5 Miles south of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). Take Interstate 105 and South on the 405 freeway. Exit Rosecrans or Inglewood Avenue or Artesia and head west.
The Strand, officially called the Marvin Braude Bike Trail, begins just north of Santa Monica and runs all the way down the coast to Torrance with a stop in Manhattan Beach along the way. So from any beach in the Los Angeles area, you are able to take the bike path directly in.
Bicycle, skate, or walk along the Strand, Manhattan Beach's picturesque boardwalk which spans along the Pacific. Multimillion dollar homes, busy sand volleyball courts, and bike paths line the walk.
The Manhattan Beach Pier on a typical summer day.33.8837-118.4141Manhattan Beach Pier.Perhaps one of the more picturesque piers in the South Bay Area, second only to Santa Monica Pier in size. The pier is 928 feet (283m) long and located at the end of Manhattan Beach Boulevard. An octagonal Mediterranean-style building sits at the end of the pier and houses the Roundhouse Marine Studies Lab & Aquarium. Surfers usually can be seen below the pier. The pier includes the "Volleyball Walk of Fame," featuring plaques dedicated to past winners of the Manhattan Beach Open beach volleyball tournament.
33.8885-118.38712Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden.The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden (2/3 acre) is a botanical garden located within Polliwog Park. The garden was first envisioned in 1992, with garden construction starting in 1994. In 1997 the garden became a nonprofit organization, and its grand opening was on Earth Day 2001. It consists primarily of plants native to California.
Manhattan Beach Grand Prix.The second oldest Pro-Am cycling race in America. Held during June or July. Circuit runs along Valley and Manhattan Beach Blvd.
Farmer's Market Tuesdays,451 Manhattan Beach Blvd.(near the Metlox shopping center in Downtown Manhattan Beach),manhattanbeachfm@gmail.com.Every Tuesday. 11AM-4PM during the winter & 11AM-5PM during the summer.Buy locally-grown fruits, vegetables, and flowers. Delicious foods prepared hot are also available.
33.89779-118.412581Sand Dune Park.Sand Dune Park is small park that features a tall, steep sand dune that is extremely popular for use as a fitness area. On any given day dozens of people can be found walking and running up the sandy hillside, with participants ranging in ability from hobby walkers to professional athletes; NHL players, USC and UCLA football players, volleyball players, boxers, fighters, sprinters and WNBA players have all been known to train at the park.
Manhattan Village,3200 Sepulveda Blvd.(Head inland on Pier Ave. and turn left onto Valley Dr.),☏ +1 310 546-5556.This is the local shopping mall with a good selection of stores to choose from.(updated Apr 2015)
The shops and boutiques along Manhattan Avenue, stretching down to the pier provide the best flavor of this upscale community.
Manhattan Beach is known for its numerous breakfast spots. Many people consider breakfast to be the meal that the town does best. But beware, on weekends crowds can be heavy and waits can be long.
The Kettle,1138 Highland Ave(on Manhattan Beach Blvd),☏ +1 310 545-8511.A 24hr eatery with lots of local character.(updated Apr 2015)
Local Yolk,3415 Highland Ave,☏ +1 310 546-4407.In El Porto. A surfers breakfast joint with renowned omelets and diner fare.(updated Apr 2015)
Petros,451 Manhattan Beach Blvd,☏ +1 310 545-4100.#B110 (In Metlox, downtown). Upscale Greek food, named Top New Restaurant in the 2007 Los Angeles Zagat guide.
Love & Salt,317 Manhattan Beach Blvd,☏ +1 310 545-5252.Italian Bistro with sky dome lights and a distinct twist on pasta incorporating bone marrow. Mmm, who's hungry?
Shellback Tavern,116 Manhattan Beach Blvd,☏ +1 310 376-7857.M-F 10:30AM-2AM, Sa Su 9AM-2AM.Known for its pizza and reasonably-priced drinks.(updated Jun 2020)
33.8852-118.411Simmzys,229 Manhattan Beach Blvd.Delicious hamburgers with bleu cheese. Many beers as well but all seem to be American.(updated Aug 2020)
33.919147-118.4155362El Segundo - The city's northern neighbor is mostly an industrial town, although visitors are generally surprised to find a sleepy downtown that is home to numerous restaurants and bars.
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