Are you looking for a gorgeous little downtown with stunning sunsets on a clean beach, great restaurants, and a safe and happy vibe to spend the evening?

Manhattan Beach is the place! This coastal town sits between Hermosa Beach to the south and Los Angeles to the north, with a busy downtown district and great beach activities.  

My favorite thing to do when visiting is to walk along the Strand – a long walkway connecting Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach.

Pedestrians and cyclists use this path, but in Manhattan Beach, the bike trail splits away from the main trail, making for a more pleasant and safe walk. Walking the Strand, you can admire the multi-million dollar homes terraced on a gentle slope.

The separate bike trail is actually part of the longer Marvin Braude Bike Trail, which runs along Santa Monica Bay.

For a different view, walk on the pier and watch families playing on the sand, surfers waiting for the right wave, and fishermen.

After a long walk or bike ride, we head to the restaurants in downtown. Some of the restaurants have great views of the beach – some from rooftops.

 My favorites are Simmzy’s, Petros, Nick’s, and Magiamo.

We recently had dinner at Magiamo Ristorante – an Italian restaurant with a patio overlooking the ocean. The food, drinks, and dessert were excellent.

For starters, we had the Ahi Tuna Tartar Stack – an artful creation of Poke. Our main meals were the potato-crusted Halibut and the Skillet Braised Oxtail. Both were delicious and filling. For dessert, we tried the Butter cake and the Tiramisu. They were so tasty we wanted seconds.

This restaurant is expensive but worth it for the food and the view.

Here are a few fun things to do in Manhattan Beach:

At the Beach

As a coastal city, Manhattan Beach offers a variety of beach-related activities such as swimming, sunbathing, beach volleyball, surfing, and paddleboarding. You can also take leisurely walks along the shoreline or simply relax while enjoying the ocean view.

On the Pier

Take a stroll on the iconic Manhattan Beach Pier, enjoy the views, and watch the sunset. Fishing is also a popular activity on the pier.

Shopping and Dining

Manhattan Beach has a charming downtown area with boutique shops, cafes, restaurants, and eateries. Spend time shopping, trying out different cuisines, and enjoying the local atmosphere.

Beach Volleyball

If you're a beach volleyball fan, don't miss the annual Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball Tournament, which attracts top players and offers an exciting sporting spectacle. 

Of course, you don't have to wait for the tournament to enjoy a friendly match on the sand.

Botanical Garden

Experience tranquility in this beautiful garden that showcases a variety of California native plants.