Manhattan Beach — The Complete Guide
Two miles of the cleanest sand in LA. The oldest cement pier on the West Coast. A food scene that rivals any neighborhood in the city. And a history most people don't know. Manhattan Beach is what people picture when they imagine California beach life — but it's more than a postcard.
Unlike Santa Monica or Venice, Manhattan Beach isn't a tourist destination. It's a South Bay beach town with its own identity, its own world-class dining, and a story that spans a century — including one of the most powerful civil rights narratives attached to any beach in America.
The Beach
Manhattan Beach stretches over two miles along Santa Monica Bay, with 110 acres of clean, wide, flat sand. The beach is consistently rated among the cleanest in LA County, drawing nearly 4 million visitors annually.
El Porto (The Surf Zone)
The north end of Manhattan Beach, starting around 40th Street up to the El Segundo border, is where surfers go. El Porto has consistent beach break waves and is popular with beginners and experienced surfers alike. The vibe here is more raw and athletic than the polished downtown end. This is where you take a surf lesson, not the main beach.
Volleyball: The Capital of the World
That's not marketing — Manhattan Beach has roughly 80 courts along its two-mile stretch. The city hosts the legendary Charlie Saikley 6-Man Beach Volleyball Tournament every August (July 31‒August 3, 2025) and the AVP Manhattan Beach Open featuring the world's best professional players. Kobe Bryant, Dennis Rodman, and numerous NBA and NFL players have trained on this sand.
The Pier
The Manhattan Beach Pier is a 928-foot concrete structure — the oldest standing cement pier on the West Coast, completed in 1920 with a distinctive circular end designed to reduce wave damage to the pilings.
Roundhouse Aquarium
At the very end of the pier: a free aquarium inside the restored 1922 roundhouse building. Sharks, jellyfish, octopuses, and interactive exhibits about local marine life. Fully renovated in 2024. Free admission, open until sunset. Worth the walk out.
Surfing History
Dale Velzy, the first commercial surfboard shaper, started building and repairing boards under this pier before opening what's considered the first surf shop in history in 1950. Southern California surf culture was essentially born here.
On a clear day from the end of the pier, you can see Palos Verdes to the south, Catalina Island to the southwest, and the Malibu coast to the north. Pier fishing is license-free year-round (California exempts public piers).
Sand Dune Park
One of Manhattan Beach's best-kept secrets that's now an open secret. Sand Dune Park is a massive sand dune — one of the last remnants of the original dune landscape the city was built on — used as an outdoor workout. You run (or crawl) up the steep sandy slope, walk back down, repeat.
Kobe Bryant trained here regularly. So have numerous Lakers players and professional athletes. The dune is steep enough to humble anyone. Important: A reservation is required to use the slope (book at manhattanbeach.gov). The rest of the park — playground, picnic areas, restrooms, Sand Dune Nature Preserve — is free and open.
The dunes themselves are remnants of the original sand dune system that covered the entire South Bay before development. The park was built by local residents in 1978 on a converted dump site.
Bruce's Beach
This is the history that makes Manhattan Beach more than just a pretty beach town — and it's one of the most powerful stories attached to any beach in America.
In 1912, Charles and Willa Bruce, an African American couple, purchased beachfront property and built a resort — a lodge, café, and dance hall — that served as one of the only places where Black families could enjoy the Southern California coastline during the Jim Crow era. The resort thrived.
Racial hostility followed success. In the early 1920s, the KKK targeted the neighborhood with intimidation tactics. When that failed to drive the Bruces out, the city of Manhattan Beach used eminent domain in 1924, claiming it needed the land for a public park. The resort was demolished in 1927. The Bruces received just $14,500 in settlement — about $250,000 in today's dollars. The land sat undeveloped for decades.
In 2020, the story resurfaced during the national racial reckoning. Community activist Kavon Ward led the push for return. In 2021, Governor Newsom signed SB 796 allowing LA County to return the beachfront property to the Bruce family descendants. The deed was officially handed over in July 2022 — the first time a government entity in the US had returned land to a Black family as a form of reparations.
In January 2023, the Bruce family sold the land back to LA County for $20 million, finally rebuilding the generational wealth that had been stolen nearly a century earlier. The city formally apologized for its role in the racially motivated seizure.
Bruce's Beach Park sits on the hillside above the original beachfront property, with ocean views and a commemorative plaque. It's a 5-minute walk from the pier. Visit it.
Where to Eat
Manhattan Beach has one of the best food scenes in the South Bay — and arguably one of the best in all of greater LA for its size. Chef David LeFevre's restaurant empire anchors the downtown dining scene.
Fishing with Dynamite — LeFevre's 40-seat oyster bar. Michelin Plate recognition, multiple times on OpenTable's Top 100 Best in America. Oysters, key lime pie, koshihikari rice with uni. Reservations book a month out. (Manhattan Beach Blvd)
Manhattan Beach Post (MB Post) — LeFevre's farm-to-table small plates. The cheddar bacon biscuits at weekend brunch are legendary.
The Arthur J — LeFevre's steakhouse. Mid-century modern, dark leather booths. One of the few restaurants here where people actually dress up.
The Strand House — Floor-to-ceiling glass windows overlooking the Pacific. Come for sunset margaritas; the StrandBar downstairs is a locals' favorite.
Rock'N Fish — Cajun-inspired seafood. Famous for the Navy Grog cocktail. Great patio.
Ercoles — The legendary dive bar. Cash only, no-frills, since 1927. One of the oldest bars in the South Bay.
Uncle Bill's Pancake House — The classic Manhattan Beach breakfast spot. Lines on weekends. Worth it.
Manhattan Beach Creamery — The famous "Cream'wich" ice cream sandwich. You will not leave without one.
The Strand
The beachfront walking and cycling path running the full length of Manhattan Beach (connecting to Hermosa Beach and beyond). Flat, paved, ocean views the whole way. The homes along the Strand are some of the most expensive real estate in California — walking it is equal parts exercise and real estate window shopping.
Getting There & Parking
By car: About 15 minutes from LAX, 30‒45 minutes from central LA. Take the 405 to Rosecrans Avenue west, or PCH south from Santa Monica.
Parking: Over 800 public spaces. Metered street parking downtown ($2‒3/hour). Beach lots along Highland/Vista Del Mar charge $5‒9/day depending on season. Public lots near the pier. Weekends fill up — arrive before 9am in summer.
Transit: Beach Cities Transit Route 109. Not great transit access — this is primarily a drive-to destination.
What to Know
- Manhattan Beach is its own city — its own mayor, police, fire. Population ~35,000.
- The beach faces west — full Pacific sunset every evening.
- The Waikiki sand story: In the late 1920s, the city shipped Manhattan Beach sand to Waikiki Beach, Hawaii. Local lore says this continued for nearly a decade.
- The Light Gate: Every late January, the setting sun aligns between buildings on Highland Avenue, creating a spectacular light corridor. (2025 date: January 27.)
- Concerts in the Park — Free concerts at Polliwog Park every Saturday in July and August.
- International Surf Festival — July 30‒August 3, 2025 across Manhattan, Hermosa, Redondo, and Torrance beaches.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the story of Bruce's Beach? In 1912, Charles and Willa Bruce, a Black couple, built a beachfront resort for African American families during the Jim Crow era. In 1924, Manhattan Beach used eminent domain — spurred by KKK intimidation — to seize the land. In July 2022, the land was officially returned to the Bruce family descendants, the first government reparations of land to a Black family in US history. The family then sold the land back to LA County for $20 million in January 2023.
Is parking free at Manhattan Beach? No. Metered street parking applies in the downtown area. Public lots near the pier cost $5‒9/day depending on season. Arrive before 9am on summer weekends to find a spot.
Do I need a reservation for Sand Dune Park? Yes — a reservation is required to use the sand dune slope itself due to overcrowding issues. The rest of the park (playground, picnic areas, nature preserve) is free and open without a reservation. Book at manhattanbeach.gov.
Is Manhattan Beach good for surfing? El Porto (the northern end near 40th Street) is the surf zone — consistent beach break, good for beginners and intermediate surfers. The main beach near the pier is calmer. Dale Velzy, considered the first commercial surfboard shaper, started under the Manhattan Beach pier before opening the world's first surf shop in 1950.
What is the Roundhouse Aquarium? A free aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier, housed in the historic 1922 roundhouse building. Fully renovated in 2024 with sharks, jellyfish, octopuses, and interactive exhibits. Open until sunset most days. Free admission.
Is Manhattan Beach its own city? Yes. Manhattan Beach is an independent city with its own mayor, police, and fire department. Population about 35,000. It is not part of the City of Los Angeles.
Is Manhattan Beach crowded? Manhattan Beach is popular but generally less crowded than Santa Monica or Venice Beach. The South Bay vibe is more relaxed and local. Summer weekends can get busy, so arriving early is recommended.
What is there to do in Manhattan Beach? Beyond the beautiful beach itself, Manhattan Beach offers the Manhattan Beach Pier, excellent volleyball courts, a charming downtown with shops and restaurants, and the Strand bike path.
Nearby
- Hermosa Beach — Adjacent to the south. More bars, more nightlife, the Comedy & Magic Club.
- Santa Monica Beach — 20 minutes north on PCH.
- Venice Beach — 25 minutes north. The boardwalk, the canals, Abbot Kinney.
