Los Angeles family guide
Things to Do in Manhattan Beach with Kids
Curated by Simir Shah
Reviewed & updated August 2026 · we check listings regularly, but hours and prices change — confirm before you go.
Manhattan Beach on the map
📍 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. Built by the city between 1917 and 1920 with an innovative rounded end designed to withstand pounding surf, it's Southern California's oldest surviving reinforced-concrete pier. The Roundhouse building at its tip opened in 1922 and became a marine-science aquarium in 1981, now run by a local nonprofit.
Free; metered/paid parking
Roundhouse Aquarium
This free aquarium occupies the pier's landmark 1922 octagonal Roundhouse, converted to a marine studies lab and aquarium in 1981. More than 100 local sea creatures — moray eels, octopus, sharks, and a touch tank of sea stars and urchins — live inside a building that's drawn crowds to the end of the pier for over a century.
Free (suggested donation)Family attractions near Manhattan Beach
The closest kid-friendly attractions in neighboring towns — with driving distance from Manhattan Beach.
Hermosa Beach & Pier
Lively beach with a long pier, The Strand bike path, and volleyball courts.
Free; metered/paid parking
Recreation Park
The city's 18.5-acre park next to downtown, at 401 Sheldon St, with a playground, grass play area, picnic tables, BBQ grills, ball field, and basketball, tennis and pickleball courts. It sits beside downtown, so you can pair a playground stop with a walk to Main Street for lunch.
Free entry
Kansas Park
A large neighborhood playground at Kansas St and Holly Ave with a climbing rock wall and shaded picnic benches — an easy summer-afternoon picnic stop.
Free entry
El Segundo-Wiseburn Aquatics Center
A city and school-district pool at 2240 E. Grand Ave with a 25-yard main pool and a warmer 25-yard instructional pool. Family recreation swim is limited to set windows, and the city says reservations are made at esrec.org or 310-524-2738, so book first.
Public swim: youth (3–17) $3 resident / $6 non-resident; adult $5 / $8; age 2 and under free with a paid adult
Redondo Beach Pier & King Harbor
Horseshoe-shaped pier with seafood, harbor boat rentals, and a small marina. Nicknamed the "Horseshoe Pier" for its distinctive shape, it's known as the largest "endless" pier on the California coast; the current concrete version opened in 1995 after fire destroyed its wooden predecessor in 1988. It anchors King Harbor, a roughly 150-acre harbor complex named for former congressman Cecil R. King.
Free entry; paid parkingAcacia Park
A neighborhood park in the 600 block of W. Acacia Ave, rebuilt with play equipment for ages 2–12: two shaded play structures, swings, picnic tables and a walking path. The two structures suit different ages, so toddlers and older siblings can play side by side.
Free entryFarmers 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.
Festivals & annual events in Manhattan Beach
What Manhattan Beach is known for — the events locals plan the year around.
Manhattan Beach Family Halloween Carnival
The City's Parks and Recreation family Halloween carnival at Manhattan Heights Park (1600 Manhattan Beach Blvd). Only the date, hours and location are posted on the city's special events page. Tip: call (310) 802-5448 for costs and what to expect.
See city (cost not posted)
Manhattan Beach Pier Lighting
A holiday evening in Downtown Manhattan Beach and along the pier with holiday music, shopping and dining as the season's lights switch on. The city lists the event from 6 to 9pm. Tip: it is on a Wednesday evening, so arrive early to find downtown parking or walk down from the residential streets.
See city (no admission listed)
Family Gingerbread House Decorating Workshop (Manhattan Beach)
The 8th annual family gingerbread workshop for ages 2 and up at Manhattan Heights Park; the fee includes one gingerbread house, frosting, candy and a pancake breakfast. Additional family members pay $10-11 each. Tip: pre-registration is required, and if you cannot stay, you can call the morning of and pick up a kit to take home between 9 and 11am.
$60 residents / $65 non-residents (up to 4 participants; pre-registration)
40th Annual Holiday Crafts with Santa (Manhattan Beach)
A family craft session at the Manhattan Heights Park Community Center with handmade ornaments, a spaghetti dinner, treats, hot cocoa and a visit from Santa; kids and parents are invited to wear ugly sweaters. Tip: pre-registration is required, and the Saturday session includes dinner while Sunday is a morning slot.
$15 residents / $16 non-residents per person (pre-registration)
Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks (38th Annual)
A December fireworks show over the Manhattan Beach Pier, preceded by a snow park, strolling carolers, a Santa float and live music on the pier stage, drawing an estimated 20,000 people. The fireworks begin at exactly 7pm and wrap up by 7:30pm. Tip: blankets are allowed on Manhattan Beach Blvd from 4pm, so claim a spot early and consider a rideshare because downtown streets close Sunday afternoon.
Free (snow park entry by donating an unwrapped toy or canned food)
Manhattan Beach Hometown Fair
A two-day volunteer-run community fair at Live Oak Park with a kids' carnival area, craft and food booths, and multiple entertainment stages. Roughly five decades running.
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
Manhattan Beach family FAQ
What are the best things to do in Manhattan Beach with kids?
Family favorites in and around Manhattan Beach include Manhattan Beach & Pier and Roundhouse Aquarium. Our guide lists 2 spots, each with a price note and practical tips where we have them.
Are there free things to do in Manhattan Beach?
Yes — free family spots near Manhattan Beach include Manhattan Beach & Pier and Roundhouse Aquarium. Our free things to do page lists more across Southern California.
Where can families eat in Manhattan Beach?
Local, family-friendly spots in Manhattan Beach include Uncle Bill's Pancake House, The Local Yolk, The Kettle and Manhattan Beach Creamery — independent, SoCal-only eateries, never national chains.
What does the YourSoCal Manhattan Beach guide cover?
Our Manhattan Beach family guide includes 2 things to do, 4 local eats, 3 local shops and 1 farmers market — with independent, non-chain eats and shops.
Listings are curated and may change — confirm hours and details before you go.
Where to stay in Manhattan Beach
Hotels & rentals via Stay22 · we may earn a commissionCompare hotels, resorts, and vacation rentals near Manhattan Beach on one map — then book on your favorite site.