Where: South Bay
What: Neighborhood Guide
Who: Torrance native Lindsay Zuelich began sanding wood alongside her father from an early age. Today, she makes a living crafting wooden flasks, lighters, jewelry and other accessories for men and women behind the name Wood Brain, her woodworking company. Based in the South Bay, the beach bum travels often in pursuit of beautiful beaches and surf swells. “After traveling to a variety of places around the world, I still always look forward to coming back to the South Bay,” the entrepreneur says. For anyone unfamiliar with Torrance, reference 90210, Buffy The Vampire Slayer or Fast Times at Ridgemont High for cameos of the beachside city known for a killer surf break and laidback lifestyle. Or just take a peep below at Lindsay’s list of recommended hot spots.
Rainforest Flora, Inc.
Torrance, CA
Lindsay Zuelich: Rainforest Flora off Hawthorne Blvd in Torrance is like its own little tropical world. They specialize in growing and selling Tillandsia air plants. Inside the main greenhouse, they have an array of exotic and rare plants flanking the nursery and a giant koi pond with waterfalls filling the center. Rainforest Flora is a peaceful and relaxing place to walk around, enjoy and unwind.
Rockler Woodworking and Hardware
Torrance
LZ: Rockler Woodworking and Hardware store is also located off Hawthorne Blvd in Torrance. Although it is much more than a hardware store, it's a candy shop for woodworkers and word nerds alike. The shop is filled with amazing smells of all different types of woods and for the interested hobbyist, they offer classes and demonstrations in store on the weekends.
Red Car Brewery
Torrance
LZ: Red Car Brewery is located in Old Torrance off Sartori Ave and is a great place for craft beers. You can even pick a few up in a growler to take home and enjoy later. I love the wood-fired pizzas and the Big Red Ale. Torrance has quite a few breweries, but this one has been around the longest.
Fosters Freeze
Torrance
LZ: Fosters Freeze in Old Torrance off Cravens Ave is nostalgically set in old Torrance, close to the old town bakery. I love to ride my bike with my husband and our dog down to Foster Freeze on a hot weekend day and grab a cold frosty treat to enjoy in the nearby shady park.
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar
Torrance
LZ: Lazy Dog Restaurant and Bar has a great outdoor patio with multiple fire pits, and as the name implies, you can bring your lazy dog with you to hang out on the patio to enjoy a beer and pizza with you. They too have amazing wood-fired pizza’s here; can you tell I’m a pizza and beer fan?
Old Tony's
Redondo Beach
LZ: Old Tony’s is located on the Pier in Redondo Beach and has been a landmark bar since the 50s. If you sit right on the edge of the pier, this bar offers 360-degree views from the bird's nest bar upstairs. Manny, the bartender, makes a serious Fire Chief, a signature drink you order at Tony's that comes with a glass to take home. We have a pretty nice collection at home.
The Strand
Redondo to Manhattan Beach
LZ: I love to ride my bike and it’s even more enjoyable by the beach. The start of The Strand is off Hernando and First St. in Redondo Beach and stretches all the way to El Segundo passing multiple bars along the way. This is also another pet-friendly activity.
Good Stuff Restaurant
Hermosa on the Strand
LZ: Like I said above, I enjoy riding my bike on The Strand and stopping for lunch or a quick shake on the road. The name of the restaurant should be “Great Stuff” because the food and smoothies are fresh and delicious. They also have a pet-friendly patio that my dog loves to visit as well.
The Rockefeller Gastropub
Manhattan Beach off Highland Ave.
LZ: I usually meet up with friends on Tuesdays for drinks and tapas here. They have a great speakeasy feel and unique menu items. There’s usually always something new on the menu, which is exciting, and great music.
Rainforest Flora, Inc. courtesy of @milesmichaud
Rainforest Flora, Inc. courtesy of @rainforestflora
Rockler courtesy of @lora.ellingson
Red Car Brewery courtesy of @bhi_ryugaku
Fosters Freeze courtesy of @rie._.kobayashi
Lazy Dog Restaurant & Bar courtesy of @enchantingvida
Old Tony's courtesy of @calamityhane
The Strand courtesy of @jenafur222
Good Stuff Burgers courtesy of @asocialhummingbird
The Rockefeller Gastropub courtesy of @mbchamber
Header image courtesy of @milenasarian
