Between Santa Monica And Long Beach Is A Laid-Back Beach City With A Scenic Pier & Upscale Dining

If you're trying to experience the best of Southern California and you're not necessarily interested in theme parks or world-class attractions, one of the more notable regions is known as the South Bay. Encompassing 15 cities, this area is known for having pristine beaches, a laid-back atmosphere, and a plethora of activities for all ages. One particular stretch of the South Bay worth visiting is the three "Beach" cities. First, there's Redondo Beach, a charming coastal city with waterfront restaurants, then Hermosa Beach, and finally Manhattan Beach.

Of the three, Manhattan Beach is where you'll find more upscale restaurants and boutiques, making it an ideal vacation destination for those who appreciate the finer things in life. Plus, its stretch of sand includes the Manhattan Beach Pier, the oldest concrete pier on the West Coast. To help you find it on the map, it's about 30 minutes south of Santa Monica and about 40 minutes northwest of Long Beach.

So, if you're looking for a breezy, memorable beach vacation while avoiding the more crowded tourist spots, it may be time to visit Manhattan Beach. Here's what you can expect.

Although Manhattan Beach may often fly under the radar compared to other Southern California cities, it has quite a few attractions, the most scenic of which is its 2.1 miles of shoreline. Smack dab in the center is the Manhattan Beach Pier, which was built in the 1920s and is still open to the public. Although it's not as exciting as other piers, like the Santa Monica Pier, aka one of the top five iconic landmarks in California to visit, it's worth adding to your itinerary.

Not only can you enjoy scenic views of both the city and the Pacific Ocean, but the pier is also home to the Roundhouse Aquarium, a free attraction that showcases local sea life through interactive exhibits. Fishing is also allowed on the pier, and best of all, you don't need a California fishing license to do so.

Beyond the beach itself, the city offers other ways to play outside. For those who love more intense experiences, the AdventurePlex offers a ropes course, a rock wall, and a five-level play structure for little ones to get all their energy out in a single sitting. Alternatively, Polliwog Park has a newly renovated playground, a botanical park, and a large pond you can walk around. There's also Begg Pool next door that allows swimming during the summer. Finally, if you're more interested in unique scenery, reserve a spot at Sand Dune Park, featuring a 100-foot climbable dune for a 360-degree view of the city.

One of the advantages of visiting Manhattan Beach is that it's only a 15-minute drive south of LAX, making it highly convenient for out-of-towners. Or, if you don't want to fight the crowds at LAX, the city is only about 40 minutes northwest of the Long Beach Airport, aka one of the most efficient and traveler-friendly airports in the U.S. There are also various hotels and vacation rentals throughout the city. However, if you want to be close to the beach, there are two primary hotel options. First, there's the Sea View Inn, which offers a more localized experience and views of the ocean, although it's not technically next to the sand. Second, there's the Shade Hotel, which offers a more upscale experience.

As we mentioned, the city is also great for high-end shopping and dining. One of the best places to do that is Manhattan Village, an outdoor mall with brands like Anthropologie, Sephora, GAP, and PINK. And when you get hungry, there's a blend of casual and upscale restaurants. For fine dining, BOA Steakhouse offers a contemporary experience, complete with dishes like caviar, snow beef, and lamb lollipops. Alternatively, for a slightly more relaxed meal, JOEY offers similar fare, as well as sushi, burgers, and pasta.

But since you're next to the ocean, there's no reason not to indulge in fresh seafood. Fishbar is a laid-back option that specializes in oysters on the half shell or lobster dishes like mac n' cheese or tacos. If you're near the pier, Fishing With Dynamite is a highly rated spot that offers both classic East Coast flavors and modern dishes like ceviche, tartare, and sashimi.