Hardly anyone ever notices that the fourth largest city in the nation’s most populous county is Torrance. This is probably because the larger cities — such as L.A. and Long Beach — are so much more interesting.So are many smaller ones. Even Torrance’s motto, “A balanced city — commercial, residential, industrial,” is sheer anhedonia. Torrance is a piece of the surrounding South Bay architectural pasteboard jungle. Some call it soulless, some call it Borrance. Its major landmark is a 20-year-old office building that’s a sketchy imitation of an Iowa county courthouse. Not even a giant jelly doughnut or a hot dog.I haven’t been to Torrance in decades. Umpteen years later, you imagine it’s much the same — the malls, the snack-loving, high school–educated Anglo homeowners, the burly cops packing .45s. But like all Southern California, Torrance is transforming, culturally and demographically — even if the changes aren’t yet obvious.
Source: Barking for Change | L.A. Weekly