Torrance, California

Torrance, California
Charter city
City of Torrance
View of Torrance Beach with neighboring Palos Verdes in the background
Flag Seal
Motto:  "A Balanced City!"
Location of Torrance in the County of Los Angeles
Country	United States of America
State	California
County	Los Angeles
Incorporated	May 12, 1921
Government
• Type	Council/Manager
• City council	Mayor Patrick J. Furey Heidi Ann Ashcraft Gene Barnett Tim Goodrich Mike Griffiths Geoff Rizzo Kurt Weideman
• City treasurer	Dana Cortez
• City clerk	Rebecca Poirier
Area
• Total	20.553 sq mi (53.233 km2)
• Land	20.478 sq mi (53.038 km2)
• Water	0.075 sq mi (0.195 km2)  0.37%
Elevation	89 ft (27 m)
Population  (April 1, 2010)
• Total	145,438
• Estimate  (2013)	147,478
• Rank	8th in Los Angeles County 39th in California 171st in the United States
• Density	7,100/sq mi (2,700/km2)
Time zone	UTC−8 (Pacific)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−7 (PDT)
ZIP codes	90501–90510
Area codes	310/424
FIPS code	06-80000
GNIS feature IDs	1652802, 2412087
Website	www.torranceca.gov

Torrance is an affluent city in the South Bay (southwestern) region of Los Angeles County, California, United States. Torrance has 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of beaches on the Pacific Ocean, which are quieter and less well known by tourists than others on the Santa Monica Bay, such as those of neighboring Redondo Beach and Manhattan Beach. Torrance enjoys a moderate year-round climate with warm temperatures, sea breezes, low humidity and an average rainfall of 12.55 inches per year.

Since its incorporation in 1921, Torrance has grown rapidly. Its estimated 2013 population was 147,478. This residential and light high-tech industries city has 90,000 street trees and 30 city parks. Known for its low crime rates, the city consistently ranks among the safest cities in Los Angeles County. Torrance is the birthplace of the American Youth Soccer Organization (AYSO). In addition, the city of Torrance has the second highest percentage of Japanese in North America (8.88%).

History

Torrance was originally part of the Tongva Native American homeland for thousands of years. In 1784 the Spanish land grant for Rancho San Pedro, in the upper Las Californias Province of New Spain and encompassing present day Torrance, was issued to Juan Jose Dominguez by King Carlos III—the Spanish Empire. It was later divided in 1846 with Governor Pío Pico granting Rancho de los Palos Verdes to José Loreto and Juan Capistrano Sepulveda, in the Alta California territory of independent Mexico.

In the early 1900s, real estate developer Jared Sidney Torrance and other investors saw the value of creating a mixed industrial-residential community south of Los Angeles. They purchased part of an old Spanish land grant and hired landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. to design a new planned community. The resulting town was founded in October 1912 and named after Torrance. The city of Torrance was formally incorporated in May 1921, the townsite being bounded by Western Avenue on the east, Del Amo Boulevard on the north, Crenshaw Boulevard on the west, & on the south by Plaza Del Amo east of where it meets Carson Street, & by Carson Street west of where it meets Plaza Del Amo. The first residential avenue created in Torrance was Gramercy and the second avenue was Andreo. Many of the houses on these avenues turned 100 years of age in 2012. Both avenues are located in the area referred to as Old Town Torrance. This section of Torrance is under review to be classified as a historical district. Some of the early civic and residential buildings were designed by the renowned and innovative Southern California architect Irving Gill, in his distinctive combining of Mission Revival and early Modernist architecture.

Historically the El Nido neighborhood was home to many European immigrants, such as originally Dutch, German, Greek, Italian and Portuguese people; soon joined by Mexican-American and Hispanic and Latino immigrants; employed in the growing early 20th century agriculture, petroleum, and manufacturing industries, such as the fish canneries.

Rapid new growth in Torrance began after World War II as wartime industries transformed into Post-war Aerospace manufacturers and related technology industries. Large housing developments were built in the 1950s and 1960s to accommodate the new population. Torrance moved on after the closure of some aerospace development and oil refinery plants in the 1990s statewide recession.

Torrance survived the deindustrialization, regional economic slowdowns and national recessions in the 1970s to 2000s. Large-scale Asian immigration in the past couple of decades has transformed Torrance into a diverse and multicultural city.

Geography

Torrance Beach lies between the Palos Verdes Peninsula and Redondo beach on the Santa Monica Bay.

Torrance is located at 33°50′5″N 118°20′29″W (33.834815, −118.341330). The United States Census Bureau boundaries show the city has a total area of 20.5 square miles (53 km²), virtually all land.

Torrance is a coastal community in southwestern Los Angeles County, as seen on the map above, sharing the climate and geographical features common to the Greater Los Angeles area. Its boundaries are: Redondo Beach Boulevard and the cities of Lawndale and Gardena to the north; Western Avenue and the Harbor Gateway neighborhood of Los Angeles to the east; the Palos Verdes Hills with the cities of Lomita, Rolling Hills Estates and Palos Verdes Estates on the south; and the Pacific Ocean and city of Redondo Beach to the west.

It is about 20 miles (32 km) southwest of Downtown Los Angeles.

Torrance Beach lies between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove on Santa Monica Bay. The southernmost stretch of Torrance Beach, on a cove at the northern end of the Palos Verdes peninsula, is known to locals as "Rat Beach".

One of the country's few urban wetlands, the Madrona Marsh, is found in Torrance to explore. It is a nature preserve, on land once set for oil production and saved development, with restoration projects enhancing the vital habitat for birds, wildlife, and native plants. A Nature center provides activities, information, and classes for school children and visitors of all ages.

Residents of an unincorporated area to the east of Harbor Gateway abutting the city of Carson are allowed to use "Torrance" in their addresses by the United States Postal Service.

Torrance attractions

The Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade, with a USMC unit.

The Del Amo Fashion Center, at 2.5 million square feet (232,000 m²), is one of the five largest malls in the United States by gross leasable area. The current mall was created when Del Amo Center, built in 1958, merged with Del Amo Fashion Square, built in 1970. Once located on opposite sides of Carson Street, a gigantic expansion of the mall spanning Carson Street joined the two centers by 1982, making it the longest mall in the world at the time. In 2005, the east end of the original mall north of Carson Street was demolished to make way for a new open-air shopping center, opened in mid-September, 2006. The new center features upscale clothiers Anthropologie, Coach, H&M and Urban Outfitters as well as the restaurant P.F. Chang's. The housewares retail giant Crate & Barrel opened in what was once a section of the mall parking lot in Spring 2007. Torrance also borders the South Bay Galleria, which resides in Redondo Beach.

The Armed Forces Day Parade in Torrance, which was first produced in 1960, is the longest running military parade sponsored by a city. It is held annually on Armed Forces Day, and runs down Torrance Boulevard. The parade features military vehicles, school bands, and prominent community members.

The Torrance Cultural Arts Center hosts cultural events year-round. Regular performances are provided by the groups belonging to the Torrance Performing Arts Consortium, including The Aerospace Players, Torrance Art Museum, Los Cancioneros Master Chorale, South Bay Ballet, South Bay Conservatory, and The Torrance Symphony.

Torrance is also home to the Southern California Live Steamers Miniature Railroad. located at the Southeast corner of Charles H. Wilson Park. Free train rides on actual miniature live steam trains are given on the first Sunday and third Saturday of each month and the 4th of July. SCLS was one of the first live steam clubs in California started in 1946 with original members like Walt Disney, Olie Johnston and Ward Kimball all of Disney fame. The club moved to Torrance in 1986 after leaving the Lomita Railway Museum property.

City parks

Wilson Park, in Torrance at sunset.

Madrona Marsh Park, springtime in Torrance.

The Torrance City Parks Department directs and maintains the thirty varied Torrance City Parks. They include:

• Wilson Park — the focal point 44 acres (0.18 km²) park, which has extensive picnic and sports facilities, including a modern gymnasium, skatepark, and roller-hockey rink. Wilson Park also hosts the Torrance Farmers Market on Tuesdays and Saturdays, and was the site of the city's annual Fourth of July fireworks display through 2010, as it was canceled in 2011 due to budget cuts.
• Madrona Marsh Wildlife Preserve & Nature Center — a rare Southern California wetlands habitat with higher Coastal sage community native plants areas, wildlife and birdwatching, and a Nature center with natural gardens classes – located centrally in the city.
• Columbia Park — the large recreational urban regional park, with numerous picnic areas, field sports facilities, walking paths, jogging trails, and a competitive cross country running racecourse. The city's Cherry blossom tree grove, part of Living Tree Dedication program, is in Columbia Park.
• Torrance Smart Gardening Center — Columbia Park features a Community Garden providing planting beds and "community" for residents. It is one of twelve county-operated Smart Gardening Centers around the region. Columbia Park additionally serves as home to the Home Garden Learning Center, and is a backyard composting demonstration center provided by Los Angeles County.
• Living Tribute Trees park program — The Torrance Parks Living Dedication Tree Program is coordinated and by the City, so that families, individuals, and groups can sponsor the planting of a new tree in the park to honor a person or commemorate an event with a living tribute Tree Dedication.
• Torrance Beach Park and "Rat Beach" — The Strand, a paved bicycle path that runs mostly along the Pacific Ocean shoreline in Los Angeles County, ends here.

Climate

Torrance
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     3.6     66 46     3.2     67 48     2.8     68 49     0.7     71 51     0.3     72 55     0.1     75 58     0     78 61     0.1     79 62     0.2     78 61     0.5     75 57     1.2     71 50     2     67 46 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches Source: Weather.com / NWS
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     91     19 8     82     19 9     71     20 9     19     22 11     6.6     22 13     2     24 14     1     26 16     3.3     26 17     5.8     26 16     12     24 14     31     22 10     51     19 8 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm

Torrance has a Mediterranean climate or Dry-Summer Subtropical (Köppen climate classification Csb on the coast).

The rainy season is November through March, as shown in the table to the left.

The Los Angeles area is also subject to the phenomenon typical of a microclimate. As such, the temperatures can vary as much as 18 °F (10 °C) between inland areas and the coast, with a temperature gradient of over one degree per mile (1.6 km) from the coast inland. California has also a weather phenomenon called "June Gloom or May Gray", which sometimes brings overcast or foggy skies in the morning on the coast, followed by sunny skies by noon during late spring and early summer.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	7,271		—
1940	9,950		36.8%
1950	22,241		123.5%
1960	100,991		354.1%
1970	134,968		33.6%
1980	129,881		−3.8%
1990	133,107		2.5%
2000	137,946		3.6%
2010	145,438		5.4%
2014 (est.)	148,495		2.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010

The 2010 United States Census reported that Torrance had a population of 145,438. The population density was 7,076.1 people per square mile (2,732.1/km²). The racial makeup of Torrance was 74,333 (51.1%) White, 50,240 (34.5%) Asian, 3,955 (2.7%) African American, 554 (0.4%) Native American, 530 (0.4%) Pacific Islander, 7,808 (5.4%) from other races, and 8,018 (5.5%) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 23,440 persons (16.1%), while non-Hispanic whites formed 42.3% of the population.

The Census reported that 144,292 people (99.2% of the population) lived in households, 506 (0.3%) lived in non-institutionalized group quarters, and 640 (0.4%) were institutionalized.

There were 56,001 households, out of which 18,558 (33.1%) had children under the age of 18 living in them, 29,754 (53.1%) were opposite-sex married couples living together, 6,148 (11.0%) had a female householder with no husband present, 2,510 (4.5%) had a male householder with no wife present. There were 2,152 (3.8%) unmarried opposite-sex partnerships, and 309 (0.6%) same-sex married couples or partnerships. 14,472 households (25.8%) were made up of individuals and 5,611 (10.0%) had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58. There were 38,412 families (68.6% of all households); the average family size was 3.14.

The population was spread out with 31,831 people (21.9%) under the age of 18, 10,875 people (7.5%) aged 18 to 24, 38,296 people (26.3%) aged 25 to 44, 42,710 people (29.4%) aged 45 to 64, and 21,726 people (14.9%) who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41.3 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.8 males.

There were 58,377 housing units at an average density of 2,840.3 per square mile (1,096.6/km²), of which 31,621 (56.5%) were owner-occupied, and 24,380 (43.5%) were occupied by renters. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.8%; the rental vacancy rate was 5.3%. 85,308 people (58.7% of the population) lived in owner-occupied housing units and 58,984 people (40.6%) lived in rental housing units.

During 2009–2013, Torrance had a median household income of $77,061, with 7.4% of the population living below the federal poverty line.

2000

As of the census of 2000, there were 137,946 people, 54,542 households, and 36,270 families residing in the city. The population density was 6,715.7 inhabitants per square mile (2,593.1/km²). There were 55,967 housing units at an average density of 2,724.7 per square mile (1,052.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 59.16% White, 28.61% Asian, 2.19% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.35% Pacific Islander, 4.57% from other races, and 4.72% from two or more races. 12.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 54,542 households out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 27.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.10.

In the city the population was spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 32.4% from 25 to 44, 23.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city in 2008 was $76,312, and the median income for a family was $93,473. Males had a median income of $50,606 versus $36,334 for females. The per capita income for the city was $39,118. About 4.7% of families and 5.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.

Japanese

See also: History of the Japanese in Los Angeles

The inside of the Torrance Mitsuwa

As of 2014 the City of Torrance has the second largest concentration of ethnic Japanese people of any U.S. city, after Honolulu. The city has headquarters of Japanese automakers and offices of other Japanese companies. Because of this many Japanese restaurants and other Japanese cultural offerings are in the city, and Willy Blackmore of L.A. Weekly wrote that Torrance was "essentially Japan's 48th prefecture". A Mitsuwa supermarket, Japanese schools, and Japanese banks serve the community.

In the pre-World War II period the South Bay region was one of the few areas that allowed non-U.S. citizens to acquire property, so a Japanese presence came. According John Kaji, a Torrance resident quoted in Public Radio International who was the son of Toyota's first American-based accountant, the Japanese corporate presence in Torrance, beginning with Toyota, attracted many ethnic Japanese. Toyota moved its operations to its Torrance campus in 1982 because of its proximity to the Port of Long Beach and Los Angeles International Airport, and it was followed by many other Japanese companies. In 2014 Toyota announced it was moving its U.S. headquarters to Plano, Texas.

Koreans

See also: History of the Korean Americans in Los Angeles

As of 1992 about 60% of the Korean population in the South Bay region lived in Torrance and Gardena. In 1990, 5,888 ethnic Koreans lived in Torrance, a 256% increase from the 1980 figure of 1,652 ethnic Koreans.

Economy

Torrance is home to the U.S. headquarters of Japanese automaker American Honda Motor Company. Robinson Helicopters are designed and built in Torrance as are Honeywell's Garrett turbochargers, used on automobile engines worldwide. Alcoa Fastening Systems is Headquartered in Torrance as well, producing aerospace fasteners. Pacific Sales, Pelican Products, Verengo Solar, and Rapiscan Systems are among the other companies based in Torrance.

According to the City’s 2012 Major Employers in Torrance Report, the city’s top 10 employers (and # of employees) are:

#	Employer	# of Employees
1.	American Honda Motor Co Inc.	4,001
2.	Torrance Memorial Medical Ctr	3,001
3.	Honda R&D Americas	2,000
4.	Allied Signal Aerospace	1,200
5.	Robinson Helicopter Co	1,200
6.	Alcoa Fastening System	1,100
7.	Conesys Inc.	800
8.	Exxon Mobil Refinery	800
9.	J-Tech	800
10.	Younger Optics	775

Del Amo Fashion Center, one of the largest malls in the United States

As a major oil-producing region, Torrance was once dotted with thousands of oil wells and oil derricks. Though the oil wells are not as common as they once were, the ExxonMobil refinery in the north end of the city is responsible for much of Southern California's gasoline supply. Torrance was also an important hub and shop site of the Pacific Electric Railway.

Torrance has a busy general aviation airport, originally named simply "Torrance Airport" and since renamed Zamperini Field after local track star, World War II hero and Torrance High graduate Louis Zamperini. The airport handles approximately 175,000 annual take-offs and landings (473 per day ), down from the 1974 record of 428,000 operations. Airport noise abatement is a major local issue. In 2007 the Western Museum of Flight moved to Zamperini Field.

Torrance is also home to the main bakery facility for King's Hawaiian, the dominant brand of Hawaiian bread in North America. Younger Optics, Torrance's 10 Largest employeer is credited with creating the first seamless or "invisible" bifocal, a precursor to all progressive lenses.

The headquarters of Mitsuwa Marketplace is located in Torrance, as well as simplehuman, the manufacturer of kitchen and bath tools.

Operations of foreign companies

All Nippon Airways operates its United States headquarters, a customer relations and services office, in Torrance. Aurora Publishing, American subsidiary of Japanese publisher Ohzora Publishing, is headquartered in Torrance.

Toyota opened its first overseas office in Hollywood in 1957, and sold 257 cars in the U.S. It moved Toyota Motor Sales USA operations to Torrance in 1982, because of easy access to port facilities and the LAX airport. In 2013 it sold 2.2 million vehicles in the U.S. In 2014 it announced it would move 3000 of its white collar employees to Plano, Texas, near Dallas, to be closer to its American factories. Numerous other Japanese firms followed Toyota to LA, because of its location and its reputation as the national trendsetter

The Los Angeles South Bay area, as of 2014, has the largest concentration of Japanese companies in the USA.

Government and infrastructure

Local government

The City of Torrance is a Charter city. The original Torrance City Charter was voted on and ratified by the qualified electors at an election held August 20, 1946, and filed with the Secretary of State January 7, 1947. The elective officers of the City are the Mayor, six members of the City Council, five members of the Board of Education, the City Clerk and the City Treasurer.

Using the Council/Manager form of government, the City Council, as the elected body, adopts legislation, sets policy, adjudicates issues, and establishes the budget of the City. The municipality is supported by a general fund budget of about $160 million. The City Council appoints the City Manager and the City Attorney.

According to the city’s 2007-8 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the city’s various funds had $192.7 million in Revenues, $167.3 million in expenditures, $179.1 million in total assets, $56.1 million in total liabilities, and $140.2 million in cash in investments.

The city has twelve appointed boards and commissions which advise the council on matters of concern to local residents, such as the city airport, arts, parks, libraries, and so on.

Postal Service

The United States Postal Service operates the Torrance Post Office at 2510 Monterey Street, the Marcelina Post Office at 1433 Marcelina Avenue, the Walteria Post Office at 4216 Pacific Coast Highway, the North Torrance Post Office at 18080 Crenshaw Boulevard, and the Del Amo Post Office at 291 Del Amo Fashion Square.

Healthcare

• There are two major hospitals in Torrance: Torrance Memorial Medical Center and Little Company of Mary Hospital. A third hospital, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, lies just outside the city limits (in unincorporated West Carson).

HealthCare Partners Medical Group's corporate headquarters is in Torrance on Vermont Ave.

The Los Angeles County Department of Health Services operates the Torrance Health Center in Harbor Gateway, Los Angeles, serving Torrance.

Emergency services

• Torrance Fire Department staffs 7 Engine Companies, 5 Paramedic Rescue Squads, and 2 Truck Companies. The department operates out of 6 Fire Stations providing Fire and EMS coverage for the City and Mutual Aid to the surrounding communities. Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Little Company of Mary Hospital, Harbor-UCLA Medical Center, Kaiser Hospital-South Bay, and Memorial Hospital of Gardena are receiving hospitals for residents in Torrance who call 911 for medical assistance. The department is a Class 1 rated Fire Department, the Fire Chief is William Racowschi. Ambulance transportation is provided through Gerber Ambulance Service.
• Torrance Police Department provides twenty-four hour law enforcement coverage to the city. The department is broken down into 4 major divisions each with its own subdivisions. The department has one main station located at the civic center near city hall. It houses the administrative offices, they city jail, and the public safety dispatch center. The department works closely with other local law enforcement agency's for training and SWAT operations. The Police Chief is Mark Matsuda.
• Torrance operates its own 911 dispatch center located at the police station and is responsible for all 911 calls originating in Torrance. The communications center answers emergency and non-emergency calls and requests for assistance in addition to dispatching for both the Fire and Police Departments.

Public libraries

The City of Torrance operates a main library facility (named after former mayor Katy Geissert) in the city Civic Center, plus five branches at locations throughout the city.

Transportation

Highways and freeways in the region include I-110, I-405, SR 91, SR 107, and SR 1. Rail transport includes the historic Harbor Subdivision which carries Union Pacific and BNSF lines. The city also has Torrance Transit, LACMTA Metro bus, and LADOT services. Zamperini Field (IATA: TOA ICAO: KTOA) is a general aviation airport and serves no commercial airlines. However, Torrance is within 15 minutes of both Los Angeles International Airport and Long Beach Airport.

Activities

In the 2010 Rose Parade, City of Torrance's entry won the top Lathrop K. Leishman trophy for its Garden of Dreams float, judged as the "Most Beautiful Non-Commercial" float.

State and federal representation

In the California State Senate, Torrance is split between the 26th Senate District, represented by Democrat María Elena Durazo, and the 35th Senate District, represented by Democrat Steven Bradford. In the California State Assembly, it is in the 66th Assembly District, represented by Democrat Al Muratsuchi.

In the United States House of Representatives, Torrance is split between California's 33rd congressional district, represented by Democrat Pete Aguilar, and California's 43rd congressional district, represented by Democrat Maxine Waters.

Education

Primary and secondary schools

Public schools

Torrance Unified School District (TUSD) was established in 1947 and unified in 1948. The district comprises the City of Torrance, bordered by the Palos Verdes Peninsula on the south, the cities of Redondo Beach and Gardena on the north, the City of Carson on the east and the Pacific Ocean on the west. The district's jurisdiction includes approximately 21 square miles (54 km²), and it operates 17 elementary schools, eight middle schools, five high schools (one of which is a continuation school), three adult education centers, and a child development center.

Torrance High School is one of the oldest high schools in California, having opened in 1917.

The Torrance Unified School District's five high schools are:

• Torrance High School
• North High School
• South High School
• West High School
• Kurt Shery High School (continuation)

The Torrance Unified School District's eight Middle Schools are:

• Calle Mayor Middle School
• Casimir Middle School
• Bert Lynn Middle School
• Hull Middle School
• Jefferson Middle School
• Madrona Middle School
• Magruder Middle School
• Richardson Middle School

The Torrance Unified School District's 17 Elementary Schools are:

• Hickory Elementary School
• John Adams Elementary School
• Torrance Elementary School
• Howard Wood Elementary School
• Anza Elementary School
• Arlington Elementary School
• Arnold Elementary School
• Carr Elementary School
• Yukon Elementary School
• Walteria Elementary School
• Riviera Elementary School
• Towers Elementary School
• Fern Elementary School
• Edison Elementary School
• Lincoln Elementary School
• Seaside Elementary School
• Victor Elementary School

Area districts have created the Southern California Regional Occupational Center (SCROC) to teach technical classes to their students and to local adults. TUSD is a participant feeder district of the California Academy of Mathematics and Science or CAMS, a mathematics and science magnet high school, administered by the Long Beach Unified School District.

Private schools

Two private high schools are also located in Torrance:

• Bishop Montgomery High School (administered by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles)
• Pacific Lutheran High School

Eight private elementary/middle schools are in Torrance: Ascension Lutheran School, Riviera Hall Lutheran School, Riviera Methodist School, South Bay Junior Academy, Nativity Catholic School, First Lutheran School, St James Catholic School and St Catherine Laboure Catholic School.

In 1980 the Lycée Français de Los Angeles bought the 6.2-acre (2.5 ha) former Parkway School property, located in the Hollywood Riviera section of Torrance, from TUSD. This property became the Lycee's Torrance campus, and as of February 1990 the campus had 100 students. In November 1989 the Lycee sold the property for $2.65 million to Manhattan Holding Co. and scheduled to transfer the students to its West Los Angeles campuses. As of February 1990 neighbors of the campus site were asking the City of Torrance to not modify the zoning of this property. The Lycee stated that the campus closed due to low enrollment.

Colleges and universities

Torrance is in the El Camino Community College District, although the campus of El Camino College is just outside the city limits in unincorporated El Camino Village. El Camino College was founded in 1947, and the campus covers 126 acres. As of 2011, the college enrolls over 25,000 students each semester.

Miscellaneous education

In 1980 Asahi Gakuen, a weekend Japanese-language education institution, began renting space in South Torrance High School. The school continues to use the school for its Torrance Campus (トーランス校 Tōransu-kō).

Media

The Los Angeles Times is the metropolitan area newspaper.

The Daily Breeze, a 70,000-circulation daily newspaper, is published in Torrance. It serves the South Bay cities of Los Angeles County. Its slogan is "LAX to LA Harbor". Herald Publications, media group started the Torrance Tribune, a community newspaper, which was started November 2010, it has a distribution of 15,000 newspapers to single-family homes and businesses in the City of Torrance, only.

Sister cities

In 1973, Torrance established a sister-city relationship with Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan, as part of the Sister Cities International program. Since then, citizens of Torrance have regularly engaged in cultural exchange with Kashiwa through the guidance of the Torrance Sister City Association, which facilitates a Japanese cultural festival, a yearly student exchange program, and contact between officials of the two cities. North High is the official sister high school of Kashiwa Municipal High.

Notable people

See also: Category:People from Torrance, California

• Adán Sánchez – Mexican-American corrido singer
• Alyson & Amanda Michalka (Aly & AJ) – singers and actresses
• Amy Okuda – actress
• Anderson Silva – Mixed martial arts practitioner and UFC fighter
• Antonio Margarito – Mexican-American professional boxer
• Bart Johnson (baseball) - retired MLB pitcher
• Ben Going – YouTube celebrity
• Billy Traber - Major League Baseball pitcher
• Bo Derek – actress
• Bobby East – NASCAR driver
• Brandon Manumaleuna – NFL tight end for Chicago Bears
• Bud Smith – retired MLB player; threw no-hitter in his rookie season (2001)
• Chad Morton – NFL player
• Chauncey Washington – NFL running back for Dallas Cowboys
• Chris Demaria – former MLB pitcher for Royals and Brewers
• Chuck Norris – karate expert and actor; raised in Torrance; opened his first Dojo in Torrance
• Daryl Sabara & Evan Sabara – actors (Spy Kids and Keeping Up with the Steins)
• Dave Kerman - drummer
• David Wells – MLB pitcher, formerly with the Los Angeles Dodgers
• Denzel Whitaker – actor
• Deon Thompson – North Carolina Tar Heels basketball player
• Don Newcombe – former Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher; only winner of Rookie of the Year, MVP, and Cy Young awards
• Emanuel Newton - MMA fighter, interim Bellator light heavyweight champion
• Ethan Moreau - former Los Angeles Kings hockey player
• Francisco Mendoza – MLS player
• Fred Kendall – former MLB catcher and manager
• George Nakano – California politician
• Gina Hiraizumi – actress, recording artist
• Jack Stewart – soccer player, currently with the Carolina RailHawks in the USL-1
• Jason Kendall – former MLB catcher
• Jason "Wee-Man" Acuña – TV host and actor
• Jennifer Kita – Angel/Lil Angel of The Harajuku Girls
• Jennifer Lee – electronic music producer and DJ
• Jeremy Lin – professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers
• Jimmy Briggs – stand-up comic
• Joe Stevenson – Mixed martial arts practitioner and UFC fighter
• John Butler – leader of the John Butler Trio
• John Chiang – California State Controller
• Johnnie Morton – NFL player
• Jonathan Bornstein – soccer left back/midfielder (UANL and national team)
• Justin Miller – MLB pitcher
• Justin Shenkarow – actor
• Kevin Kim – professional tennis player
• Kikuo "KeyKool" Nishi – rapper, producer in group Visionaries, co-founder of Up Above Records
• Kraig Chiles - professional soccer player for San Diego Sockers
• Larry Carlton – guitarist
• Lisa Moretti – WWE's "Ivory"
• Louis Zamperini – 1936 Olympic track star, World War II veteran, author, speaker
• Michael Dudikoff – actor
• Michelle Kwan – 5-time world figure skating champion and Olympian
• Parnelli Jones – USAC driver and his son, P. J. Jones, IRL driver
• Paul Moyer – television news broadcaster
• Paul Westphal – NBA player and former head coach
• Quentin Tarantino – filmmaker
• Roger Clinton – half-brother of President Bill Clinton
• Ron Taylor, film and television actor, pro basketball player (ABA and Austrian League)
• Rorion Gracie & Royce Gracie – Mixed martial arts practitioners and UFC fighters
• Ryan Wheeler – MLB third baseman for Colorado Rockies
• Skip Schumaker – MLB outfielder
• Snoop Dogg – rapper, actor; owns mansion in Hollywood Riviera neighborhood
• Spike Jonze – director, producer, screenwriter and actor; part owner of skateboard company Girl Skateboards
• Steve Nguyen – director, producer, and screenwriter
• Steve Sarkisian – head football coach at the University of Southern California
• Ted Lieu – Democratic Party, U.S. Representative for California's 33rd congressional district
• Ted Lilly – MLB starting pitcher
• Tiffany van Soest - kickboxer
• Tyrone Taylor - centerfielder for Milwaukee Brewers
• Janeene Vickers - 1992 Barcelona Olympics bronze medalist
• Glen Walker – NFL player
• John White – CFL player
• Tony Gonzalez – tight end for the Atlanta Falcons; 11-time Pro Bowl selection

Historic landmarks

These Torrance landmarks are on the National Register of Historic Places:

• Main Building (Torrance High School) – Mediterranean Revival architecture, 1917 and 1921
• original Science Building—current Home Economics Building (Torrance High School)
• Auditorium (Torrance High School) – Streamline Moderne, 1938
• Torrance Elementary School—current High School Annex – Mediterranean Revival
• Pacific Electric Railroad Bridge – designed by Irving Gill, 1913

External links

• Official website
• Discover Torrance the Official Visitors Bureau for Torrance, California
• City-Data.com: Torrance information page
• airnav.com: Torrance Airport
• Torrance Historical Society and Museum website
• The South Bay History blog
• Friends of Madrona Marsh Preserve website
• Archived 1996-10-31 at the Wayback Machine

City park links

• City of Torrance: Quick Reference Guide to all Torrance City Parks
• City of Torrance: Map to the 30 Torrance City Parks
  • Torrance City Parks: – Central area Parks
  • Torrance City Parks: – North area Parks
  • Torrance City Parks: – South area Parks
  • Torrance City Parks: – West area Parks
  • Madrona Marsh Wildlife Preserve & Nature Center website