Rousing, accordion-sporting oompah bands, overflowing steins of beer, the chicken dance: Oktoberfest at Alpine Village in Torrance is one of our favorite spots to celebrate come fall. Not only do we like to sample the rib-sticking schnitzel and sauerkraut at the Alpine Village Restaurant (the apple strudel is also scrumptious), but we adore the convivial, straight-outta-Bavaria spunk of the proceedings. Even the surrounding 1960s-era buildings, with their colorful windows and cozy, low-slung doors, look as if they've just been choppered in from the Alps. And the festival itself -- one that is now several decades along -- couldn't feel more spry.
The 2008 festivities close after Sunday the 26th, but there is still time to link arms, sing songs, and participate in silly, crowd-revving contests. After a day at Oktoberfest, we always make time to visit the market inside Alpine Village, which carries the butteriest cookies in Southern California, not to mention spicy sausages and imported chocolates aplenty.
Oktoberfest
October 24th-October 26th (Friday and Saturday nights, Sunday day)
Alpine Village, Torrance, 833 W. Torrance Boulevard, Torrance
310-327-4384
