Top 15 Things To Do in Manhattan Beach, California

Why Manhattan Beach Belongs on Your Adventure Shortlist

Sand, surf, and an easygoing strand define Manhattan Beach, but the story of this coastal town is found in the fluidity between water and street. Mornings begin with surfers reading the swell at El Porto—an enduring magnet for shortboard and longboard riders alike—while families and fitness-minded locals roll along The Strand on bikes, e-bikes, and on foot. Here, water activities are not niche; they are neighborhood life. A quick boat rental or a guided boat tour from nearby marinas gets you offshore in minutes for whale watching, pelagic birding, or a private cruising hour to watch the light hit the Palos Verdes cliffs.

If you chase vertical movement rather than horizon lines, the Strand’s continuous paved path is ideal for bike rental and bike tour options that emphasize ease and scenery over strenuous climbs. Walking tours through the downtown capture the coastal architecture, surf culture, and café rituals that make late afternoons feel like a reward for a morning at sea. For those after deeper blue experiences, scuba excursions and dive charters run from regional harbors—Catalina and the kelp forests are accessible with a short transit and promise different wildlife encounters than the shoreline: Garibaldi, kelp bass, and cavernous swim-throughs for divers who want to pair a breathing-underwater adventure with their surface-level surf sessions.

The practical beauty of Manhattan Beach is how neatly activities stack: surf a morning swell, rinse off, join a sightseeing tour or bus tour of greater Los Angeles if you crave variety, then slip into the evening with a pier cast for fishing or a sunset flight for an aerial perspective. Wildlife viewing here is accessible; dolphins often ride the bow, pelicans hunt the shallows, and seasonal whale migrations are visible from the shore or a boat tour. The town’s footprint keeps logistics simple—short walks, easily rented gear, and a spectrum of guide options from informal lessons to full-service charters. For anyone plotting a coastal weekend that balances low-effort joy with genuine outdoor access, Manhattan Beach is a practical, lively, and scenic choice.

The town punches above its size in variety: water activities, surf culture, and fishing sit beside urban comforts—cafes, galleries, and well-stocked outfitters. That mix makes it easy to pivot plans by weather or mood without losing the day to transit.

Manhattan Beach works as a base for both quick day trips to Catalina or Palos Verdes and local short-form adventures—boat rental for a few hours, a guided scuba trip, or a relaxed bike tour along the coast. Shoulder seasons reward lower crowds and pleasant water temps; summer fills out with beachgoers and longer rental lines.

Choose Your Adventure Level