Want to get in on the Fourth of July festivities without being inundated with crowds and traffic?
Well, it’s LA, so crowds and traffic are relative. However, you can cut down on both by heading to some of the smaller beach towns in the South Bay, including Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Hermosa Beach July 4th weekend.
You’ll have plenty of activities and opportunities for adventure, all within a short driving distance when you head towards these three beach communities!
July 4th in Hermosa CA
July 4th Ironman – Hermosa Beach
Join in—or watch from the sidelines—as the 36th Annual Hermosa Ironman takes place on the Fourth of July! Starting at 11:00 AM, this Ironman challenge is a unique one for certain!
First up is a one mile run on the beach, then a one mile paddle in the Pacific Ocean, and then drinking a 6-pack of beer as fast as you can right after you get out of the water. This is the only time you can drink on Hermosa Beach all year, so if you want to partake, you have to break a sweat first!
Make sure you bring your surfboard and 6-pack, too. Not only is this race fun for participants, but it is a laugh for spectators who come back every year to watch people take on the challenge. Afterward, enjoy the quirks of Hermosa Beach as you party with the locals.
July 4th in Redondo Beach CA
July 3rd Village Runner 5k – Redondo Beach
If you don’t want to chug beer, kick start your Fourth of July celebrations with a more leisurely run during the Village Runner 5K on Sunday, the third. It’s $45 to participate in this 29th annual race, where you can do a 5K run/walk starting at 8:00 AM or watch the kids do the firecracker quarter-mile dashes starting at 9:30 AM.
There is a costume contest for those dressed the most patriotic, with gift cards to the Village Runner up for grabs. Entry fees help support the Redondo Beach Education Foundation for local schools and running programs.
July 4th Fest – Redondo Beach
Riviera Village in Redondo Beach puts on an annual firework show and festival. Starting at 2:00 PM on Monday, $20 gives you access to a beer garden with live music and the perfect seats for the show. Fireworks begin at 9:20 PM and will last about 20 minutes. Kids 12 and under are free. VIP entry is $60 and includes a shaded spot to see live music and one complimentary drink.
4th of July in Manhattan Beach
July 3rd Salute to the Troops: Picnic and Concert – Manhattan Beach
Head to the Polliwog Park Amphitheater the day before the Fourth of July to celebrate those that make the United States the Land of the Free. The Sixth Annual Salute to the Troops Picnic and Concert starts at 5:00 PM and goes on until 7:00 PM.
Watch the Satin Dollz, a World War II USO tribute group made up of women dressed in traditional pin-up girl outfits, sing and dance on the stage. Their tap dancing and brightly colored outfits will make everyone excited for the Fourth of July celebrations the next day!
July 4th Begg Pool Party – Manhattan Beach
Come spend your morning and early afternoon at the Begg Pool Party, hosted by the City of Manhattan Beach. It is $5 per person to join in on the fun, which goes from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM. This is a great way to kick off your holiday and day off from work. Join in on games like water balloon toss, or dance to the music playing over the speakers. You are welcome to bring lunch and snacks to the pool, provided that you eat them in the grass area.
Where to See Fireworks in South Bay
Redondo Beach Fireworks
Seaside Lagoon- Redondo Beach
- Address: 200 Portofino Way, Redondo Beach, CA 90277
The City of Redondo Beach will be putting on a firework show for the Fourth of July that can be viewed from the Seaside Lagoon! The Lagoon will open at noon and will let people in on a first-come, first-serve basis. The entrance fee is $6 for children and $8 for adults. People will have to transition to sand time only from 7:30 PM to 9:00 PM. And then the big show starts at 9:00 PM! Parking is $20 and is onsite.
Redondo Beach Pier
- Address: Avenue I, between Esplanade St and Catalina St
From 4:30 PM until 10:00 PM, Redondo Beach will be putting on a family-friendly Fourth of July event that features live music, drinks and food, and a breathtaking firework show. Take your kids out to the pier and watch them be amazed by all the excitement happening above them!
Fireworks in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Pier
Address: 2 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266
Pick a spot by the railing and look out over the Pacific as you wait to watch fireworks pop up all around you. Restored to its original 1920s appearance, the Manhattan Beach Pier is the perfect spot to do some window shopping and grab a bite to eat before nightfall, where you can then pick a spot and look up.