Bands On The Sand A South Bay Sunday Tradition
Each summer, the Los Angeles coastal community of Hermosa Beach hosts a series of concerts on the sand.
They are the best of the summer beach concerts in Los Angeles – not nearly as big as the Thursday ones in Santa Monica but with a more, well, South Bay crowd. Several thousand people spread out on the sand for blocks south of the pier. The crowd is a mix of families, friends and singles, who mix and mingle in what is a Sunday ritual for those in these L.A. Beach Cities.
Here is a rundown of the event, everything you need to know about it to join this summertime beach party.
WHAT: A series of free concerts on the sand just south of the Hermosa Beach Pier each Sunday in August. Several thousand people are spread out on blankets and beach towels and/or sitting in beach chairs. Some people are dancing by the stage in the sand.
DATES: Aug 5, 12, 19 & 26
TIMES: 5 p.m.-sunset
THE BANDS:
• Aug. 5 – The Beat (English Beat)
• Aug. 12 – Sashamon
• Aug. 19– Big Head Todd and the Monsters
• Aug. 26 – Venice (featuring Robby Krieger of The Doors)
WHAT TO BRING: This is a large picnic that happens to be on the sand with a band. Put down a blanket and bring coolers, food and drinks. Alcohol is not legal to drink on the beaches in California, although discreet drinking is tolerated. (Note: One fool can ruin this for everyone so again, be discreet. Act like you’ve been there before, in other words.) Afterward, pick up after yourself.
CAN I RESERVE A PLACE ON THE SAND IN ADVANCE? All spaces are on a first-come, first-serve basis. Some people have “regular” spots and lay down blankets and beach towels a couple of hours in advance of the concert. You can do that, too. Just be sure the stakes are set in the sand; they determine the walkways and must be kept clear.
CAN I GO TO THIS AND THE MANHATTAN BEACH POLLIWOG CONCERTS TOO? A little more than two miles away, neighboring city Manhattan Beach also has Sunday concerts, which are held in Polliwog Park. While they end at 7, it’s almost impossible to go to it, then rush down to the Hermosa concerts, which end at about 7:45.
WHERE TO GO AFTER THE CONCERTS: Patrick Molloy’s is the most popular bar, in large part because of live music and its Sunday night $3-4 beers and drinks specials. The more refined Tower 12 has acoustic music and a very nice-looking crowd.
PARKING: It’s tough so public transportation (the white Beach Cities Transit bus has stops on either side of the pier at Hermosa Ave,, and costs $1; southbound pickup is at 11th Street, northbound is at 10th St.), Uber/Lyft or, better yet, bicycles are recommended. There is very limited street metered street parking and a lot at 13th Place and Hermosa Ave., which fills up fast.
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