If you are thinking about visiting Los Angeles, Manhattan Beach, with its soft-sand beaches and swoon-worthy restaurants, should be at the top of your itinerary. The coastal chic town offers endless things to do, from spending the day at the beach to finding the perfect spot to watch the sunset.
As a local, I have inside knowledge of the best things to do in Manhattan Beach, and I am eager to share them with you. In this visitor’s guide of top activities, you will get ideas for things to do beyond spending the day at the beach.
Is Manhattan Beach a beach or a town?
Manhattan Beach is a city with its own beach, and both have the same name. People often get confused and don’t realize that the City of Manhattan Beach offers more than a beautiful beach.
Where is Manhattan Beach?
The City of Manhattan Beach is about ten to fifteen minutes south of the Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Given its proximity to LAX, it is easy to reach and a great place to visit while on a layover at LAX.
Manhattan Beach is part of the South Bay, which includes other beach towns such as Hermosa Beach and Redondo Beach.
Getting to Manhattan Beach?
From LAX, I usually take a taxi. The taxi line at LAX is usually short, and I don’t have to deal with trying to find a rideshare. I hop in a taxi, and off I go.
The drive from LAX to the downtown area of Manhattan Beach is about fifteen minutes.
Manhattan Beach is also accessible from anywhere in Los Angeles. While there is public transportation, the quickest and most efficient way to reach Manhattan Beach is by car. The drive from Manhattan Beach to Los Angeles (downtown) can be anywhere from 35 minutes to 1 hour and fifteen minutes, depending on traffic.
When is the best time to visit Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach is a year-round destination, but the best beach days are in September and October. The warm days with cool, soft breezes are blissful. Kids start to go back to school, which means you might find the entire beach to yourself during the week.
However, you will find locals enjoying activities throughout the year.
Fun Things to Do in Manhattan Beach
Enjoy a Day at the Beach
Manhattan Beach is one of the best beaches in Los Angeles because of its miles of soft sand. Unlike some parts of the country, the local beaches are extremely wide, so you never feel cramped or crowded. Even with volleyball courts and lifeguard stands, there are miles of open beach for you to enjoy. Another plus is that this is one of the free things to do in Manhattan Beach!
Sometimes, I’ll run down to the beach for just an hour to enjoy the peaceful environment.
Go Surfing/Standup Paddleboarding
Manhattan Beach, and specifically El Porto, is known for surfing and now paddleboarding. The waves are second nature to incredible surfers of all ages. You might see a little kid catching air or silver-haired men and women ripping it up.
A local tip: Check Surfline before you head out to make sure the conditions are right. The winter swell can mean larger waves, while the summer months are known for smaller waves.
Where can I take surf lessons in Manhattan Beach?
Juliano Uzuelli (Pro Surfer) – I have taken surf lessons from Juliano. He is a great guy and has the patience and skill to teach all levels. I was standing up by the end of my surf session! You can reach Juliano through his Instagram page.
A couple of other popular surf schools and instructors in town include:
CampSurf – CampSurf has been in business for over 20 years, offering group and private lessons as well as a surf camp. Several of the surf instructors were students at one time, showing just how much students love CampSurf.
Aqua Surf School – Aqua Surf School teaches at all levels and matches your instructor to your skill set. They encourage siblings, friends, and family to take lessons together! Lessons are offered every day from sunrise to sunset.
One Wave Surf School – One Wave Surf School offers a surf experience for beginners designed to balance instruction with fun in the water.
Where can I rent a surfboard in Manhattan Beach?
If you don’t want to travel with your own board, it is easy to rent one. Here are a few shops in Manhattan Beach where you can rent surfboards.
Go for a Bike Ride in Manhattan Beach
One of Gary’s favorite things to do in Manhattan Beach when he is not surfing is to go for a bike ride. A 22-mile bike path runs through Manhattan Beach. The path along the beach runs from Santa Monica to Palos Verdes and is a fun way to get around town.
Visitors can rent an e-bike from Manhattan Beach E-Bike Rentals and take one of their self-guided tours.
Go for a Walk/Run on The Strand
While Gary loves to ride a bike on the Strand, I prefer to go for a walk along the beach. Walking toes in the sand or walking on the designated walking path is one of the best things to do in Manhattan Beach for free. The separated bike and walking paths are unique to Manhattan Beach. I love not having to worry about a biker flying past me as I take in the ocean views on one side and stunning homes on the other.
Veterans Parkway is a greenbelt with a chipped path between Valley Drive and Ardmore Avenue that is great for running and walking your dog. The path used to be a spur of the Santa Fe Railway that went to and from the Redondo Beach Pier.
International Surf Festival (6-Man Manhattan Beach)
Every August, Manhattan Beach hosts the International Surf Festival, which includes the iconic Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament, the Dwight Crum Pier to Pier Swim, and the Velzy-Stevens Paddle. The legendary beach volleyball tournament features highly talented players and themed costumes, which can raise a few eyebrows and laughs. The weekend of competition is free to watch and is consistently one of the most coveted summer highlights of the South Bay.
Volleyball in Manhattan Beach (Manhattan Beach Open)
The world’s top volleyball players and Olympians compete every year at the AVP Men’s and Women’s Manhattan Beach Open at the Manhattan Beach Pier. The high-level competition is intense for the players and fun for the fans. Fans pack the temporary stands and the pier for the multi-day event to support our local players.
There are also free volleyball courts along the beach, which are first come, first serve. You might be surprised how many people are playing. Even if you are not spiking the ball yourself, it’s fun to watch locals play.
Watch the Sunset
An iconic local activity in Manhattan Beach is catching the sunset over the Pacific Ocean. It’s a popular time to go for a walk on the Strand because why not get a little exercise while you take in a stunning view? Gary and I often go to the Strand to watch the sunset and are constantly searching for the elusive green flash.
If you are in town, both The Strand House and Shellback Tavern are ideal places to watch the sun go down. You can also sit on a bench along the Strand or head to the beach.
Summer Concert Series
A summer is not complete without attending at least one concert at Polliwog Park. Thousands of people attend the summer concert series every July and August. The community concerts are free and open to the public. Attendees often bring a picnic, a blanket, and beach chairs to enjoy while listening to the concert.
Pro Tip: Order a picnic from Bristol Farms, a sandwich from Mendocino Farms, a sushi dinner from Sugarfish, or get your provisions at Trader Joe’s before heading to the park. Most people bring a bottle of wine, too.
Be a Kid Again at the Roundhouse Aquarium
The Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of Manhattan Beach Pier brings a sense of what lies beneath to the surface. Kids of all ages can explore the touch tanks filled with marine life and learn more about the ocean. For those who cannot get enough, the Roundhouse Aquarium offers onsite classes, fun adventures like Starry Night with the Sharks, and summer camp.
Manhattan Beach Fireworks Show
Every December, Manhattan Beach hosts a free fireworks show from the pier. The popular event usually includes a concert before the main event. People tend to snag a spot to watch the show on Manhattan Beach Boulevard, just up from the pier, or one of the highly sought-after seats at The Strand House. However, any spot on the Strand and even blocks away from the pier can provide an excellent (and less crowded) vantage point. If you are not attending a pre-party or camping out for your spot near the pier, the holiday fireworks show makes for a fun date night.
Manhattan Beach Annual Campout
If you are new to camping or cannot get enough of it, then join Manhattan Beach’s family-friendly annual campout at Manhattan Heights Fields. Campers will keep busy with arts and crafts, outdoor activities, a BBQ dinner, a movie under the stars, nighttime snacks, and a pancake breakfast.
Get Back to Reading at Pages, a Bookstore
{Pages}, a bookstore located in downtown Manhattan Beach, is an independent full-service bookstore offering a thoughtfully curated selection of books and varying author events. If you are looking for a book while in Manhattan Beach, it’s a great place to pick up a summer beach read and support the local community.
Elevate Your Exercise Routine at Sand Dune Park or 26th Street Workout Station
Sand Dune Park
Take your exercise to the next level at Sand Dune Park. Whether you hike up the steep sand dune or do a few jaunts up and down the stairs, you are bound to work up a sweat. Either way, it is an intense workout that is not for the faint of heart. Reservations are required to exercise on the sand dune, but climbing the stairs is free, and reservations are not required.
26th Street Life Guard Station
A workout station is directly in front of the 26th Street Life Guard Station, which abuts Bruce’s Beach. You can work out while enjoying a soft ocean breeze and unobstructed ocean views.
Go Shopping
Whether you are in downtown Manhattan Beach or Manhattan Village, there is plenty of shopping to keep you busy. Clothing boutiques line the streets, as well as stores specializing in home goods, beauty products, art, books, eyewear, and more.
At Manhattan Village, shoppers can find the Apple store, furniture stores, clothing shops, home goods stores, a beauty lounge (nails), and beauty products. If you work up an appetite, you can stop for a hardy bite to eat or opt for something sweet at one of the many dessert places at Manhattan Village.
Wellness Options
A unique thing to do in Manhattan Beach is to venture outside of the traditional wellness options and consider an activity that is good for the mind and the body.
Sound Baths: Enter a deep state of relaxation through the calming sounds of Tibetan and crystal bowls, chimes, bells, gongs, and rain sticks. Let the vibrations lead you on a journey to inner peace as your stress melts. Multiple places in town offer sound baths, such as Tropical Refuge, events held at Bruce’s Beach, and pop-up sound baths at yoga studios around town.
Yoga: Summer Sunday Morning Beer + Yoga: Start your morning off with a yoga class at Culture Brewing before rewarding yourself with a beer and a view of the ocean.
Chair yoga at Sol Seek Yoga Studio: Chair yoga is a challenging, low-impact form of yoga that gives practitioners an extra level of support and stability.
Running: Village Runner: There is a local weekly running club.
Reset by Therabody: Rejuvenate your aching muscles with cryotherapy, red light therapy, hyperbaric oxygen, IV vitamin drips, and more.
Day Spas: Sand Spa and Trilogy are both popular with locals.
Take Advantage of the Local Events in Manhattan Beach
In addition to amazing beaches, Manhattan Beach is also known for free community events throughout the year. So far, I have mentioned the free concert series, the legendary 6-Man volleyball tournament, and the fireworks show, but there are a few other noteworthy Manhattan Beach events.
Pumpkin Races
One of my favorite local events is the Pumpkin Races. If you are in Manhattan Beach in October, then you must check out the annual pumpkin races. The event that started on a neighborhood street is now accessible to the public.
Every year, people get excited to race their pumpkins down the hill in front of the Manhattan Beach Pier. Spectators line the streets to get a glimpse of the epic crashes and flying pumpkins. It is really fun to watch and, if you have kids, a great way to keep them entertained.
You can learn more about the event and how to enter your own pumpkin racer.
Charity Events
Manhattan Beach residents are keen on giving back. Several charity events are held each year, including the Tour de Pier and the Sketchers Pier to Pier Friendship Walk.
Hometown Fair
Another beloved local event is the Hometown Fair, held the first weekend in October. The event allows local groups to fundraise with booths where you can play games or buy food. It’s something you might see in Gilmore Girls—small-town fun! For the adults, there is a wine garden and a very popular beer garden.
In addition, a street is blocked off to host a fair where vendors sell their local goods, such as art, home goods, jewelry, and artisanal products.
Play a Round of Golf
Golfers can either play a par three course at Westdrif or head a few minutes north to Top Golf in El Segundo.
Best Places to Eat in Manhattan Beach
Whether you are looking to have brunch in Manhattan Beach or check out the best places for dinner, you cannot go wrong. The restaurants are next-level amazing. Here is a quick guide to some of the best restaurants and cafes in Manhattan Beach, but check out my guide to the best Manhattan Beach restaurants for dinner for the full list. You might also be interested in the “secret” off-menu items at some of the local restaurants.
For those who need coffee or juice to get the day started, try Two Guns, Verve Coffee, HIFI Espresso, Good Boy Bob, or Kreation (juice).
For brunch in Manhattan Beach, try North End Caffe for breakfast tacos, Uncle Bill’s Pancake House for macadamia nut or buckwheat pancakes, or MB Post for a lively brunch where the cheddar bacon scones are a must!
For lunch in Manhattan Beach, opt for Tacolicious for tacos and guamalome and Simmzy’s for a hamburger and beer. or Silverlake Ramen in Manhattan Village
For dinner in Manhattan Beach, try The Arthur J for steak, Esperanza for elevated Mexcian food with a scene, Nick’s for American food and a bar, Slay Steak and Fish House for a fine dining experience, or Fishing with Dymaite for seafood.
Best Bars in Manhattan Beach
For a small town, Manhattan Beach has a fair number of bars. My two favorite bars, which also double as the best places to catch the sunset, are Shellback Tavern (a dive bar) and The Strand Bar. They are complete opposites, including being on different sides of the street, but I like them both.
Most of the restaurants serving dinner in downtown Manhattan Beach also have bars.
Explore the Local Art Scene
Manhattan Beach is home to several art galleries (Riley’s and Bo Bridges), murals, and sculptures. While in town, see if you can spot the Bo Bridges mural, the surfers/paddleboarders statue, Lightgate, and the 911 Memorial Project.
You can also check out art exhibitions at the Manhattan Beach Art Center Gallery.
Play a Game of Tennis or Pickleball
Manhattan Beach has several public tennis and pickleball courts for both residents and non-residents. Reservations for non-residents can be made up to 3 days in advance (4 days in advance for residents) for a nominal fee.
There is also a Manhattan Beach Open Tennis Tournament every year.
Visit Bruce’s Beach
If you have watched the news in the last few years, you may have heard about the fight over Charles and Willa Bruce’s land. They owned a beach resort for African American families until 1924 when the city condemned the land through eminent domain.
After a lengthy fight, on July 20, 2022, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors returned ownership of Bruce’s Beach to the closest living legal heirs of Charles and Willa Bruce, at which time the heirs sold the land back to Los Angeles County.
Bruce’s Beach is a seaside park and is home to the Los Angeles County lifeguard station offices.
While at Bruce’s Beach, you might see people relaxing in the park, enjoying a picnic, playing basketball, or doing yoga.
What are additional family-friendly activities in Manhattan Beach?
If you are traveling with kids, they might also enjoy Live Oak Park, which has a baseball diamond, basketball court, batting cages, tennis and pickleball courts, picnic benches, and places to barbeque and play areas for the kids.
Your kids might also enjoy feeding the ducks or playing on the slides at Polliwog Park, or if they are adventurous, check out AdventurePlex.
Where are the best hotels and places to stay in Manhattan Beach?
There are a couple of options for places to stay in the South Bay. For a luxury property, you might opt for Shade Hotel in downtown Manhattan Beach near shops and restaurants and about a 5-7 minute walk to the beach.
If you are on a budget, then the Sea View Inn in North Manhattan Beach might be a better fit. It is a few blocks from the beach and near a few restaurants.
The Belmar Hotel Manhattan Beach and Westdrift Manhattan Beach, Autograph Collection by Marriott, are also options. However, both require a 5-7-minute drive to the beach.
You can also use VRBO in Manhattan Beach to book your next vacation stay. There are numerous luxury homes of all sizes on VRBO. Frankly, I was surprised to learn how many options exist.
What are the best things to do at night in Manhattan Beach?
Given that there are so many fun things to do in Manhattan Beach, locals rise early because no one wants to miss the daylight hours. As a result, Manhattan Beach is a sleepy town. However, if you are in the mood for a late-night drink, check out the best bars section mentioned above.
Manhattan Beach Takeaways
I hope you enjoyed this list of the best things to do in Manhattan Beach. While in town, you can also check out my extended list of things to do in the South Bay or my page about other fun places to visit in Southern California, like San Diego, Carlsbad, La Jolla, and Los Olivos.
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Such an awesome place to visit! And so many things to do!
I’ve always wanted to visit this beach just to people watch..watch the surfers and watch the volleyball games.. it’s such a massive beach!
I have visited Manhattan Beach a number of times and have yet to attend a concert at Polliwog Park or visit the Roundhouse Aquarium! And the pumpkin races look so cute!! Can’t wait to return to Manhattan Beach and enjoy all of these fun things!
Having grown up at a beach in Australia I always love visiting beaches as I travel. And this one looks like one I must visit. Thanks for the inspiration.