Touring * Scene *

Approaching Torrance southbound on Interstate 405 (the San Diego Freeway), take the Crenshaw Boulevard exit and turn right to head south. After two miles, turn right onto Torrance Boulevard and proceed 3.5 miles to the beach. Torrance Boulevard terminates at the end of the Redondo Beach Pier in a parking structure that the Strand trail actually passes right through. Approaching northbound on Interstate 405 near the town of Carson, take the Sepulveda Boulevard exit and turn left to cross under the freeway. Head west for 5.5 miles to where Sepulveda meets Torrance Boulevard. Turn left onto Torrance and go five blocks to the parking structure. Approaching on Interstate 110 (the Harbor Freeway), take the Gardena Freeway (Highway 91) exit west and follow it two miles to Crenshaw Boulevard. Turn left and proceed two miles south until you reach Torrance Boulevard. Turn right onto Torrance and proceed to the parking structure. Map: Los Angeles County Bike Map, available for free by calling (213) 244-6539.

Embellished with teal accents and street lamps, the upscale shopping area and Redondo Beach Pier are very pretty, although no skating is allowed. As you head down the bikeway from Redondo Beach, the hills of Palos Verdes Point rise in an almost Mediterranean vision above the south end of the beach, the cheery red tile roofs of the buildings catching the sunlight. The view gets better and better as you continue skating. Starting where the parking structure bike path emerges into the sunlight south of the pier, the asphalt trail widens to 12 feet, allowing pedestrians to use it, too. The sand next to the inland side of the trail is held in place by ice plant, with Esplanade Street just above. Down a short, sandy slope lies the beach, and rest rooms and other structures are accessible here and there next to the bikeway. Watch out for pedestrians and bicyclists during peak hours. The trail ends at one of the ubiquitous Alfredo's snack bars. Nearby, a steep slope provides access up to Paseo de la Playa. If you skated the entire Strand all the way from Pacific Palisades, 22 miles north, congratulations. Now you can call a taxi from the nearby phone booth.