Bars, Top Happy Hours & Things To Do In This South Bay Beach City
If you’re visiting Hermosa Beach or are new to the South Bay Beach Cities, here’s a quick guide to the best bars, Happy Hours, activities and lifestyle.
It’s everything .you need to know about what to do and where to do it and even what to wear in Hermosa.
Things To Do In Hermosa Beach
The focal point of activity is not just on the beach but on The Strand, the concrete walk/running/bike path that runs parallel to the sand.
The best activity to do in Hermosa is to rent a bicycle (go to Hermosa Cyclery at the pier, $8/hr) and “cruise The Strand.” PubClub recommends taking a guided tour of the South Bay from Beach Cities Bike Tours. This points out movie & TV film locations, fun facts, top surf spots, the area’s rich beach volleyball history and the culture and lifestyle of the Beach Cities ($25/hr for up to 4 people).
Unlike beach cities in many other parts of the world, Hermosa does not have a lot of other beach activities like parasailing, boat and Jet Ski rentals, etc. So mostly, you’re on the beach and watching others play volleyball and other beachy activities as well of course as playing in the water. Watch for rip currents, however, and keep reading about the ocean temperature; this isn’t exactly the tropics.
The primary SUP rentals are just to the south in Redondo Beach’s King Harbor. There’s some surfing at the pier but a better place to watch is the jetty by the Chart House on the Hermosa/Redondo border.
Sunsets In Hermosa Beach
This is a daily must-do in Hermosa. The sunsets here are spectacular so stop what you are doing and take in this beautiful gift of nature.
Bars In Hermosa Beach
Hermosa is known as one of the top party places in L.A., and the nightlife is focused on the bars around the pier. The “go-to” bar is Sharkeez, meaning if you’re looking for action, it’s likely to happen here. Be careful, tho; locals call it the “Black Hole.” You may go in for one or two drinks and wind up staying until last call!
The Mermaid at the pier makes the best cocktails in town, Patrick Molloy’s is jammed on Sundays with live music and locals and American Junkie is a good all-around bar.
The best live music bar for local bands is Standing Room (no cover 13th & Hermosa Ave.) and for touring bands Saint Rocke (2nd & PCH) and on the pier there’s always live music at the historical Lighthouse Cafe.
Happy Hours In Hermosa Beach
• The Mermaid has Happy Hour twice a day seven days a week with a $5 “Drink of the Week” (3-7 p.m. and 10-close).
• Sharkeez has 2-for-1 drinks 4-7 Monday-Friday; Molloy’s has the longest Happy Hour as it goes until 8 M-F plus all-day Monday and Sundays after 5; American Junkie has $3 all beers and wells 3-7 Monday thru Thursday and Fridays until 9; Waterman’s has half-priced drinks 3-7 M-F.
Most places also have daily food and specials; Taco Tuesdays are one of the better social nights of the week.
Top Events In Hermosa Beach
Each Sunday in August there are free concerts on the beach, on July 23 it’s the crazy dress-up beach volleyball tournament called Smackfest, and each Labor Day and Memorial Day Weekend there’s Fiesta Hermosa with bands & a beer garden. By far the biggest party is an unofficial one – the Fourth of July.
The Weather & What To Wear In Hermosa Beach
There’s sunshine – and lots of it – in Hermosa Beach. About 75% of the days are sunny and 75F. Daytime, it’s bathing suits and flip flops weather.
But don’t be fooled by the warm daytime weather, because things cool off at night. It can even be chilly. This is true 12 months a year and yes, even in the summertime. And especially around sunset.
When you go out, be sure you’ve got a long-sleeved shirt or jacket with you for the evenings.
The Ocean Temperature In Hermosa Beach
The ocean never gets above the mid-70s, and that’s in July and August. Much of the time it’s in the mid-60s and that’s pretty cold. Forget going in the water in the wintertime, at least without a thick wetsuit.
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