporting activities, in Torrance's many parks.
http://www.tprd.torrnet.com/

• South Coast Botanic Gardens
Lectures, flower shows, concerts, car shows and the yearly "Shakespeare on the Meadow" are held on this 87 acre garden. Bird walks and tram rides are available.
http://parks.co.la.ca.us/south_coast_botanic.html

• Torrance Beach
This great beach has excellent facilities for swimming, surfing and volleyball, and features lifeguards, bath houses, and a children's playground. Each summer, the Daily Breeze International Surf Festival and the Torrance Beach Cities Triathlon attract thousands of athletes and spectators.
http://beaches.co.la.ca.us/BandH/Beaches/Torrance.htm

• Abalone Beach and Ecological Reserve
Coastal Sage Scrub, beach and rocky tide pools.
http://www.palosverdeschamber.com/things_to_do.htm#Abalone Beach and Ecological Reserve

• Point Vicente Interpretive Center
The Point Vicente Interpretive Center in Rancho Palos Verdes provides an overview of the history of the Palos Verdes Peninsula and is a wonderful place to watch the Pacific gray whale migration that starts each December. Trails wind around the Interpretive Center grounds and lead across some of the most interesting and spectacular areas in Los Angeles County.
http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/recreationparks/
PointVicenteInterpretiveCenter/index.cfm

• Wilson Park Sports Center
Torrance's Wilson Park Sports Center at Wilson Park has two full-size basketball courts and a 2,760 square foot room for dance, fencing and kendo classes.
http://www.visittorrance.com/parks.htm

SHOPPING

Torrance and the Palos Verdes Peninsula have every kind of shopping, from farmers markets to national chains; local neighborhoods to large shopping centers.

• Shopping Centers in Torrance
Torrance has several shopping centers, and the downtown shopping area is full of lovely historic buildings, providing a variety of shopping, browsing, and eating opportunities.
http://www.visittorrance.com/shopping.htm

• The Del Amo Fashion Center
The largest mall in the western United States, the Del Amo in Torrance has 350 stores, including three food courts.
http://www.delamofashioncenter.com/

• The Avenue of the Peninsula Shopping Center
This Rancho Palos Verdes shopping center has a plaza and two upper levels. Umbrella clad tables are grouped around a central fountain in the food area, where summer concerts are held. The center hosts many national stores, including Saks Fifth Avenue, Abercrombie & Fitch, Williams Sonoma, Talbot's, The Gap, Restoration Hardware, Pottery Barn and Borders Bookstore, alongside a wide variety of individual sellers. The upper level has a 13-theatre cinema complex.
http://www.palosverdes.com/theavenue/

• The Brickwalk Shopping Center
With specialty shops, including art glass and gift shops, restaurants and cafes.
http://www.palosverdes.com/brickwalk/

• The Peninsula Center
This Rancho Palos Verdes shopping center has a large food market, banks, restaurants and a variety of large and small retailers. On Sundays, they host a Certified Farmers Market from 9am to 1pm.
http://www.palosverdes.com/peninsulacenter/

• Golden Cove Shopping Center
This up-market center was remodeled and reopened October 2003.
http://www.palosverdes.com/goldencove/

• Malaga Cove Shopping Center
An up-market fashion center in Palos Verdes Estates.
http://www.palosverdes.com/malagacove/

• Lunada Bay Shopping Center
Cafes and essential services and stores in Palos Verdes Estates
http://www.palosverdes.com/lunadabay/

DINING

• The Palos Verdes Peninsula caters to a wide range of preferences, with fast food and family restaurant chains, grills, cafes and restaurants; many cuisines are represented, from American to Mexican, French, Chinese, Japanese, Thai and Korean.
http://www.palosverdes.com/dining/
http://www.southbaylife.com/palos_verdes_restaurants.htm

• Admiral Risty
Offers moderately priced Pacific Northwest cuisine, (especially steak and seafood) in an antique nautical setting, complete with old whaling ship exterior.
http://dinesite.com/info/rstrnt-229865/?&t=1004225

• Golden Lotus
Traditional Chinese in a Polynesian style building with ocean views.
http://dinesite.com/info/rstrnt-256633/?&t=1004225

• Rive Gauche
Award-winning French cuisine with live piano music.
http://www.gonelocal.com/US/CA/SouthBay/



World-class dining is available in nearby South Beach:

• The Sky Room
Perched at the top of the historic Breakers Hotel in Long Beach, this popular dinner club has live swing music in an elegant art-deco setting, and a 360-degree view of the Pacific Ocean and Los Angeles County.
http://www.theskyroom.com/

• Aimee's Bistro
South Bay Mediterranean in a chic bistro setting. Wine appreciation classes available.
http://www.aimeesbistro.com/

• Christy's
Christy (daughter of Sonny) Bono's gem in Belmont Heights offers delicious eats: tender osso buco, striped bass served with orange-ginger vinaigrette, and for the finale, cappuccino crème brûlée or chocolate bread pudding.
http://www.10best.com/South_Bay_&_Long_Beach/Dining/Italian/

SPECIAL ATTRACTIONS

• Wayfarer's Chapel
Designed by Lloyd Wright (the son of Frank Lloyd Wright), this exquisite glass and stone chapel is a popular place for weddings. Admission to the chapel and grounds are free and non-denominational services are conducted every Sunday at 11:00 a.m., as well as Easter and Christmas.
http://www.seeing-stars.com/Churches/Wayfarers.shtml

• Whale Watching
The Pacific gray whale migration period is typically from December to April and there are several great spots along the coast from which to spot them.
http://www.palosverdes.com/rpv/recreationparks/

• Several commercial whale watch companies offer up-close looks:
Redondo Beach Marina
http://www.rbmarina.com/

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