Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Rancho Palos Verdes with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Rancho Palos Verdes on the map
📍 Where Rancho Palos Verdes is
Rancho Palos Verdes sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: LAX (Los Angeles Intl) (~11 mi / 17 km). It's roughly 18 mi (30 km) from Downtown LA and 101 mi (163 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Rancho Palos Verdes
Ladera Linda Community Park
The city reopened this park in February 2024 after a full rebuild, with a playground and tot lot, grassy areas, picnic spots, walking paths and a community center with a Discovery Room. Trails lead from the park into the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve — use the tot lot and paths for little ones and save the trails for older kids.
FreeFred Hesse Jr. Community Park (Hesse Park)
One of the city's most popular parks. The upper park has playground equipment for toddlers through adolescents, picnic areas with barbecues, ball fields and a quarter-mile loop path; the lower park has lawns and viewpoints from Catalina north to Malibu. Barbecues are allowed only in the upper picnic areas.
FreeEastview Park
A 9.9-acre neighborhood park with a children's playground, picnic tables, a walking path, restrooms, an on-site lot and two fenced dog enclosures. The city has posted temporary closures of the dog enclosures for grass restoration, so check before bringing a dog.
FreeDel Cerro Park
A bluff-top park with panoramic views of canyons, the coast and offshore islands, a flat grassy play area and a drinking fountain (no restrooms), and a gateway to the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve. Parking is the catch: the park lot and nearby spots need a permit or reservation, though the city lists free street parking on Crenshaw north of Crest Road and 2-hour free parking on Crest Road.
FreePortuguese Bend Reserve (Burma Road)
At 424 acres, the largest reserve in the Palos Verdes Nature Preserve, with rolling hills, canyons and ocean and Catalina views. No beach access, and only a portable restroom near the fire station. Parking south of Crest Road needs a reservation while street parking north of Crest doesn't; the area is affected by the Portuguese Bend landslide, so check rpvca.gov for trail closures. Best for school-age kids who can hike.
Free
Palos Verdes Art Center
A nonprofit art center at 5504 Crestridge Rd with free galleries and a gift shop; its Studio School runs quarterly youth and adult classes in painting, ceramics, printmaking and more.
Free gallery admission; classes priced separatelyFestivals & annual events in Rancho Palos Verdes
What Rancho Palos Verdes is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Whale of a Day
A free coastal festival at the Point Vicente Interpretive Center marking the gray whale migration, with children's crafts and games, inflatables, live music, food trucks and cliffside whale watching. Over 40 years running.
The 41st annual was held April 2026; no 2027 date posted
Local restaurants in Rancho Palos Verdes
Tomatillo Mexican Grill
Family-owned fast-casual Mexican kitchen at 31218 Palos Verdes Dr W with gourmet burritos, street tacos, salad bowls and salsas made in-house daily. Online ordering with pickup.
Seasonal & outdoors near Rancho Palos Verdes
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Rancho Palos Verdes.
More Los Angeles family guides
Rancho Palos Verdes family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Rancho Palos Verdes with kids?
Family favorites in and around Rancho Palos Verdes include Ladera Linda Community Park, Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park (Hesse Park), Eastview Park and Del Cerro Park, and more. Our guide lists 6 spots, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Rancho Palos Verdes?
Yes — free family spots near Rancho Palos Verdes include Ladera Linda Community Park, Fred Hesse Jr. Community Park (Hesse Park), Eastview Park and Del Cerro Park. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
Where can families eat in Rancho Palos Verdes?
Local, family-friendly spots in Rancho Palos Verdes include Tomatillo Mexican Grill — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Rancho Palos Verdes guide cover?
Our Rancho Palos Verdes family guide includes 6 things to do and 1 local eats — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Rancho Palos Verdes
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Rancho Palos Verdes on one map — then book on your favorite site.