Major city · United States
Manhattan Beach
Two nights is enough: one for the pier and The Strand, one for downtown. Come Apr–Oct; skip July 4 weekend unless you want crowds.
Manhattan Beach is a small, wealthy South Bay beach town about 5 miles south of LAX, built around a 928 ft pier, a flat beachfront path called The Strand, and a compact downtown of restaurants and boutiques. It is a place to sleep, walk and eat rather than to sightsee: two nights covers it, and it works well as a low-stress first or last stop of an LA trip because the airport is 15–25 minutes away.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- USD
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, marine layer, higher room rates), late Nov–early Jan (holiday rates)
- Airport
- LAX
- Nights
- 2
Rules in force · 7Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs …Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but ta…
- North America ↗Crossing between the US, Canada and Mexico by land needs your passport even on a day trip; rental cars need the company's written permission to cross, and most US and Canadian rental insurance stops at the Mexican border.
- North America ↗Cannabis is legal in Canada and in many US states, but taking any amount across the US, Canadian or Mexican border is a federal crime — including edibles and vapes.
- North America ↗The busiest US and Canadian national parks need timed-entry, campsite or lodge reservations in summer; release dates are months ahead.
- United States ↗Check whether you need an ESTA (Visa Waiver Program) or a visa on the official CBP and State Department sites; apply only through esta.cbp.dhs.gov, not third-party sites, and allow time before you book.
- United States ↗Several popular national parks use timed-entry or vehicle reservations in peak season; check each park's page on nps.gov and book on recreation.gov before fixing your dates.
- United States ↗Medical care is very expensive for visitors; buy travel insurance with high medical cover before you fly.
- United States ↗Tipping is expected: about 15–20% at sit-down restaurants and bars, and a tip for taxis, hotel staff and guides.
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Manhattan Beach911 ▾
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Manhattan Beach Police (non-emergency)310-545-4566
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Manhattan Beach, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the US dollar (USD, $).United States-wide
- SIM or eSIMAT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile cover the country; prepaid SIMs at their stores and Walmart/Target (passport required), or an eSIM before you fly.United States-wide
- Tap waterTap water is drinkable nearly everywhere; boil or treat water from streams in parks.United States-wide
- TippingSit-down restaurant: 18–22% of the pre-tax bill.United States-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.United States-wide
- SafetyA low-crime, well-lit beach town; the real risks are rip currents, sunburn, and parking or beach rules enforced with tickets.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsFree public toilets are scarce in big cities; use cafés, department stores, libraries, stations.United States-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police, fire, ambulance · 310-545-4566 Manhattan Beach Police (non-emergency)
- Sundays & holidaysFederal holidays close offices, banks and post offices; national parks stay open.United States-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLAX Los Angeles International (About 5 miles north; 15–25 min by car or rideshare outside rush hour, longer on the 405 at peak.).
- Getting aroundThe town is walkable: downtown to the pier is about 10 minutes on foot, and The Strand runs the length of the beach for bikes and pedestrians.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- Coffee$4–7
- Sit-down mealDinner main, mid-range restaurant$25–45
- Street or quick mealBreakfast plate at a diner$14–22
- BeerDraft beer at a bar$8–12
- Budget bedHostel or budget motel bed, a night, per personUS$60
- Mid-range bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$260
- High-end bedMid-range hotel double room, a night, per roomUS$420
A day, not counting the bed: Budget US$110 · Mid US$190 · High US$320
Prices in local money; change the currency in the header to see yours next to them. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LAX Los Angeles International (About 5 miles north; 15–25 min by car or rideshare outside rush hour, longer on the 405 at peak.)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid*
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Feb
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Mar
not flagged
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Apr
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
May
Best
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
Jun
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Jul
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Aug
Avoid
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Sep
Best
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
Oct
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
Nov
Avoid*
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
Dec
Avoid
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Best: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct. Avoid: Jul–Aug, Nov–Jan. Month by month →
Warmest Jul (25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)), coolest Jan (9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest Jul (0). Averages, not a forecast.
* only part of the month (early, mid or late).
Weather and climate
Manhattan Beach: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
Loading…
Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
6 rd
Feb
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
6 rd
Mar
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 rd
Apr
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
May
21°C (70°F)70°F (21°C)
14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C)
1 rd
Jun
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
1 rd
Jul
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
0 rd
Aug
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
18°C (64°F)64°F (18°C)
0 rd
Sep
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
17°C (63°F)63°F (17°C)
1 rd
Oct
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
2 rd
Nov
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3 rd
Dec
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
The town is walkable: downtown to the pier is about 10 minutes on foot, and The Strand runs the length of the beach for bikes and pedestrians. Metro K Line (Marine Ave station) links to LAX-area connections; local buses run along the main streets. A car or rideshare helps for anywhere inland, and parking near the beach fills early on sunny weekends.
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Hermosa Beach
goDoor to door: 20–35 min on foot
Walk or bike south along The Strand
Pier, bars and a livelier evening scene next door.
Redondo Beach
goDoor to door: 30–45 min
Continue south on The Strand or take a short rideshare
King Harbor and the pier area; good for a half day.
El Segundo
goDoor to door: 15–25 min
Bike or drive north along the coast
Small downtown with breweries and restaurants; close to LAX.
Door to door: 35–50 min
Drive south on I-110 or the coast route
Ports, USS Iowa and Point Fermin; a half-day with a car.
Torrance
cautionDoor to door: 20–30 min
Drive or rideshare inland
Mostly residential and shopping; not a sightseeing stop.
Door to door: 20–35 min
Drive north on La Cienega or I-405
Worth it only for a game or concert at the stadium district.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Downtown / near the pier
Walk to the pier, The Strand and most restaurants. Highest rates; book early for summer weekends.
Sepulveda Blvd corridor
Chain hotels 1–2 miles inland; cheaper, needs a car or rideshare to reach the beach.
El Porto / north end
Quieter surf end near the El Segundo border; good for early beach walks.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- $90–150 excl. bed
- Mid
- $150–260 excl. bed
- High
- $260+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Mid-range hotel double room1 × 2 nights × US$260 | US$520 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 2 days × US$190 | US$760 |
| Rideshare LAX to Manhattan Beach, both ways2 × US$60 · check | US$120 |
| Bike rental, one day2 × US$40 · check | US$80 |
| eSIM, about a week of data2 × US$20 | US$40 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | US$152 |
| Trip total≈ US$418 per person per day, bed included | US$1,672 |
2026 estimate in US dollars; prices shown before sales tax. Flights excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | $4–7 |
| Breakfast plate at a diner | $14–22 |
| Casual lunch (burger, taco, sandwich) | $15–25 |
| Dinner main, mid-range restaurant | $25–45 |
| Draft beer at a bar | $8–12 |
| Rideshare LAX to downtown Manhattan BeachHigher at peak times and surge. | $20–40 |
| Beach parking lot, per hourcheck | $2–5 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Parking near the pier and downtown is metered and enforced; lots fill by mid-morning on weekends.
- The ocean here has rip currents and cold water; swim near lifeguard towers and check posted conditions.
- June gloom: late spring and early summer mornings are often grey until midday.
- Beach volleyball courts and the pier area get very crowded during the Manhattan Beach Open and on summer weekends.
Emergency numbers
- Police, fire, ambulance
- 911
- Manhattan Beach Police (non-emergency)
- 310-545-4566
Pocket card
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Manhattan BeachManhattan Beach
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
To this address, pleaseTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police, fire, ambulance911
- Manhattan Beach Police (non-emergency)310-545-4566
Embassy
No embassies here; consulates-general are in Los Angeles (about 20 miles north).
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Rideshare LAX → Manhattan Beach: $20–40, 15–25 min (check)
- Metro K Line to Marine Ave station: about $1.75 one way (check)
- Bike rental, full day: $30–50 (check)
Say or show
- Thank you — Thank you
- Check, please — Check, please
- Where is the beach? — Where is the beach?
- Is this seat taken? — Is this seat taken?
Tipping is expected: 18–22% at sit-down restaurants, $1–2 a drink, 15–20% for taxis and rideshares.
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Manhattan Beach. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (crowds, marine layer, higher room rates), late Nov–early Jan (holiday rates) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 3 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 6 day-trips, door to door
- 4 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Airport-to-bed contract for LAX: rideshare and taxi bands by time of day, plus the Metro K Line fallback.
- Walking clusters with anchors: pier and downtown, The Strand north to El Porto, Sepulveda hotel strip.
- Place pages with verified hours for the pier, Roundhouse Aquarium and Polliwog Park, plus breakfast spots with weekend wait times.
- Event fixtures for the Manhattan Beach Open and the Grand Prix so the page can flag crowd dates.
Sources
- officialVisit California — Los Angeles County
- officialCity of Manhattan Beach
- officialLA Metro
- secondaryWikivoyage: Manhattan Beach, revision 5256406 (CC BY-SA 4.0)