Thursdays & Sundays Shows In Hermosa Beach, Santa Moncia, Marina del Rey Manhattan Beach & Redondo Beach
Those events include free concerts on the beaches up and down the coast. Here’s a ranking and rundown of the best (and not so best):
1.) Hermosa Beach Sunday Summer Concert Series
When: Sundays In August, 5 p.m.-sunset
This is PubClub.com’s pick of best of the bunch because of the crowd, the scene and the music. First of all, it’s in the South Bay, and that means a lot of singles. It also means it’s a party. There’s a warmup band followed by a main act. The bands are popular South Bay bands, regional touring bands and occasional members of legendary rock bands like Robbie Krieger of The Doors.
Link: Hermosa Beach Summer Concerts
Location & Address: 1 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach, CA
2.) Santa Monica Twilight Concerts
When: Thursdays, June 22-Aug. 17 (no concert July 6), 7-10 p.m.
The biggest of the concerts, these Thursday shows attract tens of thousands of people on the pier and sitting on the sand. The latter do it picnic style and spread out their food and drinks and just enjoy the sound with friends. Bands include rock, reggae, latin, indie rock, R&B, even Aussie dance.
Link: Santa Monica Pier Website
Location & Address: 200 Santa Monica Pier A., Santa Monica, CA
3.) Manhattan Beach Polliwog Park Concerts
When: Sundays, 5-7 p.m., thru Labor Day
Okay, while not actually on or even at the beach – they take place in a park about two miles inland – they are in a beach town and if you pack up your picnic in a hurry you can make it down to the pier to catch the sunset. People sprawl out on the lawn (careful, tho, it’s a short but kind of steep hill) and there are some pretty good bands here. Alcohol is allowed here but of course don’t be foolish about it. This is the best event for couples and in particular is ideal for that “where do I take my first date” place.
Link: Manhattan Beach Concerts In The Park Bands Lineup & Review
Location & Address: 601 Manhattan Beach Blvd, Manhattan Beach, CA
4.) Marina del Rey Summer Concert Series
When: Alternate Thursdays and Sundays, July 6-Aug. 26
On alternating Thursdays, there’s classical and opera while on alternating Saturdays it’s including alt-rock, indie and folk. The location is great, right along the water and boats of the marina. It’s a very casual scene and you kind of have to bring your own party. Some people plop down on the small grass hill and others stand or walk around the area. The crowd is surprisingly small, less than a thousand attend most events.
Location & Address: Burton Chase Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina Del Rey, CA
5.) Redondo Beach Pier Concerts
Thursdays & Saturdays, 6-8 p.m., July 1-Aug. 31
These sound like great events; they are on the pier and bands include classic rock, reggae, indie rock, latin, tribute bands, even country. But in fact they are pretty lame because so few people go them. It’s certainly not a singles scene; you’ll more likely to find a few baby strollers. A potential game-changer is Like Zeppelin, a Led Zeppelin tribute band on Aug. 26. The concerts take place on the west end of the pier, with the Pacific Ocean waves crashing below you. Tip: Get tipsy beforehand with a couple of Fire Chief drinks at Old Tony’s.
Location & Address: 100 Fishermans Wharf, Redondo Beach, CA
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