Redondo Beach is one of the easiest South Bay beach towns to explore with kids in tow, from playgrounds and a calm swimming lagoon to a pier built for little legs and family restaurants that do not blink at a chicken tender order. This guide rounds up where to take the kids, where to eat as a family, which events are worth putting on the calendar, and where to book the next birthday party, all from a local mom’s perspective.

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Note to our readers, we try to keep things as up to date as possible, but things change all the time. Please contact the venue directly before visiting.

Planning a trip without kids in tow, or want the full picture of Redondo Beach? Check out Local Anchor’s complete guide: Fun Things to Do in Redondo Beach.

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Where to Take the Kids in Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach Pier

Kids love walking the Redondo Beach Pier for the ocean views alone, and free fishing off the pier is an easy win for an afternoon. Redondo Coffee & Bait Shop on the pier and Redondo Beach Sportfishing & Whale Watching on the International Boardwalk both rent poles and bait if you did not bring your own.

The Looking Glass Boat, a yellow semi-submersible boat with glass windows on the lower deck, lets kids see local marine life underwater and is a favorite for younger visitors. Redondo Beach Quality Seafood is on the pier too, and live music plays throughout the summer.

Veterans Park

This 6.3 acre park at South Catalina Avenue and Torrance Boulevard has grass, trees, a play area, and coastline views, right next to the pier. The Veterans Park Community Center and Senior Center are also on site.

More Neighborhood Parks (Including a Dog Park)

Veterans Park is just one stop. Redondo Beach has a full network of neighborhood parks, and a couple double as dog parks if the family pet is coming along.

Dominguez Park: The largest at 23.75 acres, with grass and trees for an off-leash dog park, a Little League field, picnic areas, playground equipment, and the Redondo Beach Historical Museum.

Andrews Park: A smaller park with its own dog run alongside grass, trees, playground equipment, and picnic tables.

Perry Park: Home to the Teen Center and Senior Center, plus a sportfield, basketball courts, playground equipment, and picnic areas.

Aviation Park: The largest sports-focused park, with the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, a gymnasium, and a track and field, a good option for older, more active kids.

Lilienthal and Vincent Parks: Two smaller neighborhood parks, each with grass and playground equipment.

See the city’s full Redondo Beach Park Directory for addresses, acreage, and amenities at every park in town.

Seaside Lagoon

This lifeguard supervised saltwater lagoon in King Harbor is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5:45 p.m. through the summer and is a favorite for kids who want to swim without the waves of the open ocean. There is a sandy beach area, grassy lawns, and a luau shelter. See Local Anchor’s full Seaside Lagoon guide for hours and admission.

More Places to Swim

For swimming outside of the lagoon and the ocean, South Bay Aquatics offers open swim in a supervised pool, and the Redondo Union High School Pool opens to the community on weekends year round, with extended hours in the summer.

Hopkins Wilderness Park

An 11 acre park with four ecological habitats (forest, meadow, stream, and pond), a 150-seat amphitheater, three overnight campgrounds, and a picnic area. There is no admission charge for individuals or families.

South Bay Galleria

The South Bay Galleria has become a go-to indoor stop for South Bay families, with far more than shopping on offer. Highlights include the AMC movie theatre, Owlchemy Play Lab, Urban Youth Park, a VR arena, and Funshare Arcade.

Wonder of Dinosaurs is the mall’s biggest draw for kids, the largest dinosaur display on the west coast with over 100 static and robotic dinosaurs. The second level adds an 18-hole mini golf course with a dinosaur theme, a dinosaur train, a carousel made of dinosaur eggs, and two robotic T-Rex rides. Tickets are required for the extra attractions.

See the South Bay Galleria directory for the full list of stores and activities.

The Strand Bike Path

The Strand runs along the coast and is limited to cyclists, making it an easy, breezy family ride with ocean views the whole way. Marina Bike Rentals and other shops along the path rent bikes, trailers, and beach cruisers by the hour or day.

Places to Go for Activities in Redondo Beach

For rainy days, hot afternoons, or just a change of pace from the beach, these local spots are worth a regular visit, not just a birthday party.

South Play: An indoor play space near Riviera Village with a courtyard for train rides, pony rides, and other rotating activities.

My Gym Redondo Beach: Open play and age-based classes for younger kids.

Fly Studios: Aerial silks classes for kids who want to try something new.

We Rock the Spectrum: A sensory-friendly indoor play gym designed to welcome kids of all abilities.

Best Restaurants for Families in Redondo Beach

Riviera Village and the streets around it are full of restaurants that welcome kids, with dedicated kids’ menus, patios, and a few extra distractions built in.

Captain Kidd’s Fish Market & Restaurant: A King Harbor landmark for over 46 years, with a dedicated Mini Pirates Menu and three patios, including a dog-friendly one.

El Tarasco Mexican Food (South Redondo Beach): This Mexican restaurant has a kids’ nook where little ones can watch a movie and color while they wait, plus a dedicated kids’ menu.

Riviera Mexican Grill: A South Bay icon since 1996, with a spacious kids’ menu and a relaxed outdoor seating area.

Ragin Cajun Cafe: Scratch-made Louisiana cooking with a dog-friendly patio that makes it easy to relax while the kids eat.

The Great Room: Built by a Redondo Beach family specifically for South Bay families, with a dedicated playroom for kids while parents relax over food and wine.

Rock & Brews: A rock ‘n’ roll themed spot for American food and craft beer, with a small play space for little ones and an outdoor patio to keep an eye on them.

Good Stuff: A relaxed, kid-friendly go-to for breakfast, brunch, salads, sandwiches, and burgers.

For the full South Bay roundup, see Local Anchor’s Family Friendly Restaurants guide.

Family Events in Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach keeps a full calendar of events that are genuinely fun with kids along, 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

Three farmers markets also run weekly and are an easy, low-key outing with kids: 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. See Local Anchor’s full South Bay Farmers Market guide for details, and check the Community Calendar for everything else happening.

Birthday Party Spots in Redondo Beach

Most of the activity spots above, including South Play, Urban Youth Park, My Gym, Fly Studios, and We Rock the Spectrum, also host birthday parties. Two more local favorites for a party space are Wonder of Dinosaurs, with mini golf and rides built in, and The Great Room, with private party rooms and a pizza and pasta menu for the whole group.

For the full South Bay lineup, see Local Anchor’s Fun Places for Birthday Parties guide.

Redondo Beach Summer Camp

Summer is packed with things to do, and there is no shortage of camp options nearby. Get Local Anchor’s Guide to South Bay Summer Camps here.

For shops and boutiques the kids will love, check out the Shopping Guide for Kids.

Family Resources in Redondo Beach

Redondo Beach Public Library

The Redondo Beach Public Library has two branches: the Main Library in South Redondo Beach at 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, and the North Branch Library in North Redondo Beach at 2000 Artesia Blvd. Both have dedicated children’s sections with a play area, picture books, and study tables, and the Main Library adds a Teen Zone for older kids. The library runs regular children’s and teen programs and crafts throughout the year. See the full Calendar of Events, or browse the Children’s and Teens pages for details on what is offered at each age level.

allcove Beach Cities

For families with older kids and teens, allcove Beach Cities is a free, drop-in youth mental health center for ages 12 to 25, offering mental and physical health services, peer and family support, and education and employment assistance. It is located at 514 N. Prospect Ave in Redondo Beach and is open Monday through Friday from 1 to 7 p.m. Learn more at allcove Beach Cities.

FAQ

What are the best free things to do with kids in Redondo Beach?
Veterans Park, Hopkins Wilderness Park, the Redondo Beach Pier, and the weekly farmers markets are all free to visit.

Where can I take my kids to swim in Redondo Beach besides the ocean?
Seaside Lagoon is a lifeguard supervised saltwater lagoon open through the summer. South Bay Aquatics and the Redondo Union High School Pool are also open to the community for swimming outside of lagoon hours.

Where should I go for a kid’s birthday party in Redondo Beach?
South Play, Wonder of Dinosaurs, Urban Youth Park, and The Great Room are all popular local options, with choices ranging from themed play parties to parkour and aerial silks.

What restaurants in Redondo Beach are good for kids?
Captain Kidd’s, El Tarasco, Riviera Mexican Grill, and The Great Room all have dedicated kids’ menus and family-friendly seating.

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Fun Things to Do With Kids in Redondo Beach