Torrance is a city in the South Bay region of Los Angeles County, sitting between the beach cities of Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach. It is primarily a residential and industrial city rather than a tourist destination, but it has a pleasant downtown area and is home to the largest Honda America headquarters outside Japan, reflecting the large Japanese-American community in the South Bay.
Torrance has good ramen and Japanese food — the Mitsuwa Marketplace on Artesia Boulevard is one of the best Japanese supermarkets and food courts in Southern California, worth a stop for lunch or grocery shopping. The beach at Torrance Beach is accessible and less crowded than the beaches further north. For most visitors, Torrance functions as an affordable base within reach of the South Bay beaches and Los Angeles attractions.