Established in 1905 as the "Hawthorne Improvement Company”, Hawthorne is a residential suburb near Los Angeles International Airport. It was here that the Wilson brothers (of Beach Boys fame) spent their childhood, with the band’s second anthology collection named after the city.
Things to do in Hawthorne
To learn about the people, events and industries that have shaped the region, head to the Hawthorne Historical Society. It houses a small museum filled with local artefacts and old photographs, as well as a Hall of Fame where its influential residents are celebrated. The Hawthorne Historical Society is located within Jim Thorpe Park with its sporting facilities and wading pool.
In the far north of Hawthorne is the Beach Boys Historic Landmark, which is located on the former site of Brian, Dennis and Carl Wilson’s childhood home. It features an image of the band holding a surfboard that was inspired by the cover of the Beach Boys’ third album, “Surfer Girl”. Nearby is the Hawthorne Memorial Park where you’ll find tennis courts, a baseball diamond and a children’s playground.
For a day at the beach, head west to Manhattan Beach, a laid-back coastal community with a 1920s-built pier that has been designated as a California Historical Landmark. It’s topped by an octagonal, Mediterranean-style building that houses an aquarium filled with marine species native to Southern California. In addition to being a popular fishing destination, Manhattan Beach has been synonymous with surfing since 1940.
Getting around Hawthorne
Hawthorne is around 45 minutes’ drive from the centre of Los Angeles and 15 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Buses connect to Hawthorne and travel throughout the city while renting a car will give you greater freedom to explore the area.