Manhattan Beach is a South Bay beach city between El Segundo and Hermosa Beach, with more than two miles of ocean frontage and El Porto's surf break at its north end. Its landmark is the Manhattan Beach Pier, a concrete pier built in 1920 with the Roundhouse Aquarium at its tip. Near the ocean, much of the housing sits on former sand dunes along pedestrian walk streets, with beach cottages, remodeled homes and newer modern builds, while the east side has larger lots and the Manhattan Village shopping center.
Getting around
The Metro K Line runs along the city's eastern edge, with Mariposa, El Segundo, Douglas and Redondo Beach stations nearby, and connects north to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, where the C Line and free airport shuttles to LAX also stop. Beach Cities Transit Line 109 runs from the Redondo Beach Pier through Downtown Manhattan Beach and Manhattan Village to the LAX/Metro Transit Center, with a K Line connection at Douglas. Metro bus 232 runs between the LAX/Metro Transit Center and Downtown Long Beach with a stop at Sepulveda Boulevard and Rosecrans Avenue. LAX is the nearest airport, just north of the city.
Neighborhoods to know
Downtown. The blocks around the pier, Manhattan Avenue and Highland Avenue hold most of the city's restaurants, coffee bars and shops, with Metlox Plaza at 13th Street and Morningside Drive. Homes here are close-set beach cottages and newer two-story builds on narrow lots, many on walk streets that run down to The Strand.
North Manhattan Beach and El Porto. The north end, near the El Segundo line, has a cluster of cafes along Highland Avenue, a wide stretch of sand with a surf break, and compact homes and condos on steep streets with ocean views.
Manhattan Village. On the east side near Sepulveda Boulevard, Manhattan Village is an open-air shopping center with restaurants and stores, surrounded by streets of larger-lot detached homes and townhome communities, a short drive or bus ride from the beach.
Things to do in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Pier and beach, end of Manhattan Beach Blvd. The roughly 928-foot pier, a State Historical Landmark since 1995, is open to walkers and anglers year-round, and the county beach on either side has about 115 acres of sand, volleyball courts and the El Porto surf area.
Roundhouse Aquarium, 2 Manhattan Beach Blvd. At the end of the pier, this small aquarium has more than 100 local marine species and a touch tank. Admission is free with a suggested donation. From October through March it is open weekday afternoons from 2 to 5 PM and weekends from 10 AM to 5 PM.
The Strand, along the beach. A paved oceanfront walkway lined with beach homes, used for walking, running and skating, with steps down to the sand all along the way.
Marvin Braude Bike Trail, along the sand. This county path runs about 22 miles along the coast from Will Rogers State Beach to Torrance Beach, passing the Manhattan Beach Pier.
Polliwog Park, 1601 Manhattan Beach Blvd. A large green park with an amphitheater used for summer concerts, a playground, a StoryWalk path, an outdoor fitness court and a dog run.
Sand Dune Park, north end of the city. This park keeps a piece of the original dunes, and its steep sand slope is a well-known workout climb. Some uses need an online reservation, so check the city's page first.
Live Oak Park, 1901 N. Valley Dr. A neighborhood park with tennis courts and open lawns that hosts the city's Hometown Fair each October.
Events and markets
Manhattan Beach Farmers Market. When: Tuesdays, 11 AM to 3 PM. Where: the Civic Center lot and plaza off 15th Street. Produce, prepared food and live music a few blocks from the pier.
Pier Lighting and Holiday Open House. When: Wednesday, November 18, 2026, with the aquarium open 3 to 8:30 PM and the lighting at 7 PM. Where: the Roundhouse Aquarium and Downtown, where shops stay open until 9 PM.
Holiday Fireworks Festival. When: each December; the city had not posted the 2026 date when we checked. Where: the Manhattan Beach Pier. An afternoon and evening festival that ends with fireworks over the water.
Concerts in the Park. When: Sunday evenings, 5 to 7 PM, in summer (the 2026 season ran July 5 to September 6). Where: Polliwog Park Amphitheater. Free outdoor shows on the lawn.
Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair. When: early October each year. Where: Live Oak Park and Dorsey Field. A two-day fair with booths, food and entertainment.
Manhattan Beach Open. When: each August (the 2026 event ran August 14 to 16). Where: the beach south of the pier. A long-running pro beach volleyball tournament.
Coffee in Manhattan Beach
Two Guns Espresso, 875 Manhattan Beach Blvd and 3516 Highland Ave. Flat whites and espresso drinks plus a hearty egg breakfast sandwich, open daily 6 AM to 3 PM.
Caffe Luxxe, 904 Manhattan Ave. An espresso bar a block from the beach with pour-over coffee and organic pastries.
goodboybob Coffee Roasters, 1300 Highland Ave, Suite 109. Espresso drinks made with the shop's own roasts, open early every day.
Cafe Wild, 3505 Highland Ave. A North Manhattan Beach coffee bar with an all-day brunch menu, open 8 AM to 2 PM.
Un Caffè Altamura, 1140 Highland Ave. A cafe and wine bar with European-style breakfasts and espresso, closed Mondays.
Places to eat
Uncle Bill's Pancake House, 1305 Highland Ave ($). A breakfast and lunch diner with ocean glimpses; try the burger with roasted green chiles and melted jack cheese. Open daily until 2:45 PM.
Manhattan Beach Creamery, 1120 Manhattan Ave ($). A dessert stop known for house-made ice cream sandwiched between fresh-baked cookies.
Sloopy's Beach Cafe, 3416 Highland Ave ($$). A casual North End spot for burgers; one version brings Cajun spice, blue cheese and onions braised in beer.
Fishing with Dynamite, 1148 Manhattan Ave ($$). A small seafood room and raw bar; the warm lobster roll dressed in butter is a good first order.
Rock'N Fish, 120 Manhattan Beach Blvd ($$$). Steak and seafood steps from the pier, with an artichoke grilled over oak as a starter.
Manhattan Beach Post, 1142 Manhattan Ave ($$$). Shared plates for dinner and weekend brunch, including a large ribeye cooked over white oak.
The Strand House, 117 Manhattan Beach Blvd ($$$). A multi-level dining room with pier and ocean views and a seafood-focused menu that includes Chilean sea bass.
Hours, prices and event details checked November 2026.
Manhattan Beach questions
When is the Manhattan Beach farmers market?
It runs every Tuesday from 11 AM to 3 PM in the Civic Center lot and plaza off 15th Street, a short walk from the pier.
How long is the Manhattan Beach Pier, and where is the Roundhouse Aquarium?
The city lists the pier at about 928 feet. It was built in 1920, and the Roundhouse Aquarium sits at its far end at 2 Manhattan Beach Blvd, with free admission and a suggested donation.
Does Manhattan Beach have a city transfer tax?
No separate city rate. Sellers and buyers see the Los Angeles County rate of $1.10 per $1,000, and the city receives a share of that same tax.
Escrow notes for Manhattan Beach
Transfer tax. As of November 2026, a sale in Manhattan Beach carries the county tax only: Los Angeles County charges $0.55 per $500 of value ($1.10 per $1,000). Manhattan Beach is not one of the Los Angeles County cities with its own added rate; the city's share is credited within the county tax, so the total stays $1.10 per $1,000. Source: official page.
Our transfer tax calculator runs the county and city tax for any Los Angeles County price, and the free 2026-27 LA Transfer Tax and Measure ULA Cheat Sheet has every city rate on one page.
Buying or selling in Manhattan Beach? Send Iris the fully executed contract at iris@calwestescrow.com or call (323) 300-6122.
About this guide. Cal West Escrow wrote this guide to share general local information. No business paid to be included, and we do not accept free goods or services for mentions. A mention is not an endorsement, and hours, prices and events change, so check with each business before you go. Business names and trademarks belong to their owners. Transfer tax and other escrow notes are general information as of November 2026, not legal or tax advice. Cal West Escrow is committed to fair housing: this guide describes places, not people, and is not meant to suggest who should live anywhere.