South Bay with Kids

Monday, October 5, 2026

Turtle Day Saturday, Hermosa pumpkins, Festa Italiana

Saturday is stacked: live turtles at Madrona Marsh, Pumpkins in the Park in Hermosa, and a free Italian street festa in San Pedro. Sunday has Green Hills Harvest Fest plus a Walk Cabrillo. Cards below. We left parking, food, and prices blank unless we could confirm them on an official page.

This weekend

This weekend

Turtle and Tortoise Day

When: Saturday, October 10, 10:00 a.m.–4:00 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza del Amo
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: no admission price on the Friends of Madrona Marsh page (treat as free). California Turtle and Tortoise Society brings live turtles and tortoises — hands-on, all ages.
Parking: Nature Center lot. Official page does not list a fee.
Food: Official page does not list food.
Why: Very popular Madrona day — live turtles and tortoises for all ages.

This weekend

Hermosa Beach Pumpkins in the Park

When: Saturday, October 10, 11:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m.
City: Hermosa Beach
Address: Edith Rodaway Friendship Park, 350 Prospect Ave
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: no ticket price on the Humanitix registration page (treat as free community program). Hermosa Beach city calendar lists the same date/time/place. Day-of paid activities (decorating, face painting, snacks) may be offered — confirm on site; not priced on the registration page.
Parking: Park / street near Edith Rodaway Friendship Park. Official registration page does not list a parking fee.
Food: Registration page does not list food. Secondary local listings mention pizza/snacks for purchase — confirm day-of.
Why: Easy Hermosa pumpkin morning with costume energy — register on Humanitix before you go.

This weekend

Festa Italiana Los Angeles

When: Saturday, October 10, 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (live entertainment from about 2:30 p.m.)
City: San Pedro
Address: 6th St between S. Palos Verdes & S. Centre (nav: 222 W 6th St)
Cost: $10 for a family of four2 adults + 2 kids: free entry and entertainment. Food and merch paid. Topaz Garage on Centre (5th–6th) $10 flat Saturday 10:30 a.m.–midnight → entry $0 + parking about $10 if you use the garage.
Parking: Street first-come; Topaz Building garage on Centre St $10 flat Sat 10:30 a.m.–midnight (official FAQ). Meters $0.50/half-hour before 6 p.m.
Food: 20+ Italian food vendors; kids games and photo experiences; beer garden for adults. Dogs on leash OK.
Why: Big free Italian street festa with kids activities. Strong October Saturday in San Pedro.

This weekend

PVPLC Nature Club for Kids – Wildlife Tracking

When: Saturday, October 10, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: White Point Nature Education Center, 1600 W. Paseo Del Mar (enter via Western Ave.)
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: no admission price on the PVPLC event page (treat as free). No advanced signup required.
Parking: Preserve parking at White Point. Official listing does not list a fee.
Food: Official listing does not list food. Eat first or pack light.
Why: Hands-on wildlife tracking activities for little naturalists on the bluff.
Ages: Ages 3–10

This weekend

Cabrillo Tidepool Walk

When: Saturday, October 10, 2:30–4:00 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive (then Point Fermin Tidepools)
Cost: $9 for a family of four2 adults + 2 kids: free program, all ages; kids with an adult. Groups of 15+ should reserve: 310-548-7562. Outdoor clothes and sneakers advised. Parking $3/hr, $9 daily max, card only → about $9 if you stay for the walk.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot: $3/hr, $9 daily max, credit/debit only (CMA admission/hours page).
Food: Official event page does not list food. Pack a snack; picnic areas nearby.
Why: Naturalist-led hike to see tidepool animals in place — good afternoon after Turtle Day or the festa.

This weekend

Green Hills Harvest Festival

When: Sunday, October 11, 12:00–3:00 p.m. (activity lines close 2:45 p.m.)
City: Rancho Palos Verdes
Address: Green Hills Memorial Park, 27502 S. Western Ave (site also cites 27501)
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free admission per Green Hills harvestfest page and Green Hills staff announcement. Pumpkin patch (one pumpkin per person), hayrides, maze, arts/crafts, face painting, live music, food trucks for purchase.
Parking: On-site park parking. Official harvestfest page does not list a fee; call event line 310-521-4460 with questions.
Food: Local food trucks on site (official). Prices not listed.
Why: Free pumpkin-to-take-home harvest afternoon — get there early; lines close at 2:45 p.m.

This weekend

Walk Cabrillo

When: Sunday, October 11, 1:00–3:00 p.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium courtyard, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $9 for a family of four2 adults + 2 kids: free guided habitat walk, all ages; kids with an adult. Pack a snack (official). Groups of 15+ reserve: 310-548-7562. Parking up to $9/day card only.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot: $3/hr, $9 daily max, credit/debit only.
Food: Official page says pack a snack. Picnic areas nearby.
Why: Native garden, salt marsh, beach, and tidepools with CMA educators — calm Sunday option.

This weekend

Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns

When: Select nights including Oct 8–11 (season runs select nights through November 1; timed tickets via Zentix)
City: Palos Verdes Peninsula
Address: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd (use this address — apps may misroute)
Cost: Required2 adults + 2 kids: ticket prices vary by night and tier. Confirm live cart prices in the Zentix widget before you buy. Parking cost not listed on the LA event page.
Parking: Official LA page does not list a parking fee for South Coast Botanic Garden. Use 26300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Food: Food and beverages on site (official). Cashless event. Fun Zone / food trucks vary by night.
Why: Lit pumpkin trail plus family Fun Zone. Open this midweek stretch and the weekend — check which nights remain.

Coming up

Coming up

RPV Trunk or Treat

When: Saturday, October 17, 11:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m.
City: Rancho Palos Verdes
Address: Ken Dyda Civic Center, 30940 Hawthorne Blvd
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free. Decorated trunks, inflatables, face painting, games, costume parade, puppet show/music. Food vendors for purchase.
Parking: Free parking at Civic Center plus free shuttle from Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Dr West (official flyer).
Food: Food vendors on site. Prices not listed on flyer.
Why: City trunk-or-treat with inflatables and costume parade. Same day as Sea Scare — pick day or night.

Coming up

Sea Scare! Monsters of Myth

When: Saturday, October 17, 7:00–10:00 p.m. (food trucks 5:00 p.m.; members early entry 6:00 p.m.)
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $60 for a family of four · Required2 adults + 2 kids: pre-sale non-members $18 + $18 + $12 + $12 = $60 entry. Event sells out — buy online. Parking may differ on special-event nights; daytime lot is $3/hr, $9 daily max card-only (confirm event night).
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot rules on CMA admission page ($3/hr, $9 daily max, card only). Special-event night parking not separately priced on the Sea Scare page.
Food: Food trucks from 5:00 p.m. (official). Prices not listed.
Why: One-night aquarium Halloween — trick-or-treat, games, crafts, DJ, costume contest, family haunted house. Tickets matter.

Coming up

Cabrillo Sensory Sensitive Saturday

When: Saturday, October 17, 9:00–10:00 a.m.
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $9 for a family of four · Suggested donationListed as a public program 9:00–10:00 a.m. (before regular Saturday open). Aquarium suggested donation $10 adult / $5 child (not required). Parking up to $9/day card only.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot: $3/hr, $9 daily max, credit/debit only.
Food: Official calendar listing does not list food.
Why: Quieter early hour at the aquarium — same morning as RPV Trunk or Treat if you want a calm start.

Coming up

Lowe's Kids Workshop – Firefighting Plane

When: Saturday, October 17, 10:00 a.m.–1:00 p.m. (in-store; register ahead)
City: South Bay stores (e.g. Hawthorne 2800 W 120th St — confirm your store)
Address: Participating Lowe's locations — pick your store on registration
Cost: FreeFree workshop for kids (official). Registration required; confirmation email / QR is the ticket. Ages typically 4–11 per store listings. Build-and-decorate a firefighting plane kit.
Parking: Store lot. Official page does not list a fee.
Food: Not a food event.
Why: Free hands-on build Saturday morning — grab a slot before it fills.
Ages: Kids workshop (store listings cite ages 4–11)

Free this week

Free this week

Nature Storytime

When: Wednesday, October 8, 10:30 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza del Amo
Cost: FreeFree. Pre-registration required: (310) 782-3989. Must be accompanied by an adult.
Parking: Nature Center lot. Official events listing does not list a fee.
Food: Official listing does not list food.
Why: Preschool nature stories and activities midweek.
Ages: Ages 2–5 + adult

Free this week

Friday Fun at Madrona Marsh

When: Friday, October 9, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (also Fridays ongoing, e.g. Oct 16)
City: Torrance
Address: Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza del Amo
Cost: FreeFree. Pre-register Tuesday 10:00 a.m. the same week: (310) 782-3989; first 20.
Parking: Nature Center lot. Official page does not list a fee.
Food: Official page does not list food.
Why: Hands-on preschool nature (story, science, art, tour).
Ages: Ages 3–6 + parent/guardian

Free this week

Cephalopod Awareness Week (drop-in)

When: Continues through Saturday, October 10 — daytime slots (e.g. Tue–Fri Oct 6–9 and Sat Oct 10, 2:00–5:00 p.m. on the CMA public programs calendar)
City: San Pedro
Address: Cabrillo Marine Aquarium Exhibit Hall, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive
Cost: $9 for a family of four · Suggested donationAquarium suggested donation $10 adult / $5 child (not required). Parking up to $9/day card only.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot: $3/hr, $9 daily max, card only.
Food: Official calendar does not list food.
Why: Interactive cephalopod learning during regular visit hours — last days this week.

Free this week

Madrona Marsh Nature Walk

When: Saturday, October 10, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m. (every Saturday; weather may cancel)
City: Torrance
Address: Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza del Amo
Cost: FreeFree docent-led walk. Registration not required. Call Nature Center for weather status: (310) 782-3989.
Parking: Nature Center lot. Official events listing does not list a fee.
Food: Official listing does not list food.
Why: Easy free preserve walk — pairs well with Turtle and Tortoise Day the same morning.

Watch

Watch

Treats-n-Suites Halloween Bash

When: Friday, October 16, 4:00–7:00 p.m.
City: Carson
Address: Dignity Health Sports Park, 18400 Avalon Blvd
Cost: RequiredOfficial page lists about $8.77 per ticket incl. fees; ages 2–11 + families. Confirm whether adults need tickets before totaling a family of 4. Trick-or-treat, hayride, carnival games, costume parade.
Why: Watch list — paid kids Halloween bash near South Bay.

Watch

ICAN Inclusive Halloween Festival

When: Saturday, October 17, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: South Bay Regional Computing Center (SCROC), 2300 Crenshaw
Cost: FreeFree festival for people with disabilities (all ages) and families/caregivers. Food and merch for purchase.
Why: Watch list — inclusive Halloween fest same day as RPV Trunk or Treat.

Watch

MB World Famous Pumpkin Race

When: Sunday, October 18, 2026 (guides cite festival ~noon–5, races often ~2:00 p.m. — confirm on city page)
City: Manhattan Beach
Address: Pier / Manhattan Beach Blvd area — confirm on city page
Cost: FreeCity pumpkinrace page Access Denied from research tools this week. Tourism/guides cite free to watch; kit prices unconfirmed on city HTML. Re-verify manhattanbeach.gov before treating details as firm.
Why: Watch list — iconic MB pumpkin race; city site blocked this pass.

Watch

Scarium Family Night

When: Friday, October 23, 6:30–9:00 p.m.
City: Long Beach
Address: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way
Cost: $124 for a family of four · Required2 adults + 2 kids (ages 3+): general $30.95 × 4 = $123.80 entry (under 3 free). Member $20.95. Parking not included on the event page → total may be higher.
Why: Watch list — aquarium Halloween night with scavenger hunt, trick-or-treat, DJ, magician. Tickets sell.

Watch

Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns (ongoing)

When: Select nights through November 1, 2026 (secondary schedules cite Oct 8–11, 14–18, 20–31 — confirm Zentix)
City: Palos Verdes Peninsula
Address: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd
Cost: RequiredTicket + parking verify per night in Zentix.
Why: Watch list — multi-week paid night walk; tickets sell on peak nights.