Oktoberfest at the Alpine Village Torrance

Did someone say Oktoberfest? In the LA area, the Alpine Village Torrance is the place to go!

For those of you who aren't familiar with Oktoberfest, it is a yearly celebration that originates in Bavaria, in Munich (now Germany). Originally set aside as a week to celebrate the Bavarian king's wedding, they had so much fun that they decided to make it a yearly affair.

While there is nowhere in the world that Oktoberfest is celebrated in quite the extreme as in Munich, during that time of year you can find similar Oktoberfest celebrations around the globe. What's to celebrate? Life of course! And beer comes a close second! Traditionally boatloads of suds are consummed on this holiday along with traditional Bavarian foods, kraut, sausages and the like. Music and dancing is important too.

We hadn't celebrated Oktoberfest in the Los Angeles area before but after Josh came back from a business trip to Munich, we had the hankering for some good ol' fashioned Bavarian partying in our neck of the woods. Well what better place than in the Alpine Village Torrance, located just south of the city a bit.

Alpine Village is a cool, Bavarian-styled shopping center that is actually open year round. If you want to find traditional German beer steins, lederhosen and German foods, its a fun little slice of Europe right in LA's backyard.

But during Oktoberfest, generally from mid-September thru late October, they put up a huge tent and celebrate this festival with a huge beer garden every Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The beer flows and the traditional Bavarian band plays all your favorites with occasional displays of dancing and the like. If you are going with family, Sunday is the day to go as there is a 21 year and older limit for Friday and Saturday nights. But if you are 21+ and want to party it up, Friday and Saturday night are crowded and hopping with adult fun.

After the partying, or on any day of the year, check out the cook market and bakery and pick up some traditional Bavarian foods for fun. We like to try all the weird cheeses and meats like the head cheese and blood sausages. Yes, really. We're just like that.

Alpine Village Torrance
833 W. Torrance Blvd.
Torrance, CA 90502
(310) 327-4384

Oktoberfest 2009 is September 12th thru October 25th
Beer Garden: Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday
Friday 6:30 pm to 1:00 am (21 years and older only) $8 Admission
Saturday 6:00 pm to 1:00 am (21 years and older only) $8 Admission
Sunday 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm (Family Day) $5 Admision (Children under 12 free with adult)

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