19 Best Things To Do In South Bay Los Angeles (2024)
Want to know all the best things to do in South Bay Los Angeles? We’ve got you covered with everything you need to know!
The South Bay of Los Angeles is a diverse and dynamic region with numerous opportunities for entertainment and exploration.
From its stunning beaches and scenic coastal areas to its vibrant dining and nightlife scene, there are a variety of options to suit different interests.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures or cultural experiences, South Bay offers a range of possibilities for visitors and residents to enjoy.
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Best Things To Do In South Bay (Los Angeles)
South Bay is a region located in the southwestern part of Los Angeles.
It encompasses several coastal cities and communities, including cities like Torrance, Redondo Beach, and Manhattan Beach.
South Bay is known for its beautiful beaches, diverse neighborhoods, and proximity to the Pacific Ocean.
The South Bay is more than just its beaches though.
There are plenty of great museums, restaurants, parks, and more.
1. Manhattan Beach
Melanie from I Very Much Love It Here shares, “Manhattan Beach is a hidden gem that’s a beautifully manicured town.
Spend the day walking around the cute shops and take a dip in the ocean, or watch the dozens of volleyball players in their element.
For those flying into LAX, Manhattan Beach is about a ten-minute drive from the airport making it accessible to get to.
I’d recommend parking in one of the public lots for the day as finding street parking can be difficult.”
2. Bike The Strand
Ravi from RoverPass shares, “The Strand is a bike path along the beach.
The Strand goes all the way from Dockweiler Beach to Hermosa Beach.
The entire area is dotted with bike rental shops where you can rent a bike and have a great time cruising on the beach road.”
3. Roundhouse Aquarium
Melanie from I Very Much Love It Here also shares, “stroll the pier and check out the Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of it.”
4. South Coast Botanic Garden
Christopher from EcoMotionCentral.com shares, “if you’re a fan of nature, the South Coast Botanic Garden is a must-see.
It’s a 35-hectare garden with over 200,000 plants!
5. Point Vicente Lighthouse
Christopher from EcoMotionCentral.com also shares, “for history buffs like myself, the Point Vicente Lighthouse is a fascinating place.
It has a museum and the view from there is breathtaking.”
6. Redondo Beach Pier
Christopher from EcoMotionCentral.com also shares, “in my view, the Redondo Beach Pier is perfect for seafood lovers, with its numerous restaurants offering fresh catches.”
7. Del Amo Fashion Center
Christopher from EcoMotionCentral.com also shares, “if you’re into shopping, Del Amo Fashion Center is one of the largest malls in the US.”
8. Torrance
Discover Torrance shares, “averaging 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round, Torrance is home to some of the finest beaches in Southern California with delicious craft beer, fantastic food, well-known film locations, and historic sites.”
9. Public Parks In Torrance
Discover Torrance also shares, “many don’t realize this, but Torrance is home to 33 parks and over 90,000 trees, making it an outdoor oasis in the heart of the city.
Here, travelers are sure to experience something new no matter which park they find themselves at.
One of the most popular parks is the Charles H. Wilson Park, which features amenities like a playground, tennis courts, a 0.91-mile fitness course, public equipment, the first universally-accessible tree house, the Wilson Park Annenberg Tree House, and more.
This is also where the Torrance Certified Farmers Market takes place every Tuesday and Saturday.
Fun fact: the Torrance Certified Farmers Market is the largest market in LA County in terms of the number of farmers and vendors, combined.
It is also home to many events throughout the summer months, including free live music and Shakespeare in the Park events.”
10. Hiking Palos Verdes Peninsula
Peter Michaels from Yeespy shares, “if you’re an outdoor enthusiast, you’ll love hiking in the Palos Verdes Peninsula.
Explore scenic trails like Abalone Cove Shoreline Park or Terranea Discovery Trail.
The breathtaking ocean views make these hikes unforgettable.”
11. Art Museums
Peter Michaels from Yeespy also shares, “visit the South Bay’s cultural gems like the Torrance Art Museum or the ESMoA (El Segundo Museum of Art) for a dose of creativity.
Local galleries often host exhibitions featuring talented artists.
12. Riviera Village In Redondo Beach
Melissa from VEM Tooling shares, “stroll through Riviera Village in Redondo Beach for boutique shopping, art galleries, and charming cafes.”
13. Hermosa Beach’s Pier Avenue
David Scott from Top Reviews shares, “in comparison to Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach has a significantly grungier vibe and draws a younger audience.
The lively center of Hermosa Beach is located there, along the palm tree-lined Pier Avenue.
Enjoy the laid-back surfer feel while perusing the many surf shops and boutiques, people-watching at one of the mellow pubs or eating at one of the mellow eateries.
If you’re searching for a fun night out, South Bay’s bustling Pier Avenue is the finest location.”
14. Uncle Bill’s Pancake House
Melanie from I Very Much Love It Here also shares, “for breakfast, head to the iconic Uncle Bill’s Pancake House to enjoy all-American breakfast and lunch food with a view of the ocean.”
15. The Ramen Capital Of Southern California
Discover Torrance also shares, “Torrance is a major foodie city, in fact, it’s a ramen-lover’s paradise.
The restaurants are consistent in quality and service and Torrance is known for its huge flavors.
There are so many ramen spots to slurp your way through that they’ve rounded up the eight-not-to-miss local favorites so you can get a taste of “The Ramen Capital of Southern California.”
The drive-thru ramen place I had mentioned is Shin-Sen-Gumi and it is DELICIOUS!
You can download our ramen map HERE.”
16. Proudly Serving In Hermosa Beach
“Proudly Serving just opened their HB location and is the first restaurant in the South Bay to offer a full natural wine service paired alongside their award winning smash burgers.
Much like the greatest businesses on earth, Proudly Serving began in a driveway during COVID.
When Matthew & Jenn McIvor lost majority of their business early into the pandemic Matt began to perfect his smash burger recipe.
From an electric griddle to a tabletop and a dozen recipe alterations later, the driveway pop up began in Redondo Beach, CA.
Fifteen minutes into his first pop up, he turned to his wife and said “I’m never doing this again” but since he’s not one to quit, he marched on and something beautiful was born.
After months of pop-ups and outgrowing a Redondo Beach kitchen, husband and wife team have opened the doors to their first brick & mortar in Hermosa Beach, CA.
Serving up one of LA’s best smash burgers alongside duck fat fries, award winning chili and now offering a unique beer and natural wine menu, this anticipated restaurant is a must visit when in the South Bay.”
17. Breweries
Discover Torrance also shares, “it’s also home to a dozen breweries, allowing it to rapidly become known as a hub for Southern California’s craft beer scene.
Torrance also offers customized beer tours and a brewery map, allowing beer-lovers to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
Get hoppy at the award-winning HopSaint Brewing Company, a popular full-service restaurant, and craft brewery, or visit The Brews Hall at Del Amo, a multi-concept experience with two breweries (Buzzrock Brewing Co. and George Lopez Brewing Co.) as well as four restaurants.”
18. The Strand House
Melanie from I Very Much Love It Here also shares, “for dinner head to The Strand House for finer dining and ocean views.”
19. Manhattan Beach Post
Melanie from I Very Much Love It Here also shares, head to “Manhattan Beach Post for delicious eats, and don’t pass up their biscuits.”
Best Way To Get Around South Bay
For the most part, you’ll want to have your own car to go from place to place.
But if you’re looking to have a beach day and just hang out in that one area, then you can walk from place to place or take a bike around.
If you’re only going to a couple different areas, then an Uber or Lyft wouldn’t be too expensive.
Fun Things To Do Nearby
Below are more things to do near South Bay, including day trip to Long Beach and LA.
Long Beach
Romantic Things To Do In Long Beach
Los Angeles
Universal Studios Hollywood One Day Itinerary
Best Winery Day Trips Around Los Angeles
Beverly Wilshire, A Four Seasons Hotel
Where To Eat In Los Angeles
Best Romantic Restaurants in Los Angeles
Best Birthday Restaurants in Los Angeles
Best Rooftop Restaurants in Los Angeles
Fall In Los Angeles
Fun Things To Do In Los Angeles In September
Fun Things To Do In Los Angeles In October
Nights of the Jack Halloween Event in Calabasas
Carved: Halloween at Descanso Gardens
Fearplex Presents LIGHTS OUT At Pomona Fairplex
Oktoberfest at Pomona Fairplex
Pumpkin Nights at Pomona Fairplex
Winter In Los Angeles
Malibu Wine Safari Malibu Lights: Winter Nights
Conclusion: Best Things To Do In South Bay Los Angeles
So if you’re looking for things to do in South Bay Los Angeles, these are just a few of many great activities available.
Whether it’s catching some waves at Hermosa Beach or exploring the galleries and museums in Torrance, there is something for everyone.
Start planning your trip today and get ready to explore this beautiful area!
