Four Hours: Neighborhood Explorations in Southern California

There’s something for everyone in Torrance’s historic downtown district, and the parking is free: Here’s how to spend four hours there.

Despite being a neighborhood in flux, the Arts District still has deeply interesting things going on in the art department. Things that demand you slow down and take them in.

With plenty of restaurants, watering holes, shops and Mayberry-esque charm, downtown El Segundo just might be one of coastal L.A.’s best-kept secrets.

“To live in Redondo Beach, you have to be lucky.” Maybe. But everyone can enjoy the beachside neighborhood of Riviera Village, which boasts more than 300 boutiques, restaurants, galleries and businesses and is the perfect place to rejuvenate your soul.

Little Tokyo is a place of unexpected juxtapositions, which makes for the exciting afternoon you didn’t even know you needed.

For many people in many parts of the world, the run-up to Dia de los Muertos is a time when the veil between this world and the great beyond feels particularly porous.

Part of the appeal of Row DTLA is that it’s different every time you drop by.

There are several free or modestly priced ways to have lots of fun and get a head start on fall at Roger’s Gardens’ fantastic Halloween store, which opened on Friday.

Along the easternmost stretch of the iconic Hollywood Boulevard thoroughfare — past the tourists and the tourist attractions — sits a diverse neighborhood that’s a must-visit for those looking to explore a less-heralded part of Los Angeles.

The pop-up Museum of Weed is in town through September: Here’s a way to get your fill of cannabis, and prowl one of our favorite food-and-fashion venues in town. Just make sure you make your last stop Salt & Straw ice cream shop, for some cool, seasonal sweets.

Time travel doesn’t exist yet, but until then we have South Pasadena.

The last Sunday of each month, the community turns out to celebrate black music, art, community and food at the Leimert Park Art Walk. But you don’t have to wait to explore some of L.A.’s most cherished black-owned businesses tucked into the neighborhood.

Alhambra brags it’s the “gateway to the San Gabriel Valley,” home to the Southland’s own version of “Crazy Rich Asians.”

Stroll around Highland Park these days and you’ll see how this onetime sleepy family neighborhood rocketed to a hipster haven, edging out Silver Lake, that other hip hood.

Take a self-guided tour of California’s first Eichler tract, and explore Old Towne Orange’s shops, antique stores and Hilbert Museum.

As it stretches its way from Burbank to North Hollywood, Magnolia Boulevard is one of Burbank’s most popular “stop, park and walk” destinations.

One of the advantages to living in Los Angeles is the ability to get away from it all, without too much of a drive (assuming traffic cooperates, which is a big assumption). When I need a serious change of scenery but can’t hop on a plane, I head to Topanga Canyon.

West Adams may not be an Instagrammable L.A. hot spot by most influencers’ standards — and that’s exactly why it’s so charming.

The Cayton Children’s Museum recently moved from mid-Wilshire to Santa Monica Place. This dad finds it’s the perfect place to spend a summer afternoon.

Marina del Rey may be nestled between two neighborhoods that seem to get most of the attention — quirky Venice and the tech landscape of Playa del Rey — but it’s not in any danger of being overshadowed: It’s an ideal spot for a half-day getaway that conveniently takes you right to the water’s edge.

Mar Vista is changing things up.

With seven miles of craggy beaches and hidden coves, Laguna Beach remains a favorite getaway. Here’s why you need to head there right now.

The Mission Inn in Riverside’s historic downtown has been a destination spot since it was built in 1902, when rich Easterners settled in for months to escape winter’s gloom.

From afar, you might not think there’s much to see in Wilmington.

In a concrete corner of downtown, far from the polished granite of Bunker Hill, rests a gritty-wonderful neighborhood where fashionistas and working-class families share the same splotchy, often-overlooked streets.

Yes, we know you’re busy, but you also need a break. Manhattan Beach is the perfect place to steal away for a few hours, and return recharged.

The family-friendly streets of Painter and Greenleaf are lined with towering, deciduous trees that might feel foreign in Greater Los Angeles County but are right at home here.

Thank dog for Rosie’s Dog Beach, the only off-leash dog beach in Los Angeles County. Four acres of sand and surf for paws to paddle in, and a good excuse to spend four hours in Long Beach’s Belmont Shore.

Whatever it is about college towns, Claremont has it in abundance, with a walkable tree-lined “Village” filled with restaurants and shops offering vintage vinyl and videos, a folk music museum and plenty of farm-fresh food.

Noted architects John Lautner, Rudolph Schindler and Raphael Soriano all designed homes in Studio City that helped define California Modernism. Here, we offer a self-driven architecture tour with a stop at the Brady Bunch house.

Weekends in San Pedro are 48-hour vacations made for wandering, overeating and soaking up sun.