Torrance in November: A Marsh Waiting for Rain, a Turkey Trot With a New Starting Line, and a Hospital Lobby Full of Trees

By late summer the ground at Madrona Marsh Preserve is dry. The City of Torrance describes the preserve at 3201 Plaza Del Amo as one of the last vernal wetlands in Southern California. Its pools fill in winter and spring and dry out by late summer. That cycle supports a different mix of wildlife each season, and admission is free all year. November falls at the dry end of that cycle, before the water comes back. This month the marsh has the city's busiest program schedule.

Over the summer, Torrance's events moved from park to park, with Wilson Park as the anchor. November's events land somewhere else. They happen at the marsh, at a stormwater basin on Henrietta Street, in a home-improvement store's parking lot on Thanksgiving morning, and in a hospital lobby the first week of December. Each of these places has a day job, and for a few weeks each one also hosts a public event.

The Marsh Runs a Program Almost Every Week

The City of Torrance and the nonprofit Friends of Madrona Marsh manage the preserve together. Their November calendar is organized by age and time of day, so it helps to know which programs need a phone call first.

• Tyke Hike, Thursday, Nov. 5, 10 to 11:30 a.m. This one is for children from 3 months to 6 years old, who come with an adult to listen for birds, look for frogs and learn a new nature topic each week. Meet inside the Nature Center and wear closed-toed shoes.
• Friday Fun, Nov. 6 and Nov. 13, 10 a.m. to noon. Preschoolers get nature crafts, story time and a walk on the preserve. Registration opens at 10 a.m. on the Tuesday of the same week, by phone to the Nature Center.
• Nature Walk, Saturdays Nov. 7 and Nov. 14, 10 a.m. to noon. Free, according to the Friends calendar.
• Nature Storytime, Thursday, Nov. 12, 10:30 a.m. to noon. For ages 2 to 5, with stories, science activities and crafts. You have to call the Nature Center to register ahead of time.
• Night Hike on the Preserve, Saturday, Nov. 14, 4:30 to 6 p.m. Walkers see the preserve as animals and insects start their evening activity. Registration goes through Torrance Rec, and walk-ins are not accepted.
• South Bay Bird Watch, Saturday, Nov. 28, 9 to 11 a.m. Members of the Palos Verdes/South Bay Audubon chapter lead the walk, and it's aimed at new and beginner birders of any age. Meet at the Nature Center at 9. You can borrow binoculars there if you ask.

Saturday, Nov. 14 has the most going on. You could walk the preserve in the morning and come back for the Night Hike as the sun goes down, on the same paths, about six hours apart.

Henrietta Basin, Listed With the Marsh Programs

On Saturday, Nov. 21, from 9 to 11 a.m., "Exploring Henrietta Basin" meets at 20501 Henrietta Street. The city lists it with the Madrona Marsh programs. The city calls the site one of several stormwater collection basins in Torrance. It provides wildlife habitat, trails for observers and a natural water treatment system.

The walk shows a piece of infrastructure that does two jobs at once, holding storm runoff and serving as habitat. The city page lists seven more dates after Nov. 21, so if you miss this one, another is scheduled.

Thanksgiving Morning Moves Across Skypark Drive

The 46th Annual Harry Sutter Memorial Turkey Trot is a 3-mile fun run on Thursday, Nov. 26, run by the City of Torrance Community Services Department. This year it has a new check-in and start/finish area in the Lowe's parking lot. You can't park at Lowe's itself, so plan your morning around that:

1. Park at Sam's Club, entering from Lomita Boulevard, or at Torrance Crossroads by the Home Depot.
2. Walk across Skypark Drive to the Lowe's lot.
3. Check in between 6:30 and 7:30 a.m. Warm-up runs 7:30 to 7:50, and the run starts at 8.
4. Stay for the opportunity drawing around 9:15. Prizes include mountain bikes, gift cards, gym memberships and apparel.

Registration is $35 through Nov. 20 and $40 for late registration on Nov. 25 and 26, through Torrance Rec. Registered runners get a commemorative T-shirt while supplies last. The city's October 20 news release says race-day late registration happens at Sam's Club, while the event page puts check-in and the start/finish at Lowe's. If you're signing up that morning, go to Sam's Club first. It's also one of the parking lots.

The new layout turns three retail lots that sit nearly empty early on a holiday into a parking area, a walking route and a finish line.

The Weekend Before Veterans Day, Around Civic Center Drive

The two November events closest to the traditional idea of a civic calendar fall on back-to-back days. The Torrance Craftsmen's Guild Fall Faire runs Saturday and Sunday, Nov. 7 and 8, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center. On Saturday it overlaps with the morning Nature Walk at the marsh, so you can do both in the same morning.

On Monday, Nov. 9, the city hosts a free Veterans Appreciation Event from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 3330 Civic Center Drive. The Social Services Commission is the contact. This is the only date this month that brings residents to the Civic Center.

December Opens in a Hospital

The season turns at 3330 Lomita Blvd. The Torrance Memorial 43rd Annual Holiday Festival is billed as a six-day celebration with decorated Christmas trees, live music, entertainment, boutique shopping and special Senior Days. The published hours cover five days:

• Tuesday, Dec. 1, 1:30 to 3:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, Dec. 2, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Thursday, Dec. 3, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
• Saturday, Dec. 5, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
• Sunday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The weekend days also offer free health screenings on Dec. 5 and 6. The Fashion Show and Gala Dinner are ticketed, with reservations at 310-517-4703 or through Torrance Memorial.

All proceeds go to the hospital's Emergency Department Campaign. Visitors can donate to dedicate a personalized ornament to someone on the Heroes Tree in the Lundquist Tower Lobby, or bid in the auction.

Before and After the Bird Walk

If Nov. 28 is your marsh morning, Torrance has a newer lunch stop on Sepulveda. Prime Pizza opened at 3720 Sepulveda Blvd. on Sept. 14, 2026, according to CurationsLA. The Daily News reported it as the 12th location for the New York-style shop founded by Zak Fishman and James Starr. Its menu has 18-inch, eight-slice round pies and an 18-by-12-inch Grandma square. Torrance hours are 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Thursday and until 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

That makes a full Saturday. Spend 9 to 11 a.m. with the Audubon group at 3201 Plaza Del Amo, borrowing binoculars if you don't have your own, then head to Sepulveda for a slice.

Thinking about your own home while you plan the month? At Hirano Homes Group, we keep track of what's happening around Torrance's parks, preserves and parking lots because our clients live next to them. If you'd like to know what your home is worth this November, get your instant home valuation and we'll go through the numbers with you.