Hermosa Beach Is the California Town to Visit on July 4th
All over L.A.'s South Bay, anticipation is building for the annual Fourth of July celebration put on in Hermosa Beach. With an end in sight to the cloudy days of June Gloom, the appropriately named Southern California town — Hermosa means pretty in Spanish — is gearing up for blue skies, sunshine, and lots of parties.
This year’s Thursday holiday will create a four-day weekend party, with many visitors and residents planning to get into the spirit over the weekend. Pier Plaza, a one-block walking area lined with shops, restaurants, and bars, will be party central, but the celebration doesn’t end there.
Related: The Best Beaches in the U.S. for Celebrating Fourth of July
On the Fourth of July, house parties — many with live bands performing on balconies or in front yards — will fill the Strand, a 22-mile bike path with sandy beach on one side and shore-facing homes on the other. The two-mile section that passes through Hermosa will be packed with dancing, celebrating, swimsuit-clad partiers throughout the day.
The annual Ironman "Triathlon," an unofficial event for about 40 years, begins the festivities at 9 a.m. Not your typical athletic challenge, Ironman participants run a mile, paddleboard a mile, and then drink a six-pack of beer. Around 10:30, a punk band will play for spectators and athletes, and everyone sings “God Bless America” at 11:30 to end the event. Official signups for the Ironman will take place on July 3 at a not-yet-revealed location, although in past years the venue has been Tower 12 on Pier Plaza.
On the Fourth, the bars and restaurants on Pier Avenue and Hermosa Avenue will be open and offering drink specials and live music as part of the celebration. Pier Plaza restaurants and bars include Tower 12, Palmilla, Green Belt, Rebel Republic, Patrick Molloy's, Hennessey's, Playa Hermosa Fish and Oyster Company, and more. Nearby, there’s Slater's 50/50, Rok Sushi, La Playita, and the new Crafty Minds Brews + Bites. For a great start to the day, enjoy breakfast with an ocean breeze at Good Stuff or French pastries and a cappuccino at Café Bonaparte.
Visitors can find rooms at the seaside Beach House starting at $599 on July 4 and at the Hotel Hermosa starting around $200.
Hermosa’s neighbor to the south, Redondo Beach, provides a spectacular fireworks display each year at 9 p.m. Easily visible from the beach and pier, this tradition is always an exciting part of the day. Fireworks from Santa Monica, Marina Del Rey, El Segundo, and Torrance can also be seen from Hermosa Beach, so the light show continues into the night.
Area shops will be open so visitors can find great replacements for any forgotten items — or add to their summer wardrobes. Pier Surf, steps from the pier, offer swimsuits, board shorts, cover-ups, and t-shirts as well as bike and surfboard rentals. Spyder Surf is another spot to shop for beach clothing and fashionable accessories. On Hermosa Avenue, Best Swimwear has an extensive selection of bikinis, cover-ups, and sandals, and on Pier Avenue, Beach & Beverly has boho-chic dresses to take you into the nighttime parties.
History buffs might be interested to know that the city of Hermosa Beach dates back to the early 20th century, when visitors rode the Santa Fe Railroad from Los Angeles for beachside vacations. The first Hermosa Beach Pier dates back to 1904, when it was built entirely of wood. That pier was destroyed in a storm and replaced by a concrete pier in 1914.
Over the years, the pier has been damaged, repaired, and rebuilt, most recently in 2010. Art lovers will enjoy the six murals that depict the history and culture of the city. The first mural, located near Pier Plaza, shows the pier, buildings, and automobiles as they appeared around 1924. Other murals pay tribute to Hermosa Beach’s history of jazz, the evolution of swimwear, and a favorite local sport, beach volleyball.
Hermosa Beach is an exciting place to celebrate America’s independence with a day or weekend at the beach. Visitors should be aware that alcoholic drinks are not permitted on the beach or Strand, and smoking is prohibited as well. On July 4 in particular, the Hermosa Beach Police Department will be out and around enforcing these laws. So, if you decide to celebrate the Fourth in Hermosa, have a great time but keep these rules in mind as you enjoy the sunshine, surf, and fun in this very special South Bay beach city.
