Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Series: Spending the Day in Manhattan Beach

2.6.26

Early surfers get the waves at Manhattan Beach. This itinerary features a sporty morning on the beach and gets you home early enough to wake up and do it all again the next day.

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Getting There

  • Metro: The 109 and 438 buses are the best ways to get into the area.
  • Driving: Park all day for free at a lot called Beach Parking on Ardmore. The entrance is located just across the street from 1140 N. Ardmore Ave.

Morning

  • 8:00am: First and foremost, begin your day with a fresh breakfast at the adorable, beachy Bluestone Lane Café.
  • 8:45am: Head West 3 blocks to the beach, which is a choose-your-own adventure. Option 1: Practice your spikes with your pals at any of the volleyball courts scattered along the beach. Option 2: Walk North along The Strand up to El Porto beach, about 35 minutes, to One Wave Surf School for a 90-minute lesson ($100/p). 
  • 11:30am: Meet back at the pier. Freshen up with a quick outdoor shower and change in the locker rooms before walking down to the end to Roundhouse Aquarium. For the low cost of free ($5 donation/p suggested), you can visit with over 100 marine animals.

Afternoon

  • 1:00pm: Just a block from the pier, head to Dash Dashi Sushi and Sake Bar for an affordable lunch special. Try the “Top Secret” roll (we don’t know what’s in it either because it’s the chef’s daily pick).
  • 1:45pm: Peruse the shops down Manhattan Ave. Check out Pages bookstore, three blocks down, before turning around. 
  • 2:30pm: Sweet treat o’clock! Choose from a wide selection of candies, chocolates, and ice creams at Manhattan Beach Creamery. Continue your shopping journey East on Manhattan Beach Blvd, ending at Metlox shopping center.
  • 4:30pm: Check in for a rejuvenating treatment of your choice at the chic Trilogy Spa ($85+). 

Evening 

  • 6:30pm: For dinner, pop on over to Fishing With Dynamite, an oyster-heavy seafood favorite with a remarkable key lime pie.
  • 7:30pm: Go on a mini bar crawl, stopping at two laid back spots with a local vibe - Shellback Tavern just across from the beach and Ercole’s on the next block over. If you’re feeling more like a diva than a dive, check out the self-described “disco-meets-speakeasy” spot, X Speakeasy. Head home whenever you’re ready, and please remember to drive responsibly!

Tips

  • Total walk time: 1h 48m (surfing) or 42m (volleyball)
  • This itinerary can be done Tuesday - Sunday, except Roundhouse Aquarium opens at 2pm Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
  • We suggest making advance reservations for One Wave Surf School, Trilogy Spa, and Fishing With Dynamite. If you choose a volleyball adventure, don’t forget to bring a ball!
  • Never miss an opportunity to watch the sun set over the ocean! Since you’re only a couple of blocks from the beach, we suggest you flex your schedule accordingly and/or move your dinner plans to The Strand House, which has an excellent beach view.
  • If you’ve got extra time, drive a short distance inland to visit Pollywog park and its native plant botanical garden (free).

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