You can be surrounded by City Hall, theaters, meeting rooms and parking lots — and then suddenly find yourself beside a koi pond.

That is part of the charm of Pine Wind Japanese Garden, one of the quieter corners of the Torrance Cultural Arts Center.

The garden was designed by National Landscape Award winner Takeo Uesugi and incorporates traditional Japanese landscaping and architectural elements, including waterfalls, a koi pond and stone pathways.

It sits at 3330 Civic Center Drive, on the same campus as the James R. Armstrong Theatre, Torrance Art Museum and other cultural facilities.

The City uses the garden for weddings, photography and private events, but its appeal is just as simple for someone who wants a quiet place to slow down for a few minutes.

That is what makes this such a good Hidden Gem.

Many Torrance residents have probably driven through the Civic Center dozens of times without realizing an authentic Japanese-style garden is tucked inside the complex.

There is no giant entrance or flashy attraction telling you to stop.

You have to know it is there.

And once you do, it is one of the easiest places in Torrance to trade traffic noise for waterfalls and koi — even if only for a short break.

External Link: Explore Pine Wind Japanese Garden