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.
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)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
Redondo Beach Pier & King Harbor
Horseshoe-shaped pier with arcades, seafood, harbor boat rentals, and a small marina.
Free entry; paid parking
Darby Park
A friendly community park with a playground, ball fields, and a recreation center that runs youth programs and a gymnasium. A dependable spot for letting kids burn energy without the crowds of the larger parks. Check the rec center desk for seasonal kids' activities before you go.
Free
Centinela Adobe
Step back to 1834 inside this restored adobe ranch house, furnished with period pieces and run by volunteer docents who clearly love the place. The grounds include the old Freeman land office that helped found Inglewood — a real surprise just off the 405. It's only open Sunday afternoons, so plan around that narrow window and call ahead to confirm a docent is on hand.
Free (donations welcome)
Lake Park at Hollywood Park (SoFi)
Wrapping the gleaming SoFi Stadium is a 12-acre public green with a 6-acre lake, walking paths, and open plazas that are free to roam on non-event days. Saturdays bring a farmers market and free community workouts, making it an easy morning out with a stroller. Skip game days, when traffic and crowds take over the whole district.
Free
Inglewood Public Library
The civic-center main library has a dedicated children's services desk and is a classic free rainy-day or hot-afternoon option for story time and picture books. Note the main branch has been temporarily closed for work, so call or check the library site for current hours and any interim location before heading over.
FreeFarmers 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 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.
See site for admission
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, sorted by distance from you with hours, prices and tips.
Are there free things to do in Manhattan Beach?
Yes — free family spots near Manhattan Beach include Manhattan Beach & Pier and Roundhouse Aquarium. Use the "free only" filter in the finder above to see them all.
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 — all hand-curated, locally owned, and sorted by distance from you.
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.