Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Santa Fe Springs with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Santa Fe Springs on the map
📍 Where Santa Fe Springs is
Santa Fe Springs sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: Long Beach (~10 mi / 16 km). It's roughly 12 mi (19 km) from Downtown LA and 100 mi (161 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.
🏡 New to Santa Fe Springs? Start hereRec classes, library cards, school lookup, alerts and getting around.OpenClose
- Rec classes & camps: Santa Fe Springs publishes the All Things Santa Fe Springs brochure, now Fall/Winter 2026-2027, and registers programs through ActiveNet.
- Library card: Santa Fe Springs City Library on Telegraph Road is city-run, not LA County; apply for a card through its online registration.
- Storytime: The library holds Preschool Storytime Wednesdays at 10 a.m. and a free Bilingual Storytime most Saturdays at 10 a.m.
- Find your school: Elementary schools come from Little Lake City or Los Nietos school districts depending on address; high schoolers attend Whittier Union.
- High school lookup: Whittier Union High School District's Home School Look Up tool finds your assigned high school by address.
- City news & alerts: Subscribe to city email or text updates through Notify Me, and join Alert LA County for countywide emergency notifications.
- City events: The city's special events include seasonal festivals, concerts in the park and holiday celebrations; its 2027 Rose Parade float is titled "Bienvenidos a Nuestra Comunidad."
- New police department: Santa Fe Springs will launch its own police department March 1, 2028, replacing its Whittier Police Department contract.
- Local insider: The Norwalk/Santa Fe Springs Metrolink station on Imperial Highway serves the Orange County and 91/Perris Valley lines.
Things to do in Santa Fe Springs
Parks & Hiking
Lake Center Athletic Park
A sports park at 11641 Florence Ave with playgrounds, ball fields and basketball courts, next to the Betty Wilson Center, where The Club teen program meets weekday afternoons. It's convenient for siblings watching games, and both the park and lot are open until 10pm.
FreePaul T. Nakamura Regional Aquatic Center
The renovated city aquatic center at 10145 Pioneer Blvd (formerly the Santa Fe Springs Aquatic Center) has a leisure pool, a competition pool and a spray ground for kids 7 and under. The spray ground runs Mon–Thu 10:30am–1pm and 5–8pm, with Saturday and Sunday sessions too. It also hosts the fall Dive-In Movie and the Floating Pumpkin Patch.
Pool entry fee (check site)Santa Fe Springs Athletic Park
Open soccer fields at 9720 Pioneer Blvd, home to the city's summer and fall youth soccer leagues, with a children's playground and picnic tables. It's busiest on league weekends.
FreeLittle Lake Park
A park at 10900 Pioneer Blvd with a playground, picnic areas, ball fields and a staff-supervised free wading pool. Children under 5 must be with an adult, swimsuits are required and toys aren't allowed in the pool. Staff also run free games and crafts weekdays 3:30–4:30pm.
FreeLakeview Park
A park at 10225 Jersey Ave with a playground, wading pool, picnic areas and handball and basketball courts. The city says it opens at 3:15pm on school days, so weekday-morning visits will find it closed.
FreeLos Nietos Park
A park at 11143 Charlesworth Rd with a playground, wading pool, formal picnic areas, handball and basketball courts and ball fields. Bring swimsuits — street clothes aren't allowed in the wading pool.
FreeSanta Fe Springs Park
A quieter residential park at 10068 Cedardale Dr with a playground, barbecue grills, a formal group picnic area, horseshoe pits and handball and basketball courts. It runs a free Homework Club Mon–Fri 3:30–4:30pm during the school year with no registration.
FreeIndoor Play
Gus Velasco Neighborhood Center
The home of the city's Family & Human Services division and volunteer program at 9255 Pioneer Blvd. Families come here for city family-support services and volunteer sign-ups, including docent roles at Heritage Park. Call (562) 692-0261 for current programs.
Free to visit; programs varyJuice Box Club & Friday Night Rec Club
City-run programs for young kids. Juice Box Club is a parent-and-child play, craft and socializing class for ages 1½–4. Friday Night Rec Club gives ages 5–12 a monthly evening of games, crafts and dinner, which makes it a built-in parents' night out. Call (562) 863-4896 for locations and registration.
Registration required (fees via city ActiveNet)The Club (Betty Wilson Center)
The city's after-school space for 4th–12th graders, now at the Betty Wilson Center, 11641 Florence Ave. It offers homework support, enrichment activities 3:30–5pm, and excursions and special events. Submit an application to join and call (562) 863-4896 with questions.
Free (application required)Museums & Learning
Heritage Park
A restored 1880s ranch estate at 12100 Mora Dr with a Carriage Barn museum of 1880–1920 life, an 1880 windmill tankhouse, a plant conservatory and a noisy bird aviary. There's also a Tongva village exhibit along the stream and a railroad exhibit with a caboose. Go noon–4pm to find the Carriage Barn and train exhibit open, and note the park closes on major holidays.
FreeSFS Library Makerspace & Memory Lab
The City Library's bookable makerspace has a Bambu 3D printer, sewing machines, vinyl cutters, button makers and wood-burning tools, plus a Memory Lab for digitizing old tapes and photos. Slots are 2 hours and can be booked up to 14 days ahead. Minors need an adult, and everyone must check in 10 minutes early.
Free with library card (bring your own extra materials)Santa Fe Springs City Library
A city-run library (not part of LA County Library) at 11700 Telegraph Rd. It offers preschool storytime Wednesdays at 10am, bilingual Spanish-English storytime Saturdays at 10am, a STEAM program for ages 7–11 (registration required) and free drop-in homework help Mon–Thu 3–5pm. It lends telescopes, board games and California State Park passes, and the makerspace with 3D printers and sewing machines is bookable by appointment.
FreeArts & Culture
Dive-In Movie
A movie night at the Paul T. Nakamura Regional Aquatic Center where families float in the pool while a film plays poolside. It's part of the city's fall line-up, which also includes the Floating Pumpkin Patch here on Halloween; check the events page for the start time.
Pool entry (check site)Día de los Muertos Family Event at SFS Library
The City Library's family celebration of Mexican culture and tradition, with live music and children's crafts. It's a smaller, easier alternative to the big regional Día de los Muertos festivals.
FreeWinter Magic at Heritage Park
The city's holiday season at Heritage Park, following the Town Center tree lighting. Winter park hours end at 5pm, so check the city events page for any evening hours before planning a lights visit.
Free
Clarke Estate
A 1919–21 country home by architect Irving Gill, an 8,000 sq ft poured-concrete house built around a central courtyard, at 10211 Pioneer Blvd. It's also a wedding venue, so check events before a weekend visit; the first-Sunday tour is the only weekend option.
Tour price not published; call (562) 863-4896More for families in Santa Fe Springs
From our researched guides: the Santa Fe Springs spots for birthday venues. Hours and prices change, so check the venue's site before you go.
Birthday party venues
All SoCal birthday venues →Pump It Up
Not listed on Pump It Up's own current locations page (Torrance, Van Nuys and Santa Clarita are the nearest SoCal listings instead) — call to confirm before booking. CHECKED 2026-09-15.
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Festivals & annual events in Santa Fe Springs
What Santa Fe Springs is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Santa Fe Springs Tree Lighting Ceremony
The city's Special Events table lists the Tree Lighting Ceremony at Town Center Plaza on November 21. Time and activities are not published yet. Tip: check the city page closer to the date for the start time before you go.
Not listed; see city page
Fiestas de Octubre
A two-day city-run fall festival at Los Nietos Park, preceded by a separate gala at the Clarke Estate. One of the city's long-standing annual celebrations.
Santa Fe Springs Halloween Fun Event
A family Halloween celebration at the Santa Fe Springs City Library (11700 Telegraph Rd) with live music, a magic show, a costume contest, sweet treats and a photo booth. Tip: no registration is required, so arrive by 6:15pm to grab seats for the magic show.
Santa Fe Springs Halloween Carnival & Lantern Tours
The city's Special Events page lists a Halloween Carnival and Lantern Tours at Heritage Park (12100 Mora Dr) on Saturday, Oct 24; a library notice describes Lantern Tours as spooky fun on Oct 23–24 from 7 to 11pm. No detail page is posted yet, so confirm times and cost. Tip: the lantern tours run after dark, so bring flashlights and check the age suitability first.
Santa Fe Springs Floating Pumpkin Patch
The city's Special Events table lists a Floating Pumpkin Patch at the Aquatic Center on October 31. Times, price and registration are not published yet. Tip: swim-in pumpkin patches usually need pre-registration, so check the city page for sign-up.
Local restaurants in Santa Fe Springs
Vera Cruz Family Restaurant
Family-run Mexican restaurant at 9931 Orr and Day Rd serving combination plates, burritos, fajitas and carne asada, with a Child's Plate on the menu.
The Green Olive
Mediterranean and Middle Eastern kabob plates, shawarma and gyro wraps, falafel, tabbouleh and baklava at 13965 Stage Rd, Suite B. Closed Sundays.
Geezers Restaurant
Full-service American restaurant at 12120 Telegraph Rd with sandwiches, calzones, pizzas, pastas, tacos and entrees, plus catering and private dining. Open daily.
Jenny's Country Kitchen
Family-owned diner at 13318 Telegraph Rd, Santa Fe Springs, CA 90670, serving Mexican-American breakfast and lunch. Menu includes chilaquiles, pancakes, French toast, menudo and chile verde. Open daily from 6am to 2:30pm.
Seasonal & outdoors near Santa Fe Springs
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Santa Fe Springs.
More Los Angeles family guides
Santa Fe Springs family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Santa Fe Springs with kids?
Family favorites in and around Santa Fe Springs include Dive-In Movie, Día de los Muertos Family Event at SFS Library, Winter Magic at Heritage Park and Gus Velasco Neighborhood Center, and more. Our guide lists 17 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Santa Fe Springs?
Yes — free family spots near Santa Fe Springs include Día de los Muertos Family Event at SFS Library, Winter Magic at Heritage Park, Gus Velasco Neighborhood Center and The Club (Betty Wilson Center). Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
What can kids do in Santa Fe Springs on a rainy day?
Indoor options in and around Santa Fe Springs include Día de los Muertos Family Event at SFS Library, Gus Velasco Neighborhood Center, Juice Box Club & Friday Night Rec Club and The Club (Betty Wilson Center), and more. Each listing in our guide is marked indoor or outdoor, so you can filter for the weather.
How can families spend a day in Santa Fe Springs?
One easy plan: start outside at Dive-In Movie while kids have the most energy, break for lunch at Vera Cruz Family Restaurant, then head indoors to Día de los Muertos Family Event at SFS Library for the afternoon. Our guide has prices and tips for each stop, plus 15 more ideas to swap in.
Where can families eat in Santa Fe Springs?
Local, family-friendly spots in Santa Fe Springs include Vera Cruz Family Restaurant, The Green Olive, Geezers Restaurant and Jenny's Country Kitchen — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Santa Fe Springs guide cover?
Our Santa Fe Springs family guide includes 17 things to do and 4 local eats — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Santa Fe Springs
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Santa Fe Springs on one map — then book on your favorite site.