Hermosa Beach, California

If you’re a young professional in your 20s or early 30s – or are forever young at heart – the energy of this picturesque oceanside community may be it for you.

The middle point between neighboring Manhattan and Redondo beaches, Hermosa Beach has a younger feel than both. The large beach and oftentimes larger-than-life party scene give it a reputation as one of the best spots in the area for nightlife. In summer months, gatherings around the Pier turn into 'ragers. The active Pier Avenue scene offers everything from dive bars to nicer spots to grab a bite to eat. On Pier Ave, some lively restaurants like Baja Sharkees and American Junkie turn into some of the local's favorite “nightclubs,” as well as a pub called Underground a little further from the beach.

It’s worth noting that just because the party never stops here doesn’t mean the beach looks it. Locals pride themselves on the pristine and soft sand that makes beach volleyball games and hanging in the sun feel all the more luxurious.

When your hometown is known for its nightlife, it’s no surprise the two main complaints are drunk bros and limited parking. But if the nickname “Bromosa” doesn’t scare you off, and you’re okay walking rather than driving to the beach (as many here do), this shouldn’t be an issue. Being a party town, cops are on the lookout for drunk driving so choosing to walk is to your advantage. Not to mention, it feels safe enough that you can comfortably walk home alone at 2 a.m. (a.k.a., no need to have that bro walk you if you don’t want him to).

Do you feel like you want day drinking to be more of the exception than the rule? Check out Manhattan Beach just two miles north, where locals joke kids from Hermosa Beach go to grow up. It’s affluent and very family-centric, with the bonus of a good food scene and a laid-back lifestyle. Or, slow down and spread out even more by heading south to Redondo Beach.

Behind Hermosa’s bars and beach bros is a rich punk rock heritage. During the 1970s, bands like Black Flag helped solidify Hermosa Beach as the punk rock heart of the West Coast.

Some say the city has lost its roots and some of its edge, but there’s still plenty of spirit. Thought of as one of the best places to live in California, this small city received an “A+” from Niche.com in the following categories: Nightlife (obviously), Weather, Health & Fitness, Outdoor Activities, Good for Families, and Public Schools.

If you like getting up close and sweaty with folks on the dance floor, chances are you probably don’t mind that the housing options are a bit more compact here as well. The good news? You get to know your neighbors. The market is more renter-friendly than surrounding Manhattan and Redondo which trend towards more single-family homes. Fifty percent of residents rent while the other half own, creating an interesting urban-suburban mix.

Beyond the bars, Hermosa is a comfortable and laid-back beach town. It’s not walkable in the New York sense where you can walk to everything you need – groceries, household items, entertainment, dining – but walkable in the sense that you can get to restaurants, bars, and a couple of the essentials on foot. You do have to be careful in some parts as sidewalks can disappear for no reason and cars take stop signs as a suggestion, but the Sand Section and green spaces are intentionally laid out to make an outdoor lifestyle feel not only natural but unbelievably enjoyable.

Most of the residents are remote workers as the freeway isn’t super close and a commute to downtown LA would look something like a nightmare. But when they aren’t logged onto their laptops, folks love getting out and chatting with each other at the local coffee shops, parks, and of course, bars.

To see what locals get up to for fun in Hermosa Beach check out the calendar of events.

We highly recommend visiting Hermosa Beach and staying in the community in a VRBO rather than a hotel to get a feel for living among the locals. You can receive discounted fares on travel via our partnership with Expedia as well.

We’ve made a big deal about the nightlife, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t happy families living their best lives in Hermosa. The Hermosa Beach City School District is highly rated, receiving an “A” from Niche.com, and includes options for preschool through 8th-grade students. Residents ready for high school have the option of choosing between the top-rated Mira Costa High School just north in Manhattan Beach or Redondo Union High School just south in Redondo Beach. Private schools in the area are also quite impressive. If you’re willing to drive outside of Hermosa to neighboring cities like Torrance and El Segundo, then Vistamar School, Bishop Montgomery High School, and Ambassador Christian School are great options.