Just a few minutes south of LAX lies one of Southern California’s best kept secrets, El Segundo! El Segundo is a hidden beachside gem that is a great place to get away, kick back and relax from the hustle and bustle of Los Angeles. With El Segundo you get the best of both worlds – a small-town vibe with convenience and proximity to the big city.

Stepping into El Segundo is like stepping back in time with its old school sense of community and friendly small-town charm. From its classic downtown area to its beautiful beaches El Segundo has something for everyone! Whether you are just visiting for the day or here to stay this hidden gem will win you over! There is plenty to do and see in El Segundo but here are ten suggestions to get you on your way:

Picture of some of the shops on Main Street in El Segundo, California

EXPLORE DOWNTOWN EL SEGUNDO

Downtown El Segundo is the heart and soul of the community. It’s a charming town that highlights the best of El Segundo’s past, present and future, not to mention it is a foodie’s paradise! Here you will find shops that are a little off the beaten path. From an El Segundo inspired charm bracelet to a custom longboard it’s all here.

Downtown El Segundo is made up of Main Street, Richmond Street and Grand Avenue. Check out the street dining on Richmond Street at Grand Avenue that hosts a bunch of local restaurants. A great way to start off your El Segundo adventure is with a stop at Two Guns Espresso on Main Street. Grab an iced mocha and if you are hungry go next door to Rinaldi’s and try the Godfather sandwich. Roam around all the boutiques then top off your day with a dessert from Gelato-go El Segundo on Main Street!

OLD TOWN MUSIC HALL

While downtown, take a step back in time and stop by the treasured cultural landmark The Old Town Music Hall. Since 1968 the Old Town Music Hall has been showing classic silent and sound films as well as presenting live concerts by some of the world’s finest performers of jazz, ragtime and popular music from the past. The star of the show is the Mighty Wurlitzer, a massive 1925 wind-powered pipe organ which accompanies the silent classics, just like they were first shown!

The craft brews like this one are great at El Segundo Brewing Company

VISIT EL SEGUNDO BREWING COMPANY

A visit to El Segundo is not complete without a visit to a local’s favorite, the El Segundo Brewing Company! The El Segundo Brewing Company has been around since 2011. It began as a small operation then grew into its popularity with help from its central location to the airport as well as from the boom of craft breweries in the South Bay in the past few years. The El Segundo Brewing Company is a great spot to sip on a craft beer and some snacks. If you’re looking for a full meal, head around the corner to Grand and Richmond Street for the El Segundo Brewing Company’s full restaurant, Slice and Pint where you can grab some delicious food from their menu and hang out with the community!

VISIT ESMOA

ESMoA (El Segundo Museum of Art) is a unique place to visit in El Segundo. ESMoA is more than just a museum, it is considered an “art laboratory” where both children and adults can have a fun and educational experience. Guests are encouraged not only to explore the many art exhibits on display but to also have a hands-on, interactive experience and create their own masterpieces! Creative thinking and expression are encouraged here! Admission is free and activities range from school programs, drawing workshops, art talks, cooking, yoga, movie nights and more.

VISIT THE AUTOMOTIVE MUSEUM

Whether you are a car buff or not, The Automobile Driving Museum is a must see for children and adults alike. The museum houses a rotating collection of 130 classic, antique and vintage cars on display. On Sundays, the public is allowed to not only touch the vintage cars, they can also sit inside and ride in the car with a docent driver down the streets of El Segundo! The Automotive Museum also helps organize the Vintage Auto Show in downtown El Segundo where classic cars, hot rods, sports cars, trucks and motorcycles line the streets of downtown El Segundo. This year the 24th Annual El Segundo Main Street Car Show will be held on August 21, 2021.

THE ART WALK

The El Segundo Art Walk is a local event you don’t want to miss! It is an independently organized, self-guided art event. The doors open to the city’s best arts-based businesses and galleries. Creative businesses in El Segundo transform their spaces into pop-up galleries to allow Los Angeles-based artists to showcase their work. There are art installations, live entertainment, food trucks and beer gardens. This is a fantastic event that brings community and culture together. The Art Walk is a free event that takes place once a month during the summer. They missed the season last year but the one slated to happen in late August should be worth the wait.

VISIT THE SAND DUNES

The Sand Dune is a hidden park that got its name from the 100-foot-high sand dune located there. Kids and adults love to run up the deep sand hill, jump in it, roll or run down it. Take a moment when you reach the top of the dune to enjoy the panoramic east-facing view of the city and the beautiful coastline with views from Malibu to Palos Verdes on a clear day. The Sand Dune is also a great place for bird watching. Over 163 species have been spotted here! One town secret is that the Sand Dunes secretly serves as an unofficial dog park in the area, but do keep your pups on a leash as coyotes have been occasionally spotted and people are sometimes cited for the area not being an off leash area. Safety first!

BIKE THE STRAND

One of the most fun and very iconic things to do in Southern California is to bike along The Strand. The Strand, officially known as the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, is a 22-mile flat path that winds along the shoreline from Will Rogers Beach (north of Santa Monica) down to Torrance. Biking The Strand is not only great exercise but also a beautiful way to enjoy the coastline and ocean views! You can find the trail at the end of Grand Avenue. If you don’t have your own bike there are many places to rent bikes along The Strand. Just remember to share the path with your fellow joggers, walkers, roller skaters and rollerbladers!

SPEND A DAY AT THE BEACH

El Segundo Beach in itself is a hidden gem. Unlike it’s well-known neighboring beaches – Venice Beach and Manhattan Beach – El Segundo Beach is a nice, quiet locals beach. You won’t be overwhelmed by crowds on this wide-open beach. Whether you want to play beach volleyball, build a sandcastle or pack a picnic and soak up the sun and the waves, El Segundo Beach has it all! Surfers often frequent nearby El Porto Beach to surf but El Segundo has an often-overlooked break right down the street at the end of Imperial Avenue that is worth checking out!

DOCKWEILER BEACH

Your day in El Segundo is not complete without a bonfire at Dockweiler Beach! Hang out with the locals as the sun starts to set over the ocean and roast some s’mores over the bonfire. Dockweiler Beach is a 3-mile-long beach just north of El Segundo Beach and is one of the few Los Angeles beaches that allow fire pits. Since they are hard to come by you might want to arrive early to claim yours, but it will be worth the wait!

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