Manhattan Beach
Classic South Bay beach with the Strand, volleyball, walking and cycling.
ShellByTheShore · Local Guide
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
Host-selected recommendations and useful nearby places, with Food, Coffee and Breakfast centered on the El Porto area.
Classic South Bay beach with the Strand, volleyball, walking and cycling.
North Manhattan Beach surf area and one of the closest beach experiences to Shell By The Shore.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Landmark pier at the center of downtown Manhattan Beach with beach and ocean views.
ShellByTheShore Pick
The oceanfront path for strolling, running, cycling, and people-watching.
An open-air shopping destination with a range of stores and dining.
A local market held in downtown Manhattan Beach; check current information before visiting.
Popular downtown Manhattan Beach seafood and oyster spot near the Pier.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Downtown restaurant known for shared plates, brunch and cocktails.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Coastal dining near Manhattan Beach Pier with ocean views.
Manhattan Beach steakhouse for a more upscale dinner.
Casual gastropub option for brunch, dinner and cocktails.
A local coffee stop near the beach.
Specialty coffee stop in the downtown and Metlox area.
Convenient option for everyday groceries, snacks, prepared foods and beach-trip essentials.
Everyday Grocery
Premium supermarket with groceries, prepared foods and specialty items.
Premium & Organic
Organic-focused market with prepared foods, smoothies and specialty grocery items.
Premium & Organic
Premium grocery market with prepared foods, produce and specialty items.
Premium & Organic
Classic Manhattan Beach breakfast spot near downtown and the beach.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Coffee, breakfast and brunch near downtown Manhattan Beach.
Casual North Manhattan Beach breakfast and lunch option close to the coast.
Healthy café option for bowls, smoothies, coffee and lighter breakfast choices.
Public beach-area parking; check posted rules and availability on arrival.
Wide sandy beach with volleyball, the Strand and easy access to Pier Avenue.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Quieter stretch toward North Hermosa, convenient from Manhattan Beach.
Central Hermosa Beach landmark at the end of Pier Avenue.
Neighborhood grocery and deli option near the beach.
Local Market
Convenient grocery option along Pacific Coast Highway.
Everyday Grocery
Organic and specialty grocery market with prepared foods.
Premium & Organic
Small South Bay restaurant known for creative contemporary dishes.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Italian dining option near the Hermosa Beach Pier area.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Steakhouse and cocktail destination in Hermosa Beach.
Relaxed breakfast and brunch option directly by the beach.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Longtime local breakfast and brunch spot close to the Strand.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Café offering coffee, juices, bakery items and lighter breakfast choices.
Local café with coffee and casual breakfast options.
Specialty coffee stop serving the South Bay.
South Bay beach area with walking, ocean access and waterfront activities.
Seasonal family-oriented waterfront swimming area; check current operating information before visiting.
Waterfront pier area with restaurants, harbor views and walking.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Marina and waterfront area for harbor walks and coastal views.
Convenient grocery option serving the Riviera Village area.
Everyday Grocery
Organic and specialty grocery option with prepared foods.
Premium & Organic
Full-service supermarket for everyday grocery needs.
Everyday Grocery
Local market option when operating; check current information before visiting.
Local Market
Casual South Bay poke stop well suited to a beach lunch.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Italian restaurant near Riviera Village.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Coastal restaurant and cocktail option in the Riviera Village area.
Small French-inspired neighborhood restaurant.
Seafood restaurant near King Harbor and the Redondo waterfront.
Specialty coffee option near Riviera Village.
ShellByTheShore Pick
Local specialty coffee shop in Redondo Beach.
South Bay specialty coffee option.
Casual breakfast and brunch option near the coast.
Local breakfast and coffee option in Redondo Beach.
The lively oceanfront promenade for a distinctly Venice walk.
A quiet residential canal walk a short distance from the beach.
Independent shops, galleries, coffee, and dining along a walkable corridor.
A landmark Pacific stop with beach access and ocean views.
A pedestrian-oriented downtown shopping and walking area.
An iconic Malibu shoreline beside the pier and historic lagoon area.
A scenic stop for Pacific views and a stroll over the water.
The closest major airport for most ShellByTheShore guests.
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Choose your day
Start close to home
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 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
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 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 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 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
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.
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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