Attractions and Places To See around Manhattan Beach - Top 20
Best attractions and places to see around Manhattan Beach offer a diverse range of coastal experiences and cultural points of interest. The region features expansive sandy beaches, scenic viewpoints, and unique artistic installations. Visitors can explore a variety of outdoor activities, from cycling along the coast to discovering local history and art. Manhattan Beach provides opportunities for both relaxation and active exploration.
Best attractions and places to see around Manhattan Beach
- The most popular attractions is Torrance Beach, a beach that lies between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove. This beautiful, soft sand beach has 40 acres of beach and is at the foot of cliffs.
- Another must-see spot is El Segundo Beach, a long stretch of car-free public beachfront. This beach is accessible by an excellent bike/pedestrian boardwalk trail, offering views of the Pacific.
- Visitors also love Luminaries of Pantheism Mural, a large two-story mural. This artwork pays tribute to sixteen of the worldโs great thinkers, spanning thousands of years.
- Manhattan Beach is known for its beaches, viewpoints, and man-made monuments. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, including coastal trails and artistic sites.
- The attractions around Manhattan Beach are appreciated by the komoot community, with 37 upvotes and 7 photos shared.
Last updated: May 5, 2026
Torrance Beach
Highlight โข Beach
There restrooms, a concession stand, showers, bike path, beach wheelchairs, and volleyball nets. Torrance Beach is great for swimming, fishing, scuba and skin diving, and surfing.
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El Segundo Beach
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Luminaries of Pantheism Mural
Highlight โข Monument
โPantheismโ equates God with the forces and laws of the Universe. The huge 2 story mural with 16 giant faces takes up the entire block. The Luminaries of Pantheism, as it is called, pays tribute to sixteen of the worldโs great thinkers, spanning thousands of years. venicepaparazzi.com/2018/03/20/luminaries-of-pantheism
painted by Levi Ponce, designed by Peter Moriarty, and conceptualized by Perry Rod.
Unveiled in 2015 by TheParadiseProject.org
Carl Gustav Jung, Swiss psycho analyst, B.1875, D. 1961
Everything that irritates us about others can lead us to an understanding of ourselves.
Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakes.
Emily Dickinson, American Poet, B. 1830, D. 1886
Behavior is what a man does, not what he thinks, feels, or believes
Truth is so rare that it is delightful to tell it.
Friedrich Nietzsche, German Philosopher B. 1844, D. 1900
He who has a why to live can bear almost any how.
Whoever fights monsters should see to it that in the process he does not become a monster. And if you gaze long enough into an abyss, the abyss will gaze back into you.
We often refuse to accept an idea merely because the tone of voice in which it has been expressed is unsympathetic to us.
Henry David Thoreau, American Philosopher, Author, Poet B. 1817, D. 1862
Success usually comes to those who are too busy to be looking for it.
There are a thousand hacking at the branches of evil to one who striking at the root.
Carl Sagan, American Astronomer, B. 1934, D. 1996
Science is a way of thinking much more than it is a body of knowledge.
We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.
Extinction is the rule. Survival is the exception
W.E.B Dubois, American Author, B. 1868, D. 1963
A little less complaint and whining, and a little more dogged work and manly striving, would do us more credit than a thousand civil rights bills.
Alan Watts, British Philosopher B. 1915, D. 1973
But Iโll tell you what hermits realize. If you go off into a far, far forest and get very quiet, youโll come to understand that youโre connected with everything.
Baruch Spinoza, Dutch Philosopher B. 1632, D. 1677
Whatsoever is contrary to nature is contrary to reason, and whatsoever is contrary to reason is absurd.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, American Author, B. 1803, D. 1882
Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail
Shallow men believe in luck. Strong men believe in cause and effect.
Albert Einstein, German Theoretical Physicist, B. 1879, D. 1955
The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits.
Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.
Terence McKenna, American Author, B. 1946, D. 2000
Without sounding too cliche, the Internet really is the birth of global mind
Nikola Tesla, American Inventor, B. 1856, D. 1943
The year 2100 will see eugenics universally established. In past ages, the law governing the survival of the fittest roughly weeded out the less desirable strains. Then manโs new sense of pity began to interfere with the ruthless workings of nature. As a result, we continue to keep alive and to breed the unfit.
It is paradoxical, yet true, to say, that the more we know, the more ignorant we become in the absolute sense, for it is only through enlightenment that we become conscious of our limitations. Precisely one of the most gratifying results of intellectual evolution is the continuous opening up of new and greater prospects.
Elizabeth Cady Stanton, American Suffragist, B. 1815, D. 1902
We hold these truths to be self-evident: that all men and women are created equal.
I am always busy, which is perhaps the chief reason why I am always well.
Rumi, B. 1207, D. 1273. Persian Poet
Beauty surrounds us, but usually we need to be walking in garden to know it.
Lao Tzu, Chinese Philosopher B. 5th/6th cent. BC, D. 531 BC
He who knows, does not speak. He who speaks, does not know.
Governing a great nation is like cooking a small fish โ too much handling will spoil it.
Adi Shankara, Indian Philosopher B. 788 CE, D. 820 CE
Knowing that I am different from the body, I need not neglect the body. It is a vehicle that I use to to transact with the world. It is the temple which houses the Pure Self within.
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Bluff Cove
Highlight โข Beach
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Miramar Park
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At the corner of S. Venice Blvd. and Oceanfront Walk, the massive Luminaries of Pantheism mural honors sixteen great thinkers. Lao Tzu and Rumi to Einstein and Emily Dickinson. The mural was painted by Levi Ponce, designed by Peter Moriarty, and conceptualized by Perry Rod. The two-story artwork reaches across an entire block and was unveiled in 2015 by The Paradise Project.
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Torrance Beach lies between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove. The region shared by Torrance and Redondo Beaches is often called โRAT Beachโ (short for โRight After Torranceโ Beach or โRedondo and Torrance Beachโ). This beautiful, soft sand beach has 40 acres of beach and is at the foot of cliffs which extend to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. There restrooms, a concession stand, showers, bike path, beach wheelchairs, and volleyball nets. Torrance Beach is great for swimming, fishing, scuba and skin diving, and surfing.
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As you ride along Palos Verdes Drive West, look down into Bluff Cove, a scenic rocky cove popular with local surfers, scuba divers, and snorkelers braveing the shoreline. A hiking trail descends to Bluff Cove Beach, with a steeper trail leading to Flat Rock Point, where you can explore tide pools at low tide. Walking south beyond the cove takes you into Palos Verdes Estate Shoreline Preserve, continuing to Palos Verdes Point and the rusted remains of a shipwreck along the Shipwreck Hiking Trail.
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Torrance Beach sometimes goes by another name: locals call the last sandy stretch before the Palos Verdes cliffs "RAT" Beach, meaning "Right After Torrance." Torrance Beach, nestled between Redondo Beach and Malaga Cove, features 40 acres of soft sand at the base of cliffs extending to the Palos Verdes Peninsula. With over 300 parking spaces, many at the end of the Esplinade, the beach offers restrooms, showers, a concession stand, bike paths, and volleyball nets. It's a popular spot for swimming, fishing, scuba diving, and surfing.
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Miramar Park, located on 1.6 acres above Torrance Beach, offers pristine ocean views and easy access to the shoreline via a ramp or staircase. Owned and maintained by the City of Torrance, the park was dedicated in 1984 after a collaborative effort with Los Angeles County to secure beach access. It features benches, security lighting, whimsical animal statues, and a plaque marking the historic site of the Hollywood Riviera Beach Club, which existed from 1931 to 1958. The park also includes a โFido Fountainโ for dogs and marks the end of the upper Esplanade.
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Torrance Beach is the only beach in the city and serves as a wide, sandy viewpoint onto the ocean's waters. There is a boardwalk path that you can run on, or you can run on the packed sand near the water.
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Biking along Palos Verdes Drive West, make sure to stop at the Bluff Cove parking vista point to take in spectacular sights of rugged cliffs and rock formations pounded by azure waves. As you pedal, enjoy panoramas of the Pacific stretching endlessly into the horizon. It's one of many stunning ocean outlooks to discover while mountain biking on the Peninsula.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What natural attractions can I explore around Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach offers several natural attractions. You can visit Torrance Beach, known for its soft sands and cliffs, or El Segundo Beach, a long stretch of car-free public beachfront accessible by a boardwalk trail. Further south, Bluff Cove is a scenic rocky cove popular with surfers and divers, offering tide pools at low tide and a hiking trail. The Manhattan Beach Pier, a State Historical Landmark, also extends into the Pacific, providing stunning ocean views.
Are there any historical or cultural sites to visit in Manhattan Beach?
Yes, Manhattan Beach has several points of historical and cultural interest. The Manhattan Beach Pier itself is a State Historical Landmark. You can also find the Manhattan Beach Historical Society in Polliwog Park, which displays photographs and artifacts detailing the city's evolution. For art enthusiasts, the Luminaries of Pantheism Mural is a large two-story artwork paying tribute to sixteen great thinkers. Additionally, Miramar Park marks the historic site of the Hollywood Riviera Beach Club.
What outdoor activities are popular near Manhattan Beach?
The area around Manhattan Beach is excellent for various outdoor activities. You can enjoy cycling or walking along the scenic South Bay Bike Path, which connects many of the local beaches. Hiking is popular on trails like Veteran's Parkway, a 3.5-mile woodchip trail. For more specific routes, you can explore options in the Hiking around Manhattan Beach guide or the MTB Trails around Manhattan Beach guide.
Are there family-friendly attractions in Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach offers several family-friendly options. Both Torrance Beach and El Segundo Beach are great for families, with facilities like restrooms and showers at Torrance Beach. Polliwog Park features expansive green spaces, play areas, and a pond. The Roundhouse Aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier is a free-to-enter marine studies lab with interactive exhibits, perfect for children.
Where can I find scenic viewpoints in Manhattan Beach?
For scenic views, the Manhattan Beach Pier offers panoramic ocean vistas, especially at sunset. Miramar Park, located above Torrance Beach, provides pristine ocean views and easy access to the shoreline. Bluff Cove also offers spectacular sights of rugged cliffs and rock formations.
What are the options for cycling or walking along the coast?
The Strand is a popular 22-mile oceanfront paved path, with a 2-mile section in Manhattan Beach, perfect for walking, jogging, and biking with stunning ocean views. The South Bay Bike Path also provides excellent access to beaches like El Segundo Beach. You can find various routes in the Hiking around Manhattan Beach guide, many of which are suitable for cycling too.
Is Manhattan Beach accessible for visitors with wheelchairs?
Yes, several attractions in Manhattan Beach are wheelchair accessible. Torrance Beach offers beach wheelchairs, and Miramar Park is also wheelchair accessible. The Luminaries of Pantheism Mural is also noted as being wheelchair accessible.
Where can I find parking for attractions in Manhattan Beach?
Parking is available at various locations. Torrance Beach has parking facilities, and Miramar Park also offers parking. For other areas, street parking and public lots are available, particularly in Downtown Manhattan Beach and near popular beach access points.
What is the best time to visit Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach is enjoyable year-round due to its mild Southern California climate. However, the summer months (June to August) are popular for beach activities, sunbathing, and events like the Manhattan Beach Open volleyball tournament. Spring and fall offer pleasant weather with fewer crowds, ideal for walking, cycling, and exploring. Winter is mild, making it suitable for coastal walks.
Are there any unique or 'hidden gem' spots in Manhattan Beach?
While many attractions are well-known, some spots offer a unique charm. Sand Dune Park, with its 100-foot-high natural dune, provides opportunities for hiking and sand boarding (reservations required). The Manhattan Beach Botanical Garden within Polliwog Park is a serene haven showcasing native plants. The various public artworks scattered throughout the city, including sculptures and murals, also offer unique discoveries.
What kind of running trails are available near Manhattan Beach?
Manhattan Beach offers a variety of running trails, from easy coastal paths to more challenging routes. The South Bay Bike Path is excellent for flat, scenic runs along the ocean. Veteran's Parkway provides a softer surface with its woodchip trail. For more detailed options and distances, consult the Running Trails around Manhattan Beach guide, which includes routes like the Hermosa City Beach loops.
Can I find places to eat or drink near the attractions?
Yes, Downtown Manhattan Beach is known for its vibrant dining scene, offering charming boutiques, upscale and casual restaurants, and cafes. Many establishments, such as The Strand House, provide oceanfront dining with breathtaking views. You'll find numerous options for food and drinks conveniently located near the pier and beach areas.
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Most popular attractions around Manhattan Beach
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