While you might not immediately think of outdoor fun and adventure when you hear Carson, California mentioned, there actually are quite a few great places to enjoy the outdoors. From parks and beaches to nature preserves and pools, there is an outdoor activity for everyone in or near Carson.
There are more than 15 parks in Carson, including a few public swimming centers. The Dominguez Aquatic Center, for example has an activity pool, an adult pool and a kiddie pool, as well as shade structures and water sprayers. This pool facility can be found on Santa Fe Avenue, while another, called the Hemingway Aquatic Center, is located on South San Pedro Street. This center also has a kiddie and adult pool as well as water sprayers and two 16 and a half foot dueling water slides.
You can also cool off at Anderson Park, which can be found on Wilmington Avenue. This park has a refreshing wading pool as well as picnic areas and a Frisbee golf course. This park also features an outdoor amphitheater where you can see lots of free events and concerts throughout the year. Another park with picnic areas, a wading pool and another Frisbee golf course can be found at Mills Park located on Diamondale Drive.
Taking a 15 minute drive, directly south of Carson, will take you to
San Pedro, which is home to lots of beautiful parks. Four of the best are
located on the Pacific shoreline and each offer breathtaking views of the ocean
and plenty of picnic tables. These parks include Point Fermin Park, Angels Gate Park, Cabrillo Beach Park and White Point State Park.
A 25 minute drive south west of Carson will bring you to Rolling Hills where you can explore the wilderness of the Portuguese Bend Reserve. This huge park has a large number of trails that meander throughout the picturesque canyons and stunning vistas as well as breathtaking views of Santa Catalina Island. Trails at this park are generally multi-use and can be traveled by hiking, biking or horseback riding.
For those who love to skateboard, be sure to check out Veteran’s Park on Moneta Avenue back in Carson.
This 12 acre park has a lot to offer from trails to picnic areas, but the best part is the 10,000 square foot skate park. The park, called Carson Skate Park, has a four foot
high capsule and a four foot deep horseshoe bowl as well as street tranny and small scale obstacles. The only rules of the park are that skaters must wear elbow and knee pads and a helmet. There is also no skating allowed after dark.
One of the most popular indoor/outdoor activities in the Carson area is Go Kart
World, which can be found on Recreation Road, directly off I-405. Here you can choose from over six different tracks for go kart racing and there is also a track for
small kids, a bumper car car racetrack, a great arcade room and a restaurant too. This adventurous spot was voted best go kart facility in the Los Angeles area many times. A fun fact about Go Kart World is that both Andrew Garcia and Kanye West love this place and visit often. So be sure to be on the lookout for these guys and other celebrities who love Go Kart World!
Of course, there is no shortage of outdoor water activities in and around Carson as it is located so close to the Pacific Ocean. Take the short six mile trip down to the Redondo Beach Pier where you and your traveling companions can experience water sports such as scuba diving, surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding and more. There are lots of shops in the area where you can rent bicycles and beach buggies to cruise up and down the coast. The pier also features tons of great restaurants where you can eat outdoors while you enjoy the beautiful weather and scenery. Next door at the Redondo Beach International Boardwalk and Marina you can charter a boat for an out to sea tour or deep sea fishing excursion.
