Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Torrance with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Torrance on the map
📍 Where Torrance is
Torrance sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: LAX (Los Angeles Intl) (~8 mi / 13 km). It's roughly 16 mi (26 km) from Downtown LA and 103 mi (166 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.
Family attractions near Torrance
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Torrance.
Redondo Beach Pier & King Harbor
Horseshoe-shaped pier with arcades, seafood, harbor boat rentals, and a small marina.
Free entry; paid parking
Carson Library (LA County)
Fully renovated in 2023, this branch has a bright, welcoming children's area stocked with picture books, toys, and toddler-friendly nooks. Baby and toddler storytimes make it a reliable free morning out when the weather won't cooperate. Double-check the day — it's closed Sundays and Mondays and opens at noon on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Free
Veterans Park & Sports Complex
A big neighborhood anchor with baseball fields, tennis and basketball courts, a skate park, and an amphitheater, plus picnic areas for a low-key afternoon. The skate park is a real draw for older kids and beginners alike, so bring helmets and pads. Plenty of room to spread out, and parking is free.
Free
Hermosa Beach & Pier
Lively beach with a long pier, The Strand bike path, and volleyball courts.
Free; metered/paid parking
International Printing Museum
A working museum of antique presses where docents actually ink up and run the machines, so kids see how books and newspapers were made by hand. Go on a Saturday and ask about the Ben Franklin live demonstration, where a costumed printer lets children pull a real print to take home. Parking is free in the lot out front.
$10 adults, $8 students/seniors
Calas Park
A friendly nine-acre neighborhood park with a play area, picnic spots, an outdoor fitness zone, and a wading pool that's a lifesaver for toddlers on hot days. The shallow wading pool only runs in summer, so plan accordingly and bring water shoes. Lighted courts and a ball diamond mean room for the whole family to burn energy.
FreeFarmers markets in Torrance
Torrance Certified Farmers' Market
One of the South Bay's largest markets with a big produce selection inside a park with playgrounds.
Festivals & annual events in Torrance
What Torrance is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Bunka-Sai Japanese Cultural Festival
A two-day free Japanese cultural festival at the Torrance Cultural Arts Center run by the Sister City Association — taiko, dance, martial arts, calligraphy, tea ceremony and food. 2026 was the 51st year.
2026 dates (Apr 18-19) have passed; no 2027 date posted
Torrance Armed Forces Day Parade
A weekend of military exhibits at the Torrance City Yard plus a Saturday afternoon parade along Torrance Boulevard. 2026 was the 64th annual.
2026 edition (May 15-17) has passed; 2027 dates not posted
Local restaurants in Torrance
Scardino's Italian Restaurant
Warm family-owned southern Italian ristorante with pasta, pizza, and seafood.
HiroNori Craft Ramen
Craft ramen shop making its own noodles and rich broth, an easy kid-friendly slurp in the South Bay.
Aunty Maile's
Casual counter-service Hawaiian spot serving big island plates the family can split.
La Capilla
A homey Torrance Mexican restaurant with murals, vinyl booths, and generous combo plates — a neighborhood mainstay that's easy and unpretentious with kids.
Santouka Ramen
Rich shio tonkotsu with pork cheek, served inside Mitsuwa Marketplace. The Japanese-market food court is fun, casual, and kid-easy.
Torrance Yokocho
Alleyway-style Japanese food hall with ramen, udon, izakaya bites, fried chicken, and tempura. Multiple stalls mean something for everyone.
Seasonal & outdoors near Torrance
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Torrance.
More Los Angeles family guides
Torrance family FAQ
Where can families eat in Torrance?
Local, family-friendly spots in Torrance include Scardino's Italian Restaurant, HiroNori Craft Ramen, Aunty Maile's and La Capilla, and more — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Torrance guide cover?
Our Torrance family guide includes 6 local eats and 1 farmers market — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.