By Kevin Wilkerson, PubClub.com
Hermosa Beach is the quintessential Southern California beach town, a place where the “hey dude” mentality comes from a culture of surfing, beach volleyball and life along The Strand. Locals get around on beach bicycles, not in automobiles, and frequent the bars on and around the Pier Plaza which leads to the Hermosa Beach Pier, as seen in LaLa Land.
It is one of LA’s top cites for bars, nightlife and singles scene, where the thumping of beach volleyballs by day is replaced by the pounding of beers and coctkails by night. Hermosa Beach also has a series of popular and unique events, among them the team-themed Smackfest beach volleyball tournament and the Ironman competition on the Fourth of July in which the competitors must slam a 6-pack of beer.
The people are welcoming and friendly, the bars and restaurants are all within a few blocks of the beach so it’s a very walkable place and if you rent a bike, you can explore more by riding along the beach on what is called The Strand. If it all sounds too good to be true, it’s not. It’s Hermosa Beach. It is part of an area known as LA’s South Bay, which also includes the neighboring cities of Manhattan Beach and Redondo Beach.
This is a complete Hermosa Beach resource guide with links to posts on the bars, nightlife, restaurants, lifestyle and its awesome events. This article was updated in 2026.
Hermosa Beach Bars & Nightlife Links
• People looking for the South Bay’s most active social scene should read our complete guide to Hermosa Beach nightlife and bars to the Hermosa Beach nightlife and best bars.
• At the causal but somewhat upscale restaurant and bar Tower 12, a relaxed beach lounge, it’s like being at a house party with beautiful guests.
• Tower 12 is the host bar of the PubClub podcast PubClub LIVE!, which is a live show at the the bar that features guests that talk about upcoming events, music from local musicians, comedians and even a magician who performs at the Magic Castle in L.A.
• Patrick Molloy’s – 20 years (and counting) in Hermosa Beach is one of the city’s most popular nightspots.
• Rise & Shine for a lively bottomless mimosa breakfast at Sharkeez. This is less about having breakfast and more about diving deep into the culture of Hermosa Beach.
• Learn about the dress code for Hermosa Beach bars, what is acceptable, what is not and how to dress like a local. Hint: it’s beach casual. It’s kind of funny but the girls ae always looking to dress up but the men stick to thier beach attire.
• PubClub.com looks back on the bar known as Sangria, which was well known among locals for its post-Hermosa AVP beach volleyball tournament parties.
Hermosa Beach Top Events
• The 4th of July in Hermosa Beach is a series of beach house parties in one of the greatest scence in all the USA.
• The 4th of July in Hermosa Beach begins with the unique Ironman where competitors must run a mile, paddle for a mile and then chuck a 6-pack of beer!
• Read about the hilarious and fun cosume beach volleyball tournament known as Smackfest, which is one of the biggest events of the year in all the Beach Cities.
• Hey lassies and laddies there’s a Hermosa Beach St. Patrick’s Day parade. Learn all about it – it’s location, time, participants and the bar scene afterward.
• The Hermosa Beach 12 Bars of Christmas pub crawl is one of the most anticipated events of the year as hundreds of people go to 12 bars in and around Pier Plaza.
Hermosa Beach Lifestyle Features
Having spent a lot of time and even living in Hermosa Beach and the surrounding beach cities, PubClub.com has a good grasp on the lifestyle at this laid-back Southern California town. To share it with you, below are links to articles that explore the lifestyle.
• This guide provides tips and things to do when you have 72 hours in Hermosa Beach.
• PubClub.com provides advice on conquering The ‘South Bay Dilemma’What is the South Bay delimma, you ask? Click the link and you’ll find out and it could wind up saving you both money and frustration!
• We have great tips for meeting single people in Hermosa Beach
• Check out this photo essay on the awesome Hermosa Beach sunsets.
• Learn the location of Jimmy Kimmel’s Hermosa Beach house.
• PubClub.com has a Hollywood connection, too. We were on set of the TV show “Veronica Mars,” which was filmed in Hermosa Beach. In fact, they used the house right next to PubClub.com’s World Headquarters!
• Breakfast at Scott’s On The Strand is a great people-watching place. You can sit right on The Strand, watch people pass by your table and see beach volleyball games without leaving your seat. You can do the same from Hennessey’s a block away, too, but there you have to be lucky enough to have a table by The Strand.
• Learn about the most Instagrammable places in Hermosa Beach.
Hermosa Beach Q&A
What is Hermosa Beach known for mostly?
Hermosa Beach is a South Bay coastal city in Los Angeles County that is known for its Pier Plaza nightlife, beach volleyball culture, The Strand bike path and a dense walkable bar district near the pier.
Is Hermosa Beach good for nightlife?
Yes, Hermosa Beach is an excellent place for nightlife. It is a party paradise for singles and young couples. The age range is low 20s to upper 50s and all ages often mingle together.
What are the best bars in Hermosa Beach?
Hermosa Beach has several excellent bars, all of which are listed in the link above in this article. They include Sharkeez, Tower 12, Patricks Molloy’s, Fox & Farrow, Surfer Girl and Lighthouse Cafe for live music.
Is Hermosa Beach walkable?
Yes, Hermosa Beach is very walkable. The main nightlife area is on a 1-block area of what is called Pier Plaza, with other restaurants and bars located 2-3 blocks away on Hermosa Ave.
When is the Hermosa Beach Ironman?
The Hermosa Beach Ironman is an athletic contest that turns into a huge party. Held annually on the morning of the Fourth of July, it involves participants running a mile along the beach, paddling a mile in the Pacific Ocean and then chugging a 6-pack of beer in front of judges. There is then a band that plays with participants and spectators running around on the sand in a circle.
Is Hermosa Beach good for singles?
Yes, Most of the people who go out to the bars and events in Hermosa Beach are single.
What is Pier Plaza?
Pier Plaza is a pedestrian-only part of Pier Ave., between Hermosa Ave., and the Hermosa Beach Pier. This one-block area contains the majority of the city’s bars, along with some restaurants.
How Is The Parking?
There is a multi-level lot to the north of Pier Plaza, a single-level lot just to the south of Pier Plaza and metered street parking on Hermosa Ave., Pier Ave., and surrounding residental streets, tho it is often difficult to find a spot there. It is highly recommended not to drive, especially if you intend to go the bars. You can rideshare to the pier. Accommodations in Hemosa Beach are somewhat limited – there is the Sea Sprite and the upscale Beach House on The Strand and a youth hostel on Pier Plaza and a couple other hotels up on Pacific Coast Highway – tho there are hotels in neighboring Redondo Beach and further away in Torrance and Hawthorne, a distance of about six miles.
Is Hermosa Beach Safe?
The area is generally safe – some people don’t even lock their doors – and major crime is almost unheard of in Hermosa Beach. Theft is mainly confined to stolen bicycles. That being stated it it always a good idea to be aware of your surroundings at all times, especially at closing time, which is 2 a.m.
Is Hermosa Beach worth visiting?
Yes, very much so, in fact. Especially if you are in the Los Angeles area, are single and want to find a fun and friendly beach with good bars and great events. You likely will not have any trouble striking up a conversation with a local at a bar or resturant in Hermosa Beach.
Kevin Wilkerson is the founder of PubClub.com, an award-winning journalist and former South Bay resident who spent years living in Hermosa Beach and covering its nightlife scene. He has covered destinations, events and entertainment for more than two decades and received an Associated Press award for investigative journalism while working as a newspaper reporter.