Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Manhattan Beach with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated June 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
📍 Where Manhattan Beach is
Manhattan Beach sits in Los Angeles, Southern California. Nearest major airport: LAX (Los Angeles Intl) (~4 mi / 6 km). It's roughly 15 mi (24 km) from Downtown LA and 108 mi (174 km) from San Diego — SoCal traffic can make a drive take far longer than the distance suggests, so plan around it.
Visiting? See SoCal at a glance, getting around and which airport.
Things to do in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach & Pier
Wide sandy beach with a walkable pier, the small Roundhouse Aquarium, and a family-friendly downtown.
Free; metered/paid parking
Roundhouse Aquarium
Tiny free aquarium at the end of the Manhattan Beach Pier with touch tanks and local sea life.
Free (suggested donation)Farmers markets in Manhattan Beach
Manhattan Beach Certified Farmers' Market
50+ vendors at the Civic Center with artisan foods plus face painting, balloons, music, and a trackless train.
Local restaurants in Manhattan Beach
Uncle Bill's Pancake House
A beachside pancake house since 1961 with fluffy pancakes and patio seating steps from the sand — a classic family beach-day breakfast.
The Local Yolk
Lively local brunch spot known for omelettes and wraps with comfy family booths.
The Kettle
Low-key Highland Ave diner doing American comfort classics for every age and hour.
Manhattan Beach Creamery
Old-fashioned parlor making small-batch ice cream daily, home of the 'Cream'wich.'
Local shops in Manhattan Beach
Pages: A Bookstore
Women-owned indie bookstore with author events and weekly story times.
Bella Beach Kids
Family-run kids and baby shop with one-of-a-kind toys, gifts, and clothing.
Tabula Rasa Essentials
Curated gifts, home decor, candles, apothecary, books, and jewelry downtown.
Seasonal & outdoors near Manhattan Beach
The closest splash pads, patches, lights and more — distances from Manhattan Beach.
More Los Angeles family guides
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.