| Redondo Beach | Torrance | |
|---|---|---|
| Median house sale | $2.53M | $1.6M |
| Median condo sale | $820K | $520K |
| Median price per sq ft | $1,018 | $782 |
| Home styles | 1960s to 1980s beachfront condos, townhomes, cottages, ranch houses and new builds; newer townhomes and small-lot homes in North Redondo | 1950s and 1960s ranch homes, many expanded or rebuilt; 1910s and 1920s Craftsman bungalows in Old Torrance; condos and townhomes |
| Typical lots and terrain | Streets climbing from the Esplanade bluff in South Redondo; flatter and inland in North Redondo | Regular suburban lots on flat ground, rising to hillside lots toward Palos Verdes |
| City | City of Redondo Beach (its own city) | City of Torrance (its own city) |
| Signature streets and anchors | The pier and King Harbor, Riviera Village, the Esplanade | Old Torrance, Del Amo Fashion Center, Torrance Beach, Madrona Marsh |
| Getting around | Pacific Coast Highway; the 405 near North Redondo; Metro K Line ends at Redondo Beach station | The 405 and the 110; PCH and Hawthorne Blvd; Torrance Transit buses |
| Drive times (rough, off-peak) | LAX often 15 to 25 minutes; Westside often 35 to 50 | LAX often 20 to 25 minutes; Downtown roughly 30 to 40 |
| Weather | Coastal, mild year round, marine layer mornings | Coastal near the beach and the hills, a bit warmer inland |
| Eat drink shop highlights | Quality Seafood, Sushi Chitose, The Boy & The Bear | Madre, Kagura, Torihei Yakitori, Onki |
Median prices: Redfin Data Center, zip codes 90277 and 90505, March to May 2026. Zip codes don't match neighborhood borders exactly.
The homes
Redondo Beach has two halves. South Redondo runs from the harbor to the Palos Verdes border, with beachfront and ocean-view condos, many from the 1960s through the 1980s, plus townhomes and single-family homes on streets climbing from the Esplanade. Around Riviera Village, homes range from older cottages and ranch houses to large new builds. North Redondo, inland, has many newer townhomes and small-lot detached homes along with ranch houses and condos.
Most of Torrance was built after World War II, so its core is 1950s and 1960s single-story ranch homes on regular suburban lots, many since expanded or rebuilt. On the south and west side, streets climb toward the Palos Verdes hills, and the Hollywood Riviera, shared with Redondo, has hillside homes with ocean and city views. Old Torrance, the original downtown, has 1910s and 1920s Craftsman bungalows and cottages.
Prices
The price figures on this page use 90277, South Redondo near the beach, and 90505, the south and west side of Torrance near the hills and the beach. Neither zip covers its whole city: North Redondo is 90278, and Torrance spans several more zips inland. Distance to the water and views drive the gap within each city, and Redondo's large share of condos shapes its overall figures.
The feel
Redondo is a harbor town. King Harbor and the pier have marinas, sportfishing boats, fish markets and Seaside Lagoon, and Riviera Village near the south end has restaurants, boutiques and coffee shops. The Esplanade runs along the bluff above the beach.
Torrance spreads out more. Torrance Beach sits below the bluffs at the southern end of the South Bay bike path, Del Amo Fashion Center is one of the largest shopping centers in the country, and Old Torrance has a compact downtown of older storefronts. Wilson Park hosts a large farmers market twice a week.
Getting around
Redondo has the rail: the Metro K Line ends at the Redondo Beach (Marine) station, with trains toward the airport area. Pacific Coast Highway runs the length of the city, and South Redondo sits farther from the freeway. Torrance has the 405 across its north side and the 110 just east, plus its own Torrance Transit bus network. Off-peak, LAX is often 15 to 25 minutes from Redondo and 20 to 25 from Torrance.
City and rules
Both are their own cities, with permits, zoning and building rules through the City of Redondo Beach and the City of Torrance, and the City of LA's Measure ULA generally doesn't apply in either. Homes near Redondo's water may sit in the California Coastal Zone, and many of its condos are in older buildings, so review HOA reserves and assessments. In Torrance's hillside areas, check slopes, drainage and fire hazard zones. Verify transfer taxes with your escrow officer.
Weather
Both get mild South Bay weather. Redondo and the parts of Torrance near the beach and the hills share the ocean's cooling and morning marine layer, while inland Torrance can run a few degrees warmer on summer afternoons.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between Redondo Beach and Torrance?
Redondo Beach is a coastal city built around its harbor and pier, with condos, townhomes and small-lot homes. Torrance is a larger, mostly inland city of 1950s ranch homes, with a planned 1910s downtown in Old Torrance, a big shopping center and a short beach below the Palos Verdes bluffs.
Is Redondo Beach part of Torrance?
No. Redondo Beach and Torrance are separate incorporated cities, each with its own permits and zoning. They border each other, and the Hollywood Riviera neighborhood straddles the line, so confirm which city a specific Riviera address is in.
Which has Metro rail, Redondo Beach or Torrance?
Redondo Beach. The Metro K Line ends at the Redondo Beach (Marine) station in North Redondo. Metro approved an extension to a Torrance transit center in January 2026, with completion currently listed around late 2036, depending on funding.
