California's Hottest New Foodie Destination Is A Charming, Laid-Back Beach Town

When you picture beach towns in California, your first thought is probably surf culture, sunny days, and crashing waves. You're likely not thinking about finding Michelin-level eats along the coastline. However, far from California's busy beaches is an underrated coastal seaside escape that's now one of the state's best foodie vacation spots. Hermosa Beach, located just South of Manhattan Beach, was named a "culinary destination" by The Los Angeles Times after the arrival of Vin Folk, a swanky chef-driven restaurant.

Founded by chefs Kevin de Los Santos and Katya Shastova, Vin Folk's menu tells stories from their lives through their dishes. Whether it's beef tongue the way Chef Shastova's mother used to make it or an abstract dessert inspired by Chef de Los Santos' favorite childhood breakfast, each dish has a life of its own. The staff work in every part of the restaurant, with servers prepping food and cooks taking orders, making for a unique, collaborative vibe. While Vin Folk is a main attraction, there are several other spots scattered throughout the beach town that make traveling to Hermosa Beach worth a foodie's time.

In between surf rides and sun tans, take a break and stop at some casual eateries in Hermosa Beach. For the best New York-style pizza, stop into Redwood Pie for some shockingly delicious pizza to go. With a simple one-page pizza menu, you can be sure you're getting a simple, delicious slice without the unnecessary bells and whistles. Then, enjoy a view of the waves at La Playita, a classic Mexican cafe. Here, you can have a tasty breakfast with scrambled eggs or a classic carnitas burrito to fill your stomach on a busy beach day.

Once you've washed the salt out of your hair and put on your best beach trip dinner outfit, check Ryla or Zane's Restaurant for a delightful evening. Ryla is an innovative Japanese fusion place born from the minds of Chef Ray Hayashi and his wife, Chef Cynthia Hetlinger. Their dinner menu boasts innovative luxury sushi rolls and can't-miss mains like the "3 cup" wild black cod and the wagyu striploin. Zane's Restaurant is your classic catch-all semi-Italian hotspot. From steaks to seafood to pasta, Zane's has a mouthwatering dish for every palate. Soak up the salty sea vibes with the linguini and clams or opt for an American classic with the Zane's Burger. Wherever you end up eating in Hermosa Beach, you can be sure it will be a place you'll want to come back to.

Plan your restaurant itinerary right by booking your reservations as far in advance as you can. You don't want to miss out on Hermosa's vibrant food scene! In addition to the food stops you'll make along the way, you can be sure that the beach has enough activities to keep you occupied. Whether you're batting around a beach volleyball, or lying out with a good book, there's plenty of beachfront fun for every type of visitor. You can also venture inland and spend the perfect three-day weekend exploring Los Angeles.

Hermosa Beach is conveniently located 20 minutes from the Los Angeles International Airport and sits on the outskirts of the city, making it an accessible spot for both SoCal residents and out-of-towners looking to fly in. Accommodations through Airbnb will usually offer you a one to two-bed stay between $700 and $1500 for five nights (at the time of writing). Hotels are also plentiful in Hermosa Beach, with prices ranging depending on where you want to stay, including options like the beachfront Sea Sprite Beach Club or the sleek boutique Hotel Hermosa just up the hill.