South Bay with Kids

Wednesday, October 7, 2026

Turtles, a free STEM fair, and fire trucks Saturday

Saturday is stacked: live turtles at Madrona Marsh, a free STEM fair in Redondo, a free Italian festa in San Pedro, and live-fire demos at the Huntington Beach fire open house. Sunday, everyone gets a free pumpkin at Green Hills. Torrance Unified heads-up: no school Friday, Oct 16. We left parking, food, and prices blank unless an official page confirmed them.

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). The California Turtle and Tortoise Society brings live turtles and tortoises — hands-on, all ages. Entry $0 / food not included.
Parking: Nature Center lot. The official page does not list a fee.
Food: The official page does not list food. Eat first or pack a snack.
Why: Live turtles and tortoises up close — one of Madrona Marsh's most popular days.

This weekend

Kiwanis Community STEM Fair

When: Saturday, October 10, 10:00 a.m.–2:00 p.m. (Mad Science show 10:30 a.m.)
City: Redondo Beach
Address: Anderson Park, 3007 Vail Ave (east side)
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: admission is free (official Kiwanis page). STEM games and crafts free; face painting free for all attendees. Food trucks are paid. Bring a non-perishable food item for the food bank if you can.
Parking: Park / street around Anderson Park. The official page does not list parking.
Food: Food trucks on site (official). Prices not listed.
Why: Free Mad Science show, STEM crafts, face painting, and Redondo firefighters in one park morning.

This weekend

Huntington Beach Fire Department Open House

When: Saturday, October 10, 10:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m. (demos 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.)
City: Huntington Beach
Address: Fire Station 1-Gothard, 18311 Gothard Street
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free to the public (official HBFD page). Firefighting demos at 11:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. (vehicle extrication, live fire), kids activities, photos with Sparky, station tours. Parking fee not listed.
Parking: No parking at the station (drop-off zone only). Official page points to Seabreeze Church, 18162 Gothard St (about 200 yards), the north side of Ellis, and nearby legal spots. Fills fast — no fee listed.
Food: The official page does not list food. Eat first.
Why: Fire Prevention Week open house with live-fire demos and engine tours — about 35–45 minutes from Torrance.

This weekend

Festa Italiana Los Angeles

When: Saturday, October 10, 11:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m. (live entertainment from 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 (official FAQ). Food, drinks, and merch paid. Topaz Building garage on Centre St is a $10 flat Festa rate → entry $0 + about $10 if you use the garage.
Parking: Street parking first-come; metered $0.60 per half hour Saturdays before 6 p.m. Topaz Building garage on Centre St (5th–6th, entrance next to Buono's) $10 flat, open 10:30 a.m.–midnight (official FAQ).
Food: Italian food vendors, pizza, sweets, coffee (official). Beer garden for adults. Prices vary by vendor.
Why: Free Italian street festa with an LA Galaxy kids Fan Zone, fresh mozzarella demos, and a Ferrari car show.

This weekend

Underwood Family Farms Fall Harvest Festival – Antique Tractor Weekend

When: Saturday–Sunday, October 10–11, 9:00 a.m.–6:00 p.m. (weekend tickets online only, timed entry)
City: Moorpark
Address: Underwood Family Farms Moorpark, 3370 Sunset Valley Road
Cost: $136 for a family of four · Required2 adults + 2 kids (ages 2+): $34 online × 4 = $136 entry. Under 2 free. Parking free (official). Day-of $38 only if spots remain. Some rides, petting area, face painting, and pick-your-own produce cost extra.
Parking: Free parking (official). One entrance/exit — expect slow traffic at peak times.
Food: Weekend food booths (tri-tip, burgers, corn, tacos, shaved ice, more). No coolers; small bags only.
Why: Big pumpkin patch, wagon rides, corn maze, and antique tractors — a full farm day about an hour north.

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, 27501 S. Western Ave
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free, family-friendly (official page). One pumpkin per person from the patch, hayrides, maze, crafts, face painting, live music, pumpkin-carving demo. Food trucks are paid.
Parking: On-site park parking. The official page does not list a fee. Event line: 310-521-4460.
Food: Local food trucks on site (official). Prices not listed.
Why: Free pumpkin for everyone in the family plus hayrides — get there early, lines close at 2:45.

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: no admission price on the city flyer (treat as free). Trunk-or-treating, inflatables, face painting, games, puppet show, costume parade. Food vendors paid.
Parking: Civic Center parking plus additional free parking and shuttle from Point Vicente Interpretive Center, 31501 Palos Verdes Dr. West (official flyer).
Food: Food vendors on site. Prices not listed.
Why: City trunk-or-treat with inflatables and a costume parade — an easy daytime Halloween.

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. CMA says it will sell out — buy online. Event-night parking not priced on the Sea Scare page (daytime lot is $3/hr, $9 max, card only).
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot. Daytime rules: $3/hr, $9 daily max, card only. Event-night parking not listed separately.
Food: Food trucks from 5:00 p.m. (official). Prices not listed.
Why: One-night aquarium Halloween: trick-or-treat, family haunted house, DJ, costume contest. Buy tickets now.

Coming up

Manhattan Beach World Famous Pumpkin Race

When: Sunday, October 18, 12:00 p.m. festival (races start 2:00 p.m. sharp)
City: Manhattan Beach
Address: Manhattan Beach Pier / Manhattan Beach Blvd
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: free festival (official city page). Racing is optional: official kits $35 before the event, $40 day-of; optional $7 Turbo Pass covers two entries with timed access. Watching costs $0.
Parking: Pier parking lots and Manhattan Beach Blvd close for the event (city page). Plan to park farther out or use MB Wave Rider ($5 per person per ride via the Circuit app).
Food: Downtown Manhattan Beach restaurants. Festival food not listed on the city page.
Why: Homemade pumpkin racers flying down MB Blvd toward the pier — free to watch, $35 kit if your kids want to race.

Coming up

Manhattan Beach Family Halloween Carnival

When: Saturday, October 24, 1:00–5:00 p.m. (costume parade 1:00 p.m. sharp)
City: Manhattan Beach
Address: Manhattan Heights Park, 1600 Manhattan Beach Blvd
Cost: Free2 adults + 2 kids: entry and costume parade free. Carnival bracelet $20 per child (recommended, price subject to change) → about $40 for 2 kids. Extra activity tickets $2. Food booth: pizza slice or hot dog $2, chips/soda/water $1.
Parking: The official page does not list parking. Plan on street or park parking.
Food: Food booth on site: pizza $2, hot dog $2, chips/soda/water/juice $1 (official).
Why: Old-school city carnival for ages 2–14: haunted house, cupcake walk, games, costume parade.
Ages: Best for ages 2–14; under 6 with an adult

Free this week

Free this week

Friday Fun at Madrona Marsh

When: Friday, October 9, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: Madrona Marsh Nature Center, 3201 Plaza del Amo
Cost: FreeFree. Pre-registration required by phone (310) 782-3989; opens Tuesday 10:00 a.m. the same week; first 20.
Parking: Nature Center lot. The official page does not list a fee.
Food: The official page does not list food.
Why: Preschool story, science, art, and a marsh tour.
Ages: Ages 3–6 + parent/guardian

Free this week

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: FreeNo ticket price on the Humanitix registration page (treat as free). Register before you go. Any day-of paid extras are not priced on the page.
Parking: Park / street near Edith Rodaway Friendship Park. No fee listed.
Food: The registration page does not list food.
Why: Short pumpkin morning in Hermosa — register first.

Free this week

Play and Explore at Carson Library

When: Saturday, October 10, 10:30–11:30 a.m.
City: Carson
Address: Carson Library, 151 East Carson Street
Cost: FreeFree LA County Library program for ages 0–3 with a parent or caregiver.
Parking: Library lot. The official page does not list a fee.
Food: Not a food event.
Why: Toddler gross-motor play morning at the library.
Ages: Ages 0–3 + caregiver

Free this week

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 fourFree program, all ages; kids with an adult. Parking $3/hr, $9 daily max, card only → about $9.
Parking: Cabrillo Beach lot: $3/hr, $9 daily max, credit/debit only.
Food: Not listed. Pack a snack.
Why: Naturalist-led walk to the Point Fermin tidepools. Wear sneakers.

Free this week

Family Science Sunday at Marine Mammal Care Center

When: Sunday, October 11, 11:00 a.m. (also 1:00, 2:00, and 3:00 p.m. sessions; one hour each)
City: San Pedro
Address: Marine Mammal Care Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St, Suite #8
Cost: $4 for a family of four · RequiredAdmission is always free; the program has a $1 nonrefundable booking fee per participant → $4 for a family of 4 (you get a $1 gift shop/donation coupon each). Fee waiver code MMCARE if needed. Reserve ahead.
Parking: The official page does not list parking.
Food: Not a food event.
Why: Hands-on ocean science plus a look at the seal and sea lion patients.
Ages: Ages 8+; adults must accompany kids 13 and under

Watch

Watch

ICAN Inclusive Halloween Festival

When: Saturday, October 17, 11:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.
City: Torrance
Address: SCROC Torrance, 2300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Cost: FreeFree to attend (official). Food and merch for purchase. For people with disabilities of all ages plus families and caregivers.
Why: Watch list — free inclusive Halloween fest in Torrance, same day as RPV Trunk or Treat.

Watch

The Point Kids Club: Halloween Trick-or-Treat

When: Wednesday, October 21, 10:00 a.m.–12:00 p.m.
City: El Segundo
Address: The Point, 850 S. Pacific Coast Highway
Cost: FreeNo admission price on The Point's page (treat as free). Bring trick-or-treat bags; scan the check-in QR code on arrival.
Why: Watch list — weekday morning trick-or-treat for little ones with music and strolling characters.

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+): $30.95 × 4 = $123.80 entry (under 3 free; members $20.95). Parking not included on the event page.
Why: Watch list — aquarium trick-or-treat night with a scavenger hunt and DJ. Tickets sell.

Watch

Halloween on the Redondo Pier

When: Friday, October 30, 5:00–8:00 p.m.
City: Redondo Beach
Address: Redondo Pier, 100-500 Fisherman's Wharf
Cost: FreeAll pier events are free and weather permitting (official). Pier parking cost not listed on the event page.
Why: Watch list — free Friday-night Halloween on the pier the night before Halloween.

Watch

Riviera Village Halloween Trick or Treat

When: Saturday, October 31, 3:00–8:00 p.m. (candy until 6:00 p.m. while supplies last)
City: Redondo Beach
Address: Riviera Village, Catalina Ave (Avenue I to S. Elena St)
Cost: FreeFree street trick-or-treat. Cashless paid parking at Plaza Riviera (1611 S Catalina Ave) and Mira Mar Park lot; rates not listed.
Why: Watch list — the South Bay's big Halloween-afternoon street trick-or-treat.

Watch

Magic of the Jack O'Lanterns (ongoing)

When: Select nights through November 1, 2026 — check open nights and prices in the Zentix ticket widget
City: Palos Verdes Peninsula
Address: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd
Cost: RequiredTicket prices vary by night and tier; confirm in Zentix. Parking not listed on the LA page.
Why: Watch list — lit pumpkin trail; peak October nights sell.