Introduction to Gardena, California
The city of Gardena, part of Los Angeles County, is situated 15 miles south of Los Angeles and close to several prime transportation links. Only 20 minutes from Los Angeles International Airport and roughly the same distance from Long Beach Municipal Airport, the city boasts easy access to every major Los Angeles County Freeway, including Interstates I-405, I-105, I-710 and I-110 as well as California State Highway 91 (Artesia Boulevard). Nearby cities include Hawthorne (to the north), Compton (to the east) and Torrance (to the south).
The first settlements in Gardena Valley occurred in the late nineteenth-century, transforming the area from a collection of large rancho estates into a community of homes. Incorporated in 1930, Gardena combined the rural communities of Gardena, Moneta and Strawberry Park into a single city. At that time, Gardena was a small farming community which has since blossomed into an active and progressive residential and business community. There are several theories as to how the city acquired its name, although the consensus indicates a reference to the beauty of the fertile green valley in which it resides.
Entertainment in the Gardena area
Gardena is only minutes away from dozens of Los Angeles area attractions and also in close proximity to the finest beaches on the West Coast. Two attractions located within Gardena itself are the Normandie and Hustler Casinos. A convenient alternative to the Las Vegas gaming establishments, these two sites offer table games, shows and food. The Normandie houses a large multi-ethnic restaurant, a sports bar and a showroom which features concerts and sporting events. Many other Southern California attractions can also be found a short distance south in the Long Beach and Anaheim areas.
