The trio of cities along the southern tip of California’s Santa Monica Bay, which locals call the “South Bay,” offer plenty of options for a weekend getaway. If you didn’t see the city limit signs or noticed that the street signs change color, you might think that Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, and Redondo Beach are one continuous city, but each of these independent cities has a different personality. It’s only five miles from one end to the other, so you’ll have time to explore all three.
Plan your South Bay day trip or weekend getaway using the resources below.
Choose where to go
- Manhattan Beach is the northernmost and most exclusive of the three, with the most elegant waterfront homes, many shops near the pier, many cafes and clubs, and lively energy.
- Hermosa Beach is the most “beachy” of the three, with a pretty pedestrian street leading inland from the pier and interesting local boutiques nearby.
- Redondo Beach has the most developed pier, a marina, a nice beach with calm waters and few surfers, and a nice shopping area in the “Riviera” section at the southern end.
The best time to go
South Bay weather is best in spring and fall. In summer, the Los Angeles coastline can be shrouded in the hazy “June blues” for much of the month, sometimes lingering on “No Sky July.” On a clear winter day, just after a rain, the views are stellar.
Do not miss
If you only have one day in the South Bay, walk the Strand (waterfront sidewalk) between Hermosa Beach and Manhattan Beach, to see how people live and play.
5 more great things to do
- Redondo Beach Pier – One of Southern California’s most developed piers offers restaurants, shops (think tourist geegaws), and people-watching.
- Shopping: Try the Redondo area on Hollywood Riviera along Catalina Avenue between Avenue I and Palos Verdes Blvd or downtown Manhattan Beach along Manhattan Avenue (at Manhattan Beach Blvd). Funkier Hermosa Beach offers some interesting shops along Pier Avenue near the beach.
- Watch the Sunset – Miles of oceanfront sand offer plenty of places to sit and watch the sunset, but you’ll find few places to do it indoors with your favorite drink in hand. Your best bet for that is a leisurely dinner (or just drinks and snacks) at Kincaid’s on the Redondo Beach Pier, sipping a cocktail before ordering.
- Sport Fishing: Half-day and longer deep-sea fishing trips depart daily from Redondo Marina. No pole? No problem. The tackle shop on the same dock rents everything you need. Catches here include halibut, mackerel, bonito, sea bass, yellowtail, and more.
- Comedy and Magic Club, Hermosa Beach locals know, but few outsiders realize Jay Leno performs here regularly on Sunday nights, trying out new stuff.
Annual events
- International Surf Festival , takes place in late July or early August
- Look at the Grunion Run No; This is not a 5K or a 10K. Instead, it’s the mating spectacle of tiny silver fish that spawn en masse on Southern California beaches at high tide shortly after full moon. The peak spawning period is late March to early June.
Tips for visiting
- Go to the beaches early if you are looking for solitude. They are more lively in the late afternoon and evening and are packed on warm weekends.
- You won’t be stuck looking for a place to “go” along the beach or on the piers (each city has its own), where you will find many public toilets.
- Kids will enjoy the beach, especially if you bring something they can play with in the sand (which can be as simple as plastic cups, bowls, and utensils).
- The water is colder than you think, too cold to stay long, but the sand is warm. Don’t expect to spend too much time swimming.
- Your dog can strut his things along the Strand, but is not allowed on the beach.
The best bites
A weekend getaway is a great time to enjoy a leisurely brunch. Locals wait in long lines at Uncle Bill’s pancake house in Manhattan Beach, or for a more exclusive brunch, try Kincaid’s on the Redondo Beach Pier.
Martha’s 22nd Street Grill is located a bit away from the busy part of Hermosa Beach, but it serves great food in a relaxed setting. Anytime of the day, The 24-Hour Kettle in downtown Manhattan Beach is a safe bet for variety and reasonable prices.
Where to stay
You can easily stay in any of the three cities while visiting all of them.
Get there
Downtown Manhattan Beach is 122 miles from San Diego or Bakersfield, 66 miles from Riverside, and 230 miles from Fresno.
The closest airport is LAX.
