El Segundo

Visit our secret beach, stroll down our famous streets or take an art walk, but enjoy our town's hospitality. Full of friendly charm and vintage brick buildings (many movies are filmed here) downtown, El Segundo is a little hometown village located right smack in the middle of Los Angeles County.

Quaint shops, fine dining and beautiful parks welcome the visitor, and we invite you to visit and rest in our safe and friendly little corner of LA.

Grab a picnic and hang out in one of our many perfectly manicured parks including one with a gazebo. Catch the right weekend and our town band will serenade you with a free concert in the park.

Enjoy watching jets take off from LAX from a viewing deck or from the beach.

El Segundo is well hidden between the airport, beach, and an industrial area so it’s no big surprise that when people think of El Segundo they think of industrial buildings, Chevron and busy Sepulveda Boulevard, but it's much more.

Our well concealed neighborhood of only 16,000 residents is a blast of the past. Everyone seems to know everyone, and the mood is friendly and fun. We're a HUGE baseball town and have turned out many famous athletes.

As you drive down Main Street (yes, it’s actually named Main Street, and it is the main street through town) you'll expect to see Opie walking past, whistling, while carrying his fishing rod (ok surfboard here).

Time hasn’t stood still in our little Mayberry, but it has ticked by slower than most places. My mother-in-law just visited from Ohio and she said that El Segundo looks like the town she grew up in Ohio... 50 years ago. It's sparkling clean, full of Old Oak trees lining the many hills and so safe that the police get bored (don’t speed here, it’ll give them something to do). If you stay nearby and don’t take the time to stop by and visit, you are definitely missing something special.

This beautiful town is a movie makers dream set. The high school is so architecturally unique in California, that a constant stream of movie production companies film in its halls. Richmond Street is home to many movies as well, including Boston Public. We do have our own residential celebrities and Rosanne Barr’s production company is located on Main Street.

Quick Tips:

The center point of town is at the intersection of Main Street and Grand Avenue, these are the main streets of town.

Log onto www.elsegundo.org for a map and event listings.

Richmond Street is one block west of Main Street, it is where Boston Public was filmed, and the street with four of our favorite places to visit: Richmond Bar and grill is the neighborhood "Cheers", it's where the friendly locals grab a beer and good eats all for a great price. Owners Jeff and Patty will make sure you feel welcome, so make sure to let them know you're just in town for a visit.

Second City Bistro is our favorite restaurant for a fabulous fine dining experience, and an even more fabulous wine selection. They have a free wine tasting event every Monday night, come by and meet more locals including the owners Scott and Liz, it's the hip spot to be on Monday. Make sure to get a reservation if you want to dine on Monday nights, it gets pretty crowded.

After the wine tasting ends, most of the "cool" locals trek right next door to the Purple Orchid, our local Tiki bar. The owners Dave and Rebecca were probably at the wine tasting next door, so let them know that you're following the local itinerary. You can order all kinds of unique drinks, including a flaming volcano. The interior is well worth visiting for a drink at any time, and the friendly bar staff will make you want to stay. During the day, don't miss out on the treasures to be found at Studio Antiques, also on Richmond Street, owned by a jovial English friend of ours and his wife. And, if you love this one, they have a second shop on Mariposa Avenue.

Our secret beach is awesome, but I'll cover that in a separate section.

We have a beautiful 9 hole executive golf course, that only costs .00 to play a round. With a bar/restaurant in the clubhouse right next to a small waterfall and pond, it is a refreshing place to hang out instead of your hotel room. This is not located downtown however, and is on Sepulveda Boulevard.

There is a farmers market on Main Street on Thursday afternoons from 3:00-7:00pm. Here, musicians play and plenty of vendors sell freshly prepared food selections, in addition to selling traditional fresh produce.

Best Way To Get Around:

If you’re driving then you can hit everything in a day or two. Most of Southern California is best seen by car, parking in town is easy.
If you're here for a quick overnight (it seems like everyone is), then check for a hotel shuttle or cab. If you’re staying at the Hacienda Hotel, then you can walk straight down Mariposa and make a left on Main to get to the city center, I would only recommend this for people comfortable walking a couple of miles or more, as there is plenty to see. I actually decided to write this article because I saw so many tourists at the Starbucks on Sepulveda and Mariposa which is right between the Hacienda Hotel and the Marriott Residence Inn. I've even seen them walk east to the industrial district... make sure to "head west young man". Don't sit out on the busy, industrial-looking, intersection and think you've been to El Segundo, the real El Segundo is less than a mile away, but you've got to head west on Mariposa... toward the beach. Enjoy your morning exercise with a cup of coffee and a brisk walk downtown.
Most hotels offer a shuttle and they’ll take you downtown.

We have a free lunchtime shuttle that will shuttle you between the Sepulveda Business District and Downtown El Segundo (call 310-524-2704 for details). It runs from 11:30am - 2:15pm, Monday through Friday.

If you’re stuck by LAX on Century Boulevard, ask your hotel if they have a shuttle or if they can hail you a cab. It's a short cab ride and should cost less than .00 each way.

Second City Bistro is extraordinary when it comes to fabulous wine and scrumptious food. Their motto "American flair with flair" says it all. This Zagat reviewed restaurant offers those with a discriminating palate the best place, in and around town, to sample fabulous four-star dining.

New Zeland chef Nikki Hoelsey mixes up the menu with presentations that rival the décor. With attention to detail she orders her fresh halibut whole so that she can carve it herself. The pasta is so full of fresh red peppers, artichokes and veggies that it’s hard to know where to begin on the savory plate. Stuffed filet mignon, oysters bursting over the appetizer spoons and a wine list longer than the menu are enough to make any food critic dance.

As if the food isn’t enough to look at, the décor of the bistro will enliven your experience even more. Exposed vintage brick, an open stainless kitchen and wood beamed ceilings greet diners as warmly as the proprietors themselves. In fact, Scott and Liz Reed are available most nights to greet diners and to make the rounds to make sure every thing is perfect for every diner. Adding to the personal experience Liz’s artwork hangs on the walls. Look closely to see her immense talent as her work is done freehand. The warmth created in the restaurant is also reflected in the careful attention to detail in the lighting scheme of skylights, mini white lights and striking fixtures.

The beautiful people, local politicians and social scene flock to the wine tasting events at 6pm on most Monday evenings. Check out www.secondcitybistro.com, to view the menu and wine offerings. People drive from out of town to visit this packed event (a big compliment if you know our city). If you want to socialize with the local elite, this is the place to do it.

Scott hosts the wine tasting event on the patio out back, so wander through to the back door where it will no doubt be packed with the lively crowd.

We love the food, but if you want to dine on Monday nights (usually a slow night in the industry), you need a reservation due to the big wine crowd that lingers to sample some of the new culinary creations.
If you plan on attending one of the few champagne nights it is especially crowded, so don't be late.

Second City Bistro is extraordinary when it comes to fabulous wine and scrumptious food. Their motto "American flair with flair" says it all. This Zagat reviewed restaurant offers those with a discriminating palate the best place, in and around town, to sample fabulous four star dining.

New Zeland chef Nikki Hoelsey mixes up the menu with presentations that rival the décor. With attention to detail she orders her fresh halibut whole so that she can carve it herself. The pasta is so full of fresh red peppers, artichokes and veggies that it’s hard to know where to begin on the savory plate. Stuffed filet mignon, oysters bursting over the appetizer spoons and a wine list longer than the menu are enough to make any food critic dance.

As if the food isn’t enough to look at, the décor of the bistro will enliven your experience even more. Exposed vintage brick, an open stainless kitchen and wood beamed ceilings greet diners as warmly as the proprietors themselves. In fact, Scott and Liz Reed are available most nights to greet diners and to make the rounds to make sure every thing is perfect for every diner. Adding to the personal experience Liz’s artwork hangs on the walls. Look closely to see her immense talent as her work is done freehand. The warmth created in the restaurant is also reflected in the careful attention to detail in the lighting scheme of skylights, mini white lights and striking fixtures.

The beautiful people, local politicians and social scene flock to the wine tasting events on 6:00 pm on most Monday evenings.

Check out www.secondcitybistro.com, to view the menu and wine offerings. People drive from out of town to visit this packed event (a big compliment if you know our city). If you want to socialize with the local elite, this is the place to do it.

Scott hosts the wine tasting event on the patio out back, so wander through to the back door where it will no doubt be packed with the lively crowd.

We love the food, but if you want to dine on Monday nights (usually a slow night in the industry), you need a reservation due to the big wine crowd that lingers to sample some of the new culinary creations. If you plan on attending one of the few champagne nights it is especially crowded, so don't be late.

The Purple Orchid is a fun, Tiki themed, bar with a stage for small bands. We love to hang out here in the evenings with friends for real drinks. Most of our favorite places are beer and wine licensed, and don't have the full alcohol license. The owners are fun and very involved in the local community, you can usually spot Dave and Rebecca dressed in a fun purple outfit with accessories. In fact, if you happen to notice everyone is dressed up, you've probably walked into one of their famous themed parties. They just had a trucker night, so if you walk into the Orchid and feel out of place either a surf band is playing or there is a theme party going on. Don't worry about a costume, just grab a flaming volcano and drink up, you'll blend in rather quickly. Mention that you are visiting and the bar staff will make sure you feel welcome.

This is the "Cheers" of our town. When we walk in, the owners or bar staff begin pouring our drinks, before we even start our "how ya doin's". This is the place to have a beer with the mayor, local business owners, famous athletes, and the rest of the gang. Families with kids, and singles on the look out, are all welcome. This is a place for great priced drinks, and delicious food. Nothing on the menu is over $6.95, so it's easy on your wallet, a definite bargain as we love their menu. Their fresh cut potato chips are a must order, even if you're only in for a beer, which by the way is a steal, a 32 ounce Schooner of draft beer is only $4.50. With all of the wonderful people, friendly atmosphere and hometown charm (this is a historical building, make sure to check out the old photos on the wall), this is a place you can't miss, even if you're only in town between flights.

The El Segundo Beach is a hidden treasure, it's uncrowded, offers easy parking, and the view on a clear day stretches from Santa Monica and Malibu to the North, to Palos Verdes on the South end.
You can sit on the sand and watch the planes take off from LAX just north of the beach, or you can hit the paved trails along the sand that stretch for miles longer than I can bike, skate or jog.

Take a picnic or head back into downtown for a great meal (less than a mile away). There are volleyball courts and a jetty that the kids love to play on, but the biggest draws are the moderate waves that are so much fun to splash in. The beach is staffed with lifeguards during the summer months, but during the winter months you need to keep a close eye on the kids (and the water is a little cool anyway).

I'm sure you can figure out enough things to do on your own on the beach, but dogs and smoking are not allowed (and you thought it was only indoor in California).

If you have time, the neighboring Manhattan Beach Peir is a nice place to stroll and shop. The Hermosa Pier is a fun party place for the younger set. Both are just a few miles south of El Segundo beach. You can rent bikes and skates in either of the two. El Segundo does not have services on the beach.
 
If you venture to the north, you can visit Malibu and Santa Monica... but I prefer to stay in the South Bay, the beaches are much cleaner and more upscale. If you're into grunge, starving artists, and homeless people, then Santa Monica is for you. I work hard during the week and I don't appreciate getting hit-up for money on my time off, so I prefer to stay in the South-Bay area.

This beach really is a gem, and it is so nice to have such easy access to this wide stretch of beach so close to downtown El Segundo, which is full of great places to eat and shop. Have fun at our beach, we hope you enjoy the view.

There are numerous murals throughout the town, keep an eye out as you walk down Main Street. If you begin at the corner of Mariposa and Main, where the Masonic Temple is located, there is a huge (I'll get the dimensions and add them) mural reflecting man's journey through space. Continue south on Main Street, and just past Grand Avenue you'll see a mural about military aircraft next to the Chevron Station (we manufacture fighter jets in El Segundo in the industrial area, and we have a little known Air Force Base). The post office is connected to this building, and it too has some fabulous art painted on the front.

Turn right (west) at the corner of Franklin and Main Streets and take a look to the right. Here is the history of El Segundo, painted on a large wall. If you continue up Franklin and make a left on Richmond Street you'll see the Old Town Music Hall, a beautiful, historic building with an old fashioned pipe organ that still plays before a movie starts. They play vintage movies here and it's great fun, catch a movie if you can.

Don't forget to look down as you walk through town, local residents purchase round tiles and have them engraved as a fund raising project, in fact look closely at the school, the bricks have been donated and are inscribed with notes from the contributors.

Hey, and while you're there, make sure to stop in the historic Richmond Bar and Grill for a quick beer, it's the "cheers" of this  town and one place you must visit. Take a look at the historical photo's on the walls, this place has been in town as long as there has been a town.

I'll add more historic details, I need to get the information myself. You can always stop by the Chamber of Commerce on Main Street and pick up maps and information about the city. We also have a great website, with maps and information at www.elsegundo.org. Happy Trails.

In our two-mile by two-mile downtown community, we are focused on families. You'll see kids of all ages jogging, riding bikes, and skateboarding. It's so safe here that there are kids everywhere, don't be surprised if people take a close look at you because they don't know you... they just want to keep the kids safe. Let the locals know you came by for a visit and you'll find yourself with new friends.
Obviously, with a focus on family we have phenomenal parks; we have over 12 parks, including a skate park and a dog park. The three largest parks are Recreation Park, located on Pine (one block South of Mariposa); Eucalyptus (two blocks east of Main); and Library Park, across the street from the High School on Main Street and Mariposa. If you want to go park-hopping, or even swim in our large indoor pool, I'd recommend going online to our city website at www.elsegundo.org and downloading the parks and recreation brochure. It lists all the events around town, has a great park map, and is full of fun ideas to do with kids.

LAX is the fifth busiest airport in the world, and it's in our backyard (quite literally). So what do you do besides soundproof your house when you live this close to the airport? You build a deck and make a hobby out of viewing those airplanes; that's just what our city has done.

If you haven't been outside to witness airplanes take off from an unobstructed and clear view, then this is the place to sit back with a cappuccino and do so. Benches, tables, and viewing binoculars are available at this hillside deck. Bring some checkers or chess pieces if you want to hang out awhile, as the tables have checkerboards built in them. If you're a real enthusiast, bring your camera and a monster telephoto lens to fit in with the other spectators.

To get there: take Main Street North from the city center of Main and Grand. Turn right on Imperial Avenue, which is a little side street BEFORE you get to Imperial Avenue (the big highway). You'll go up a small hill, and the viewing deck will be right on your left hand side... you can't miss it unless there are a bunch of trucks parked on the side of the road.

Planes have been flying around LAX since the 1920's when pioneers of the "flying machines" took off and landed here on a bumpy dirt makeshift runway. Eventually, in 1927 the Los Angeles City Council chose the area for a municipal airport. It used to be known as Mines field, named after a real estate agent who was involved in the lease portion of the transaction (and we thought our 6% sellers fees were unreasonable). During World War II, it was used for military flights, and commercial airline service began in 1946. It is now the world's fifth busiest passenger airport and sixth in air cargo.

Don't stay cooped up in your hotel room because you're afraid of the icky industrial neighborhood that you are probably viewing from your window. Head west to the wonderful downtown area of El Segundo. If you are staying at the Hacienda Hotel or the nearby Marriott, you can head west of Sepulveda and have an enjoyable walk or jog.

Grand Avenue is a couple of blocks south of Mariposa and leads straight to the beach, so if you're a great jogger and want a challenge head this way. Grand Avenue hill is great while you're jogging/walking down, but it's not fun on the way back up (trust me, I do it all the time). Grand is not as pretty as the walk I detail below, but it is the direct street to the beach from Sepulveda.

For a beautiful walk, I recommend heading west on Mariposa. When you get to Center Street, turn left/south, and then turn right/west on Pine Avenue.

You'll pass right by Recreation Park, turn into it and explore it as it has easy entrances and exits from all sides.
When you are on Pine, take a minute to stop and look north when you get to Arena Street (across from the park)... it's our own minature Oak Alley.

When you get to Eucalyptus turn right/north. If you didn't turn right on Arena to explore the oak tree canopy, catch Mariposa and head west/left again.

Right in front of you you'll see the High school, and a little further down Mariposa will be Main Street.

Take a stroll through Library Park, or head south (a left turn on Main Street) to enjoy the beginning of Downtown El Segundo.

This is where the bulk of the boutiques and shops are located. You can window shop or grab a snack from the many restaurants.

Continue on Main Street, pass Grand Avenue and notice the mural on the post office wall. Turn right/west on Franklin and you'll see a mural on the right side of the street of our town history.

Continue on Franklin to Richmond street and look left at the intersection to see the Old Town Music Hall and our favorite "Cheers" bar, the Richmond. Turn right/north and you'll pass the Purple Orchid and Second City Bistro (see my write ups on these fabulous local joints).

When you get to Grand Avenue, pay attention to the enormous six-foot chair in front of the furniture store (it is a great photo op) you'll look 2-feet-tall when you sit in it. On the northeast corner is Good Stuff, a cute restaurant shaped like a lifeguard tower.

On this corner, you can head west/left to get to the beach in less than a mile, or turn right/east to head back to your hotel.

Grand Avenue is charming in this part of town, but once you pass Eucalyptus it becomes a bit busy and industrial. I recommend heading east on Grand only to Eucalyptus north/left, and heading back down Pine or Mariposa.