Hermosa Beach’s coastal twist on a winter classic — families gather at 15th Street and the shoreline each early December to build sand snowmen with shovels, scarves, and imagination. Judged in categories from Most Traditional to Funniest.
The Hermosa Beach Sand Snowman Contest is the city’s distinctly coastal holiday tradition: instead of snow, the beach becomes the canvas. Families, friends, and neighbors gather at 15th Street and the shoreline — about three blocks north of the Hermosa Beach Pier — with shovels, scarves, mittens, and plenty of imagination to build their own versions of a winter classic.
The contest is open to all ages and abilities, hosted by the City of Hermosa Beach. Judging awards prizes across categories including Hermosa Beach Favorite, Most Unique, Most Traditional, Best Dressed, and Funniest — a generous-enough spread that nearly every snowman has a path to recognition.
For families across the South Bay, the contest is a chance to swap winter cliché for the easygoing coastal holiday spirit Hermosa Beach is known for. It pairs naturally with the Hermosa for the Holidays weekend at Pier Plaza and the California Great Santa Stroll down Pier Avenue for a full Hermosa Beach December — three distinct landmark experiences across the city’s compact, walkable shoreline neighborhood.
At 15th Street and the shoreline in Hermosa Beach — about three blocks north of the Hermosa Beach Pier on The Strand. Look for the gathering at the sand where 15th Street meets the beach.
Early December each year (typically the first Saturday), 9:00 AM to noon. Judging begins around 11:15 AM.
Free to enter and free to watch. Bring your own shovels and accessories.
Shovels and beach toys for building, plus scarves, mittens, hats, sunglasses, and any character accessories to dress your snowman. Sunscreen and water for the family — even in December, the South Bay morning sun is strong.
Street parking near 15th Street and Hermosa Avenue fills early — arrive by 8:30 AM for the closest spots. Parking south near the pier and walking up The Strand is a reliable overflow option.
The Hermosa Beach Strand is the 22-mile-long beachfront walkway that runs from Torrance through Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach — a paved pedestrian-and-bike-only path along the sand. The 15th Street access at the shoreline sits about three blocks north of the Hermosa Beach Pier in the heart of the city’s beachfront residential blocks. Hermosa Beach itself is the smallest of the three South Bay beach cities by population, with a famously easygoing, surf-culture community character.
Southern California’s holiday lights and festive outings are pure magic — but nothing compares to Santa Claus himself stepping through your own front door. House of Kringle brings a real-bearded, professionally trained Santa to homes and gatherings across SoCal for an intimate live visit your family will treasure for years.
