Manhattan Beach, CA, is a gem of Los Angeles, offering a perfect blend of relaxation and excitement for families. With its beautiful beach, diverse dining options, and various activities, you can easily spend an entire day (or two!) exploring this charming coastal town. Here's a detailed guide to making the most of your visit.
Morning by the Beach
Spend the Day at the Beach
Manhattan Beach boasts one of the finest beaches in the world. Start your day soaking up the sun, playing in the surf, or building sandcastles. The beach's pristine sands and excellent facilities, including showers and bathrooms, make it family-friendly.
Surf’s Up!
For those looking to ride the waves, there are plenty of options for renting boards and taking surf lessons:
Nikau Kai Waterman Shop (919 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach). Rent surfboards, bodyboards, SUP boards, wetsuits, beach chairs, and umbrellas.
Spyder Surf (1116 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach). Offers a range of rentals including surfboards and wetsuits.
El Porto Surfboards: Early morning rentals near the beach, with surfboards, wetsuits, and more. This one's been around for ever! (3804 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach)
Surf Lessons
One Wave Surf: Offers a 1.5-hour lesson package, perfect for beginners and novices, with all equipment provided.
Beach Volleyball
Manhattan Beach is famous for its beach volleyball courts. Spend some time playing a game or two with the family. It’s a great way to stay active and have fun. Free - no booking required!
Sunset Views
End your beach day by watching a stunning sunset. Park at one of the beach lots and wait for the sun to go down - or enjoy a sundowner at The Strand House for a perfect view!
Exploring Downtown Manhattan Beach
Bike Rides
Explore the 22-mile Strand bike path, which runs from Santa Monica Beach to Torrance Beach. See MAP.
Manhattan Beach E-Bike Rentals (3616 Highland Ave, Manhattan Beach)
Hermosa Cyclery (20 13th St, Hermosa Beach) Rent a variety of bikes, tandem bikes and accessories, located near Hermosa Pier
Other options include Jeffers Beach Rentals, 39 14th St, Hermosa Beach AND Next Adventure E-Bikes that are delivered to you for 2 hours up to 7 days.
Morning Walks on the Strand
Join the locals for a morning walk on the Strand. Enjoy breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean on one side and multi-million dollar mansions on the other. Leashed dogs are welcome on the pedestrian path but not on the sand - so you may see a friendly wag on your walk :) Walk down the pier to see surfers.
Coffee Breaks
Start your morning with a coffee from one of the local favorites:
Shopping and Dining
Shopping
Downtown Manhattan Beach offers a delightful shopping experience with a mix of high-end brands and unique boutiques. Visit:
Free People
For more extensive shopping, head to Manhattan Village Mall, featuring popular brands like Anthropologie and Macy’s, and The Point in El Segundo for a modern, upscale shopping experience.
Dining
Manhattan Beach is a food lover's paradise.
Some must-visit spots include:
The Strand House: Perfect for cocktail hour with a beach view.
Love & Salt: Upscale Italian dining, nice salads and cocktails
Manhattan Beach Post: Creative farm-to-table cuisine
The Kettle: Great for late-night bites.
Fishing with Dynamite: For the seafood enthusiasts.
Esperanza: Amazing vibe with great tequila. Their sister location, Palmilla is in Hermosa Beach
Tacolicious: San Francisco-based restaurant with a location in Manhattan Beach
Dashi Dashi: Sushi and sake bar
Slay Italian Kitchen: Unbelievably good pizza crust!
Beer and Wine
Fun Activities for Families
Visit the Roundhouse Aquarium Located at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier, the Roundhouse Aquarium offers interactive marine exhibits and touch tanks. It’s a fantastic educational experience for kids.
Polliwog Park A great place for a family picnic, Polliwog Park features playgrounds, a duck pond, and an amphitheater. During summer, enjoy the free concert series. Polliwog Park
Live Oak Park This park offers basketball courts, playgrounds, and green spaces, making it ideal for a family outing. Live Oak Park
The Point For some family-friendly fun, head to The Point in El Segundo. This modern outdoor mall features a variety of shopping and dining options, as well as events and activities for kids.
Neighboring Towns:
Hermosa Beach, El Segundo, and Redondo Beach
Hermosa Beach
Just south of Manhattan Beach, Hermosa offers its own unique charm. The Hermosa Pier is a great spot for a stroll, and you can rent bikes or scooters at Hermosa Cyclery. Enjoy some beachside tacos at Guisados, grab a drink and watch the sunset at Vista or get a coffee at Java Man.
El Segundo
Head to El Segundo for more shopping and dining at The Point and Plaza El Segundo.The town also has a lovely downtown with great restaurants (we love Jame Enoteca, and Sausal) and is home to Top Golf El Segundo, a fun spot for golf enthusiasts.
Redondo Beach
Redondo Beach, a city on the Southern California coast, offers an inviting mix of natural beauty and endless activities perfect for families. Consider a visit to this town on your Los Angeles holiday. Located just a short drive from Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), this beach city is an ideal destination for those looking to enjoy a few days of sun, sea, and fun. Read this article to learn more.
