Urban Youth Park South Bay
Indoor parkour and youth activity space near the Galleria.
1815 Hawthorne Blvd #115
Phase two, but who’s counting
South Bay with kids
Indoor play for rainy days, free aquariums, a battleship and a sand dune that doubles as a workout — the kid-proof weekend, indoors and out.
Activities & destinations
Looma Space
Indoor playground paired with a Korean cafe — parents actually want to eat here. Built for ages 1–6.
Lomita
Roundhouse Aquarium
Free aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach pier — touch tanks and shark feedings.
End of the pier
Cabrillo Marine Aquarium
Donation-based aquarium with tidepool touch tanks next to Cabrillo Beach.
3720 Stephen M White Dr
Automobile Driving Museum
Vintage cars, some available for rides — a rainy-day MVP.
610 Lairport St
Battleship USS Iowa
A battleship you can climb through. Need we say more.
250 S Harbor Blvd
South Coast Botanic Garden
Garden scavenger hunts plus the winter light installation.
26300 Crenshaw Blvd
Topgolf El Segundo
Three floors of climate-controlled driving-range bays.
400 S Pacific Coast Hwy
Madrona Marsh Preserve
Flat nature loop and a nature center full of hands-on exhibits.
3201 Plaza del Amo
Hopkins Wilderness Park
Short trails, a meadow and picnic tables — stroller-friendly-ish.
1102 Camino Real
Home Depot Kids Workshops
Free build-a-project workshops on first Saturdays at all locations.
Wilson Park Mini Train
The Southern California Live Steamers run rides around Wilson Park.
2400 Jefferson St
Restaurants that survive kids
Filter all →Nick’s on 2nd
All-day American comfort food — seared ahi, cioppino, fried chicken — with a relaxed patio.
451 Manhattan Beach Blvd · Manhattan Beach
Kid-friendly
Rock’N Fish
Family-friendly crowd-pleaser near the pier known for crab cakes and the Navy Grog.
120 Manhattan Beach Blvd · Manhattan Beach
Kid-friendly
Esperanza Cocina de la Playa
Upscale Mexican — margaritas, ceviche with shrimp and pineapple, and a sunny patio.
309 Manhattan Beach Blvd · Manhattan Beach
Kid-friendly
El Sombrero
Decades-old neighborhood Mexican with enchiladas, chile rellenos and wet burritos.
1005 Manhattan Ave · Manhattan Beach
BudgetKid-friendly
Uncle Bill’s Pancake House
A 55-year-old breakfast institution with pancakes, ocean-view patio, and a 3pm close.
1305 Highland Ave · Manhattan Beach
BrunchKid-friendlyOcean viewBudget
FishBar
Casual North-MB seafood shack built for day drinking, sports and everything lobster.
3801 Highland Ave · Manhattan Beach
BrunchKid-friendlyBudget
Tin Roof Bistro
Inland bistro with bocce ball courts, a big patio, deep wine list and a broad American menu.
3500 N Sepulveda Blvd · Manhattan Beach
Kid-friendly
The Lighthouse Cafe
Live jazz landmark since 1949 (it cameoed in La La Land) with a full American menu and weekend jazz brunch.
30 Pier Ave · Hermosa Beach
Live musicBrunchKid-friendly
Tower 12
Nautical pier-side bar and grill — burgers, pizza, drinking-friendly food, party later.
53 Pier Ave · Hermosa Beach
BudgetKid-friendly