Los Angeles' Quirky Suburb Is A Friendly California City With Parks, Local Shops, And Tasty Eats

Travelers visiting Los Angeles often build their itineraries around well-known neighborhoods like Hollywood and Venice. And with almost 470 square miles of land to explore, the city alone is enough to fill an entire vacation. However, it's only one part of Los Angeles County, which stretches across more than 4,000 square miles. Beyond the city limits, smaller suburbs, like Hawthorne, offer places to stop for a meal, browse local shops, or spend some time outdoors.  

Hawthorne — which calls itself the "City of Good Neighbors" and has a friendliness score of 82 out of 100 on Nextdoor – is one option for travelers exploring the South Bay, with an inland location that lends it a suburban feel. If you're flying into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), the city is about 15 minutes away by car. From elsewhere in the Los Angeles area, take I-110 and I-105, though you may want to allow extra time for traffic. Once there, visitors can try Pakistani and Indian dishes, stop for churros and coffee, or enjoy a beer at a local brewery. Neighborhood parks also offer space to picnic and play, while quirky specialty shops give trading-card and collectible enthusiasts somewhere to browse.

Throughout Hawthorne's grid of streets are several small green spaces for families and outdoor lovers. Just across the train tracks from a golf course is Holly Park, which has a playground for kids, basketball courts, baseball fields, and lighted tennis courts. Pack a lunch to enjoy at one of the available picnic tables, or use the barbecue grills. Visitors on Google Maps generally describe it as well maintained, although some say there is traffic and aircraft noise.

Jim Thorpe Park is another option, with picnic tables, a playground, sports facilities, and a splash pad. Visitors have mentioned its recent renovations and described the area as peaceful. You can also try Eucalyptus Park, which has a quarter-mile walking path alongside picnic shelters, an outdoor gym with calisthenics equipment, a skatepark, and a playground, among other amenities. One visitor on Google noted that "parking can be a challenge when the park is full," so it's a good idea to get an early start during the weekends.

While the Los Angeles area is known for luxury shopping on Rodeo Drive, Hawthorne's specialty stores cater to more niche interests like trading cards and collectibles. Collectors Dojo carries Pokémon and other trading card products. It also hosts local tournaments every Wednesday at 8 p.m. Additionally, sports fans can browse Minera Sports Cards & Collectibles, another local option for adding to a collection or shopping for a card enthusiast.

Beyond the local restaurants worth trying in Los Angeles, Hawthorne has several options for lunch or dinner. Try Al-Watan Halal Tandoori Restaurant, a popular local spot serving Pakistani and Indian food. Its menu includes dishes like chicken tikka masala, goat biryani, and beef boti kabab. One diner on Google shared, "Consistently great food! I've gone here with both Desi people and non-Desis and they both love it!" 

For another sit-down meal, Eureka! sits beside Hawthorne Municipal Airport and SpaceX. Some reviewers mention that they've enjoyed a meal there after a SpaceX tour. Its menu includes specialty burgers, such as the Wagyu Bone Marrow Burger, along with salads and sandwiches. Diners can also watch planes while they eat. If you're looking to explore more of the South Bay's food scene, check out the Japanese-Hawaiian eatery inside a bowling alley in nearby Gardena.

For a sweet treat, head to Azucanela for churros and coffee. The Latino-owned churreria serves a variety of freshly made churros paired with dips like strawberry, raspberry, Nutella, caramel, and chocolate. Beer drinkers can finish the day with a stop at Los Angeles Ale Works, which has both indoor and outdoor seating, as well as different food vendors that serve customers depending on the day. The brewery closes at 11 p.m. Monday through Thursday, 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 p.m. on Sunday, which leaves time for an evening visit after exploring Hawthorne.