Things to Do in Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach's activity mix is genuinely different from Manhattan or Hermosa Beach's simpler beach-and-boardwalk offerings, because King Harbor adds a real working-waterfront dimension -- marinas, fish markets, and harbor-view dining -- on top of the standard Pier and beach experience.
The Redondo Beach Pier and Horseshoe Pier
The Redondo Beach Pier, and specifically its horseshoe-shaped outer section, is the city's signature landmark -- a genuinely rebuilt structure with real history, having been damaged by a January 1988 storm and then a May 27, 1988 fire before reopening as a concrete rebuild in 1995, with architect Edward Beall's distinctive sail-and-mast-shaped shade structures. Walking the pier, fishing off it, and taking in the harbor and open-ocean views from its horseshoe-shaped end are the most straightforward, no-cost activity here, and the pier's International Boardwalk area adds casual dining and, historically, arcade-style entertainment.
Seaside Lagoon: A West Coast Rarity
Seaside Lagoon is a heated, seawater swimming lagoon that opened in the 1960s and is described as the West Coast's only facility of its kind -- a genuinely distinctive amenity rather than a standard municipal pool. It operates seasonally, specifically between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and is closed the rest of the year. For a family or resident specifically drawn to this amenity, that seasonal window is worth planning around directly, since it's not a year-round facility.
King Harbor's Working Waterfront
Beyond the Pier, King Harbor itself is a real activity destination -- walking the harborfront past four marinas and roughly 1,400 boat slips, browsing the working fish markets (Quality Seafood, Captain Kidd's Fish Market, operating since 1976), and harbor-view dining across the restaurant row described on this site's Dining Guide page. This working-waterfront character, distinct from a purely recreational beach-and-boardwalk experience, is a genuine differentiator for Redondo Beach among the South Bay Beach Cities.
Riviera Village and the Hollywood Riviera
Riviera Village, at the base of the Hollywood Riviera hillside, offers a genuinely different kind of activity -- a walkable, locally owned shopping and dining district that multiple sources describe as retaining a small seaside-town feel. It's a real alternative to the Pier-and-harbor tourist corridor for a visitor or resident looking for a more local, less crowded experience, and it pairs well with a drive or walk up into the Hollywood Riviera's elevated streets for the neighborhood's well-known coastline views.
The Strand and Beach Access
Like its Beach City neighbors, Redondo Beach's open Pacific beach offers standard Southern California beach activities -- swimming, sunbathing, and beach walking -- along the same general coastal bike-and-pedestrian path system (The Strand) that runs through Manhattan and Hermosa Beach as well. This page did not compile a comprehensive, current list of specific bike-rental operators or beach-access points -- confirm current conditions and rental availability directly with local operators or the City of Redondo Beach Parks and Recreation Department.
The International Boardwalk's Evolving Entertainment Scene
The pier-area International Boardwalk's entertainment offerings have genuinely changed in recent years -- the longstanding Redondo Fun Factory arcade, which had operated since the early 1970s, closed on October 13, 2019. The City Council subsequently approved an exclusive negotiating agreement with locally owned LevelUp for the former Fun Factory site, with concepts discussed including bowling, arcade games, a full-service bistro, sports simulators, and private event space. This page did not confirm the current, final status of that redevelopment -- confirm what's currently open at the International Boardwalk directly before planning a visit around a specific attraction.
The Broader Waterfront Redevelopment as a Long-Horizon Attraction
Beyond the International Boardwalk's own entertainment turnover, the larger Waterfront Redondo harbor redevelopment concept -- discussed on this site's hub page and Neighborhoods Guide -- would eventually add a specialty cinema, a boutique hotel, and expanded retail and restaurant space to the harbor's current offerings, alongside a new small boat launch ramp and Seaside Lagoon improvements. As of the City's own 2025-2026 Strategic Plan, this remains in planning and feasibility stages without a confirmed construction timeline. It's worth knowing about as a genuine, in-progress piece of the city's future things-to-do landscape, but not something to plan a near-term visit around.
Day Trips: Palos Verdes and the Broader South Bay
Redondo Beach's position at the base of the Palos Verdes Peninsula makes it a reasonable jumping-off point for day trips along the peninsula's dramatic coastal bluffs and hiking trails, as well as northward along The Strand into Hermosa and Manhattan Beach for a longer bike or walk. This page did not compile a comprehensive, current list of specific Palos Verdes attractions or trail conditions -- confirm current access and conditions directly with the relevant park or trail authority before planning a day trip.
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Get a Free Agent Referral →Independent research. No ads. No sponsored listings. Data sourced from: ActiveRain, SoCal Landmarks, and CBS News coverage for the Redondo Beach Pier's 1988 storm/fire damage and 1995 rebuild; California Beaches, localanchor.com, and the City of Redondo Beach's own site for Seaside Lagoon's history and Memorial Day-to-Labor Day seasonal schedule; Waterway Guide, kingharbor.com, and visitkingharbor.com for King Harbor's marina and fish-market infrastructure; multiple South Bay real estate and lifestyle sources for Riviera Village and Hollywood Riviera's character; Yelp, Facebook, and Timeout Los Angeles coverage for the Redondo Fun Factory's October 13, 2019 closure and the City's exclusive negotiating agreement with LevelUp for the former Fun Factory site; and Architect Magazine plus the City of Redondo Beach's own 2025-2026 Strategic Plan for the Waterfront Redondo redevelopment's planned cinema, hotel, and boat-launch components. Facts not independently confirmed and not invented here include: the current, final status of the former Fun Factory site redevelopment; current bike-rental or beach-equipment operator listings; current hours or admission pricing for Seaside Lagoon; and current Palos Verdes trail conditions. Confirm current attractions, hours, and pricing directly with the City of Redondo Beach before planning a visit. Nothing on this page is a paid or sponsored recommendation.