Torrance Aerospace Company Lands $8.22 Million U.S. Air Force Contract

A Torrance technology company has landed a major U.S. Air Force contract. Intellisense Systems announced August 7 that it was awarded approximately $8.22 million to develop and begin producing next-generation goggles designed to protect aircrews from nuclear-flash blindness. The award puts another national-defense project directly inside Torrance’s longstanding aerospace and technology sector.

Wilson Park’s New Pickleball Complex Is Getting Close to Opening

The pickleball boom is about to get a much bigger home in Torrance. Construction on the new Wilson Park pickleball complex is moving toward its planned summer completion, bringing eight dedicated courts to the park. The project began construction in March and is intended to create a permanent public destination for one of the city’s fastest-growing recreational activities.

Torrance Memorial Is Preparing a Major Expansion of Emergency Care

One of Torrance’s biggest healthcare projects is moving toward a 2026 opening. Torrance Memorial is expanding its Emergency Department into a much larger facility designed for growing patient demand. The completed department is expected to offer more than 80 treatment spaces—roughly double the current capacity—along with new technology, greater flexibility and additional private treatment areas.

Quote of the Day

“The secret of getting ahead is getting started.”
— Mark Twain

The Torrance Area Chamber’s Summer Mixer brings local professionals together Thursday evening

Torrance professionals have a reason to step away from the office Thursday. The Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting its Summer Mixer at Jana on August 13, featuring live music, complimentary hors d’oeuvres from Chef Chris Lin, a cash bar, and an easygoing opportunity to meet local business owners and community members.

Meet a Navy Fighter Pilot Who Helped Make Aviation History

Aviation history comes to Torrance Saturday morning. Former U.S. Navy fighter pilot Mike Rabens will speak at the Western Museum of Flight about the X-47B program, which demonstrated a fighter-sized autonomous aircraft taking off and landing aboard an aircraft carrier. The one-hour Celebrity Lecture offers an unusual firsthand look inside cutting-edge naval aviation.

Galaxy Fans Are Taking Over a Torrance Brewery Saturday

LA Galaxy fans are taking over Absolution Brewing Company this Saturday. The Blue, White & Gold Pop-Up returns August 15 with Galaxy creators, vendors, community and cold beer from noon to 5 p.m. Then the party keeps going with a Galaxy-versus-Houston Dynamo watch party beginning in the Torrance taproom at 5:30 p.m.

Torrance City Hall Will Glow With Lights of Hope

Torrance City Hall will become the setting for a moving community tribute Saturday evening. The American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network’s annual Lights of Hope display returns August 15, with each illuminated tribute representing someone affected by cancer. The gathering transforms individual stories of survival, remembrance and advocacy into one powerful public display of hope.

Heidi Ashcraft Named Torrance’s 2026 Distinguished Citizen of the Year

Torrance is recognizing one of its own. Heidi Ashcraft has been named the 2026 Distinguished Citizen of the Year by the Torrance Area Chamber of Commerce and will be honored at the State of the City on September 25. The recognition celebrates years of civic involvement and service to the Torrance community.

Torrance Teens Just Finished a Summer of Giving Back

A group of Torrance high school students just completed a summer built around service. The City’s Youth Volunteer Leadership Training Program ran through August 7, giving participating teens opportunities to assist recreation programs, work with children and seniors, support youth sports, and learn workplace skills while earning as many as 100 volunteer hours.

South Bay Village Helps Older Neighbors Stay Independent

Sometimes community support looks as simple as a ride to the doctor or help changing a light bulb. Torrance-based South Bay Village connects older adults with volunteers who help with transportation, errands, small household tasks and companionship. The goal is wonderfully straightforward: help seniors remain independent and connected while continuing to live in their own homes.

The Volunteers Behind Torrance’s Performing Arts

The applause may go to the performers, but plenty of Torrance arts supporters work behind the scenes. The Torrance Cultural Arts Foundation relies on volunteers for concessions, ushering, special events and its annual TOCApalooza celebration. Their donated time helps the nonprofit continue bringing music, theater, comedy and other live performances to the South Bay community.

Torrance Has a Rocket Ship With One of the Best Views in the South Bay

High in the Hollywood Riviera sits one of Torrance’s most delightfully unusual landmarks: a towering retro rocket ship playground. Los Arboles Park gives kids four levels to explore while adults get a different reward—sweeping views across the Los Angeles basin that, on a clear day, can stretch toward some of L.A.’s most recognizable landmarks.

Entradero Park Feels Like a Little Piece of Countryside in Torrance

Tucked into west Torrance, Entradero Park offers something surprisingly difficult to find in the middle of a busy city: room to wander. The 26.5-acre park combines walking areas, recreation facilities and pockets of nature where visitors may encounter ducks, geese, rabbits, wildflowers and other wildlife while enjoying a quieter side of Torrance.

Yes, You Can Ride a Miniature Railroad at Wilson Park

Hidden inside busy Wilson Park is something many Torrance residents have never tried: a rideable miniature railroad. Southern California Live Steamers operates small trains that carry actual passengers around its dedicated track during public run days. The nonprofit has provided free rides for nearly four decades, creating one of the city’s quirkiest and most charming family traditions.

Torrance Is Turning Ordinary Utility Boxes Into Street Art

Your next Torrance art discovery might be sitting beside a traffic signal. The City’s Utility Box Public Art Program transforms ordinary street equipment into colorful canvases featuring work by local artists. Scattered along Torrance streets and major thoroughfares, the decorated boxes bring art outside galleries and into places residents pass during everyday errands and neighborhood walks.

Why Does Torrance Have Such a Strong Japanese Connection?

Japanese restaurants, markets, festivals and businesses are woven deeply into everyday life in Torrance—but that connection did not happen overnight. It reaches back more than a century, when Japanese and Japanese American families helped shape the South Bay’s agricultural economy, and it grew stronger as major Japanese companies later made Torrance an important American business center.

Daikokuya Ramen Has Arrived in Torrance

Torrance ramen fans just got some delicious news. Daikokuya has begun a soft opening at Rolling Hills Plaza, bringing the popular ramen shop to the South Bay with evening service currently running from 5 to 9:30 p.m. The new Torrance location adds another heavyweight name to a city already famous for exceptional Japanese food.

Torrance Just Got a Burmese Restaurant—and It’s Something Different

Torrance diners looking for something beyond the usual restaurant rotation have a fascinating new option. Daily Drops Burmese Cuisine has opened on Artesia Boulevard, serving halal dishes inspired by Myanmar’s distinctive food traditions. The small restaurant is mainly geared toward takeout, but its noodles, curries and lesser-known Burmese specialties are already attracting attention from local food watchers.

Japan’s OMUSUBI Chose Torrance for Its First U.S. Location

Another Japanese food concept has chosen Torrance for its American debut. OMUSUBI opened its first U.S. location at The Enclave, specializing in freshly prepared Japanese rice balls along with Kyoto Uji matcha. The concept turns one of Japan’s simplest everyday foods into a convenient meal—and gives Torrance another restaurant that cannot yet be found anywhere else in America.

Prime Pizza Says Torrance Is “Opening Soon”

Torrance pizza lovers have another opening to watch. Prime Pizza now lists its planned Torrance restaurant at 3720 Sepulveda Boulevard as “Opening Soon,” with the location scheduled for 2026. The expanding Los Angeles pizza company has developed a strong following for New York-style slices, whole pies, wings and garlic knots—and Torrance is officially next on its expansion map.

Torrance Could Keep Its Del Amo Police Substation for Just $10 a Year

Torrance could secure another decade for its police substation at Del Amo Fashion Center for a remarkably small price. City Council is being asked Tuesday to approve a new 10-year lease costing the City just $100 total—$10 per year. The agreement would allow Torrance Police to continue operating its mall substation through August 2036.

Torrance Transit Is Seeking Nearly $8.9 Million in State and Local Transportation Funds

Torrance Transit could receive nearly $8.9 million through two major transportation-funding programs. City Council is being asked to authorize the department’s annual claim for approximately $7.78 million in Transportation Development Act funding and another $1.09 million in State Transit Assistance funds for the current fiscal year. No General Fund expenditure is requested.

Torrance Is Considering a $2.26 Million Contract for Community Transportation

Another significant transportation decision is headed to City Council. Torrance Transit recommends awarding a three-year contract worth up to approximately $2.26 million to operate the Torrance Community Transit Program. The agreement would run through July 2029 and cost roughly $753,427 annually, using non-General Fund money to support the specialized transportation service.

A New Public-Art Mural Could Be Coming to the DoubleTree

A Torrance hotel could soon add another splash of public art to Hawthorne Boulevard. City Council will consider approving a mural application for the DoubleTree by Hilton Torrance South Bay at 21333 Hawthorne Boulevard. The Cultural Arts Commission has recommended approval, sending the project to Council for the final municipal action and accompanying agreement.

Torrance Wants Homeowner Input on New Single-Family Design Rules

Torrance homeowners may have a say in how future residential projects are designed. The City is gathering public feedback on proposed objective development standards for Single-Family Residential and Hillside and Coastal Overlay zones. The effort follows a May City Council workshop and could ultimately influence how additions, new homes and other residential projects are reviewed.

Torrance Section 8 Payment Standards Are Changing August 18

A significant change is coming to Torrance’s Section 8 rental-assistance program on August 18. The City’s housing authority will begin using Small Area Fair Market Rents, which means payment standards will vary by ZIP code rather than relying on a single area-wide amount. The change could affect both voucher holders and participating rental-property owners.

Want to Build an ADU? Torrance Already Has Four Pre-Approved Designs

Torrance homeowners considering a backyard ADU may not have to begin with a blank sheet of paper. The City now offers access to four pre-approved accessory dwelling unit designs ranging from a 440-square-foot studio to a 798-square-foot two-bedroom unit. Because the plans are already pre-reviewed, they can help simplify part of the permitting process.

Torrance May Fix Certain Home Problems for Free

A leaky faucet, broken lock or missing grab bar can become a serious problem for an older homeowner. Torrance’s Home Improvement Program provides certain repairs and accessibility upgrades free to qualifying senior homeowners and residents with disabilities. The program can tackle plumbing, safety modifications, minor repairs and other projects that help residents remain safely in their homes.

Southeast Library Will Close for Nearly Two Weeks

Southeast Library users should plan ahead. The Torrance branch at 23115 Arlington Avenue will close for renovations beginning Monday, August 17, and remain closed through Saturday, August 29. The City currently expects the library to reopen Sunday, August 30. Patrons who normally use the branch should make alternate arrangements during the temporary shutdown.

Torrance Fall Recreation Registration Opens August 18

Torrance residents interested in fall classes, programs and activities should mark August 18 on the calendar. Resident registration for the City’s Fall 2026 recreation season opens Tuesday, one full week before non-resident registration begins August 25. Participants should create their online account and verify their Torrance residency before registration day to avoid unnecessary delays.

Torrance City Hall Will Close Again Friday, August 21

Residents planning an in-person trip to Torrance City Hall should avoid Friday, August 21. City Hall will be closed that day as part of Torrance’s regular 9/80 work schedule. Anyone needing permits, payments, documents or other counter services should handle their business earlier in the week or confirm whether the service they need is available online.

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