MANHATTAN BEACH AREA GUIDE
Downtown Manhattan Beach: Something For Everyone
Slow Down to the local's pace to savor the unrivaled coastal views and unforgettable sunsets, or take a stroll with the kids to the Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the Pier. You could also shop the sidewalk sales, rent bikes to ride our paved beachside bike path, or just roll up your pant legs and collect seashells at low tide. If you time it right, you can even catch the granddaddy of all volleyball tournaments, the AVP Manhattan Open.
Local Attractions:
Manhattan Beach Pier
Manhattan Beach
started as a small beach resort, but today it's bustling with locals and tourists alike.
Roundhouse Aquarium:
Located at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier, the Roundhouse serves as an educational facility for the neighboring community. Inside are ten primary aquaria, each displaying a brilliant selection of marine fish and invertebrates.
Downtown Manhattan Beach:
Downtown Manhattan Beach blends the features of a beach town with urban sophistication. The upscale area is clean and very well maintained. Interesting shops and restaurants are concentrated on and around Highland Avenue, between Manhattan Beach Boulevard and 15th Street. Here, you can find unique specialty shops offering everything from trendy beach and surf wear to elegant antiques and shabby-chic furnishings, floral arrangements, designer toys, aromatherapy products, and housewares. The paved path cutting the beach is called The Strand. It runs from Hermosa to Manhattan Beach and is a great way to enjoy the fresh ocean air on foot, bike or roller blades.
Hollywood Park Racetrack and Casino
Located in Inglewood and mixed with the availability of off-track betting and a casino, Hollywood Park offers it all.
Walt Disney Concert Hall
Designed by architect Frank Gehry, Walt Disney Concert Hall, new home of the Los Angeles Philharmonic, is designed to be one of the most acoustically sophisticated concert halls in the world, providing both visual and aural intimacy for an unparalleled musical experience. From the stainless steel curves of its striking exterior to the state-of-the-art acoustics of the hardwood-paneled main auditorium, the 3.6-acre complex embodies the unique energy and creative spirit of the city of Los Angeles and its orchestra.
Santa Monica Pier/Pacific Park
Located on the world famous Santa Monica Pier, Pacific Park is the family place to play! It's the West Coast's only amusement park located on a pier. Millions of visitors each year enjoy all the rides, games and fun you'd expect from one of Southern California's Leading attractions. Pacific Park has it all... a dozen rides, midway games, ocean front specialty food outlets and seaside shopping.
Mann’s Chinese Theatre
Formerly Grauman’s Chinese Theatre, this Hollywood icon stands at 6925 Hollywood Boulevard. It was built in 1927 by Sid Grauman and hosted many star-studded movie premieres and events in Hollywood’s early days. Today it still draws the stars with its famous footprint ceremonies, a tradition that started with Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks in 1927. Movie stars are still immortalizing themselves in the forecourt of the theater. Don’t forget to say hello to Marilyn Monroe, Elvis and Superman – impersonators greet tourists every day in front of the theatre!
Hollywood Sign
One of the most recognizable images in our country and around the world, this landmark sits high atop the Hollywood Hills. It was originally constructed to promote a housing development at the base of the hill called “Hollywoodland,” and that’s just what the sign read. It was declared a historical landmark in 1973, but since it was not built to last, it was in need of significant repair. The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce spearheaded an effort to raise the money to fix the sign. Groups and individuals made pledges to have a letter of the sign repaired. Among those who gave $27,000 per letter of the Hollywood Sign were Hugh Hefner, Alice Cooper, and Gene Autry. Today you can see the famous sign from Hollywood and Highland, on a tour, or by driving up into the Hollywood Hills! (323) 469-8311.
Catalina Express
Are you ready to experience enchantment and beauty on Catalina Island? The adventure begins on board Catalina Express where sitting on an outside upper deck you can take in ocean breezes or keep your eyes peeled to catch a glimpse of White-sided dolphins. Or come inside and enjoy a snack or refreshing soda or cocktail as you relax in airline style seats. Passengers on board Catalina Express can expect to arrive in Catalina in about an hour, from Long Beach, San Pedro or Dana Point. Catalina Express offers year round service and the convenience of up to 30 round trips daily.
Aquarium of the Pacific
The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach, California, is one of the largest aquariums in the United States with more than 12,000 ocean animals and nearly 50 exhibits requiring more than a million gallons of Pacific seawater. It is the only aquarium in the world to focus on the Pacific Ocean. Visitors can enjoy more than 500 species, in 19 major habitats and 30 exhibits which take them on a journey throughout the Pacific Ocean's three regions: Southern California/Baja, the Tropical Pacific and Northern Pacific. Ranked as one of the top Family Vacation attractions in Los Angeles and Orange County, Aquarium of the Pacific is the perfect place to take children for educational entertainment.
Los Angeles Zoo
The Los Angeles Zoo is located in the heart of the nation's second-largest city on a 113-acre sight located in Griffith Park. Each year 1.4 million visitors pass through the gates to view a collection of 1,200 animals from around the world. Although the Los Angeles Zoo is most well known for its collection of animals, the varied and unique plant collection is getting more and more notice. There are between 350 and 400 different species of plants currently exhibited at the Los Angeles Zoo.
SHOPPING
Click on the following link for a list of shopping in Downtown Manhattan Beach which is just steps from Manhattan Beach B&B!
DOWNTOWN MANHATTAN BEACH SHOPPING
The Manhattan Village Mall - Manhattan Beach Shopping At Its Best
Located across the street from the Hotel and offers many fine stores including the Apple Store, Macy’s, Pottery Barn and Williams Sonoma to name a few.
Manhattan Beach Farmers Market
Agricultural Produce & Flowers such as in-season produce, including organically grown fruits, vegetables and herbs. Flowers, dried fruits, nuts and more! Non-Agricultural: Breads and other baked goods, fresh seafood, olive oils, hummus and more! Prepared Foods: Ethnic food booths, roasted chicken, Crepes, and kettle corn. Regular Hours: Tuesdays 12:00pm - 4:00pm; Summer Hours Tuesdays 12:00pm - 5:00pm (from Memorial Day to Labor Day); WHERE: 13th Street between Morningside Drive and Valley/Ardmore, Manhattan Beach, California.
Plaza El Segundo
Also located across the street from the hotel, Plaza El Segundo offers an array of high end shopping locations including Whole Foods Market, Banana Republic, Lululemon, Pinkberry Yogurt and Cost Plus World Market.
Beverly Hills Shopping on Rodeo Drive
Two of many places to see and be seen, Beverly Hills and its equally popular Rodeo Drive overflow with cafes, celebrities, beautiful people and fine retailers such as Tiffany, Armani and Louis Vuitton.
Third Street Promenade, Santa Monica
The pedestrian-only street is replete with boutique and larger shops, movie theaters, bookstores, pubs, clubs and restaurants. Perfect for people-watching as street performers, musicians and visionaries work the crowds.
Original Farmers Market & The Grove
Located at Third and Fairfax Streets, the Original Farmers Market is a historic landmark. It has been a Los Angeles tradition and a world famous tourist attraction for more than 60 years. September through May hours are Monday through Saturday, 9 am to 9 pm and Sunday, 10 am to 5pm. Along side is The Grove – a relatively new 640,000 square foot development. The Grove features a Pacific Theatres cinema complex, Nordstrom, Gap, and Banana Republic along with FAO Schwartz, Barnes & Noble, as well as many others.
MUSEUMS & GALLERIES
Hollywood Wax Museum
See your favorite stars immortalized in wax in scenes from their films. The Wax Museum is located at 6767 Hollywood Blvd. Admission for adults is $9.95, seniors $8.50, 6-12 years of age $6.95, and children under six admitted free with paying adult. Museum hours are Sunday through Thursday, 10:00 am to Midnight, Friday and Saturday, 10:00 am to 2:00 am.
Getty Center
The 110-acre Getty Center is located in the Santa Monica Mountains. Collections include David Hockney and pre-20th-century European paintings including Van Gogh's Irises, Claude Monet's Wheatstacks, Rembrandt's The Abduction of Europa and Titian's Venus & Adonis.
Natural History Museum
The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is to inspire wonder, discovery and responsibility for our natural and cultural worlds.
Los Angeles County Museum of Art
Located in the heart of one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world, the museum uses its collection and resources to provide a variety of educational, aesthetic, intellectual, and cultural experiences for the people who live in, work in, and visit Los Angeles.
Gallery C
Led by Christopher Korner and in partnership with architect Phillip Trigas, Graft has developed an innovative and flexible program for the Gallery C conversion of the Bijou Theater.
Museum of Contemporary Art
MOCA, as it's known locally, splits its exhibitions between the established and the cutting-edge, including Mark Rothko, Franz Kline, Susan Rothenberg, Diane Arbus, and Robert Frank.
Arts Manhattan
811 John St., Manhattan Beach, CA
Tel: 310.798.4904
Dion Gallery 1007 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA
Tel: 310.372.3681
John Post Photography
809 Manhattan Ave., Manhattan Beach, CA
Tel: 310.376.6982
Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair
Manhattan Beach, CA
Tel: 310.545.3713
AMUSEMENT PARKS
Universal Studios Hollywood
100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, CA 91608
Find a full day of action-packed entertainment all in one place: Universal Studios Hollywood, the entertainment capital of LA.
With thrilling park rides and shows, a real working movies studio and LA’s best shops, restaurants and all-new cinemas at CityWalk, Universal Studios Hollywood is a unique experience that’s fun for the whole family.
Disneyland & California Adventure
1313 S. Harbor Blvd., Anaheim, CA 92802
Experience the magic of two enchanting theme parks – Disneyland Park and Disney's California Adventure Park – only at the Disneyland® Resort in California. Fill your days and nights with the wonder and excitement of two distinct Southern California theme parks.
Six Flags Magic Mountain
26101 Magic Mountain Pkwy, Valencia, CA 91355
Visitors to the Six Flags Magic Mountain amusement park can experience over 40 fun-filled rides including heart stopping roller coasters and gentler options for the tots, and, new in 2008, The Transformed X2 and Thomas Town! Split into Bugs Bunny World and the upcoming Thomas Town, you can find a variety of live shows, family entertainment, and great food while hanging out with your favorite Warner Bros. characters. Bring your whole family to enjoy the great times that can be had at the place that lets you be a kid again!
Knott’s Berry Farm
8039 Beach Blvd, Buena Park, CA 90620
Welcome to Knott's Berry Farm! California's original theme park just keeps getting better with age. Home to Ghost Town, a real mining town (with a real sheriff) is the original park. With rides like Silver Bullet, Ghost Rider and Xcelerator, you won’t want to miss out on the fun.