El Segundo is a beach town on Santa Monica Bay just south of Los Angeles International Airport that was incorporated in 1917. It was an oil drilling area with a refinery that has been in operation since 1911 but has become one of the most charming sections of Los Angeles that not many people know about. The vibe is Midwestern with friendly people, excellent food, and a thriving nightlife.
Find things to do and where to stay in El Segundo on Trip Advisor.
The town is surrounded by large corporate facilities that include aerospace, defense contractors, bioscience, information technology, energy, sports teams, and media companies. The Los Angeles Air Force Base nearby is the home of Space Force Command, and the area will soon be the headquarters for the L.A. Chargers football team.
Main and Grand Streets are at its heart
As I drove down Main Street to attend an event in El Segundo, a farmer’s market was taking place in the center of the street. It is held every Thursday, starting at 3 pm. Main Street is the town’s central restaurant and shopping mecca that includes several breweries such as El Segundo Brewing Company, bistros, cafes, coffee houses, and boutiques.
Hard rock fans will enjoy hanging out at the original Rock & Brews for cocktails, and tasty food.
I was there to visit ESMoA, (Experimentally Structured Museum of Art) which is an art laboratory run by Artlab21 Foundation. It was originally an alleyway that was covered over to create an art space for up-and-coming artists.
The exhibit I saw was Experience 51, which was curated by film production designer Rick Carter. He is known for his work on Avatar, Jurassic Park, Forrest Gump, and many other productions. He mentored the artists that participated in the exhibition.
Another point of interest in El Segundo is the Zimmerman Automobile Driving Museum. It features a rotating collection of 130 classic, antique, and vintage automobiles that are on display. The museum was founded in 2001 by long-time auto collectors Earl Rubenstein and Stanley Zimmerman. I haven’t been there yet, but if it’s anything like the Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar, you will love it.
Several years ago, I attended an organ concert at Old Town Music Hall. The site has been a treasured cultural landmark in El Segundo since 1960 when two musicians, Bill Coffman, and Bill Field, installed a Mighty Wurlitzer Theatre Pipe Organ inside which once belonged to Fox West Theatre in Long Beach. The building was constructed in 1921 and was previously the 188-seat El Segundo State Theatre.
Silent films are regularly shown there accompanied by the organ which has 2600 pipes. It is popular with theatre organ aficionados.
El Segundo hosts its annual Art Walk in August where local businesses and galleries open their doors for tours, art, and live music. It is a free event with restaurants and food trucks participating to add to the fun.
El Segundo Fun Facts
- It is the only South Bay city with NO parking meters!
- Before the town was incorporated it was filled with strawberry fields.
- It was the filming location for 1934’s Cleopatra, and the more recent Fast and Furious as well as many other film and TV productions.
- Its gas-powered steam plant at Scattergood Generation Station was used as the Death Star control room for Star Wars: Episode IV: A New Hope.
- It is the aerospace capital of the world.
- It is the world’s largest automobile maker building more “toy” cars than any other automaker at the Mattel Factory.
- It is the only city in America with headquarters and practice facilities for pro football, basketball, and hockey.
To find out about upcoming events and happenings in El Segundo visit El Segundo – Start Here or, @VisitElSegundo on Instagram.
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