Los Angeles County, California is blessed with many tourist attractions and destinations, and Carson is one of them.
Situated only 15 miles from the downtown area of Los Angeles, Carson is a small city with a lot to offer.
Since it’s close to downtown LA, this city has a perfect location for those who want to experience the best of both worlds.
While it’s not as crowded and overwhelming as the downtown area, Carson still has a lot to offer regarding attractions and activities.
Carson can stand on its own regarding things to do.
From its beautiful sandy beaches to its many outdoor recreation areas, this city is an excellent destination for a day trip or a weekend getaway.
If you’re still thinking about what to do on your trip to Carson, here are 16 things that will keep you occupied:
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Sports junkies can’t visit Carson without watching a sporting event at Dignity Health Sports Park.
Located in downtown Carson, Dignity Health Sports Park is a beautiful multi-purpose stadium and home to several professional and amateur sports teams.
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The stadium has a seating capacity of over 27,000 people and is the perfect place to watch a soccer game, football game, or track and field event.
Catch a game from teams like the LA Galaxy, San Diego State Aztecs, and the Los Angeles Wildcats.
You can still enjoy the stadium’s impressive architecture and design if you’re not into sports.
Dignity Health Sports Park is also great for grabbing a bite or drinking after a game.
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Before you explore deeper into Carson, you should stop by Rosario’s Italian Restaurant for a quick bite.
Located just a few blocks from Carson Park, Rosario’s Italian Restaurant is a popular local pizzeria serving Italian-style pizzas and dishes.
The restaurant has a casual and relaxed atmosphere, making it perfect for a quick lunch or dinner.
The pizzas here are some of the best in town and are made with fresh and authentic ingredients.
This restaurant’s favorites include the margherita pizza, the pepperoni pizza, and the sausage pizza.
If you’re not in the mood for pizza, Rosario’s also serves other Italian dishes such as pasta, salads, and sandwiches.
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The International Printing Museum is one of the unique places to visit in Carson.
Located in downtown Carson, this museum is dedicated to the history of printing and the art of bookmaking.
The museum has a vast collection of antique printing presses, typefaces, and other equipment.
You can also see how printers used to set the type by hand and how they manually bound the books.
The International Printing Museum is a great place to learn about the history of printing and see some of the oldest printing presses in action.
You can take a self-guided tour or learn from the friendly and accommodating staff.
Located at the heart of Carson, Carson Park is the perfect place to relax and find your leisure.
With 11 acres of green space, this park offers a variety of activities and amenities for everyone.
Explore its picnic areas, playgrounds, a basketball court, and even an amphitheater for live performances.
Whether you’re seeking outdoor fun and excitement or a place to be with nature and relax, Carson Park has something to keep you entertained.
You can also take a stroll and enjoy the great outdoors while socializing with the friendly locals.
Of course, you can also head to one of the many stores in downtown Carson.
If you’re in for a family outing while in Carson, Dolphin Park is your best spot.
This 12-acre park offers the best of active and passive recreation.
With two baseball fields and an all-inclusive playground, you can play and have fun with your loved ones.
The picnic areas are relaxing spaces to take in the sights and sounds of people and nature all around.
If you prefer to bring the fun indoors, there’s an activity and multi-purpose room for this very reason.
You can find Dolphin Park on South Water Street.
You are not exploring the best natural spots of Carson if you don’t come by Bixby Marshland.
While one of the hidden gems of the city, this marshland is both a restoration site and a natural tourist spot.
This 17-acre site has been around since the early days but only reopened officially in 2009 after it underwent renovations and restorations by the Sanitation Districts.
Since its reopening, many plant species and wildlife call this place their home.
To experience an immersive journey into the marshes, sign up for a docent-led tour occurring every once a month in the natural area.
Bixby Marshland sits near the meeting of Figueroa Street and Sepulveda Boulevard.
The newly installed CSUDH Walking Trail offers you the best way to learn about Carson’s outdoor landscapes.
More specifically, it introduces you to California State University, Dominguez Hills’ best gardens.
It extends to about 2 miles and offers directional signs to help you along your nature hike.
So, enjoy the active retreat and get some exercise while you’re at it.
CSUDH Walking Trail’s entrance and exit points are on Torocenter Drive.
Calas Park has your day out in nature covered.
This public park, spanning 9 acres, features everything you might need for a friendly sports match with friends.
It also has an outdoor fitness zone for your much-needed exercise out in the open.
For the little ones, the park comes with a play area and a wading pool.
The spacious picnic areas are also ideal for family gatherings of every kind.
With the park’s abundance of grass and foliage around, it can be easy to relax and meditate within the area.
Calas Park is on East 220th Street.
Your outdoor group getaway is never as fulfilling as when you come by Victoria Community Regional Park.
This multi-faceted recreational park extends to 36 acres—enough space for a multitude of active hobbies.
Known for its prestige, the park comes with three baseball diamonds, four tennis courts, and a swimming pool that spans 50 meters.
But perhaps its award-winning facility is its 18-hole golf course.
Run a few friendly laps across the field or try your hand at golfing with a few swings or more!
There’s more for you to do, so don’t miss out on this park.
If you may have visited Carson all those years ago, you may know this park as Laguna-Dominguez Regional Park, which was its original name.
Get going to Martin Luther King Jr. Street to reach Victoria Community Regional Park.
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Carson is only a few miles away from the beach, so it would be a shame not to spend a day at the beach while you’re in town.
One of the most popular beaches in the area is Torrance Beach, which is known for its beautiful views of the Pacific Ocean.
You’ll find it in Torrance, California, 21 minutes from Carson.
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The beach is also great for sunbathing, swimming, surfing, paddleboard, and more.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even go on a whale-watching tour.
Other beaches near Carson include Long Beach, Venice Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Manhattan Beach.
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The South Bay Galleria is one of the best places to go shopping in Carson.
This large shopping mall has over 125 stores, making it the perfect place to find anything you need.
You’ll find it in Redondo Beach, California, nine minutes from Carson.
The mall is also home to a food court, so you can take a break from shopping and refuel with some delicious food.
Some South Bay Galleria stores include Macy’s, H&M, Forever 21, and more.
Whether you’re buying souvenirs or shopping for yourself, South Bay Galleria is the perfect destination for a quick shopping spree.
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Located in Inglewood, California, Edward Vincent Jr. Park is a great place to get some fresh air and take a hike.
Just drive 20 minutes from Carson to get there.
The park has several trails perfect for a stroll or an energetic walk.
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You’ll also find several picnic tables and barbecue pits, so you can pack a lunch and make a day of it.
The park also has a playground for the kids, making it a great place to bring the whole family.
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The Gnome Village resulted from an erosion problem that the California State University in Dominguez Hills suffered in 2014.
To prevent further erosion, the University built a series of concrete walls that created tiny “gnome homes.”
Over time, the community has taken ownership of the Gnome Village and turned it into the whimsical place it is today.
As a result, the village is constantly expanding and changing, making it a fun place to visit anytime.
You can find the Gnome Village located on the University’s campus, just a short drive from Carson.
Eating healthy is hard, especially when you’re traveling.
Fortunately, that’s not the case when you’re in Carson.
If you’re looking for quality and affordable food, Chinollo is a healthy fast food restaurant serving delicious and nutritious meals.
The atmosphere of the place is also quite cozy, which complements the friendly staff’s accommodating service.
The best part about Chinollo is that you can customize your meal.
However, you should also try their signature meals, which are all equally delicious.
Whether you’re looking for a hearty salad or a tasty wrap, Chinollo has your back.
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Whether you own a Porsche or dream of owning one, visiting the Porsche Experience Center is a must.
Located in downtown Carson, the Porsche Experience Center is a state-of-the-art facility that allows visitors to test drive the latest Porsche models.
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The facility also has a museum where you can learn about the history of Porsche.
Likewise, see some of the iconic cars that the company has made.
You can even get behind the wheel of an actual Porsche race car and drive on a professional race track.
Whether or not you’re a car enthusiast, the Porsche Experience Center is a great place that offers a one-of-a-kind experience for everyone.
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Located in Lawndale, California—an 18-minute drive from downtown Carson—the Alondra Community Regional Park is great for spending a day with family and friends.
The park has something for everyone, whether you want to play sports, go for a swim, or relax in the sun.
There’s also a playground for the kids and a picnic area for those who want to enjoy a meal in the park.
In addition, the Alondra Community Regional Park also has a nine-hole golf course for all the avid golfers who want to play a game or two.
Whatever you want to do, the Alondra Community Regional Park is the ultimate outdoor destination near Carson.
One of the best things to do in Carson, CA, is go-karting at Go Kart World.
Located in downtown Carson, this indoor go-karting track is perfect for those rainy days.
Go Kart World has something for everyone of all ages.
They have electric go-karts for the little ones and gas-powered karts for the adults.
You can also race against your friends or family to see who’s the fastest.
In addition, there’s a variety of go-kart tracks and bumper cars to experience, so you can choose various adrenaline-pumping activities.
So, if you’re looking for indoor fun, head to Go Kart World and have a blast.
The Honest Abe Cider House and Meadery is a must-visit destination for beer lovers.
You’ll find this place in Gardena, California, a short 14-minute drive from downtown Carson.
This cidery offers a wide variety of ciders and meads for you to try.
Available on tap and in the bottle, the ciders and meads at Honest Abe Cider House and Meadery are all made from locally sourced ingredients.
Besides their best-selling craft beers, healthy, gluten-free options are a must-try.
Whether you’re catching up with friends or planning to make new ones, the Honest Abe Cider House and Meadery is the perfect place to relax, drink, and enjoy good company.
Carson and its surrounding areas have no shortage of fun and exciting parks.
In Redondo Beach, CA—a 26-minute drive from Carson—Anderson Park is a beautiful community park perfect for an outdoor excursion.
With sprawling trees and abundant greenery, Anderson Park is a great place to get some fresh air and enjoy the outdoors.
This 12.4-acre park includes a Senior Center, Scout Houses, a children’s play area, and tennis courts.
You can enjoy a stroll around this enormous park, have a picnic by the gazebo, or relax under a tree.
Anderson Park is also a great place to bring your furry friends; it has a designated dog area where they can run and play.
Traveling is also a great time to catch up on the latest movies.
If you’re looking for a movie theater in Carson, look no further than the Cinemark Carson & XD.
Located in downtown Carson, CA, the Cinemark Carson & XD is a state-of-the-art movie theater that offers all the latest blockbusters.
They also have an extensive concessions stand where you can buy snacks and drinks.
If you’re looking for a fun activity to do indoors, see a movie at the Cinemark Carson & XD.
You’ll have fun with your friends and family while watching the latest flicks.
End your Carson trip on a high note by experiencing some delicious Asian cooking at Hiccups.
Hiccups is a hidden gem known for its fantastic food and excellent service.
This family-owned restaurant offers a variety of Asian dishes, including Chinese, Japanese, and Thai cuisine.
Their menu also includes a variety of rice-based dishes, appetizers, soups, noodles, and other popular options.
You won’t leave disappointed, no matter what you order.
If you’re looking for a great place to eat in Carson, check out Hiccups.
Carson is a great place to visit if you’re looking for some fun in the sun.
With its beautiful beaches and easy access to the downtown area of Los Angeles, Carson is the perfect place to relax and have fun.
Whether you’re looking for outdoor adventure or indoor fun, Carson has something for everyone.
Since it’s close to LA, you can also enjoy many other fun and exciting attractions and experiences in the vicinity.
So, what are you waiting for?
Plan your trip today and experience Carson to the fullest!
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