Kicking Off 2026 in the South Bay

Happy New Year, South Bay 🎉

Hope everyone had an amazing 2025 and is excited for a fresh 2026. We truly appreciate all the love and support you’ve shown this newsletter over the past year. It means more than you know.

As we head into the new year, our goal is to continue growing this community and bringing you as much value as possible with local events, happenings, and things worth getting out for around the South Bay.

Here are this week’s events 👇

🗓️ This Week in My South Bay

Thursday, January 1
🧘‍♀️ New Year’s Day Beach Qigong @ Avenue H Lifeguard Tower, Redondo Beach
🐻‍❄️ Cabrillo Beach Polar Bear Plunge @ Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro

Friday, January 2
⛸️ Holiday Hits and Hot Cocoa DJ Family Skate Night @ LA Kings Ice PV, Rolling Hills Estates

Saturday, January 3
✍️ Redondo’s Cleverly Named Writing Group @ Redondo Beach Public Library
🧘 Torrance Park Yoga @ Lago Seco Park, Torrance
🌿 George F Canyon Nature Preserve Guided Hike @ Rolling Hills Estates
🌕 Yoga on the Roof Full Moon Flow @ Dive N Surf Rooftop, Redondo Beach

Wednesday, January 7
🐦 1st Wednesday Bird Walk @ White Point Nature Preserve, San Pedro

🐻‍❄️ Cabrillo Beach Polar Bear Plunge

📍 Cabrillo Beach, San Pedro
🕗 Thursday, January 1 | 11:30 AM
💰 Free

Ring in the New Year with this long running South Bay tradition as locals gather for the annual Polar Bear Plunge at Cabrillo Beach. Hosted by the Cabrillo Beach Polar Bears Club, brave participants charge into the Pacific while spectators cheer from shore. The event typically takes place rain or shine, but ocean conditions can impact plans. Attendees are encouraged to check the organizers’ official channels for any day of updates before heading out.

🔹 Annual New Year’s Day tradition
🔹 Hosted by the Cabrillo Beach Polar Bears Club
🔹 Check official updates for day of conditions

👉 Event Info

🌊 New Year’s Day Beach Qigong

📍 Avenue H Lifeguard Tower, Redondo Beach
🕗 Thursday, January 1 | 9:00 AM to 9:50 AM
💰 Free Donations Optional

Begin 2026 with intention and calm during this guided beachside Qigong session. This gentle practice focuses on slow movements and breathing exercises paired with the soothing sound of ocean waves. Open to all experience levels, it is a peaceful way to release the old year and welcome the new one with clarity and balance.

🔹 Guided Qigong with breathwork and movement
🔹 Relaxing oceanfront setting
🔹 All levels welcome

👉 Event Info

⛸️ Holiday Hits and Hot Cocoa DJ Family Skate Night

📍 LA Kings Ice PV, Rolling Hills Estates
🕗 Friday, January 2 | 3:30 PM to 5:30 PM
💰 Skate admission applies

Celebrate winter with a festive family skate night filled with holiday music and cozy vibes. The rink is transformed into a winter wonderland complete with a Christmas tree on the ice, holiday hits spun by a live DJ, and plenty of smiles for skaters of all ages and skill levels. No reservations are required so just lace up and glide into the fun.

🔹 Holiday themed DJ family skate session
🔹 All ages and skill levels welcome
🔹 No reservations required

👉 Event Info

✍️ Redondo’s Cleverly Named Writing Group

📍 Redondo Beach Public Library, Redondo Beach
🕗 Saturday, January 3 | 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
💰 Free

This welcoming weekly writing group invites writers of all ages and experience levels to gather for focused creative time. Bring a notebook or laptop and settle in alongside fellow writers for a productive morning of inspiration and accountability. Participants work independently, take breaks as needed, and wrap up with a quiet discussion on goals and progress.

🔹 Open writing time in a supportive group setting
🔹 All ages and experience levels welcome
🔹 Free parking available at the library

👉 Event Info

🧘 Torrance Park Yoga

📍 Lago Seco Park, Torrance
🕗 Saturday, January 3 | 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM
💰 Donation Based

Enjoy a refreshing morning yoga practice in a beautiful park setting. This outdoor class focuses on mindful movement, breathing, and gentle flow to energize both body and mind. All ages, levels, and beginners are welcome. Bring a mat or towel and water, and enjoy practicing yoga surrounded by fresh air.

🔹 Outdoor yoga in a peaceful park setting
🔹 All levels and beginners welcome
🔹 Donation based class

👉 Event Info

🌿 George F Canyon Nature Preserve Guided Hike

📍 George F Canyon Nature Center, Rolling Hills Estates
🕗 Saturday, January 3 | 10:30 AM
💰 Free RSVP Recommended

Explore the natural beauty of the Palos Verdes Peninsula on this guided canyon hike led by experienced naturalists. This family friendly walk highlights native plants, wildlife, and scenic views of the Los Angeles basin. After the hike, visitors are welcome to explore the nature center. Rain cancels.

🔹 Guided hike with local naturalists
🔹 Wildlife spotting and scenic canyon views
🔹 Family friendly outdoor experience

👉 Event Info

🌕 Yoga on the Roof Full Moon Flow

📍 Dive N Surf Rooftop, Redondo Beach
🕗 Saturday, January 3 | 4:30 PM
💰 Donation Based

Welcome the New Year with a full moon yoga flow on the rooftop at Dive N Surf. Hosted by Ryann, this outdoor class invites you to move, breathe, and reset as the sun sets and the full moon rises. Expect grounding movement, mindful flow, and a relaxed community vibe. All levels are welcome and space is limited.

🔹 Rooftop yoga under the full moon
🔹 Donation based and open to all levels
🔹 RSVP required

👉 Event Info - RSVP 310.920.2945

🐦 1st Wednesday Bird Walk

📍 White Point Nature Preserve, San Pedro
🕗 Wednesday, January 7 | 9:00 AM
💰 Free

Join expert naturalist Bob Shanman for a guided bird walk at White Point Nature Preserve. Meet in front of the White Point Nature Education Center and explore the area while learning to identify local bird species. Binoculars are provided and all ages are welcome, making this a great family friendly outdoor activity.

🔹 Guided bird walk with experienced naturalist
🔹 Binoculars provided
🔹 Family friendly and educational

👉 Event Info

 📸 South Bay Snapshot

That’s it for this week.

Thank you again for reading, sharing, and supporting this newsletter. If you found something useful, feel free to pass it along to a friend who loves finding things to do locally.

Here’s to a great start to 2026.

See you next week,
Jaime
@MySouthbay