Why visit Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach offers the quintessential upscale California beach day: a beautiful wide beach, a photogenic pier with a free little aquarium, and a compact downtown where you can walk from the sand to excellent restaurants and shops in minutes. It's also a great spot to watch top-level beach volleyball and to cycle the Strand, the paved path running along the South Bay shore.
Manhattan Beach was incorporated in 1912, its name reportedly chosen by an early developer who was fond of New York's Manhattan. The city grew as a seaside resort and residential community, and its beach became a cradle of California beach volleyball, hosting major tournaments for generations. The Manhattan Beach Pier, built in its current concrete form in the 1920s, anchors the shoreline and houses the Roundhouse Aquarium at its end. The city's beach was also historically linked to Bruce's Beach, a resort owned by a Black family in the early 20th century whose story of dispossession has been formally acknowledged in recent years.
Top Attractions
- Manhattan Beach Pier
A landmark concrete pier with sweeping ocean views and the small, free Roundhouse Aquarium at its end.
- The Strand
A scenic beachfront walking and cycling path running for miles along the South Bay shoreline.
- Manhattan Beach
A wide, clean sand beach famous for swimming, surfing, and a long tradition of beach volleyball.
- Downtown Manhattan Beach
A walkable, upscale village of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants steps from the sand.
- Roundhouse Aquarium
A free, family-friendly marine education center at the end of the pier with touch tanks and local sea life.
- Bruce's Beach
A bluff-top park whose history honors a Black family's early resort and its later, recently acknowledged dispossession.
A Suggested Day
- 1Fuel up with a classic breakfast at Uncle Bill's Pancake House.
- 2Walk out onto the Manhattan Beach Pier and visit the free Roundhouse Aquarium.
- 3Rent a beach cruiser and ride the Strand along the shoreline.
- 4Spend the early afternoon on the sand, watching or joining a beach volleyball game.
- 5Browse the boutiques of downtown and stop for shared plates at MB Post.
- 6Watch the sunset with dinner and ocean views at The Strand House.
Where to Eat
- The Strand HouseCalifornia fine dining
An upscale restaurant overlooking the pier, known for sunset views and seasonal coastal cuisine.
- Manhattan Beach Post (MB Post)Gastropub / small plates
A buzzy, acclaimed shared-plates spot from chef David LeFevre, famous for its bacon-cheddar biscuits.
- Fishing with DynamiteSeafood / oyster bar
A tiny, beloved raw bar and seafood gem, also from David LeFevre.
- Uncle Bill's Pancake HouseBreakfast
A classic, long-running beach-town breakfast spot with reliably long but worthwhile lines.
Where to Stay
- BoutiqueShade Hotel
A modern, eco-minded boutique hotel a short walk from the pier and downtown.
- Mid-rangeThe Belamar Hotel
A stylish Tapestry Collection hotel slightly inland, with a pool and easy beach access.
Best Photo Spots
- 📸 Manhattan Beach Pier and Roundhouse at sunset
- 📸 The Strand looking down the coast
- 📸 Volleyball courts on the sand
- 📸 Downtown's ocean-view streets sloping to the pier
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Top Attractions Near Manhattan Beach
BeachesHermosa Beach Pier
The Hermosa Beach Pier anchors a lively beach town where a pedestrian plaza spills straight onto the sand. It is a laid-back South Bay spot known for volleyball, sunsets, and an energetic dining and nightlife scene.
BeachesRedondo Beach Pier
The Redondo Beach Pier is a horseshoe-shaped landmark packed with seafood eateries, shops, and harbor views. Its mix of waterfront dining, fishing, and family activities makes it the most bustling of the South Bay piers.
Manhattan Beach FAQ
Is the Roundhouse Aquarium free?
Admission is free with a suggested donation; check the official Roundhouse Aquarium website for current hours.
Can I rent bikes to ride the Strand?
Yes, beach-cruiser rentals are available near the pier and downtown; the flat, paved Strand is ideal for all skill levels.
Is Manhattan Beach close to LAX?
Yes, it's roughly a 15-minute drive from Los Angeles International Airport, depending on traffic.