These photos were taken April 1st and 2nd during my Spring Break staycation, when I stayed at the Bluestem Hotel and paid visits to the Madrona Marsh, Monkish Brewing, Smog City Brewing, Hermosa Brewing, Red Car Brewery, The Brews Hall, HopSaint Brewing, Absolution Brewing, Scholb Premium Ales, and Project Barley Square. This article is sponsored by Discover Torrance.
Numerous friends have asked, “You are retired, isn’t every day a staycation for you?” Well, maybe kinda, but sometimes one can be unhoused without being homeless. Sometimes, things can be too toxic to stay home; like if your home is being fumigated. While I have lived here longer than many of my readers have been alive, the reality is that when friends come into town I don’t help much when it comes to answering questions about what is the best deal as far as the 20+ hotels available in the City of Torrance. I decided I would reach out to the Discover Torrance Visitors Bureau to find out where the best deals were. That is when Debbie Hays, the Sales/Community Representative for Discover Torrance, stepped in and introduced me to the Bluestem Hotel.
If the name “Discover Torrance” rings a bell, but you are not sure why, every year since 2018 they have been sponsoring The Torrance Beer Run, which was set up to promote what the last couple of mayors of Torrance have cited as the new growth industry for Torrance, our breweries. If the Bluestem Hotel is not quite as familiar to you, don’t feel like the Lone Ranger; I had to Google it as well.
The Bluestem Hotel opened around 2018, and used to be the Travelodge on Sepulveda Blvd, just east of Crenshaw Blvd. I will admit, I don’t remember the Travelodge either, but if Travelodge was not your thing, it has been totally remodeled and resembles no Travelodge I ever stayed at. In fact, Bluestem Hotel has been described as the first boutique hotel in Torrance; in fact, it is within walking distance of places like the Madrona Marsh and Del Amo Shopping Center and a ten minute drive from most of the breweries in Torrance. Because of this, I decided that this staycation would be all about Torrance, and what it has to offer; one of these offerings is Torrance Connect.
Now, if you are unfamiliar with Torrance Connect you are going to be happy you read this article. Torrance Connect started at the end of 2024 and is a shuttle service, like Uber, but it is limited to a good portion of Torrance, and the rides are only $5.00 each when you download the app; the first six rides are free. More on that later, but you do not need to be a Torrance resident to take advantage of this. If you come to visit Torrance, you definitely want this app.
As I mentioned above, this staycation was going to be all about Torrance, which is exactly what Bluestem Hotel is all about. Most of the artwork and furniture was created by Torrance residents. Their coffee is locally roasted and even their snack bar is stocked with local craft beer.
My staycation began on Tuesday, April 1, which is where the photos begin. As I had to leave my home long before check-in time at Bluestem, I decided to do something I have not done in a while; I decided to take a walk around the Madrona Marsh. Luckily, it was before the winds started so I had a pleasant walk. One friend asked me if there was any water in the marsh and I am happy to report there was enough to attract a few ducks that seemed to be enjoying the morning.
After my walk I was informed Bluestem had a room available for early check-in, so I headed over where I was greeted by one of the owners, Rama Chanani, and their new General Manager, Jeffrey. It was decided that Jeffrey would give me a tour the next day, so I dropped my stuff off in the room, set up a ride with Torrance Connect (who was there in no time), and prepared to begin my personal Torrance Beer Run.
I started off deep in the Beermuda Triangle with a visit to Monkish Brewing. Monkish Brewing is one of the original Torrance breweries, initially known primarily for their Belgian style brews but in recent years has gravitated more towards hazy IPAs, but they still have some Belgian sour styles available. They typically have a food truck available but it was pretty early, so the truck hadn’t arrived yet. Monkish Brewing is located at 20311 S. Western Avenue in Torrance. After enjoying an LA Cap hazy IPA I walked literally around the corner to Smog City Brewing.
Smog City Brewing is another of the surviving OG Torrance breweries. I would also have no problem suggesting that they have one of the most diverse beer menus in the entire South Bay, not just Torrance. They have a wide selection of lagers, sours, IPAs, Imperial Stouts and more. Whatever style you are into, I am sure they have it available. While there I enjoyed their Smog Czech lager and a Sorta Mostly pale ale. Smog City Brewing is located at 1901 Del Amo Boulevard in Torrance. After saying my goodbyes, I walked a half a block east to Hermosa Brewing Company.
AS the name probably indicates, Hermosa Brewing Company originated with a tasting room and restaurant in Hermosa Beach, beginning by brewing at two different locations in Southern California. They then started brewing in El Segundo, but COVID struck and things in El Segundo became a task. Luckily, they were able to find the location in the Beermuda Triangle where they were able to do their brewing, with a tasting room onsite and it was close enough to bring the beer to the Hermosa Beach location; it was a good thing.
The Torrance location has a conference room available and lots of pinball and video games for those into those games. They are located at 1855 Del Amo Boulevard in Torrance. After enjoying a Cerebus IPA I summoned Torrance Connect for a ride to my next destination. Like most of the breweries in Torrance they also have a food truck most of the time. While I was there they had an Aqui Las Gorditas serving food. I admit, I don’t normally gravitate to food trucks, but I was outside in the cold wind and started chatting with the owners while waiting for my ride. I never had a gordito before but when they offered me one, I could not resist; it was amazing. I will definitely get another the next time I see them.
My next location to visit was Red Car Brewery and Restaurant. Red Car will be 25 years old in August and the owners were good friends with my dad so when I was there and ran into one of the owners, Laurie Brandt, it did not take much to get involved in deep conversation with her while enjoying a Big Red Red Ale (my dad’s favorite). This is when I discovered what a great deal Torrance Connect is.
Torrance Connect runs from 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM on weekdays. After chatting with Laurie, I noticed it was 6:45 so I tried to book a ride from Red Car (1266 Sartori Avenue, Torrance) to the Bluestem Hotel (2448 Sepulveda, Torrance), they told me I was too late. Utilizing Uber cost me $12.00 for a four minute drive; I will always utilize Torrance Connect when that is an option.
Wednesday morning I met up with Jeffrey for a tour of the Bluestem. As I mentioned above, Jeffrey is the new Bluestem general manager (it was his second day), but he has several years of hotelier experience under his belt. He emphasized that Bluestem was all about the Torrance lifestyle, and the decor was meant to show that. They have 58 rooms and a conference room suitable for a few dozen attendees. They also have a small gym, and besides the coffee machines in each room, they offer coffee in the lobby that is fresh brewed every hour. While they do not currently offer any food, they do have an arrangement with a neighboring restaurant that will deliver breakfast for a small additional fee. They are currently installing a small kitchen to make the food more convenient. He also pointed out all the Torrance landmarks depicted in the mural overlooking the parking lot. In a nutshell, Bluestem Hotel is a gated boutique hotel community that offers distinctive upscale accommodation and attentive service. Bluestem Hotel is the number 1 top-rated hotel on TripAdvisor of all 25 hotels they list as being in Torrance. I would say that they are probably the most economical hotel in the city and they offer discounts for AAA members, seniors, and government employees. Choice Privileges Rewards Members enjoy access to exclusive perks, including special rates on your stay at Bluestem hotel. Additionally they are currently running discounts for those displaced by the recent fires.
After my tour I decided to begin part two of my personal Torrance Beer Run by walking over to The Brews Hall since it just a mile or so from the Bluestem.
Long time readers probably remember when I first began covering The Brews Hall back in 2019; some things have changed since then. Justinian is still the brewer, but overall management has changed. George Lopez and Mike Zislis are no longer involved, and while the food court still offers four restaurants to choose from, Pelligrino’s Pizzeria has been added, with the Pelligrino family being former investors and the new owners.
The new ownership has allowed Justinian more freedom in the brewery which is definitely reflected on the beer menu and all the newly canned brews. I started off with the new-to-me Buzzrock Rock Sugar IPA, followed by a Rat Beach Red, which I enjoyed with Pelligrino’s Chicago Dog and Garlic Fries which is part of their lunch special.
The Brews Hall is located at 21770 Del Amo Circle East in Torrance.
When I left The Brews Hall I learned something else about Torrance Connect, they do not go to HopSaint Brewing Company, even though it is in Torrance. After spending $12 the day before for a four minute ride, I was almost afraid to know how much Uber would charge for this. Luckily, my friends Phil and Jethro were easy to bribe with a couple beers for a ride.
I would be remiss if I didn’t give some hints on how to deal with this. Number one, they offer a map of their coverage area, but it certainly fooled me. When I figured out HopSaint was not an option via Torrance Connect, I decided to see if the McDonald’s down the street at 190th and Hawthorne Blvd. was in the service area; it was not, however, the medical building on the east side of Hawthorne Blvd. was. In other words, if you are creative and willing to walk a little, you can make it work.
As you likely figured out, HopSaint Brewing Company was my next destination. It probably is no secret to the locals that HopSaint is one of my favorite local breweries. It does not hurt that they are the closest Torrance brewery to my home, but they also have a wide selection of award winning beers and probably the best southern style barbecue in the South Bay. You really cannot miss with anything on their menu.
HopSaint Brewing Company is located at 5160 W. 190th Street in Torrance and is open daily.
After enjoying a This is How We Do It IPA, and Phil his Pure Intention Pale Ale, it was time for me to move on. While I intended to walk to the east side of Hawthorne Blvd. to pick up Torrance Connect, Phil offered to take me to my next destination, Absolution Brewing Company, since it was kind of on the way to his home.
Absolution Brewing’s brewery and tasting room has been open for 11 years now and is another local brewery with a wide selection of craft beer; since it is also dog friendly, Jethro was able to join us.
Absolution Brewing Company has been through a few brewers since they opened, but they kind of hit gold when they hired Erik DeBellis, so if you have not been there in a while, you should definitely consider visiting again. They are located at 2878 Columbia Street in Torrance.
After Phil and I finished our 405 IPAs it was time to part ways. As Phil and Jethro headed home, I began my trek down the parking lot to my next destination, Scholb Premium Ales.
Scholb Premium Ales has been open nine years now and also offers a wide variety of premium ales as well as various snacks for those desiring them. I enjoyed a Night Shift Black IPA, one of my favorite styles of IPA, before moving on. Scholb is located at 2964 Columbia Street in Torrance, which is maybe a football field west of Absolution. If you are brewery hopping, it is going to be tough to find two closer to each other.
I booked my Torrance Connect to take me to my final destination of this adventure, Project Barley Square.
Project Barley Square was formerly known as Yorkshire Square. Yorkshire Square was all about proper pints of British ales, but a few years ago they were acquired by Project Barley, which has locations in Lomita and Redondo Beach. While they still offer cask ales and pub food they also offer Project Barley brews so there is definitely a variety available. They also have bar games and live music on a very regular basis. Project Barley Square is located at 1109 Van Ness in Torrance. After finishing my W.T. Firkins Stout (on cask) it was time for me to conclude my journey.
Torrance currently has nine breweries with the 10th, HopSaint at the Ditch coming very soon. If you decided to participate in the next Discover Torrance ‘Torrance Beer Run’, you now have a roadmap on how to hit them all in two days while remaining responsible.
In conclusion, I would like to thank Debbie at Discover Torrance, Rama and Jeffrey at the Bluestem Hotel, my buddy Phil, and all the beertenders and Torrance Connect drivers for making this a fun staycation. If you are visiting Torrance, I highly recommend everyone mentioned above, except maybe Jethro. Cheers!
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