As a tourist draw, you might find yourself heading to Gardena to try out a restaurant (hint: highest percentage of Japanese Americans in California,) or stay at one of 20 mostly affordable hotels. If you're into card games, you may even travel to Hustler Casino to try your luck at Poker, Baccarat or Blackjack. But, if you work in Los Angeles, Gardena's commuter-friendly location is worth considering as a place to live.
Located in Los Angeles County's South Bay area a mere 10 miles southeast of Los Angeles International Airport, GTrans Bus Line 5 takes riders to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, an easy connection to the LAX People Mover.
Surrounded by major freeways 110, 405 and 105, with 91 Freeway intersecting Gardena, L.A. is only 10 miles north! Such a location may feel like all work and no play for commuters who strategically buy homes in the freeway-close place accessing jobs just about anywhere in the LA area.
But sun, sand and fun await - a straight shot west on Manhattan Beach Blvd. a mere six miles distance! Who says you can't have it all as you go to work, then catch a sunset over Manhattan Beach's iconic pier with its Roundhouse Museum?
Gardena is a melting pot of 60,000+ people whose roots were born in the fertile soil of the the early 1900s attracting Japanese settlers. As their families and farms grew, so did the city's population. Asians continue to make up a portion of the citizenry (over 25%,) but are outnumbered by Hispanics (roughly 40%). Another 20% are Blacks & African Americans, with Whites making up less than 10% of the city's residents.
The City of Gardena hosts a variety of cultural celebrations throughout the year beginning with Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade on Van Ness Avenue, held one Saturday in mid-January.
Often in March the city hosts an orchid show and a koi show. Easter sometimes falls on a Sunday in March, but can be in April, so the annual Easter Egg Hunt, Bunny Breakfast and Eggstravaganza Bonanza all happen on the Saturday before Easter.
In May as summer approaches and the weather's nice, the annual Cinco de Mayo Parade and Festivities occur on a Saturday at the beginning of the month. The outdoor street fest is held on Gardena Blvd. & New Hampshire Ave.
The following Saturday or one close, the annual PacFest Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration takes place at City Hall Complex.
In June there's the Juneteenth Celebration at City Hall Complex, a 4th of July Celebration, Fall Harvest Festival, Veterans Celebration in November and in December, the city celebrates Christmas with a Tree Lighting Winter Wonderland festival.
Throughout the year take in a 4th Saturday or 2nd Sunday Stroll, a self-guided tour of Gardena Willows Wetland Preserve.
Other events such as the ticketed Gardena Jazz Festival in Rowley Park in August or Food, Wine & Brew at City Hall Complex in September offer a great variety of tastes for music lovers or wine & beer imbibers.
You can stay busy with all the city's great offerings or take in professional sports games, concerts and celebrations in nearby Los Angeles venues.