OTNA logo The Old Torrance Neighborhood Association

Community Events


Official Website of the Torrance Centennial

See http://www.torrancecentennial.org for information about the City of Torrance, as well as the latest news, upcoming events, volunteer and sponsorship opportunities for the Torrance Centennial celebration which commences in November, 2011 with events and activities every month culminating in October 2012. In celebrating, we are "looking back and moving forward."

Looking back to our rich history of 100 years helps us appreciate where we are now, the growth we have experienced, and guides us in moving forward for the next 100 years. Every member of the community has been part of shaping our rich history. So we invite each one to contribute to the celebration by recalling, remembering, and sharing...

Your Stories... Your Photos... Your Videos... Your Words.

Torrance Centennial items for sale at the Torrance Chamber of Commerce, the Community Services Department of the City of Torrance, and the Torrance Historical Society Museum. Other venues are listed in the PDF below.

Torrance Centennial items for sale at the Torrance Historical Society Museum are listed below. Cash or check only. Credit cards not accepted.

  • T-shirts - $10
  • Flex Caps - $15
  • Commemorative (magnet-back) Lapel Pins - $5
  • Writing Pens - $2
  • Tote Bags - $3, or 2 for $5
  • Full color, oversized 8 1/2" x 5 1/2" postcards. Each show one of five scenes of aerial photograph of City's Centennial light event. Each postcard is $1.00
  • Full color regular sized postcards 4" x6" packaged in a set of five of City's Centennial light event. Each package is $2.00.

South Bay's Bicycle Master Plan

The moment you've all been waiting for - it definitely is one for us. The draft of the South Bay Bicycle Master Plan (SBBMP) is now available for public review here.

Our comment period is now closed. We received many great comments from the community and will be making final revisions over the next several weeks. Please stay tuned for the final draft of the plan and join us this Fall at your city council meeting. This plan's success depends on your support in front of City Council. So please, spread the word and help ensure that the path to plan adoption in just a few short months is a success!

The master plan is available for viewing at www.southbaybicyclecoalition.org.

Cruisin' 50s Cruise Night Comes to Old Torrance

Old Torrance is the new location for the Cruisin' 50s Car Club's Cruise Nights! Come on down to Old Torrance and view vintage cars on display along Post Avenue (between Cravens & Sartori), on the 2nd Saturday of the month.

Details:

  • What: Cruisin' 50's Cruise Nite
  • When: 2nd Saturday, monthly
  • Where: Post Avenue (between Cravens & Sartori)
  • Time: 3:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Info: (310) 530 - 1429

The Cruisin' 50's Car Club was established in 1982, and has approximately 200 families in its membership.

Make it a family night out! Bring the kids, friends and neighbors and find out what's happening. They won't be racin' for pinks that night, but . . . they will be showing off some mighty fine rides! You'll be wanting to cast an eyeball on these beauties. After checking out the classy chassis, you can dine downtown or grab a snack . . .

These establishments are all within walking distance of the event. The City has created a Downtown Torrance Restaurant Guide.

In celebration of this fun night, the Torrance Historical Society & Museum (1345 Post Ave.) will open from 3:00 PM - 5:30 PM -- come in for a visit!



Launch of the New Torrance Events Calendar

TORRANCE, Calif. - The City of Torrance hosts the "Torrance Events Calendar" on the Torrance citywide website. It is tool to help improve the quality of life in the City of Torrance. This comprehensive calendar will provide the community and worldwide visitors with a resource for Torrance-based meetings, events, and activities. Presently, the Calendar is populated with City-hosted events, and all Torrance-based nonprofit groups and organizations are encouraged to submit information about their events for inclusion in the Calendar. With the click of a mouse, the community can now discover everything that is happening in the City of Torrance. Everyone is invited to visit the Torrance Events Calendar at www.torrnet.com/events, which is linked to the bottom of every page in the citywide website, under the heading Events Calendar, and also at the top of every page, listed inside the "Quick Links" drop down menu. For Torrance-based nonprofit groups that are interested in submitting their events for inclusion in the Calendar, please click here for information on how to submit an event. If you have any questions, please email the Calendar Administrator at TorranceCalendar@torrnet.com.


Ongoing Activities at Charles H. Wilson Park

The Charles H. Wilson Park is located between Jefferson St. and the Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SCROC). Parking for the park is located at 2200 Crenshaw Boulevard. See map for location.

  • Torrance Farmer's Market
    Rain or Shine
    Tuesdays 8:00a.m. - 1:00p.m.
    Saturdays 8:00a.m. - noon
    Charles H. Wilson Park
    2200 Crenshaw Blvd.
    (between Sepulveda Blvd. and Carson St.)

  • Wilson Park Annenberg Tree House

    This tree house is the first universally-accessible treehouse in a public space in California. Read the Annenberg Foundation press release about this important project for children and adults of all ages.

  • Dee Hardison Sports Center
    2400 Jefferson St.
    (310) 328-9529 (recorded information)

    (310) 328-4964 (live)

  • Wilson Park Batting Cages, Roller Hockey Rink
    (310) 320-CAGE (2243)
    (310) 320-9529 (recorded information)

  • The Wilson Park Skateboard Park is closed due to safety and inclement weather concerns. See announcement.

  • Wilson Park Train Rides
    (310) 328-4964.

    The Southern California Live Steamers offer free train rides the first Sunday of each month, from 11:00a.m. - 3:00p.m., except July when rides are held on July 4th. They also offer free train rides the the third Saturday of each month, from 12:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

    The train is located at the east end of Wilson Park off Washington Avenue.

    The rides are free, but donations are gladly accepted.

  • Facility Booking

    For rental of park buildings, ball diamonds and picnic areas call (310) 618-5982, Monday - Friday 8:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. (alternating with a closed Friday every other week and closed on holidays).

Western Museum of Flight

Western Museum of Flight
Zamperini Field
3315 Airport Drive - Red Baron Hanger #3
Torrance, CA 90505

Telephone: 310-326-9544
FAX: 310-326-9556
Email: WMOFSCHAF@um.att.com
http://www.wmof.com

Activities at Madrona Marsh

3201 Plaza del Amo
Tuesday - Sunday 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM
See the Madrona Marsh Nature Center & Preserve website for details.

Get involved! Join Friends of Madrona Marsh!

Activities at Torrance Libraries

For information and dates for scheduled activities at each Torrance library branch, see the Master Calendar of Events.

Upcoming sales of books, records, tapes, magazines and computer software/hardware. See Friends of the Torrance Library.

Walking Tours of Downtown Torrance

Walking tours noting historical sites on the fourth Sunday of every month, May, June, July, September, and October. The August tour is held on the third Saturday of the month to avoid conflicting with the Symphony in the Park at Wilson Park. Free tours start at the Torrance Historical Society Museum. Wear comfy walking shoes. No reservations necessary. The tour leaves the museum promptly at 1:30pm. It covers about eight blocks of flat land and lasts approximately 90 minutes.

Torrance Historical Society & Museum
1345 Post Ave at Cravens
(310) 328-5392

Other Torrance Community Events & Points of Interest

  • Discover Torrance
  • Torrance Cultural Arts Center
  • Torrance Symphony
  • James R. Armstrong Theatre
  • George Nakano Theatre
  • Parks and Recreation Department
  • Torrance Art Museum
  • Torrance Live!
  • Torrance Theatre Company
  • Torrance Civic Chorale
  • City of Torrance Veterans Memorial
    Torrance City Hall
    Maple Avenue and Torrance Blvd.
    Torrance, CA

  • Ted Tanouye Memorial

    Located in front of Torrance High School
    2200 W. Carson St., Torrance, CA 90501

    Ted Tanouye Memorial Dedication

    Ted Tanouye Medal of Honor Citation



  • Seaside Heroes Park

    Location:
    22851 Anza Avenue
    Torrance, CA 90505

    Seaside Heroes Park honors Army soldiers Cpl. Joseph Anzack, Jr., 20, Cpl. Micah S. Gifford, 27, and Capt. Matthew C. Ferrara, 24,

    These three young men grew up in this area, attending Seaside Elementary Calle Mayor Middle, and South High Schools. As boys they enjoyed scouting, baseball, track and field, wrestling and football but as young men they all chose to serve our country.

    Answering this call to duty, they all became members of the United States Army. Each made the ultimate sacrifice giving their lives while at war in Iraq (Joseph and Micah) and Afghanistan (Matthew). They died within an eleven month period (December 2006 - November 2007).

    Let everyone who visits this park realize the sacrifice made by these Soldiers so that we may live in freedom, and may our "Seaside Heroes" be remembered and inspire future generations.


  • Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce

  • Torrance Antique Faire

    When: Fourth Sunday of each month
    Time: 8:00 - 3:00p.m.
    Cost: Free. Open to the public

    Food vendors are on site. Antique appraisals from 9:00am - 2:00pm

  • City of Torrance Annual Events

    • Annual Armed Forces Day Parade & Celebration (the third weekend each May)
    • Coast Clean Up Day
    • Family Skate Nights
    • October 31st Halloween Carnival at Wilson Park
    • Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot
    • Breakfast and a Visit with Santa
    • Breakfast and a Visit With the Easter Bunny

    Click above City of Torrance link to obtain more information.

  • Shakespeare in the Park

    The Torrance Cultural Services Division and Shakespeare by the Sea present the
    Annual Shakespeare in the Park, launched in 1998.

    Where: Wilson Park Gazebo, 8:00 p.m.
    When: Every summer. Check link above for details. Cost: FREE Event!

    Bring a blanket, a picnic dinner and enjoy FREE Shakespeare under the starts!

  • Summertime Movies in the Park

    The Community Services Department in conjunction with local homeowner associations during the summer months provides "Movies in the Park." See http://www.torrnet.com for more information or call (310) 618-2930 at the Community Services Department in the City of Torrance.

    Picnics, blankets and lawn chairs are welcome as the parks turn into movie theaters! Each park will feature a different movie, which are free and will begin at dusk (around 8:00 p.m.). So bring your warm clothes, popcorn and cocoa and join in the summertime fun.

    Movies begin at dusk.

  • Torrance Police Department - Partners in Policing Programs

    Learn about our Police Department "hands-on"! For adults and teens.

  • Torrance Rose Float Decorating - General Information

    Torrance Rose Float Association

    Call (310) 618-2930 with any questions.

    The Torrance Rose Float Association normally sets up meetings in October and in November for orientation and sign-up. You do not have to attend any orientation meeting in order to sign up to decorate the Torrance float, but it is recommended.

    Two shifts are available for decorators:
    Day Shift: 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM
    Night Shift: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
    Sign-up early. Decorators are seated on the bus on a first-come, first-served basis!

    The buses leave from Wilson Park. There is a nominal fee per person, per day.

    Children 13-17 years of age must have a permission slip signed by a parent to decorate the float. Call (310) 618-2930 to obtain a permission slip.

Area Activities / Points of Interest

Toyota Automobile Museum
19600 Van Ness Ave., Torrance

Tours by appointment only.
Contact: Susan Sanborn by phone or email
(310) 468-1728
susan_sanborn@toyota.com

Directions:

If traveling North on Van Ness:

  • pass Del Amo Blvd.
  • Turn right into the driveway that is immediately past Prologis Way (signal).

If you pass Toyota Way you've gone too far north.

Look for the address 19600 at the top of the building. You will see a Toyota Museum sign on an easel out front.

The Warner Grand Theatre
in San Pedro

Lomita Railroad Museum
2137 250th St
Lomita, CA 90717
(310) 326-6255

Banning Heritage Museum
401 East "M" Street
Post Office Box 397
Wilmington, CA 90748
Telephone: 310-548-7777
E-mail: visit@banningmuseum.org

Drum Barracks & Civil War Museum
1052 Banning Bl.
Wilmington, CA 90744
(310) 548 7509

Dominguez Rancho Adobe Museum
18127 South Alameda Street
Rancho Dominguez, CA 90220
(310) 603-0088

International Printing Museum
315 Torrance Blvd.
Carson, CA 90745
(310) 515-7166 or (714) 529-1832
E-mail: printmuseum@earthlink.net

South Coast Botanic Garden
16300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Palos Verdes Peninsula, CA 90274
(310) 544-1948

Natural History Museum of Los Angeles - Auto Collection in Gardena

View the 63 vehicle collection which includes one of a kind historic vehicles, luxury cars, historic motorcycles and service vehicles. The collection includes a Helms Bakery truck and a 1900 Winton. The newest vehicle is a 1984 Buick convertible which was used as the official Olympic torch relay car during the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

Guided one hour tours.
Reservations only and must be 16 years or older.
Tours are the first Friday of each month.
Call for reservations and address.
213 763 3505