With Multiple Playgrounds And A Duck Pond, This Family-Friendly Park In Southern California Is The Best Summer Day Trip

Our community parks give families the opportunity to spend summer days outside without spending a dime. If you're looking for an activity-filled park with great play spaces and beautiful scenery, consider a family day trip to the beloved Pollywog Park in Manhattan Beach, CA.

Pollywog Park is one of the coolest (and the largest) parks in the South Bay. This scenic grassy amphitheater is the beginning of everything the park has to offer.

The newest playground at Pollywog Park is a wonderland of fun for kids of all ages and features an awesome galleon ship and lots of nature-based play elements.

I say “the newest playground” because there are actually two large playgrounds in the park, giving kids hours of interactive playtime.

The large Pollywog Park pond features several fountains and is lined with benches to sit and enjoy the view. It is bordered by a natural wildlife refuge and is home to a variety of fish, ducks, geese, and turtles. Families love to come and feed the birds here.

In addition to wide grassy lawns, there are benches, picnic tables, barbecues, and three reservable gazebos throughout the park, as well as restrooms, drinking fountains, and trash cans. And you’ll enjoy plenty of tree-shaded areas that are perfect for warm mid-summer days.

In the center of the park is the “little red house,” one of the oldest beach cottages in the South Bay. It was moved here and renovated and is now a museum run by the Manhattan Beach Historical Society.

There are lots of walking trails around the pond and through the park. The park’s Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden and public pool make offer even more exploration and activity around the space.

All summer long, crowds gather in the park on Sunday evenings for the annual Manhattan Beach Concerts In The Park. Concerts are free and popular, so come early with your chairs, blankets, and a great picnic (this backpack cooler is a perfect companion for summer events!)

You can find a list of the current year’s bands on the Manhattan Beach Parks and Recreation website.

Have you enjoyed a summer day or concert at Pollywog Park In Manhattan Beach, CA? Share your experience with us in the comments. If you're ready to head inside for a great meal after a day of outdoor fun at Pollywog Park, take the family for a shareable steak dinner at this awesome neighborhood steakhouse. For more summer inspo, check out our collection of great outdoor activities and nature adventures in SoCal.