ShellByTheShore · Local Guide

A considered guide to the coast.

A useful starting point for easy beach days, South Bay evenings, and classic Los Angeles coastal excursions. Use it as a local frame of reference, then check directly for live details before you go.

Explore nearby

Local Guide map

Host-selected recommendations and useful nearby places, with Food, Coffee and Breakfast centered on the El Porto area.

Manhattan Beach · Beaches

Manhattan Beach

Classic South Bay beach with the Strand, volleyball, walking and cycling.

El Porto Beach

North Manhattan Beach surf area and one of the closest beach experiences to Shell By The Shore.

ShellByTheShore Pick

Manhattan Beach · Attractions

Manhattan Beach Pier

Landmark pier at the center of downtown Manhattan Beach with beach and ocean views.

ShellByTheShore Pick

South Bay · Activities

The Strand

The oceanfront path for strolling, running, cycling, and people-watching.

Manhattan Beach · Shopping

Manhattan Village

An open-air shopping destination with a range of stores and dining.

Manhattan Beach · Food

Manhattan Beach Farmers Market

A local market held in downtown Manhattan Beach; check current information before visiting.

Fishing With Dynamite

Popular downtown Manhattan Beach seafood and oyster spot near the Pier.

ShellByTheShore Pick

Manhattan Beach Post

Downtown restaurant known for shared plates, brunch and cocktails.

ShellByTheShore Pick

The Strand House

Coastal dining near Manhattan Beach Pier with ocean views.

The Arthur J

Manhattan Beach steakhouse for a more upscale dinner.

Rockefeller - Manhattan Beach

Casual gastropub option for brunch, dinner and cocktails.

Manhattan Beach · Coffee

Two Guns Espresso

A local coffee stop near the beach.

Verve Coffee Roasters

Specialty coffee stop in the downtown and Metlox area.

Manhattan Beach · Groceries

Trader Joe's

Convenient option for everyday groceries, snacks, prepared foods and beach-trip essentials.

Everyday Grocery

Gelson's Manhattan Beach

Premium supermarket with groceries, prepared foods and specialty items.

Premium & Organic

Erewhon Manhattan Beach

Organic-focused market with prepared foods, smoothies and specialty grocery items.

Premium & Organic

Bristol Farms

Premium grocery market with prepared foods, produce and specialty items.

Premium & Organic

Manhattan Beach · Breakfast

Uncle Bill's Pancake House

Classic Manhattan Beach breakfast spot near downtown and the beach.

ShellByTheShore Pick

Bluestone Lane Manhattan Beach Café

Coffee, breakfast and brunch near downtown Manhattan Beach.

Sloopy's Beach Cafe

Casual North Manhattan Beach breakfast and lunch option close to the coast.

The Hive

Healthy café option for bowls, smoothies, coffee and lighter breakfast choices.

Manhattan Beach · Parking

Manhattan Beach Public Parking

Public beach-area parking; check posted rules and availability on arrival.

Hermosa Beach · Beaches

Hermosa Beach

Wide sandy beach with volleyball, the Strand and easy access to Pier Avenue.

ShellByTheShore Pick

Longfellow Beach

Quieter stretch toward North Hermosa, convenient from Manhattan Beach.

Hermosa Beach · Attractions

Hermosa Beach Pier

Central Hermosa Beach landmark at the end of Pier Avenue.

Hermosa Beach · Groceries

Boccato's Groceries

Neighborhood grocery and deli option near the beach.

Local Market

Trader Joe's - Hermosa Beach

Convenient grocery option along Pacific Coast Highway.

Everyday Grocery

Lazy Acres Market - Hermosa Beach

Organic and specialty grocery market with prepared foods.

Premium & Organic

Hermosa Beach · Food

Baran's 2239

Small South Bay restaurant known for creative contemporary dishes.

ShellByTheShore Pick

Radici

Italian dining option near the Hermosa Beach Pier area.

ShellByTheShore Pick

Steak & Whisky American Tavern

Steakhouse and cocktail destination in Hermosa Beach.

Hermosa Beach · Breakfast

Good Stuff - Hermosa Beach

Relaxed breakfast and brunch option directly by the beach.

ShellByTheShore Pick

Martha's Hermosa Beach

Longtime local breakfast and brunch spot close to the Strand.

ShellByTheShore Pick

The Source Café

Café offering coffee, juices, bakery items and lighter breakfast choices.

Cafe Minerva

Local café with coffee and casual breakfast options.

Hermosa Beach · Coffee

Hi-Fi Espresso - Hermosa Beach

Specialty coffee stop serving the South Bay.

Redondo Beach · Beaches

Redondo Beach

South Bay beach area with walking, ocean access and waterfront activities.

Seaside Lagoon

Seasonal family-oriented waterfront swimming area; check current operating information before visiting.

Redondo Beach · Attractions

Redondo Beach Pier

Waterfront pier area with restaurants, harbor views and walking.

ShellByTheShore Pick

King Harbor

Marina and waterfront area for harbor walks and coastal views.

Redondo Beach · Groceries

Trader Joe's - Redondo Beach

Convenient grocery option serving the Riviera Village area.

Everyday Grocery

Whole Foods Market

Organic and specialty grocery option with prepared foods.

Premium & Organic

Vons

Full-service supermarket for everyday grocery needs.

Everyday Grocery

Redondo Beach · Shopping

Riviera Village Farmers Market

Local market option when operating; check current information before visiting.

Local Market

Redondo Beach · Food

Jus' Poke

Casual South Bay poke stop well suited to a beach lunch.

ShellByTheShore Pick

Bettolino Kitchen

Italian restaurant near Riviera Village.

ShellByTheShore Pick

Riviera House

Coastal restaurant and cocktail option in the Riviera Village area.

Dominique's Kitchen

Small French-inspired neighborhood restaurant.

Bluewater Grill

Seafood restaurant near King Harbor and the Redondo waterfront.

Redondo Beach · Coffee

Offset Coffee Roasters

Specialty coffee option near Riviera Village.

ShellByTheShore Pick

Pursue Coffee

Local specialty coffee shop in Redondo Beach.

Hi-Fi Espresso - Redondo Beach

South Bay specialty coffee option.

Redondo Beach · Breakfast

Good Stuff - Redondo Beach

Casual breakfast and brunch option near the coast.

La Terraza

Local breakfast and coffee option in Redondo Beach.

Venice · Activities

Venice Beach Boardwalk

The lively oceanfront promenade for a distinctly Venice walk.

Venice · Attractions

Venice Canals

A quiet residential canal walk a short distance from the beach.

Venice · Shopping

Abbot Kinney Boulevard

Independent shops, galleries, coffee, and dining along a walkable corridor.

Santa Monica · Attractions

Santa Monica Pier

A landmark Pacific stop with beach access and ocean views.

Santa Monica · Shopping

Third Street Promenade

A pedestrian-oriented downtown shopping and walking area.

Malibu · Beaches

Malibu Surfrider Beach

An iconic Malibu shoreline beside the pier and historic lagoon area.

Malibu · Attractions

Malibu Pier

A scenic stop for Pacific views and a stroll over the water.

LAX · Airports

Los Angeles International Airport

The closest major airport for most ShellByTheShore guests.

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Choose your day

Start close to home

Manhattan Beach

Beach time, the Manhattan Beach Pier, The Strand, and downtown are easy to combine. Downtown offers a compact mix of restaurants, coffee, and shops; Bristol Farms and other markets make stocking the kitchen straightforward. For families, a beach-and-pier walk is a simple flexible outing. Parking is limited near the sand, so read posted signs and allow extra time on busy beach days.

A relaxed South Bay afternoon

Hermosa Beach

Hermosa is directly south along The Strand, reachable by car, bike, or a longer walk from Manhattan Beach. Center a visit on the beach and pier, then choose a nearby restaurant or evening spot. A nice unhurried plan is a late-afternoon shoreline walk followed by dinner; the atmosphere can become livelier after dark.

Waterfront and marina views

Redondo Beach

Continue south to Redondo for the pier, waterfront promenades, and marina area. It is a particularly easy choice for a family outing: pair a pier stroll with beach time and a casual meal. The waterfront has several parking areas, though availability and posted rules vary.

Boardwalk energy and canals

Venice Beach

Venice is north of the South Bay; rideshare or a car is generally simplest. Walk the boardwalk for its unmistakable character, then shift pace at the Venice Canals. Abbot Kinney is the place to browse independent shops, coffee, galleries, and restaurants. Visit as part of a combined Venice and Santa Monica day.

Pier, beach, and walkable streets

Santa Monica

Santa Monica works well after Venice or as its own outing. The pier and beachfront are the landmarks, while the surrounding downtown is made for walking and browsing. Third Street Promenade and nearby blocks offer shopping and places to pause. Drive times vary significantly with traffic, so keep the schedule loose.

A scenic half- or full-day escape

Malibu

Malibu is best treated as a flexible coastal drive rather than a tightly timed itinerary. Consider Surfrider Beach and Malibu Pier, then choose one or two scenic shoreline stops. Dining is available in and around Malibu, but plans are best made directly with the venue. Traffic and parking can change the rhythm of the day.

Airports & getting here

Arrive with room to breathe.

LAX is the closest major airport and the usual choice for the South Bay. Hollywood Burbank Airport and Long Beach Airport can be useful alternatives depending on your flight and onward plans, but they are farther from Manhattan Beach. Rental cars offer the most flexibility for Malibu and broader Los Angeles exploring; rideshare and taxis are convenient for LAX and local evenings. Traffic is variable throughout the region, so treat any driving estimate as approximate and leave a buffer.

Without a car

The immediate beach area is enjoyable on foot or by bike, and rideshare is useful between neighborhoods. For farther coastal days, a rental car makes timing and scenic stops easier. Check current transit schedules directly if you plan to rely on public transportation.

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