Fun Things to Do in Redondo Beach: The Local Anchor Guide
Redondo Beach is one of the most laid-back beach towns in the South Bay of Los Angeles, and there are more fun things to do in Redondo Beach than a single weekend can cover. Between the horseshoe-shaped pier, the shops and restaurants of Riviera Village, and 1.5 miles of open coastline, this beach town works for a couples’ getaway, a solo day trip, a visit with out-of-town guests, or a weekend with the whole family.
Redondo Beach sits about 5 miles south of LAX, bordered by Hermosa Beach, Manhattan Beach, Torrance, and Palos Verdes. Below, Local Anchor rounds up the best ways to spend a day, a date night, or a long weekend here.
About this guide: Local Anchor is a South Bay community media platform covering local events, restaurants, and things to do since 2017. We update this list regularly based on firsthand experience and community input.
When to Visit Redondo Beach
The best weather in Redondo Beach runs from June through mid-October, with highs in the low to mid 70s and plenty of sun. Mornings and evenings in late spring and early summer can bring “June Gloom,” a marine layer that usually burns off by midday. Weekdays are the easiest time to find parking near the pier and Riviera Village if you want to avoid crowds.
Start at the Redondo Beach Pier
The Redondo Beach Pier is the heart of the city and one of the most photographed spots in the South Bay. It is home to California’s only horseshoe-shaped pier and boardwalk, with nearly 50 shops, restaurants, and attractions along the International Boardwalk.
Take a walk along the pier for panoramic ocean views, browse the shops for a gift or souvenir, or book a harbor tour. Seasonal whale watching cruises and the Looking Glass Boat, a semi-submersible boat with underwater viewing windows, both depart from the pier.
Fishing off the pier is free and does not require a license. Redondo Coffee & Bait Shop on the pier and Redondo Beach Sportfishing & Whale Watching on the International Boardwalk both rent poles and bait if you don’t have your own.
Live music fills the pier throughout the summer, and Redondo Beach Quality Seafood, a longtime local favorite, is worth the walk to the end of the boardwalk.
Get Out on the Water
Redondo Beach’s calm harbor and open coastline make it a solid home base for water activities of every kind.
King Harbor is protected and relatively calm, making it a good spot to paddleboard or kayak for beginners and experienced paddlers alike. Rentals are available near the marina.
Surfing in Redondo Beach ranges from beginner-friendly to more advanced, depending on where you paddle out.
- Sapphire Street / Topaz Jetty: Just south of the Redondo Pier, this spot is ideal if you are looking to learn or progress to unbroken waves. It is protected from summer south swells by the Redondo Submarine Canyon but works beautifully on west and northwest swells.
- R.A.T. Beach: Short for Right At Torrance, this break sits at the southernmost tip of Redondo Beach near the Palos Verdes bluffs. It is a rugged beach break offering short, powerful rides on west and northwest swells, and is generally less crowded.
The Strand bike path runs along the coast and is limited to cyclists, making for an easy, uninterrupted ride with ocean views the whole way. Marina Bike Rentals and several other shops along the path rent bikes and beach cruisers by the hour or day.
Whale watching tours run out of Redondo Beach year round through outfitters like Redondo Beach Whale Watching, with peak sightings in winter and spring.
Shop and Stroll Riviera Village
Riviera Village is a walkable, tree-lined shopping and dining district a short drive south of the pier, roughly bordered by Pacific Coast Highway and the Esplanade. It has a distinct feel from the rest of the South Bay’s beach towns, with boutique clothing and gift shops, cafes, and restaurants packed into about six blocks.
The Village also offers free ocean views and looks out toward the golden green cliffs of the Palos Verdes Peninsula. It is an easy spot to spend an afternoon browsing, grabbing coffee, and stopping for a bite without needing a car once you park.
For a broader look at the area’s shops, see Local Anchor’s South Bay Shopping Guide.
Redondo Beach’s Growing Food Scene
Redondo Beach has quietly become one of the most exciting food towns in the South Bay. It is a small, independent, chef-driven scene. Most of the action is concentrated in a few blocks of Riviera Village, where local chefs are turning out everything from live jazz and elevated coastal cuisine to modern Vietnamese and Neapolitan-style pizza.
Montauk: Founded by music industry veteran and luxury branding expert Lavae McClinnahan, Montauk is a Ralph Lauren inspired fine dining restaurant that has become one of the most talked about openings in the South Bay. The space includes a dining room for refined coastal cuisine, a garden patio, and The Den, Redondo Beach’s first dedicated jazz lounge, with live music curated by music director Al Strong. It is one of our favorite date night spots in Redondo Beach.
Salt & Pearl: Tucked into Riviera Village and led by Chef Alex Schwartzman, Salt & Pearl has been credited with bringing a culinary renaissance to the South Bay, with a modern seafood and steak menu built on prime meats and seasonal ingredients.
Little Sister: Chef Tin Vuong’s modern Vietnamese kitchen serves East-meets-West dishes with the same eclectic, Pan-Asian style that made his original Little Sister concept a Los Angeles favorite.
BeachLife Grotto: Born out of Chef Jacob Ramos’s cooking at the BeachLife Festival, this seafood-focused spot serves fresh catch and housemade pasta in a former Riviera Village liquor store turned restaurant.
Turquoise: A longtime Riviera Village favorite for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cooking, with hummus, yogurt, baba ghanoush, and even Persian ice cream all made in house.
H.T. Grill: Chef Nael Taki’s eclectic, modern bistro is known for a rotating 3-course chef’s tasting menu with wine pairings every Monday night, plus a heated patio with a fire pit and live music on weekends.
The Rex Seaside Steakhouse: A neighborhood steakhouse led by Executive Chef Walter Nunez, built around seasonal, locally sourced ingredients from South Bay farmers, fishermen, and butchers.
Pier-side classic: For something more old-school, Tony’s on the Pier has served seafood and mai tais at the same spot for over six decades.
Nightlife and live music: Beyond The Den at Montauk, Rebel Republic, The Hook & Plow, Rockefeller, Kalaveras, and Riviera House all draw a lively after-work and weekend crowd, and several double as live music venues. Check Local Anchor’s guide to South Bay music venues for the full lineup.
For the full lineup of local favorites, browse Local Anchor’s Best South Bay Restaurants guide, including our roundups of the best Italian food, burgers, coffee, and date night restaurants across the South Bay.
Catch Local Events and Festivals
Redondo Beach hosts a full calendar of events throughout the year, including:
- Fourth of July fireworks over the pier
- Summer concerts and movie nights on the Redondo Beach Pier
- The Riviera Village Summer Festival
- The Annual Kite Festival
- BeachLife Festival
- The Redondo Beach Lobster Festival
Three farmers markets run weekly in Redondo Beach: the Veterans Park market on Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 309 Esplanade; the Riviera Village market on Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Triangle Parking Lot along South Elena Avenue; and the North Redondo Farmers Market on Wednesdays from 2 to 7 p.m. next to the North Branch Library on Green Lane at Artesia Boulevard. See Local Anchor’s full South Bay Farmers Market guide for hours and details on all three, and check the Community Calendar for other upcoming events.
Enjoy the Parks and Coastline
Redondo Beach’s 1.5 mile stretch of sand begins just south of Hermosa Beach at the pier, where parking is easiest to find. Head further south and you will need metered street parking, with a longer walk to the sand.
Veterans Park, at South Catalina Avenue and Torrance Boulevard, is a 6.3 acre park with grass, trees, and coastline views, home to the Veterans Park Community Center and Senior Center.
Seaside Lagoon, in King Harbor at Harbor Drive and Portofino Way, is a lifeguard supervised saltwater lagoon open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. through the summer, with a sandy beach area and grassy lawns for lounging. See Local Anchor’s full Seaside Lagoon guide for admission details and hours.
Hopkins Wilderness Park, an 11-acre site with forest, meadow, stream, and pond habitats, is free to visit and includes a 150-seat amphitheater and picnic areas.
Explore Local History and the Arts
The Redondo Beach Historical Museum, housed in a 1904 Queen Anne home, holds a collection of local artifacts, photos, and historical documents that traces the city’s roots.
The Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center is the South Bay’s hub for live theater and touring performances, with a 1,453-seat theater and plenty of free parking.
Where to Stay in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach has a solid lineup of waterfront and near-beach hotels, from boutique properties to full-service chains. The Portofino Hotel & Marina sits directly on the water in King Harbor, while Shade Redondo Beach Hotel and the Redondo Beach Hotel by Hilton both offer coastline views within walking distance of the pier. For a complete list, visit RedondoBeachTourism.com/Hotels.
Visiting With Kids?
If you are planning a family trip, Local Anchor has a dedicated guide built around family-friendly stops, playgrounds, and kid favorites: Fun Things to Do With Kids in Redondo Beach. This guide focuses on the full Redondo Beach experience for every visitor, families included.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Redondo Beach known for?
Redondo Beach is known for its horseshoe-shaped pier, the International Boardwalk, King Harbor, and the shops and restaurants of Riviera Village.
Is Redondo Beach good for a day trip?
Yes. The pier, Riviera Village, and the beach are all within a short drive of each other, making it easy to see most of Redondo Beach’s highlights in a single day.
What is the best time of year to visit Redondo Beach?
June through mid-October offers the warmest, sunniest weather, though mornings can start overcast due to the marine layer, aka “June Gloom.”
Where should I eat in Redondo Beach?
Redondo Beach’s dining scene is small, independent, and growing fast. Montauk (fine dining and jazz), Salt & Pearl (Chef Alex Schwartzman), Little Sister (Chef Tin Vuong), BeachLife Grotto (Chef Jacob Ramos), and H.T. Grill (Chef Nael Taki) are all in Riviera Village, alongside Tony’s on the Pier, a longtime local institution.
Is there free parking near the Redondo Beach Pier?
No. Parking near the pier is metered street parking or a paid parking structure. Arriving early or visiting on a weekday makes it easier to find a spot.
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