South Bay with Kids

Friday, September 11, 2026

Selena Saturday, free beach movie, Hermosa volleyball all weekend

Post–Labor Day weekend. Torrance wraps Summer Nights with a Selena tribute and Hispanic Heritage Festival on Saturday, Hermosa has free Pirates on the sand plus pro volleyball at the pier through Sunday, and Moompetam runs both days at the Aquarium of the Pacific. Cards below. We left parking, food, and prices blank unless we could confirm them on an official page.

This weekend

This weekend

512: The Selena Experience + Hispanic Heritage Festival

When: Saturday, September 12, 5:00–6:30 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Columbia Park, 4045 190th St
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free entry. Torrance Summer Nights season finale.
Parking: Columbia Park lot. Official event page does not list a parking fee.
Food: City page mentions food as part of the festivities; vendor prices unknown.
Why: Selena tribute with mariachi opener at the inaugural Hispanic Heritage Festival.

This weekend

Movies at the Beach: Pirates of the Caribbean

When: Saturday, September 12 (sunset on the sand; series also lists Saturday, September 19)
City: Hermosa Beach
Address: Sand south of the Hermosa Beach Pier
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free. Donations appreciated (Friends of the Parks). Exact showtime not listed as a clock time on the official page — sunset screening.
Parking: Official page does not list parking rates. Beach/pier parking gets tight; walk, bike, or arrive early.
Food: Official page does not list food vendors. Bring snacks; pack out trash.
Why: Free Pirates of the Caribbean on the sand. Bring blankets and low-back chairs.

This weekend

Wedbush Hermosa Beach Open

When: Thursday–Sunday, September 10–13, 2026 (qualifier Thu; main draw Fri–Sun)
City: Hermosa Beach
Address: Hermosa Beach Pier courts
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free admission all four days. Official tournament site.
Parking: Official site does not list a parking fee. Pier-area parking is limited on tournament weekends.
Food: Official site does not break out food prices. Eat nearby on Pier Ave or pack snacks.
Why: Pro beach volleyball with free admission and a free livestream. Easy weekend stop with kids.

This weekend

Moompetam American Indian Festival

When: Saturday–Sunday, September 12–13, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
City: Long Beach
Address: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way
Cost: $178 for a family of four · Required2 adults (12+) + 2 kids (3–11): $49.95 + $49.95 + $34.95 + $34.95 = $169.80 entry. Under 3 free. Members free with reservation. Plus $8 validated Aquarium parking = ~$177.80. Reservations required.
Parking: Aquarium parking structure: $8 flat with Aquarium validation (official Address & Parking page).
Food: Aquarium cafes on site; festival page does not break out food prices. Eat first if you want to save.
Why: Craft demos, storytelling, music, and dance celebrating California Indigenous maritime cultures. Included with general admission.

This weekend

Lowe's Kids Workshop: Haunted House

When: Saturday, September 12, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (in-store slots; registration required)
City: Torrance (choose Torrance store when registering)
Address: Register for a participating store slot on Lowes.com (Torrance store commonly listed at 22255 S Western Ave — confirm in the registration picker)
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free workshop. Materials included. Registration required; confirmation email/QR is your ticket.
Parking: Store lot. Official event page does not list a parking fee.
Food: Official page does not list food. Eat first.
Why: Free haunted-house build for mini DIYers. Spots fill — register before you drive.
Ages: Kids workshop; register child profiles on Lowes.com.

This weekend

Madrona Marsh Nature Walk

When: Saturday, September 12, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza Del Amo
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free. No registration required.
Parking: Nature Center lot. Official page does not list a fee.
Food: Official page does not list food. Eat first or pack light.
Why: Docent-led intro to plants and wildlife at the preserve. Weather can cancel — call (310) 782-3989 for status.

This weekend

Hermosa Beach Concert Series

When: Sunday, September 13, 3:00 p.m. (also Sunday, September 20)
City: Hermosa Beach
Address: Beach south of the Hermosa Beach Pier
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free. City Parks & Recreation series page: two Sundays after Labor Day at 3:00 p.m. south of the Pier.
Parking: Official series page does not list parking rates. Pier parking is limited; walk or arrive early.
Food: Official page does not list food. Pack a picnic.
Why: Free beach concert series right after Labor Day. Easy Sunday with kids on the sand.

Coming up

Coming up

Sensory Sensitive Saturday at Cabrillo Marine Aquarium

When: Saturday, September 19, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $9 for a family of four2 adults + 2 kids: free entry (suggested donation $10 adult / $5 child on the admission page — not required). Parking: cars $3/hr, $9 daily max, card only (official CMA admission page).
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot: $3/hr, $9 daily max, credit/debit only per CMA admission page.
Food: Picnic areas in Cabrillo Coastal Park. Official sensory page does not list food vendors.
Why: Quieter hour for sensory-sensitive guests; sensory bags and lap pads available at the welcome booth.

Coming up

Movies at the Beach (week 2)

When: Saturday, September 19 (sunset on the sand)
City: Hermosa Beach
Address: Sand south of the Hermosa Beach Pier
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free. Donations appreciated.
Parking: Official page does not list parking rates.
Food: Official page does not list food vendors. Bring snacks.
Why: Second free Movies at the Beach night. Confirm the title on hermosamovies.com before you go.

Coming up

El Segundo Main Street Fair

When: Saturday, September 26, 9:00 a.m.–5:00 p.m.
City: El Segundo
Address: Main Street, downtown El Segundo
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free to walk the fair. Kids games / food / crafts priced individually (amounts not listed on the Kiwanis page). Beer garden is the adult zone.
Parking: Official Kiwanis page does not list parking rates. Street closures on Main; plan to park nearby and walk.
Food: Food court and local restaurant fair deals on site. Prices vary.
Why: Eight blocks of crafts, kids games, food, and live music. Kiwanis fundraiser for local kids.

Free this week

Free this week

Torrance Farmers Market

When: Saturday 8 a.m.–1 p.m. (also Tuesdays)
City: Torrance
Cost: FreeFree to stroll. City lists Wilson Park / Jefferson St area; year-round Tue/Sat.
Why: Easy Saturday morning produce + playground stop.

Free this week

Musica Para Todos with Nathalia Music

When: Saturday, September 12, 10:30–11:00 a.m.
City: Hermosa Beach
Cost: FreeHermosa Beach Library. Ages 0–5 with caregiver.
Why: Short bilingual music program for littles.

Free this week

Native Garden Restoration at Cabrillo

When: Saturday, September 12, 9:00–10:30 a.m.
City: San Pedro
Cost: $9 for a family of fourFree program. Parking $3/hr, $9 daily max (card only) if you drive.
Why: Hands-on native garden help with aquarium educators. Kids with an adult.

Free this week

Nature Journaling at Cabrillo

When: Sunday, September 13, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Cost: $9 for a family of fourFree and open to all ages; registration not required (CMA Nature Journaling page). Parking $3/hr, $9 max.
Why: Outdoor journaling with aquarium educators.

Free this week

Family Storytime (North Torrance Library)

When: Saturdays 10:30 a.m.
City: Torrance
Cost: FreeStanding Torrance Public Library schedule.
Why: Songs and stories for the whole family.

Watch

Watch

Baja Splash Cultural Festival

When: September 26–27, 2026
City: Long Beach
Address: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way
Cost: RequiredFurther out — Aquarium admission + $8 validated parking; reservations required. Tickets sell.
Why: Watch list — reserve if you want the cultural festival weekend.