Let Me Count the Ways

The neighborhood that my wife and I live in will celebrate it's 100th Birthday in 2012.  I grew up about 8 miles away from where we live now but the only thing I knew about Old Torrance was that the neighborhood high school, Torrance High, was used for the outdoor shots on the original Beverly Hills 90201 tv series.  Yes, West Beverly is actually Torrance High School.  I "discovered" Old Torrance about 5 or 6 years ago and thought it was the one of the most unique, undiscovered parts of the South Bay.
I never intended this blog to turn into a list of our favorite things but sometimes that's just how my brain works.  Blame it on my mom, she likes lists.  Everything on the list that follows is either in our neighborhood or takes place in our neighborhood.  With the exception of the last one, we can walk to all of the places on the list.

Old Torrance, how do I love thee...

1. The Casita(of course!)

All 701 square feet of it.  Our house is small but we love it.

2. West Beverly...I mean Torrance High

They sure don't build high schools that look like this any more.  Go Tartars!
3. Branch Office
A true dive bar in every way.  I'm not talking about a "dive" bar like the type frequented by hipsters serving PBR and playing rare David Bowie, Lou Reed, and Belle & Sebastian on the juke box.  No the Branch office is all about cheap drinks and Bob Seger.  Bud-Light's are always two dollars and the music is either terrible or great depending on how you want to look at it.
4. La Capilla
I have never seen this restaurant empty.  Everyday of the week the tables seem to be full. It is a typical Southern California old school Mexican place.  The cool thing about La Capilla is that you can tell that it's the type of place that families keep returning to generation after generation.
5. Torrance Bakery
Fabulous cookies, cakes, and baked goods.  They have these cheese scones that are awesome.

6. The Depot
We can't regularly afford this restaurant but it is very good.  The Chef/owner is kind of the unofficial mayor of Old Torrance and a super nice guy.  Not pretentious at all.
7. The fact that everyday school kids of all ages walk by our house on the way to and from school.  Believe it!!! On foot!!!
8. Wilson Park/Farmer's Market
The park is great place to run or walk.  It also seems to be a good place to play softball if that's your thing...it is not my thing.  The Farmers market is on Tuesdays AND Saturdays and is very popular. During the summer it's really cool to see YMCA and other camp kids cruising the market and loading up on fruit and other healthy snacks.  I know Famer's markets are all about produce but there's this cheese guy who has the BEST selection of cheeses.  I like to run on on Sat. mornings at the park and then sample all the goods before heading home.
9. Antique Fair
Fair is the fourth Sunday of every month.  Tons of junk for sale.  We have found quite a few treasures for our house amongst the junk.
10. Alpine Village.
Ok so Alpine Village is not really in Old Torrance but as far as I'm concerned it's close enough.  We go to Oktoberfest at Alpine Village every year and always have a great time.  They set up a giant beer garden/tent and thousands of revelers show up.  This past summer we were lucky enough to watch a few  World Cup games there.  I have to say, German beer and pretzels taste just as good at 7 in the morning.