Destination of the Week: El Segundo
Photo credit: The City of El Segundo.
This week, Daily Travel Source is featuring the charming city of El Segundo in Los Angeles County. We caught up with The City of El Segundo to learn about fun activities, places to stay and dishes to try while visiting.
For those who have not yet visited El Segundo, why is the city a great place to stay while visiting Southern California?
El Segundo is the perfect entry point to all that Southern California has to offer, while having a prime location in the South Bay. In the heart of one of America’s major metros, El Segundo offers a laid-back, beach-town vibe with friendly locals. El Segundo is conveniently located within just a few miles of LAX and major venues, and has quick access to stadiums, theme parks, beaches, and world-class restaurants.
El Segundo was recently named "South Bay's Best Downtown," for its small-town coastal charm with a walkable, historic downtown, tree-lined streets, unique shops, and award-winning dining and bars. Plus free parking!
And El Segundo is home to champions - it is the only city in the U.S. that is home to headquarters and practice facilities for four major sports teams that include the Los Angeles Chargers (NFL), the Los Angeles Lakers (NBA), the LA Kings (NHL), and the Los Angeles Rugby Club.
What's a great way to spend date night in El Segundo?
Start at Old Town Music Hall, a treasured cultural landmark located in El Segundo that began in the 1960s when two musicians, Bill Coffman, and Bill Field, purchased the Mighty Wurlitzer Theater Pipe Organ from the Fox West Theater in Long Beach and installed it in the quaint 188-seat El Segundo State Theater, originally built in 1921. Since 1968, Old Town Music Hall has been showing vintage silent and sound films and presenting live concerts by some of the world's finest performers of jazz, ragtime, and popular music from the past. Silent films are accompanied by the Mighty Wurlitzer, a massive 1925 wind-powered pipe organ consisting of more than 2,600 pipes meticulously preserved so that silent classics can be experienced with live musical accompaniment, just as they did when they were first shown. It's a night to remember!
Then grab dinner at one of the many top-notch restaurants throughout the city - a few ideas include:
Located in downtown El Segundo on Main Street, the former site of the El Segundo Post Office, Brewport Tap House is a South Bay destination for craft beer, wine and food. They offer an extensive selection of taps via their self-pour beer and wine wall and a wide selection of apps, burgers and sandwiches.
Porterhouse is a stunning space located on historic Richmond Street in the heart of downtown El Segundo, one of El Segundo’s newest culinary additions, offers a vast range of whiskies and bourbons at a cozy front bar and a beautifully designed back patio. It’s helmed by Chef Bijan who works with fresh, seasonal ingredients to create unique combinations in addition to classic steakhouse cuts.
Sausal offers house-made sangrias, margaritas, and a spectacular selection of tequila - the beautiful bar complements the unique and flavorful cuisine. Sausal is named after Rancho Sausal Redondo, the vast farmstead that once encompassed El Segundo and most of the South Bay. The restaurant’s nuevo rancho cuisine pulls history forward by blending traditional Hispanic ingredients with contemporary farmers’ market ingredients.
Or if in the mood for pizza, check out Slice & Pint located on Grand Street, in the heart of historic downtown El Segundo, owned by El Segundo Brewery. Their pies have been legendary and the hometown brewery offers IPAs, DIPAs, TIPAs and stouts.
For the foodies out there, can you recommend some food options for each meal?
SoCal is one of the top foodie capitals in the country, but when you visit El Segundo you’ll be surprised at how incredible and accessible of a culinary adventure it can be - did we mention free parking! Visitors will discover fine dining, an ocean of sushi, tons of tacos, craft beer and spirits, killer coffee, and decadent desserts are always steps away.
Visitors and locals alike can start the day with coffee and delicious delights at Blue Butterfly Cafe, Smoky Hollow Roasters, or Two Guns. Good Stuff’s brunch is always popular, as is the newly launched breakfast burritos at Jaime Taqueria.
When lunch cravings strike, folks can head to The Point for anything from burgers (Hopdoddy), to salads (Mendocino Farms and True Foods Kitchen) to Italian at North Italia. Or if a delicious deli sandwich is on the mind, head to Rinaldi's in the historic downtown El Segundo.
For dinner, the kitchen at Chef Hannes is led by executive chef Hannes Kraschitzer, who's cooked for celebrities and royalty around the world. His El Segundo restaurant is a blend of European flavors from Italy, Austria and beyond.
Or Chef Jackson Kalb learned from the very best – working for the famed Joel Robuchon in Las Vegas, and three Michelin-star Alinea in Chicago. Today, he practices his craft - and his passion for making pasta in-house every single day – at Jame in the heart of El Segundo, in addition to growing his empire across Southern California, including in Hollywood and Montecito.
Is El Segundo close to the beach and what are some activity options?
El Segundo Beach is quiet and serene with easy parking. Beach-goers can surf, rent a bike, or just chill and listen to the Pacific waves.
If in the mood for something more active, check out the just-opened Studio Golf or California Smash with dozens of pickleball courts and a DJ booth! Or there is fantastic shopping at The Point, Plaza El Segundo, and The Works; or cute boutiques in downtown El Segundo. And families can also check out the Mattel Headquarters corporate store on certain days! A favorite spot for locals with kids, Cutter’s Park provides a bird’s-eye view of takeoffs and landings at LAX airport. Enjoy some outdoor fun or a jet-powered afternoon that’s a plane-spotter’s dream.
Where are some ideal places for families to stay while staying in El Segundo?
El Segundo offers welcoming accommodations from luxury hotels to extended-stay suites, and as mentioned, all conveniently located within just a few miles of LAX and major venues and quick access to stadiums, theme parks, beaches, and world-class restaurants.
Options include:
AC Hotel Los Angeles South Bay
Aloft El Segundo LAX
Cambria Hotel LAX
DoubleTree by Hilton LAX – El Segundo
Embassy Suites Los Angeles International Airport/South
Extended Stay America Hotel El Segundo
Fairfield Inn & Suites LAX/El Segundo
Hampton Inn & Suites El Segundo
Hilton Garden Inn
Hyatt House Los Angeles/LAX/Manhattan Beach
Hyatt Place Los Angeles/LAX/El Segundo
Sonesta Select Los Angeles LAX
Travelodge by Wyndham LAX South
Residence Inn by Marriott LAX/El Segundo
