Located about 20 miles southwest of Hollywood on the Southern California coast, Manhattan Beach, California, is a civilized mix of beachside bohemia and seaside luxury. It’s the sort of place where you can surf the waves in the morning and sip a $20 martini in the afternoon, where flip-flops are always acceptable and where upscale eateries outnumber beachy dive bars.
An East Coast transplant, I’ve been living in this idyllic little town for a decade and will confidently debate any Los Angelino on why it’s the best small town in SoCal. From its casual vibe (no business wear, ever!) to its safe and clean play spots for kids, here’s everything to see and do in Manhattan Beach :
What to Do in Manhattan Beach
Have a Beach Day on Manhattan Beach’s Less-Touristy Beach
You can’t go to Manhattan Beach without going to the actual beach! Book a surf lesson and catch a wave, or stake out a spot on the sand. Luckily, Manhattan Beach is less touristy than some of SoCal’s other popular beaches (namely Venice Beach and Santa Monica), so prime sand space is easy to find, even right next to the popular Manhattan Beach Pier.
Bike or Walk The Strand
Take a stroll or bike ride on The Strand, a paved beach path that runs 22 miles from Torrance Beach to Pacific Palisades. Need wheels? Rent a bike from this local bike shop..
Stroll Downtown
Downtown Manhattan Beach is marked by the bustling stretch of town along Manhattan Beach Boulevard between Valley Drive and the ocean—and it’s so densely lined with stores, coffee shops, and restaurants that, even if you’re here for a beach day, you’ll likely open your wallet long before you touch your toes to the Pacific.
Read more:
- Best Beaches in California for Families: Fun in the Sand, Surf and Sun
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- Best Hotels Close to Disneyland that Bring the Magic
- Let us inspire your travels! Sign up for our newsletter now.
Climb a Giant Sand Mountain at Sand Dune Park
Don’t be surprised if you see whole sports teams climbing this massive sand dune hidden in the quiet residential “Tree Section” of Manhattan Beach. The dune has been a popular workout spot for decades—so much so that the city tried to deter visitors by enacting a reservation system. Visitors must now pay $1 per visit and make a reservation to climb
SheBuys Travel Tip: You can bypass the whole reservation/ $1 thing if you come with kids, since they are free and require supervision on the sand dune).
Be a Bookworm at This Public Library With a View
Looking for a good book? The second floor of the Manhattan Beach Public Library has a view of the coastline so sprawling that it’ll make you want to “read” all day long.
SheBuys Travel Tip: Get there early and grab a desk by the floor-to-ceiling windows. By mid-afternoon, all those coveted window spots will be taken.
Catch a Beach Volleyball Game
Every August, Manhattan Beach hosts the AVP Open, the best-of-the-best beach volleyball tournament that draws hundreds of amateur and professional players and tens of thousands of spectators. But it doesn’t have to be tournament time for you to catch a match. Volleyball professionals—and the just-for-fun set—play on the city’s sand courts all year long.. Volleyball newbie? Book a private beach volleyball lesson with a pro who will teach you the game.
Go on a Shopping Spree at This Indoor/Outdoor Mall
Looking to shop? The recently redesigned Manhattan Village is both a traditional indoor shopping mall (Hint: There’s an Apple store there) and a lush outdoor plaza with plenty of green space for lounging as well as seasonal events, live music, and kids’ activities. Across the street, The Point is another upscale outdoor shopping arena featuring high-end stores and restaurants plus an outdoor green space for kids to explore and play.
SheBuys Travel Tip: The Manhattan Village Mall holds Kids Clubs every first Tuesday of the month in its outdoor plaza, with rotating activities including yoga, dance, face painting, and more.
What to Do With Kids in Manhattan Beach
Visit the Roundhouse Aquarium on the Manhattan Beach Pier
Jutting into the Pacific Ocean like a giant spear, the Manhattan Pier is one of Manhattan Beach’s most iconic structures. Walk to its end and you’ll find the tiny (but free!) Roundhouse Aquarium. Its saltwater tenants include an octopus, a few eels, a scattering of moon jellies, and a touch tank full of spiny creatures to feel with your fingers. It’s a small spot,, but it’s just enough for tiny tots. Afterward, stand at the pier’s end and try to spot a migrating whale or any of the area’s resident bottlenose dolphins, who are often seen surfing the waves.
Get Ice Cream at The Manhattan Beach Creamery
Forget the fact there’s always a line.The popular Manhattan Beach Creamery makes its own small batch ice cream (and candy apples, chocolate, and fudge) and is worth the wait. Good luck getting the kiddos out of there though; the store’s sweets selection is next-level.
Have a Playdate at Polliwog Park
If you’re looking for a playground to let the kids run around without filling your car with sand on the way home, head east to Polliwog Park. Sprawling across 24 acres (it’s the largest park in the area), the park has two separate playgrounds, a dog park, an outdoor amphitheater, a pond, and plenty of open space for playing.
SheBuys Travel Tip: If you’re here in the summer, Polliwog Park holds free outdoor concerts every Sunday. Bring a beach chair and some food and let the kids groove out to the music while you enjoy a picnic and a glass of wine (which is not technically allowed, but it happens discreetly, doled out from picnic baskets).
See The Best Holiday Fireworks Show in the Country
If you thought sitting by the fire during the holidays was the thing to do—try sitting on the sand for holiday fireworks. Voted one of the Best Holiday Fireworks Shows in the Nation by the Travel Channel, Manhattan Beach’s annual fireworks extravaganza lights up the sky above the ocean and is accompanied by live holiday tunes.
Where to Eat & Drink in Manhattan Beach
The Strand House: A Restaurant with a View
Want to watch the sunset over the ocean? Make a reservation at the beachside eatery, The Strand House. The second-floor restaurant looms over the beach and provides plenty of fresh ocean air. Want to grab a cocktail before (or after) dinner? The downstairs StrandBar is a popular upscale hangout that offers live music and DJs Thursdays through Saturdays, as well as specialty drinks, including made-from-scratch margaritas.
Ercoles: A Dive Bar That Doesn’t Need a View
Want a real Manhattan Beach experience? Make like a local and head to Ercoles, the oldest bar in town. Founded in 1929, Ercoles is a respectable dive bar with cheap(er) drinks than its upscale neighbors and arguably the best burgers in LA.
The Kettle: A 24-Hour Diner That’s a Step Above
The Kettle doesn’t call itself a diner. Still, it’s open 24 hours and serves almost anything you can imagine, from fried pickle chips to braised pot roast—so we say that counts as diner-worthy. It also serves wine and beer, so even better!
Fishing With Dynamite: A Stellar Seafood Spot
Craving seafood? Fishing With Dynamite is located a block from The Strand and keeps a beachy feel despite its upscale prices. Raw bar dishes are this place’s strong suit, with an extensive list of oysters, clams, crab and lobster on the menu. For those who like their fish cooked, there are comfort foods like fried fish sandwiches and tacos as well as grilled fish.
Rice: A Yummy Haven for the Gluten-Free Set
You wouldn’t know Rice was gluten-free unless it’s why you were here in the first place. Inside this tiny eatery nestled into a residential Manhattan Beach block, Rice serves Gluten-free, “Vegan-friendly” food including vegan sushi rolls, traditional sushi, and an assortment of Asian-inspired entrees and appetizers that will appeal to all, GF or not.
Where to Stay in Manhattan Beach
Shade Hotel
If you don’t mind shelling out $700 per night, Shade Hotel is a great home base for exploring downtown Manhattan Beach, especially when you don’t want to rent a car.
Pros:
- It’s two blocks from the beach.
- It sits in the heart of downtown Manhattan Beach, making all of the city’s prime destinations within walking distance.
- There’s a swanky (albeit tiny) rooftop pool with views of the ocean
- Enjoy dinner or cocktails at the posh indoor/outdoor lobby bar that lures in locals and tourists alike.
Cons:
- It’s expensive, with rooms around $600-700 per night.
- Breakfast isn’t included.
- Most rooms don’t have ocean views (which is a shame, since they’re so close to the ocean).
Sea View Inn
The Sea View Inn is one of the best deals in the area, offering apartment-like rooms and suites for reasonable rates.
Pros:
- It’s only one block from the beach.
- It’s one mile to downtown Manhattan Beach (an easy bike ride or a good walk).
- The hotel will lend you a host of beach amenities, including bicycles, boogie boards, beach toys, beach umbrellas, and beach chairs.
- There’s a heated pool for when you want to swim without the salt.
- Some rooms have kitchenettes.
- Many rooms have ocean views.
Cons:
- It’s not fancy (though reviews rave about the casual vibe and cleanliness).
- There is no elevator to the second or third floor.
Westdrift Hotel
This hotel isn’t in downtown Manhattan Beach, but if you are booking for a large group and want to score some Marriott points, the Westdrift offers luxurious accommodations, easy parking (this matters around here), and an adjacent golf course.
Pros:
- It’s huge (392 rooms over six floors), so you can book big blocks of rooms.
- Large, country club-like swimming pool.
- Guests have access to the adjacent Westdrift golf course
- Plenty of parking
- It’s a Marriott hotel, so it’s great if you’re looking for Marriott points.
- Good prices (as low as about $250 per night) for luxurious rooms.
Cons:
- The large, corporate hotel feel isn’t for everyone.
- It’s not walkable to downtown Manhattan Beach.
- It’s located off a very busy street, so not a walkable location in general (unless you’re walking around the golf course).
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