El Segundo, Second to None
With its friendly, small-town charm and growing diversity of businesses, El Segundo is the perfect place for work and play in LA
You'll see a touch of that special El Segundo blue everywhere—even the lifeguard shacks!
While El Segundo means "the second" in Spanish, this unique city is second-to-none at mixing modern style with an old-town feel. Head out for a some play on your work trip, and you’ll discover the sights and bites that make this charming coastal suburb one of the best-kept secrets in LA.
You'll find yourself "smitten" by your favorite ice cream flavors, made-to-order here near the beach. Credit: Smitten Ice Cream
Explore the Tastes of So-Cal
Top Stops for Your Three Squares a Day
A healthy, productive day of work (or fun) starts and ends with a good meal. Head to Main Street for a cup of joe and a tasty pastry at the Blue Butterfly Coffee Co. This friendly bistro gets its name from the El Segundo Blue Butterfly, an endangered species native to the local coastal dunes ecosystem. This quaint spot serves up curated coffees and award-winning teas. For lunch, check out Bread & Butter. Serving breakfast all day, tasty sandwiches, and fresh grilled seafood dishes—it’s perfect for your midday meal. And once the work day is over, go for happy hour and dinner at Brewport Tap House. Celebrating two years serving up craft beer and burgers in the old El Segundo Post Office, this brewpub features a 48-tap craft beer wall and a self-pour format that might encourage you to try something new.
Eats on the Beach
Take your appetite to the beach—this is the California coast, after all. While there are dozens of cafes, food trucks and other local foodie favorites to choose from, nothing quite beats the seafood brunch and early afternoon happy hour at FISHBAR. This Manhattan Beach restaurant serves only the freshest seafood (they’re “fanatical about freshness” here) with a special menu for every day of the week. Not a seafood fan? Skip the fish and head over to Lil’ Simmzy’s for a rotating craft beer selection and an open-air vibe to catch those mild California breezes. And for something a little healthier, visit Good Stuff Restaurant. With four unique beach locations, and one right by LAX, you’ll find a range of vegan-friendly dishes alongside Southern California’s best burgers and benedicts.
El Segundo’s Sweet Satisfactions
It’s easy to satisfy your sweet-tooth in El Segundo. Chill out with your favorite flavor at Smitten Ice Cream, a lifeguard-shack-inspired scoop shop near Manhattan Beach where ice cream is made from scratch and made-to-order. For more scratch-made sweets, head to local-favorite Lido Bakery. This family-owned baked-goods depot offers incredible cakes and tasty treats for you to enjoy on-site, or to take back to your room for sweet indulgence later.
No trip to El Segundo is complete without catching a vintage film at the historic Old Town Music Hall. Credit: Old Town Music Hall
Where to Catch the Local Vibe
Sneak Away for a Matinee
Make your way down Main Street and discover Old Town Music Hall, one of El Segundo’s most treasured cultural landmarks. A local favorite since 1968, this historic theater shows vintage and silent films, and hosts concerts by some of the finest performers of jazz, ragtime and popular music. It’s also home of the Mighty Wurlitzer—a massive, meticulously restored 1925 wind-powered pipe organ that provides live musical accompaniment to silent film showings. It’s something that needs to be seen (and heard) to believe! Tickets are just $10 for regular admission and the cost goes directly to maintaining this not-for-profit cinema experience.
Accelerate into a Unique Team-Builder
Located just down the street from the Cambria hotel, the Automobile Driving Museum is great for an outing alone or with co-workers. Several of the classic cars on-site aren’t just pretty to look at—you can take a spin in them, too! Plan your visit on a Sunday (weather permitting) to take a ride in vintage vehicles ranging from a 1947 Chrysler Windsor Convertible to a 1963 Studebaker Avanti. Regular ticket prices are just $10, and it’s recommended to call ahead for more details before planning your visit.
Fun in the Sun at the Area’s Beaches
El Segundo has the unique distinction of sitting primely between some of LA’s most popular sand, sun and surf spots. Case in point: the Cambria hotel is just over 2 miles from the beloved Manhattan Beach. Or, if you prefer your beach-therapy sans-tourists, check out Playa Del Rey Beach about 3.5 miles from the hotel. This hidden gem is not nearly as crowded as nearby Venice or Santa Monica Beaches—but just as beautiful. Or, for something a little closer to home, walk down to Dockweiler State Beach (less than a mile from the Cambria) and watch the planes heading to and from LAX fly overhead.
Take your fun-in-the-sun to nearby Manhattan Beach and its iconic pier.
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