Manhattan Beach & Manhattan Beach Pier

Manhattan Beach stretches along The Strand from El Porto to the Hermosa Beach line. At its center is the Manhattan Beach Pier, a 928-foot concrete pier at the foot of Manhattan Beach Boulevard. It was dedicated in 1920 and is a California Historical Landmark, often called the oldest standing concrete pier on the West Coast. LA County Beaches & Harbors runs the beach.

The pier

The octagonal Roundhouse at the end of the pier houses the Roundhouse Aquarium, which is free, with a suggested donation. It's run by the nonprofit Oceanographic Teaching Stations and has a shark tank and a touch tank. Fishing is allowed from the pier year-round, and there's a bait shop with fishing gear rentals. Anglers target surfperch, mackerel, bonito and halibut.

On the sand

Manhattan is a volleyball town. Nets line the sand south toward Hermosa, and the AVP Manhattan Beach Open is held here every summer. Surfers spread out along the beach, with surf lessons at El Porto at the north end. The Strand walkway and the Marvin Braude bike trail run the length of the beach.

Before you go

Lifeguards are on duty during daylight hours. There are over 450 public parking spaces in lots and on the street, and they fill fast on summer weekends. County rules ban dogs, alcohol, glass, smoking and fires on the sand.