South Bay with Kids

Friday, August 28, 2026

Tonight: free space night, last pier concert Saturday

Last full summer weekend before Labor Day. Tonight is a free Family Nite at the Columbia Memorial Space Center in Downey. Saturday is the last Redondo Pier concert, plus Coldplay USA on the Wilson Park lawn. Sunday, one last swim at Seaside Lagoon before it closes for the season. Cards below. We left parking, food, and prices blank unless we could confirm them.

This weekend

This weekend

Family Nite at Columbia Memorial Space Center

When: Friday, August 28, 6–8 p.m.
City: Downey
Address: 12400 Columbia Way
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free entry. Official page lists free parking in front of the building and along Columbia Way.
Parking: Free lot in front of the Space Center and along Columbia Way.
Food: Official page does not list food. Eat first.
Why: Astronaut story time (Astronaut Annie, read from the ISS) plus open exhibits after hours. About 35 minutes from Torrance.

This weekend

Torrance Summer Nights: Coldplay USA

When: Saturday, August 29, 5:00–6:30 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Wilson Park Amphitheatre, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free entry, parking unknown.
Food: Official page does not list food. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Why: Free Coldplay tribute on the Wilson Park lawn, behind the splash pad.

This weekend

Redondo Pier Summer of Music: 1969

When: Saturday, August 29, 6–8 p.m.
City: Redondo Beach
Address: Fisherman’s Wharf, west end of the Pier
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free entry. Weather permitting. Harbor parking is paid.
Parking: Paid harbor lots. Official city waterfront page lists the Marina lot at 181 N. Harbor Drive at $2/hour (pay station or ParkMobile).
Why: Last concert of the 2026 pier series. Classic rock, open to the public.

This weekend

Salt Marsh Open House

When: Saturday, August 29, 12–2 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium / Salinas de San Pedro, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $9 for a family of four2 adults + 2 kids: free program. Parking $3/hr, $9 daily max (card only) if you drive and stay. Suggested donation if you also walk into the aquarium ($10/adult, $5/child) is optional.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach paid lot, $3/hr with a $9 daily max. Card only.
Food: Picnic areas in Cabrillo Coastal Park next to the aquarium.
Why: Binoculars and tide-watching in the salt marsh with aquarium educators.
Ages: All ages; children must be with an adult.

This weekend

Seaside Lagoon

When: Saturday–Sunday, August 29–30, 10:00 a.m.–5:45 p.m.
City: Redondo Beach
Address: 200 Portofino Way
Cost: $36 for a family of four · Required2 adults + 2 kids: $10 + $10 + $8 + $8 = $36 entry (ages 2–17). Plus harbor parking. Official rates page. Closed Sep 1–3. Season ends Labor Day, Sep 7.
Parking: Paid harbor lots. Official city waterfront page lists the Marina lot at 181 N. Harbor Drive at $2/hour (pay station or ParkMobile).
Food: Ice chests allowed. No glass, no alcohol, no personal BBQs. Picnic tables with BBQ are reservation-only. Official page does not list a snack bar.
Why: Last full weekends at the enclosed saltwater lagoon before the Labor Day close.

This weekend

Concerts in the Park: Stone Soul

When: Sunday, August 30, 5–7 p.m.
City: Manhattan Beach
Address: Polliwog Park Amphitheater, 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free entry. Parking is limited around the park.
Parking: City Parks page: parking around Polliwog gets difficult during the concert series. Carpool, walk, or rideshare. Handicap parking at Begg Pool lot.
Food: Official series page says bring picnics. No barbecues in the park. No pets.
Why: Free Motown / classic soul on the Polliwog lawn.

Coming up

Coming up

Tyke Hike

When: Thursday, September 3, 10:00–11:30 a.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza Del Amo
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free program, parking unknown.
Food: Official page does not list food. Outdoor walk; eat first.
Why: A short nature walk for little kids. Birds, frogs, and a cool breeze.
Ages: Ages 0–6 with an adult. Meet in front of the Nature Center.

Coming up

Fiesta Hermosa

When: Saturday–Monday, September 5–7. Sat/Sun 11 a.m.–7 p.m.; Mon 11 a.m.–6 p.m.
City: Hermosa Beach
Address: Downtown Hermosa Beach, Pier Plaza / The Strand
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free to walk the makers mercado, food fair, stages, and mini carnival grounds. Garden area is 21+ with a $10 daily cover — skip it with kids. Carnival rides and food are extra; official page does not list ride prices.
Parking: Street parking is limited. Official site offers free bike valet.
Food: Food fair vendors on site. Buy there. Official page does not list an outside-food rule.
Why: Labor Day weekend street festival. Live music, a mini carnival, and vendors. Stay out of The Garden.

Coming up

Torrance Summer Nights: Petty Theft

When: Saturday, September 5, 5:00–6:30 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Wilson Park Amphitheatre, 2200 Crenshaw Blvd
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free entry, parking unknown.
Food: Official page does not list food. Bring a blanket or lawn chair.
Why: Tom Petty tribute on the same Wilson Park lawn.

Coming up

Concerts in the Park: ABBA LA

When: Sunday, September 6, 5–7 p.m.
City: Manhattan Beach
Address: Polliwog Park Amphitheater, 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free entry. Parking is limited around the park.
Parking: City Parks page: parking around Polliwog gets difficult during the concert series. Carpool, walk, or rideshare. Handicap parking at Begg Pool lot.
Food: Official series page says bring picnics. No barbecues in the park. No pets.
Why: Last Concerts in the Park of the 2026 season.

Free this week

Free this week

Smarty Pants Storytime

When: Friday, August 28, 9:30–10:00 a.m.
City: Hermosa Beach
Address: Hermosa Beach Library, 550 Pier Avenue
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free program, parking unknown. Register everyone in your party; limited seats.
Why: Books, songs, and movement for school readiness — only if you already registered.
Ages: Ages 2–5 with a parent or caregiver.

Free this week

Torrance Certified Farmers Market

When: Saturday, August 29, 8:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: 2400 Jefferson Street (Wilson Park)
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free to walk. Food and produce cost extra.
Food: Buy there — produce, baked goods, and other market food.
Why: Saturday morning produce run in Wilson Park, rain or shine.

Free this week

Nature Journaling at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

When: Sunday, August 30, 10:00 a.m.–noon
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive (lower courtyard)
Cost: $9 for a family of four2 adults + 2 kids: free program, materials included. Parking $3/hr, $9 daily max (card only) if you drive.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach paid lot, $3/hr with a $9 daily max. Card only.
Food: Picnic areas in Cabrillo Coastal Park next to the aquarium.
Why: Identify marine animals and keep the journal they hand you. Drop in anytime; no registration.

Free this week

Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

When: Tue–Fri 12–5 p.m.; Sat–Sun 10 a.m.–5 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $9 for a family of four · Suggested donation2 adults + 2 kids: free entry. Suggested donation $10/adult, $5/child ($30 if you give). Parking $3/hr, $9 daily max (card only) — $9 required if you drive and stay.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach paid lot, $3/hr with a $9 daily max.
Food: Picnic areas in Cabrillo Coastal Park next to the aquarium.
Why: Southern California marine life, free to walk in.

Watch

Watch

Korean Friendship Bell

When: Saturday, September 5, late morning (monthly first-Saturday ringing; confirm with Angels Gate Park, 310-548-7705)
City: San Pedro
Address: Angels Gate Park, 3600 S. Gaffey Street
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free to visit, parking unknown.
Why: Pair a Labor Day Saturday at the bell with Fiesta Hermosa or Petty Theft later.

Watch

Seaside Lagoon last day

When: Monday, September 7, 10:00 a.m.–5:45 p.m. Closed Sep 1–3.
City: Redondo Beach
Address: 200 Portofino Way
Cost: $36 for a family of four · Required2 adults + 2 kids: $36 entry (same official rates). Season ends Labor Day.
Parking: Paid harbor lots. Marina lot $2/hour.
Why: Last day of the 2026 season before the lagoon closes.