Urban Beach lifestyles

Why it is Famous :The Manhattan Beach Pier, the oldest concrete standing pier on the West Coast, is a picture-perfect place to watch the sun go down. The Roundhouse Aquarium located at the end of the pier is free to the public, so you can get up-close and personal with some of the local marine life. Dave Velzy put Manhattan Beach on the map as a mecca for surfers when he opened the first surf shop in the U.S. here back in 1950. Today, the city is considered one of the best spots for beginners to catch a wave. The birthplace of beach volleyball, the sport remains immensely popular here. Every August, pros flock to the city to compete in the Manhattan Beach Open, one of the oldest professional volleyball tournaments around. If you’ve been bitten by the acting bug, you may not need to trek to L.A. to get noticed by a director or casting agent. Several major motion pictures have been filmed or produced here, including Iron Man 2 and Thor.

Facts About Destination :Manhattan Beach is known for being exceptionally safe. Manhattan Beach is home to a wide blend of people. About a third of the population is aged 35 to 54, 40% is 34 and under, and seniors aged 55 and over round out the pack.

Area Information :Manhattan Beach embodies the best of SoCal culture, and it’s no wonder that residents love it here. Between the food, the shopping and the eye-catching scenery, there’s something to make everyone feel right at home. If you want to be close to Los Angeles but you’re not interested in living near the city’s hustle and bustle, Manhattan Beach offers a quiet escape. The two cities are less than 30 miles apart, so you’re a fairly short drive away.

Why visit :Great shops, restaurants and activities peppered along Manhattan Beach Boulevard, there is so much more to explore on foot.

Best time to visit :Year around! There’s a never dull moment here, and it’s impossible to be bored when there’s so much going on. Some of the most anticipated events include the annual Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair and the World Famous Pumpkin Race Festival that takes place along the pier each October.

Life style culture :The 2.1 square miles of beachfront are some of the cleanest on California’s coast, and The Strand is a hotspot for cyclists and joggers. If you’re interested in doing some retail therapy, you’ll find plenty of trendy boutiques to choose from. For books, you’ll want to head to Pages but if it’s designer clothes you’re after, locals rave about Waverly Boutique. Manhattan Beach’s restaurant scene is known for offering some of the most eclectic choices around. Indeed, GQ named it the best beach for food in 2014. Locals love the craft brew selection at Simmzy’s and the high-end fare served up at M.B. Post. Manhattan Beach embodies the best of SoCal culture, and it’s no wonder that residents love it here. Between the food, the shopping and the eye-catching scenery, there’s something to make everyone feel right at home.

Languages spoken :English