Weekend in Manhattan Beach, CA: Top Things to See and Do in 48 Hours

With expansive sandy coastline, surf-friendly water, and a bustling cycling and walking trail named The Strand, Manhattan Beach delivers a traditional Southern California coastal experience. Its charming Manhattan Beach Pier, which includes a tiny public aquarium at the end, is a favorite place for photography, sunset views, and people-watching. Inland, the downtown area features renowned eateries, casual cafés, and stylish shops, all walkable from the beach. Clean neighborhoods, an active outdoor lifestyle, and a friendly community vibe make the city especially appealing to beachgoers, runners, and cyclists.

Planning a visit to Manhattan Beach but running out of time? We’ve selected the best Manhattan Beach attractions to cover in just two days so you can make the most of your visit. We’ll ensure you don’t skip major highlights like Simmzy’s Restaurant, the Manhattan Beach Pier, and Manhattan Village. To help you experience the full flavor of the city, we’ve also included several beloved local restaurants such as Manhattan Pizzeria and Nando Trattoria. Let’s get started!

Manhattan Beach sits along the northern border of Redondo Beach and Hermosa Beach, and south of the Santa Monica area of the Los Angeles coastline. In Los Angeles, owning or renting a car is extremely helpful due to the city’s size and the limitations of public transportation. If you want to explore multiple neighborhoods or attractions, renting a car is essential. Parking can be expensive or competitive depending on the area, but having your own vehicle gives you the flexibility to come and go on your schedule. Just be prepared to pay hotel parking fees—this is normal across most of L.A.

To kick off your trip, the first day is packed with Manhattan Beach’s most popular sites. Factoring in the average time spent at each destination plus walking or short driving time between them, the full day should take about seven hours.

Start your morning with a sunrise kayaking trip across the forests of kelp just offshore. Glide across calm water while the ocean lights up with the sunrise. Sea lions often swim nearby, and the crisp coastal air will wake you up instantly.

After kayaking, grab a hot coffee and fresh pastry at a local favorite such as Love & Salt—a café-style spot with incredible ocean views, fresh pastries, and a warm morning atmosphere. If you prefer something more elegant, treat yourself to a beachfront breakfast at the Ritz-Carlton’s coastal restaurant for a hint of luxury to start your day.

Stretching 928 feet into the Pacific Ocean, the historic Manhattan Beach Pier is the city’s most iconic landmark. Throughout the year, street performers, artisans, and local vendors create a lively scene along the pier. At the end sits a small aquarium featuring marine exhibits and educational displays. Surfers and boogie boarders can be seen riding powerful waves on both sides of the pier, adding energy to the atmosphere.

Manhattan Beach is widely known as the “Beach Volleyball Capital of the World.” Along the pier, plaques honoring past beach volleyball champions commemorate the city’s long-standing connection to the sport.

Located just above the beach, The Strand House is a beloved dining spot known for refined California cuisine, seasonal menus, and floor-to-ceiling beach views. The atmosphere blends upscale coastal style with warm service. Chef-driven dishes focus on locally sourced ingredients—popular menu highlights often include squash curry, fresh seafood entrees, and the locally loved avocado salad with chile. Vegetarian and beef options are available as well, making it a good choice for groups with mixed tastes.

Bruce’s Beach is a peaceful green space with strong historical significance. Once owned by Charles and Willa Bruce, the property was home to a thriving Black-owned beach resort in the early 1900s—a rare haven for African-American beachgoers during an era of segregation. The land was later seized from the family through discriminatory actions. Today, Bruce’s Beach serves as both a scenic park and an important symbol of resilience and local history.

Visitors can stroll along the sloping lawns, enjoy ocean views, or walk down toward the shore and pier. It’s a quiet escape paired with powerful cultural meaning.

A beachside pizzeria serving New York–style pies, calzones, sandwiches, and casual comfort food. The atmosphere has a hint of classic NYC street-corner pizza culture—thanks in part to owner Bobby Eskowitz, originally from Brooklyn and a former staff member at Spago. His experience shows in the crunchy-yet-chewy slices that keep both locals and tourists coming back.

A stylish, cozy Italian restaurant specializing in homemade pastas, freshly baked breads, and rustic Italian dishes. The family-run feel gives the place charm, while the menu includes standout items like Cavoletti Ortolani and Gemelli San Marco. Warm lighting and intimate design create the perfect setting for a relaxing dinner.

A lively American restaurant known for steaks, fresh seafood, signature cocktails, and oak-grilled artichokes smothered in garlic aioli. The menu covers a range from casual surf-and-turf dishes to more creative entrées. Prices are a bit higher than average, but the food quality and fun atmosphere make it worth it.

A casual spot offering New York–style pizzas, pasta, salads, subs, and wings. Regulars praise the friendly owner, the consistently delicious pizza, and the thoughtful little touches—like treats for kids. The laid-back, beachy atmosphere makes it perfect for a quick, satisfying meal after a long day.

Start your second day with something light and cheerful. Blue Bottle Coffee House and other nearby cafés serve fresh pastries, artisan brews, and a friendly morning vibe.

Day two focuses on the city center. Manhattan Village, a modern and stylish shopping hub, is the perfect place to start. With its recent renovation, you’ll find open-air dining patios, upscale boutiques, home goods shops, and plenty of places to relax. By the time you head toward Simmzy’s, you’ll be in full weekend mode.

Manhattan Village combines indoor and outdoor shopping areas with high-end retailers, cozy cafés, and elegant dining spaces. Popular stores range from lifestyle brands and clothing boutiques to home goods shops and essentials. Ample seating areas make it easy to rest between browsing, and parking is generally smooth—though some areas are time-limited, so take note of posted signs.

Just a short drive from Manhattan Beach sits the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, a spacious venue hosting ballets, concerts, musicals, cultural showcases, and speaker events. It has a modern lobby, substantial backstage rehearsal space, and comfortable seating. Though some past guests have mentioned occasional organizational issues during specific events, the venue remains popular for its versatility and large-scale productions.

A local favorite, Polliwog Park is a massive recreational space featuring:

• A large pond with ducks and turtles
• A 12,500-square-foot playground with a natural theme
• A historic wooden galleon ship for kids
• A dog run
• A nine-hole disc golf course
• Shaded picnic areas with tables and barbecues
• An amphitheater for community events

It’s an excellent spot to recharge, especially if you’re traveling with family.

Simmzy’s is a Manhattan Beach staple, known for craft beers, burgers, seafood dishes, tacos, and its breezy, coastal-chic atmosphere. Locals love the friendly service, outdoor seating, and ocean-adjacent location. Popular dishes include cauliflower tacos, chicken tinga tacos, and grilled fish tacos. It’s the ideal spot to wind down after shopping or park-hopping.

A creative Japanese pub-style restaurant offering inventive rolls, sushi, sashimi, hot appetizers, and signature cocktails. Master Sushi Chef Katsuya Uechi’s dishes blend Japanese tradition with bold, modern twists. This place buzzes with energy during peak hours.

A classic 24-hour Manhattan Beach restaurant with a wide-ranging American menu. The casual environment welcomes visitors day or night. Standout items include spicy chicken parmesan, crab cake po’ boy sandwiches, pot roast Benedict, and warm, house-made muffins often served with coffee during breakfast rushes.

A laid-back and family-friendly restaurant featuring gourmet burgers, fresh salads, cold beers, and tropical drinks. The atmosphere is bright, fun, and relaxed, with comfortable interior seating and a heated outdoor patio—perfect for warm evenings or casual group dining.

A straightforward, no-frills New York–style pizza shop serving classic pies, pasta dishes, and Italian-American comfort favorites. Simple, reliable, and extremely satisfying after a long day of walking.

For a stay that keeps you close to Manhattan Beach’s top attractions, book Manhattan Inn & Suites. It’s a convenient, comfortable base for exploring everything the area has to offer.