West Torrance

Given the high crime, high density neighborhoods to its north, little regarded Torrance is a welcome break from the area’s troubles. West Torrance, right by Redondo Beach, is a solid residential area.

This is an affluent neighborhood that really had its boom in the 1950’s. This is partly reflected in the homes you will find in West Torrance. Many are 1950’s style Ranch homes—as you would expect. They have nicely kept lawns and well place topiary. This is not really a big renter neighborhood. Two thirds of those who live here own the homes in which they live. So the streets are well-kept and people are here to stay.

Another big attraction of West Torrance is the schools. West High School, which serves the neighborhood, for example, has an API rank of 9 and an average student SAT score of 1,500—a good 200 above the California average. This performance also carries through to the STAR test on which half of the students test proficient on the math and more than two thirds on the English (both are way above average, especially given that West’s student population is a fairly diverse mix).

The other thing you will not find wanting in Torrance are baseball fields. Not only do the schools provide them but two local parks also provide a number of these for local leagues.

As far as restaurants and nightlife the offerings are fairly mediocre within West Torrance itself. Along 190th Street on the northern border of the neighborhood however, you will find Belecan Grill, a Malaysian bistro with really good variety (though I am a fan of the Tamarind Shrimp, myself). Unfortunately if you want something more than pizza or burgers, you will have to go further down into Torrance or west into Redondo Beach. The North Torrance Mall (little more than a glorified strip mall really) is not terrible but it lacks imagination. It is the kind of mall that is like a million other malls.

Overall, however, though a bit on the boring side, West Torrance is a good, relatively quiet place, perfect for raising kids.