Whether you’re meeting with Hermosa Beach real estate agents or just coming into town for a quick visit, you’ll want to make time for the city’s historic downtown district. Downtown Hermosa Beach comprises the length of Pier Ave., Hermosa Ave., and surrounding streets, and it’s home to a sprawling assortment of world-class restaurants, bars, spas, music venues, and so much more.

1. Pier Plaza

Pier Plaza is the main downtown drag, stretching from 1 Pier Ave. to 11 Pier Ave. and leading straight onto the world-famous Hermosa Beach Pier. It’s the perfect place to stop for a drink, enjoy a delicious slice of pizza, and take in some of the best sights in town.

The best time to visit is in the evening. The towering palm trees are illuminated with bright lights, the bars and shops are alive with energy, and the party atmosphere is palpable from one end of the plaza to the other.

Pier Plaza is open most days from 5 a.m. to midnight, so plan your visit accordingly.

2. The Legendary Comedy and Magic Club

The Comedy and Magic Club is one of Southern California’s premier stand-up comedy venues. Jay Leno, Ray Romano, and Jerry Seinfeld have all been seen here, as have current headliners like Sebastian Maniscalco, Kathleen Madigan, Steve Byrne, and Gabriel Iglesias.

While taking in a show, you can enjoy excellent food crafted by artisan chefs. The menu includes filet mignon, rosemary chicken breast, and local favorites like applewood smoked bacon mac and cheese. There’s also an impressive bar.

The club is located at 1018 Hermosa Ave., just one block south of Pier Ave. Shows are currently on hiatus due to COVID-19, but check the website often for updated developments. The club is promising big things in the near future.

3. World-Class Dining

For such a small district, downtown Hermosa Beach is packed with incredible dining options. Favorites include:

  • Greenbelt Restaurant: A local favorite, Greenbelt is known for its fresh and light fare. The salmon salad is a hit, and everyone loves the chicken wings. Other favorites include the hummus with flatbread truffle fries and the roasted beet salad with ahi. The restaurant also offers scenic outside seating.
  • Zane’s Restaurant: Guests love the sushi-grade ahi tartare, fried calamari, and chicken piccata. The place is also known for its signature steaks and pastas.
  • Palmilla Cocina y Tequila: Come for the home-style Mexican cuisine, including fresh-caught seafood and delectable cuts of beef. Guests can relax in contemporary hacienda surroundings while enjoying delicious food and the South Bay’s best selection of tequila. Popular items include the chile relleno, carne asada tacos, and homemade tortillas with honey butter.

Other great restaurants in downtown Hermosa include Tower12, The Standing Room Restaurant, Hook & Plow, Gum Tree Shop & Cafe, and Fritto Misto.

4. The Hermosa Beach Bar Scene

Hermosa Beach bars are the envy of the South Bay. Head over to Patrick Molloy’s for bottomless happy-hour mimosas and cheap pub bites. Visit Hennessey’s Tavern to try their famous handmade Bloody Mary. If you’re passionate about craft beer, Outpost 406 offers the ultimate selection of IPAs and locally brewed favorites.

From the Hermosa Saloon to the Chelsea Pub & Lounge, downtown Hermosa is rich with friendly watering holes. Many Hermosa Beach bars offer outdoor seating, so you can enjoy a socially distant beverage as you listen to the crashing waves along the nearby pier.

5. Endless Athletic Opportunities

If you love the outdoors, you’ll love Hermosa—and if you don’t have your gear, the downtown district has you covered.

Downtown Hermosa Beach is home to world-famous skate and surf shops like Globe Cabin, ET Surf, and Spyder Surfboards as well as cycling shops like Hermosa Cyclery and The Old Bike Shop.

Many of these shops offer rentals, so you can wade in the Pacific Ocean on a boogie board or glide across the Strand on an electric bicycle. And because Hermosa Beach has average summer temperatures around 70 degrees F, the weather is always perfect for exploring the neighborhood.

If you prefer your athletic pursuits to be more relaxing, you can also find excellent yoga studios like SoHo Yoga and Beach Cities Yoga (call before visiting, as some studios are limiting their hours and attendance due to COVID-19).

6. You’re Always Just Steps From the Beach

The entire city of Hermosa Beach is less than 1.5 square miles, so you’re always close to the sand. In fact, many of the outdoor dining establishments on Pier Ave. have unobstructed views of the beach and pier, so you can indulge in the breathtaking ambiance as you dine on locally sourced cuisine. Then, when you finish eating and shopping, just follow Pier Ave. to the water and enjoy the idyllic beach conditions.

There are countless reasons to visit downtown Hermosa Beach, but one thing is for certain: You will want to come back.