Manhattan Beach

Manhattan Beach

 

The third and perhaps most renowned of the three South Bay beach communities are Manhattan Beach, a laid-back city that's great for families and dotted with modern mansions. Creative boutiques, upscale eateries, lush green parks, and winding bike paths fill every corner of this picturesque, beachside paradise.

Divided into multiple sections, Manhattan Beach has something for every lifestyle in the neighborhood. As a general rule of thumb, the closer you get to the water, the more expensive Manhattan Beach's homes for sale will be. Homes close to the sand are particularly sought after due to paved sidewalks, known as walk-streets. When it comes to beachfront Manhattan Beach real estate, further back along the incline, you'll find newer estates with spectacular oceanfront views.

Beyond that are several tree-lined streets and suburban neighborhoods home to newer construction. Manhattan Beach is also home to the only exclusive, gated community in the three beach cities, Manhattan Village. Boasting more than 400 townhomes and single-family residences, the village is a quiet refuge perfect for professionals, retirees, and families.

Situated close to LAX and the major freeways, Manhattan Beach is a busy hub for commuters. It's also close to tons of shopping and dining, making it easily accessible and close to just about everything. Living in town, you'll likely frequent popular restaurants like Italian eatery Love & Salt, contemporary tavern Nick's, gastropub Simmzy's, and Manhattan Beach Creamery, famous for its handmade scoops. Seafood doesn't get better than oyster-focused Fishing with Dynamite.

For shopping, Manhattan Village Plaza is a premier destination with a luxurious vibe offering an array of elevated cuisine varying between sit-down and casual restaurants. However, the city's "heart" is downtown, home to award-winning eateries, The Strand bike path, incredible fashion, art, chic stores, and more.

After you've had your fill of shopping, be sure to visit the many local parks, such as Sand Dune, which is perfect for fitness enthusiasts because of its high sloping dune, and family-oriented Polliwog Park. Soak in the coastal panoramic views of the Manhattan Beach Pier, where you'll find the educational Roundhouse Aquarium perched at the end.

Part of what residents find so appealing about Manhattan Beach is the local flavor and tight-knit community. There are always festivities and celebrations going on all year round. The annual Holiday Fireworks show and free summer concert series are joined by major sporting events like the International Surf Festival (neighboring Redondo and Hermosa also host) and the Manhattan Beach Open Volleyball Tournament. But nothing brings residents and visitors together quite like the Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair, which has been ongoing for almost 50 years now.

School-aged children will attend one of the best districts in the country at Manhattan Beach Unified School District, a tech leader, Apple Distinguished, and ranked in the top 1% nationally.