Gardena, California travel guide: things to do, food & where to stay

Overview

Gardena is a city of about 60,000 people (2018) in the South Bay of Los Angeles County in Southern California.

1 sights · 2 things to do · 2 places to eat · 2 places to stay

Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage

Best things about Gardena

Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve

A 9.4-acre wetland preserve at the southeast corner of Gardena. This is a naturally-occurring marshland where water seeps above-ground all year round. It hosts several species of trees and other vegetation.

Gardena Judo Dojo

Sky Zone Torrance

Plan your trip

Best time to visit & weather

Most comfortable: Jan–Dec. Summer highs reach about 78°F; winter lows dip to about 49°F. Wettest: Feb and Jan. (climate data from nearby Hawthorne)

Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).

Getting there

From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
HHR Jack Northrop Field Hawthorne Municipal Airport, Hawthorne — 3 mi away. Directions
LAX Los Angeles International Airport, Los Angeles — 7 mi away (major hub). Directions

GTrans Line 1X leaves from West 1st St at Main St in downtown Los Angeles ($1, senior 35¢) about every 45 min 8AM-6PM.

Full “Get in” guide ↓

Budget & where to stay

No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.

Sample 1-day itinerary

Day 1

Morning Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve, Sky Zone Torrance
Lunch Spoon House
Afternoon Gardena Judo Dojo
Dinner Beard Papa

Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.

Food for you

Cuisine (tap to filter)

What to ask about, for your diet

Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder

Map

Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.

Understand

The community evolved from part of the Spanish land grant, the Rancho San Pedro, given to Juan Jose Dominguez around 1800. It was incorporated as a town in 1930, combining the rural communities of Gardena, Moneta, and Strawberry Park.

Farming became Gardena's main industry early in the 20th century especially strawberries.

Gardena has a large Japanese population.

Get in

GTrans Line 1X leaves from West 1st St at Main St in downtown Los Angeles ($1, senior 35¢) about every 45 min 8AM-6PM.

Get around

Go GTrans

Four regular routes serving the cities of Gardena, Hawthorne, Compton, Torrance, Carson, Harbor City, Lawndale and Los Angeles. Its service area that stretches north to downtown LA, south to the Pacific Coast Highway, east to the Compton Transit Center, and west to the South Bay Galleria Mall.

💲 $1 (senior 35¢), 40¢ for a transfer⚠ Last checked May 2020 — confirm before you go

Maps Website