Top 5 Reasons to Ride a Bike to Hermosa Beach
Where to ride a bike on the Strand bike path in Hermosa Beach. Enjoy Fiesta Hermosa, AVP beach volleyball tournaments, surfing and all the things to do at the beach with an ebike.
Cruising the Strand is a classic Southern California experience. Officially known as the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, The Strand offers everything great about Southern California – sand and sunsets, surfing, beach volleyball, tennis courts, world-class restaurants, coffee shops, juice bars, and boutiques. The Strand connects Manhattan Beach directly to Hermosa Beach, a ride of fewer than 2 miles south.
Of the three coastal communities that make up LA’s South Bay, Hermosa Beach has the smallest population and is the least formal. The beachfront is filled year-round with swimmers, sunbathers, volleyball players, skaters, joggers, and surfers enjoying the classic Southern California vibe and beautiful weather.
Breakfast or Brunch in Hermosa Beach
Just one block inland from the trail is The Stanton HB (844 Hermosa Ave) and its luscious brunch menu of innovative Southern California cuisine, featuring locally sourced ingredients and vegetarian and seafood dishes. If you’d rather try an Australian take on brunch, head over to The Gum Tree (238 Pier Ave), which also has a boutique for after-brunch browsing. If you’re into a traditional American brunch, stop a half mile before the pier and drop into Martha’s (25 22nd St) for a classic menu and outdoor seating with a view of the ocean. For breakfast right on the Hermosa Pier Plaza, try Cafe Bonaparte for Parisian-style dining, authentic French pastries and delicious coffee. They open at 7 am every day of the week and serve breakfast until 2 pm. We also recommend Palmilla's Baja Brunch on Saturdays and Sundays.
Downtown Hermosa Beach
Pier Plaza is the center point of downtown Hermosa Beach, a block of pedestrian-friendly shopping and dining directly connected to the Hermosa Beach Pier, an excellent stop for quality people watching. A wide variety of shops and restaurants are available within each reach:
The Baked Bear for ice cream
Paradise Bowls for Acai bowls and smoothies on Hermosa Ave
Fritto Misto a family local pasta place a few blocks east of the pier
The Green Store for picnic supplies and sandwiches
Cafe Bonaparte for authentic French pastries and coffee
Fiesta Hermosa
If you’re around on Memorial Day or Labor Day weekend, check out the Fiesta Hermosa, a block-party-meets-art-fair outdoor event put on by the city. Enjoy live music, rides, a petting zoo, and more than 300 artists from the area who come each year to show off their wares. Biking to the Fiesta Hermosa is highly encouraged by the city and the organizers, to relieve congestion and reduce parking challenges. This year the bicycle corral is open from 11 am until 7 pm, to help with bike parking. If you'd like to stay for the evening beach concert, rent an ebike with delivery service from Beach E Biking and keep it overnight.
Friday at the Farmer’s Market
Looking for fresh snacks for a picnic or more opportunities to people-watch? The Hermosa Beach Farmers Market is held downtown every Friday throughout the year (even in the winter) from noon to 4 p.m. Local farmers show off their in-season fruits and vegetables, freshly-laid eggs, homemade yogurts and cheeses, and organic honey, among other items fresh from the farm.
Beach Volleyball
A visit to Hermosa Beach isn't complete without beach volleyball. Whether you are watching, cheering or playing, you can enjoy beach volleyball any time of year. The city has courts set up with nets near the Hermosa Beach Pier if you are visiting for the day and want to give it a try. As you cruise up and down the bike path, you'll see posts in the sand throughout he flat, wide sandy beach. Bring your own net to plot your spot and set it up early on a holiday. If you're lucky, you can watch some local Olympians train. Catch one of the many local tournaments, kids camps or enjoy the pros when the AVP comes to town.
